EcoTarium

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Hours:	Hours Vary see below
Ages:	Toddlers, Kids, Teens, Adults
In/Outdoor:	Indoor, Outdoor
Cost:	see below
Category:	Museums

Other Ideas: Charles Hayden Planetarium - Now Open!; Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum; Discovery Museum; Boston Tea Party Ship & Museum (for kids and adults); Edward M. Kennedy (EMK) Institute for the U.S. Senate

ecotarium photo

The EcoTarium is a unique indoor-outdoor museum in Worcester, MA. The 3-story museum and park is dedicated to learning about science and nature.

Set in an urban oasis, the museum offers a chance to walk through the treetops, take a thrilling multimedia journey through the galaxy in the digital planetarium, meet wildlife, stroll nature trails, ride a narrow-gauge railroad, and get hands-on with lots of indoor family-friendly exhibits.

Guests are encouraged to explore three floors of indoor interactive exhibits, live animal habitats, daily Science Discovery programs, hikes through forest and meadow nature trails, outdoor imaginative play, and a train ride around the 45+ acre campus (seasonal).

There are always a number of exciting shows featured in the Alden Digital Planetarium.

Permanent exhibits include:

The Arctic Next Door: Mount Washington
Secrets of the Forest
Freshwater
African Communities
Minerals

'Thomas Edison's Secret Lab' offers an immersive and interactive experience designed to engage children in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning. Through captivating hands-on activities, visitors will be inspired by the brilliance of Thomas Edison and other groundbreaking scientists while building enthusiasm for related education and careers.

In addition, the Ecotarium also brings in exciting traveling exhibits 2-3 times a year.

View Ecotarium events schedule.

Find more must-see Boston museums for every interest in our handy guide!

And, for lots more ideas on fun things to do with the family in Boston we encourage you to subscribe to our free weekly events newsletter!

HOURS

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Friday - 10 am to 5 pm
Saturday - 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday - 10 am to 5 pm

Monday - Closed
Tuesday - Closed
Wednesday - Closed
Thursday - Closed

COST

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EcoTarium Members: Free
Adults: $19.00
Children/Youth: $14.00, ages 2-18; Children under 2 are admitted free
Senior Citizens: $15.00, age 65 and older
College Students: $14.00, student ID required

WEBSITE

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www.ecotarium.org

LOCATION

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222 Harrington Way, Worcester, MA map
Phone: 508-929-2700

View Directions

TIPS

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Museum of Science members receive free admission to the Ecotarium.

REVIEWS

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Great Family Destination

We have been Ecotarium members for several years and it is a great place to spend a day, or a few hours if you are local. We will go probably 12-15 times a year with our membership, plus some of the special events they hold. There are indoor and outdoor activities so it is a good year-round option, particularly for the 2 to 8 year old set. The new Alden Planetarium is great, and they have been upgrading the outdoor animal exhibits. The kids also love to finish up with a train ride! If you go, try to park in the lower lot (take a left after the entrance booth). We then take a train ride which originates from the station located on the edge of that lot. This leads to less fussing and foot dragging when it's time to go!

It's okay

This is fine for children and there is ample space to roam and discover. However, somehow, it should be better. Granted, the planetarium was closed for renovations when we went - but I wouldn't trek super far for this visit. If you happen to be in the area and are looking for something to do it's a destination. But nothing extraordinary.

Wonderful Time at the Ecotarium

My husband and our 2 children=Kaitlyn (4yo) and Jaden (2 1/2) had a wonderful time at Ecotarium. The special exhibit was especially fun and enriching for them. It definitely held their interest for a while. And they truly enjoyed the hands-on exhibits.