Community Solar System Trail - Museum of Science

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Historic Landmarks

Official Website: Community Solar System Trail - Museum of Science
Location: Museum of Science & Environs, Boston, MA map
Phone:(617) 723-2500
Ages: Kids, Teens
Cost: Free

Others to Consider: Regent Theatre, Fenway Park Tours, Babson Globe, Walden Pond State Park, Castle Island and Fort Independence

This unique tour is the creation of the folks at the Museum of Science. The sun, the hub of the solar system, is at the museum, and the nine planets (eight and a big rock that represents the planet Pluto) are spread around the Greater Boston Area. Each bronze planet model is placed the approproate relative distance from the sun.

The Mission:
Your child's mission is to find each celestial body, make a rubbing in their official passport of the planet's symbol on the model, (use pen, pencil or crayon as markers don't work), and bring home the passport with a mark for each planet.

The first five planets are easily accesible by foot or T. In addition to the sun, Mercury and Venus are in the Museum. Getting to Earth, at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, will take you about 10 minutes by foot. Mars is across the street at the Cambridgeside Galleria, and Jupiter is on the Red Line at South Station. Saturn, Uranus and Neptune (in Cambridge, Jamaica Plain, and Saugus respectively) are a little trickier to get to. You may need a combo of T and bus (or car).

Once your family has reached every planet, mail the completeed passport to the museum. You'l be rewarded with a certificate marking your accomplishment.

Planet Passports:
Planet passports are available for free at the museum, or you can Download a Planet Passport from their website.

Museum Hours:
Saturday - Thursday 9:00am to 5:00pm,
Friday 9:00am to 9:00pm

Parking:
Parking is available at the Boston Science Museum for 1,000 cars. Hourly rates apply. The garage fills up on busy days, and may close temporarily until spaces become available. Come early (before 11:00 a.m.) or late (after 4:00 p.m.) If you come late, be sure to order your tickets in advance. Take public transportation if you can: Green Line to Science Park.

Museum of Science is a Duck departure site . . . Boston Duck Tour tickets can be purchased in advance on their website or 617/267-DUCK (March 29 – November 28).

Tips

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Like any interplanetary traveler, you will want to map out your voyage beforehand, perhaps opting for the most convenient rather than numerical order of the planets you'll visit. There's no rule that says you have to visit all the planets in one day either. You may wish to follow the tour in reverse which will lead you to the Museum of Science and its Welcome to the Universe exhibit. Passports can be downloaded for free using the link provided above.