We're in that long, cold stretch of winter when indoor activities are a must but not many places are open due to Covid. We've scoured all of the local and regional museums and found some great options for a family visit!
Most of these museums require advance purchase for specific days and times.
Merrimack Valley
Public Health Museum
365 East St
Tewksbury MA
Right here in Tewksbury, the Public Health Museum provides exhibits on the history of public health as well as antique medical instruments and paraphernalia. Probably best for older kids, age 8 and up. Only open on Thursdays and the occasional Sunday. Reserve in advance. $5 per person.
New England Quilt Museum
18 Shattuck St
Lowell MA
This small museum in downtown Lowell features incredibly beautiful handmade quilts of all types, with traditional and modern designs. Open 10-4 Wednesday through Saturday; advance reservation is not necessary. $9 adults, children 12 and under are free.
Museum of Printing
15 Thornton Ave
Haverhill MA
The Museum of Printing is dedicated to preserving the history of the graphic arts and printing. The collections include rare books, lithographs, printing machines and presses and more. Open 10-4 Saturdays; no advance reservation needed. $10 adults, $8 children and students.
Metro West
Discovery Museum
177 Main St
Acton MA
With indoor and outdoor exhibits to explore, the Discovery Museum is a delight for children of all ages. Experience light and color, build machines, create art, play with water and sound, run a restaurant and explore a giant treehouse. Reserve timed tickets in advance. Visits are limited to 2 hours. $15.50 per person, children under 1 and teachers are free.
North Shore
Wenham Museum
132 Main St
Wenham MA
The Wenham Museum's collections include toys, dolls, historic home and farming items, trains and costumes. Timed tickets are required; reserve in advance. $10 adults, $8 children age 1-16, plus $5 per party Covid cleaning fee.
Salem Witch Museum
19 1/2 Washington Square North
Salem MA
The museum covers the history of the Salem witch trials and pilgrim life in the 17th century. Open daily year-round. Purchase same-day tickets online. $15 adults, $12 children age 3-14.
Custom House Maritime Museum
25 Water St
Newburyport MA
Learn about Newburyport's maritime history. Reserve in advance. Open Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays. $7 adults, $5 seniors, students and children 6-13, children under 6 free.
Peabody Essex Museum
161 Essex St
Salem MA
Explore Asian and American art, exhibits about Salem's maritime history and the Salem witch trials, and PEM's gardens and Chinese house. Purchase timed tickets in advance. Open Thursdays to Sundays and holiday Mondays. $20 adults, $12 students with ID, children 16 and under free.
Greater Boston
Larz Anderson Auto Museum
15 Newton St
Brookline MA
Learn about the history of the automobile and view "America's Oldest Car Collection". Timed tickets are not necessary. Open Wednesdays to Sundays. $12 adults, $7 seniors, students, children 6-12, children under 6 free.
Central Massachusetts
Worcester Art Museum
55 Salisbury St
Worcester MA
The Worcester Art Museum's collections include ancient and modern art, arms and armor (including the collections from the former Higgins Armory), Japanese prints, and Early American and European paintings. Purchase timed tickets in advance. Open Wednesdays through Sundays. Also open MLK Jr Day and Presidents Day. $18 Adults, children 17 and under are free.
Old Sturbridge Village
1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd
Sturbridge MA
Old Sturbridge Village is New England's largest outdoor living history museum. Visit with costumed historians as they work on 19th century farms, in shops and at home. Timed tickets must be reserved in advance. Beginning January 15, open Fridays to Sundays 9:30 Am to 4 PM. Open MLK Jr Day and all of February school vacation week.
American Heritage Museum
568 Main St
Hudson MA
Explore America's conflicts, from the Revolutionary War to modern day, at the American Heritage Museum. Learn about the technologies of warfare and view armored vehicles and military artifacts. Open Wednesdays to Sundays 10 AM to 5 PM. Also open MLK Jr Day. Purchase tickets online in advance. $20 adults, children 12 and under $10
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
1000 Hall of Fame Ave
Springfield MA
The Basketball Hall of Fame includes over 40,000 sq ft of basketball history. Reserve in advance Open Thursdays through Sundays and on MLK Jr Day. $28 adults, $23 high school and college (ID required), $19 children age 5-15, children under 5 free.
Springfield Museums & Dr Seuss Nat’l Memorial Sculpture Garden
21 Edwards St
Springfield MA
The Springfield Museums include the Springfield Science Museum, the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, the Michele and Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts, the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History, the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, and the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum. Reserve timed tickets in advance. Open Tuesdays to Sundays plus MLK Jr Day and Presidents Day. $25 adults, $16.50 college students, $13 children age 3-17, children under 3 free.
Storrowton Village Museum
1305 Memorial Ave
Springfield MA
Storrowton Village is a 19th century village specially constructed for the Eastern States Exposition 100 years ago. Learn about 19th century life, blacksmithing, and village life. Reserve in advance. Open Tuesdays to Fridays for tours at 11 AM. $8 per person, children under 6 free.
Southern MA
New Bedford Whaling Museum
18 Johnny Cake Hill
New Bedford MA
Learn about the New England whaling industry as well as local artists, the local indigenous population, and the city of New Bedford. Reserve in advance. Open Thursdays to Sundays. $19 adults, $12 student, $9 child
Children's Museum
9 Sullivan Ave
North Easton MA
Reopening January 13, the Children's Museum of Easton will be open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays for one morning playtime from 10 AM to 12 PM. Explore their STEAM lab, makerspace, space display, hospital, dinosaur den, theatre, sensory gallery and more. Reserve in advance. $9 per person
New Hampshire
We currently cannot list New Hampshire museums due to quarantine requirements when visiting other states and then returning to Massachusetts. As soon as these restrictions are lifted, we will add a list of open museums in New Hampshire.
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