Slowly more venues are re-opening to the public. While some families may not be ready to head into Boston others may be looking for something to do during this unusual summer. Wherever your family falls on the spectrum we want you to have all of the information you need to help you Find Your Family Fun®! We will continue to update this list with other Greater Boston museums, zoos, and aquariums as they share their re-opening plans.
As we have all learned over the past few months things change quickly and you are encouraged to call or visit venue websites to confirm they are open before visiting.
Museums
Boston Children's Museum
308 Congress Street, Boston, MA
"Boston Children’s Museum is the second oldest, and one of the most influential children’s museums in the world." - Boston Children's Museum Website
- Significantly reduced capacity
- Staff and visitors over the age of 2 are required to wear a mask
- Advanced purchase online timed tickets only
- 10 AM - 12:30 PM
- 2 PM - 4:30 PM
- Closed exhibits include PlaySpace, The New Balance Climb, KidStage, parts of Construction Zone, and parts of Boston Black
- STEAM Lab, Art Lab, and the Japanese House are open with reduced capacity.
- Bubbles and Peep exhibits are open but smocks are not being provided. Please plan to bring extra clothes if you think you will need them.
- Enhanced cleaning will occur throughout the day.
- Deep cleaning will occur between the two time-slots.
- Outside air will continually be recirculated into the museum.
Learn more about the Boston Children's Museum and how they are working to keep families safe at https://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/reopening.
Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum
"Re-enact the Event that Started a Revolution - Historical interpreters, interactive exhibits, full-scale replica 18th-century sailing vessels, and historic artifacts, are just some of what you’ll experience during your visit." - Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum Website
- Open Thursday to Sunday 10 AM - 4 PM
- Reduced tour capacity
- Some parts of the tour are currently closed
- Staff and visitors are required to wear a mask
- An electrostatic disinfectant sprayer will be used throughout the day
- Deep cleaning will occur twice a day
- Plexiglass barriers have been installed at all point of sale locations
- Hand sanitizer will be available at all point of sale locations and throughout the tour
- Directional markers are in place
- 6 ft social distancing is required
- Character cards and feathers are no longer being handed out
- Additional safety guidelines are in place for Abigail's Tea Room
Learn more about the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum and how they are working to keep families safe at https://www.bostonteapartyship.com/.
Commonwealth Museum
220 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125
"The Commonwealth Museum brings the story to life with state of the art interactive exhibits. Its dramatic “treasures gallery” holds the great historic documents that protect our liberties. Spend an hour or an afternoon and share our common heritage." - William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth via the Commonwealth Museum website
- Open Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5 PM
- Free
- Limited capacity. If the museum is at capacity guests will be asked to wait outside
- Staff and visitors over the age of 2 are required to wear a mask
- 6 ft social distancing is required
- Max capacity of 4 people in the Treasures Gallery and Museum Theater - all other galleries and exhibits are currently closed
- Contact tracing in place
Learn more about the Commonwealth Museum and how they are working to keep families safe at http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mus/index.html.
Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston
25 Harbor Shore Drive, Boston MA 02210
"The Institute of Contemporary Art strives to share the pleasures of reflection, inspiration, provocation, and imagination that contemporary art offers through public access to art, artists, and the creative process." - ICA Boston Website
- Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 5/9 PM
- Reduced capacity.
- Staff and visitors over the age of 2 are required to wear a mask
- Advanced purchase tickets only
- Contactless check-in.
- Visitors and staff must maintain 6ft between them and those not in their household
- Increased cleaning of high touch areas throughout the day.
- Deep cleaning every evening.
- Disinfectant wipes and gels are provided. Please do not use your own while in the museum.
- No food and drink allowed.
- Elevators are limited to 4 people or one family at a time.
- Gift shop and restroom capacities are limited.
- All printed materials are now available digitally.
- Coat and bag check is closed. Bags are limited to 11” x 14” or smaller.
- Bank of America Art Lab, Poss Family Mediatheque, and Barbara Lee Family Foundation Theater and the Yayoi Kusama: LOVE IS CALLING exhibit are closed.
- Contact tracing is in place.
Museum of African American History
46 Joy Street, Beacon Hill, Boston, MA and 29 York Street, Five Corners, Nantucket, MA
"The Museum of African American History is New England’s largest museum dedicated to preserving, conserving and interpreting the contributions of African Americans. In Boston and Nantucket, the Museum has preserved two historic sites and two Black Heritage Trails® that tell the story of organized black communities from the Colonial Period through the 19th century." - Museum of African American History website
- Scheduled to re-open July 27th
Learn more about the Museum of African American History and how they are working to keep families safe at https://www.maah.org/
Museum of Science
1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114
"The Museum's mission is to play a leading role in transforming the nation's relationship with science and technology." - Museum of Science Website
- Significantly reduced capacity
- Staff and visitors over the age of 2 are required to wear a mask
- Enhanced protocols and procedures in place
- Online timed tickets only
- 9 AM - 3 PM every 15 mins
- Member-only days through July 25
- Visitors must maintain 6ft between them and those not in their household
- Visitors must wash hands before entering and upon exiting exhibits
- One way directionals are in place in some areas. Where they are not please stay to the right.
- Please use the stairs if able.
- Exhibit Halls passes issued by the Museum, MA WIC/EBT/Healthcare Connector Card, US Active Duty Military, Corporate Membership (with corporate ID), Wonder Fund, and City Pass are being accepted but pre-booked timed tickets are still required.
- Paid library passes, ASTC / AZA or Museum Professional reciprocal admission benefits are not being accepted during the first phase of their re-opening.
