Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:177 Main St.
Acton, Massachusetts
Tel:
(978) 264-4200
Play an organ pipe powered by squeezing rubber balls or stop in for a bite at Bessie's Diner, run by kids! The Children's and Science Discovery Museums are two complementary museums with endless interactive exhibits that kids of all ages will enjoy.
The Children's Discovery Museum, which opened in 1982, is located in a 120-year-old Victorian House where every inch has been creatively transformed into exhibit areas for young children and their families. Exhibits here include Bessie's Play Diner - where children cook, serve and eat pretend meals, and the Train Room - where children act as conductor, engineer and ticket taker. Kids can also explore the Safari Room and the Rainbow Room - where a giant rainbow puzzle promises loads of educational fun. Be sure to also check out the Museum's entire third floor - which is a total nautical wonderland.
The Science Discovery Museum opened in 1987 and is architecturally acclaimed, with its innovative theme spaces. The Earth Science exhibit allows kids to explore earth in prehistoric times, learn some geological history, as well as examine fossils under a magnifying glass and learn about evolution. In the Sea of Clouds exhibit visitors can actually reach into fog and create convection currents and flow systems.
When you're ready for lunch, be sure to get a hand stamp so you can be re-admitted after outside dining, which the free "On the Map" local guide to restaurants and shops can help you find. To get here, take the Fitchburg/South Acton line (the "Purple" line) to South Acton. From the parking lot, take a right onto Central Street, and a left onto Route 27 North. The Museums are one quarter of a mile ahead on your right.
A wonder-filled 120 year old Victorian house with rooms, corridors, and closets creatively transformed into ten hands-on exhibit areas especially for toddlers and pre-school children and their families. Because of the small spaces in the building, we suggest that you use back pack carriers or Snuglis® in place of strollers.