Museum of Science

For the ultimate pain-free educational experience, head to the Museum of Science. The demonstrations, experiments, and interactive displays introduce facts and concepts so effortlessly that everyone winds up learning something. Take a couple of hours or a whole day to explore the permanent and temporary exhibits, most of them hands-on and all of them great fun.

Among the 700-plus exhibits, you might meet a dinosaur or a live butterfly, find out how much you'd weigh on the moon, or climb into a space module. Activity centers and exhibits focus on fields of interest -- natural history (with live animals), computers, the human body -- while others take an interdisciplinary approach. Investigate! teaches visitors to think like scientists, formulating questions, finding evidence, and drawing conclusions through activities such as strapping on a skin sensor to measure reactions to stimuli or sifting through an archaeological site. Beyond the X-Ray explores medical-imaging techniques and allows would-be diagnosticians to try to figure out what's ailing their "patients." The Science in the Park exhibit introduces the concepts of Newtonian physics through familiar objects such as playground equipment and skateboards. Temporary exhibits change regularly, and just about any major touring show (national or international) that focuses on a scientific topic stops here; A Day in Pompeii, which includes a dramatic re-creation of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, opens Oct 2, 2011.

The separate-admission theaters are worth planning for. Even if you're skipping the exhibits, try to see a show. If you're making a day of it, buy all your tickets at once, because shows sometimes sell out. The Mugar Omni Theater, which shows IMAX movies, is an intense experience, bombarding you with images on a five-story domed screen and digital sound. The engulfing sensations and steep pitch of the seating area will have you hanging on for dear life, whether the film is about (for example) tornadoes, whales, or risk-taking. Features change every 4 to 6 months. The Charles Hayden Planetarium, which reopened in 2011 after extensive renovations, is now a high-def theater capable of "immersive video" in addition to a great introduction to astronomy. The domed venue has a state-of-the-art digital optics system that allows visitors to see thousands of stars in configurations as much as 10,000 years old, and to experience an astronaut's-eye-view of the earth.

The museum has a terrific gift shop, with toys and games that promote learning without lecturing. The ground-floor Riverview Cafe offers spectacular views of the skyline and the Charles River. There's a parking garage on the premises, but it's on a busy street, and entering and exiting can be harrowing; take the T.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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