- Riverview Cafe, the museum store, and vending machines are open.
- Outside food is allowed only outside the museum on the front plaza.
- Lockers and coatroom are closed.
- Contact tracing is in place.
Learn more about the Museum of Science and how they are working to keep families safe at https://www.mos.org/.
Paul Revere House
19 North Square, Boston, MA 02113
"On the night of April 18, 1775, silversmith Paul Revere left his small wooden home in Boston’s North End and set out on a journey that would ultimately make him a legend. Today that home is still standing at 19 North Square and has become a national historic landmark. It is downtown Boston’s oldest building and one of the few remaining 17th-century dwellings in a large urban area in the United States." - Paul Revere House Website
- Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 AM - 4 PM
- Staff and visitors are required to wear a mask
- Contact tracing is in place.
- Reduced capacity
- 10 min intervals between groups - waits may be longer than in the past
- Hand sanitizer available at the entrance and exit
- Cash is preferred. Touchless payments available through PayPal.
- Restrooms and water fountains are closed.
- Cleaning daily, and more frequently for high touch areas.
- Food, drink, and gum are not allowed.
- The museum store is open.
- Photography is not allowed inside the museum.
- Strollers must be left in their courtyard area.
Learn more about the Paul Revere House and how they are working to keep families safe at https://www.paulreverehouse.org/.
The West End Museum
150 Lomasney Way, Boston, MA 02114
"The West End Museum is a neighborhood museum dedicated to the collection, preservation and interpretation of the history and culture of the West End of Boston." - The West End Museum Website
- Scheduled to re-open July 29th
- Free - donations welcome
- Reduced capacity
- Staff and visitors are required to wear a mask
- Social distancing required
Learn more about The West End Museum and how they are working to keep families safe at https://thewestendmuseum.org/
Waterworks Museum
2450 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02467
"A journey through the many stories connected to the Chestnut Hill High Service Pumping Station and the Boston Waterworks system." - Waterworks Museum Website
- Open Wednesday to Friday 11 AM to 3 PM
- Advanced booked online timed tickets only
- 11 AM
- 12:30 PM
- 2 PM
- Free - donations welcome
Learn more about the Waterworks Museum and how they are working to keep families safe at https://waterworksmuseum.org/
Aquariums
New England Aquarium
1 Central Wharf Boston MA 02110
"The New England Aquarium is a global leader in ocean exploration and marine conservation. With more than 1.3 million visitors a year, the Aquarium is one of the premier visitor attractions in Boston and a major public education resource for the region." - New England Aquarium Website
- Reduced capacity
- Advanced purchase online timed tickets encouraged
- Daily from 9 AM to 4:40 PM
- Staff and visitors over the age of 2 are required to wear a mask
- 6 ft social distancing is required
- Hand sanitizer stations are available
- Increased cleaning and regular disinfecting of high touch areas
- One way directionals are in place
- Interactive exhibits are closed including The Science of Sharks, The Edge of the Sea touch tank, live presentations
- The Trust Family Shark and Ray Touch Tank is view only
- The cafe is closed
- No re-entry
- Library passes are accepted. Reserving a spot over the phone is encouraged
- Strollers are discouraged to ensure being able to follow the one-way path without needing to use the elevator.
- Stroller check and lockers are closed.
- Simons Theater is closed.
- Talks and presentations are not available.
- Contact tracing is in place.
Learn more about the New England Aquarium and how they are working to keep families safe at https://www.neaq.org/.
Zoos
Franklin Park Zoo
One Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA 02121
"Zoo New England's mission is to inspire people to protect and sustain the natural world for future generations by creating fun and engaging experiences that integrate wildlife and conservation programs, research, and education." - Zoo New England Website
- Limited capacity
- Advanced purchase online timed tickets only
- Staff and visitors over the age of 2 are required to wear a mask
- 6 ft social distancing is required
- Capacity withing buildings is extremely limited
- Amusement rides, giraffe feeding, budgie feeding, in-person interpretations, and zookeeper chats are closed
- One way directionals are in place
- Strict cleaning schedule for high contact surfaces and restrooms
- Hand sanitizer and handwashing stations are available
- The Giddy-Up Grill is open. The Kalahari Kitchen is closed.
- Library passes, reciprocal, military and teacher discounts are not available at this time
- No re-entry
- Outside food is allowed but coolers are not
- Strollers and wheelchairs are not available for rental
- Vending machines are closed
Learn more about the Franklin Park Zoo and all they are doing to keep families safe at https://www.zoonewengland.org/.
Stone Zoo
149 Pond Street, Stoneham, MA 02180
"Zoo New England's mission is to inspire people to protect and sustain the natural world for future generations by creating fun and engaging experiences that integrate wildlife and conservation programs, research, and education." - Zoo New England Website
- Limited capacity
- Advanced purchase online timed tickets only
- Staff and visitors over the age of 2 are required to wear a mask
- 6 ft social distancing is required
- Offering an Outdoor Safari Walk - a one-way trail through many of the zoo's exhibits
- Indoor exhibits are closed
- Playground is open
- Amusement rides and the Masters of Flights: Birds of Prey are closed
- One way directionals are in place
- Strict cleaning schedule for high contact surfaces and restrooms
- Hand sanitizer and handwashing stations are available
- Library passes, reciprocal, military and teacher discounts are not available at this time
- No re-entry
- Outside food is allowed but coolers are not
- Strollers and wheelchairs are not available for rental
- Vending machines are closed
Learn more about the Stone Zoo and all they are doing to keep families safe at https://www.zoonewengland.org/.
