New England Aquarium

Phone: (617) 973-5200

Located on the city's waterfront at Central Wharf off Atlantic Ave. (T: Aquarium).

Hours:   Mon.-Thurs. 9-6, Fri.-Sun. and holidays 9-7, July 1-Labor Day; Mon.-Fri. 9-5, Sat.-Sun. and holidays 9-6, rest of year. Closed Jan. 1 until noon, all day Thanksgiving and Dec. 25

Admission charged.

The aquarium displays more than 15,000 specimens representing more than 600 species of fish and aquatic animals. An outdoor seal exhibit features a raised tank for visitors to view the animals above and below the water's surface. In the west wing, a 6,000-square-foot gallery highlights changing exhibits. Rising from the center of the building is a four-story, circular glass tank containing a coral reef, more than 200,000 gallons of water and hundreds of tropical fish and marine life, including sharks, turtles and moray eels. A colony of penguins is on the ground level. “Edge of the Sea” lets visitors handle tide pool animals. Whale-watch cruises and “Science at Sea” harbor tours are offered April 1 to November 1 for a fee. An IMAX theater is on site. Food is available. Allow 2 hours minimum.

 Children's Museum of Boston

300 Congress St.

Boston, MA 02210 USA

(617) 426-8855

Admission charged.

Hours:   Sat.-Thurs. 10-5, Fri. 10-9; closed Thanksgiving and Dec. 25. Phone to confirm schedule

Children's Museum of Boston is downtown on the waterfront at 300 Congress St. (T: South Station). Designed for fun and educational experiences for children through age 10, the museum offers three floors of hands-on exhibits featuring boats and water play; bubbles; a climbing maze; a Japanese house; Arthur's World; and KidStage, a children's theater.

Drumlin Farm Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary

208 S. Great Rd.

Lincoln, MA 01773 USA

Phone: (781) 259-2200

Admission charged.

Hours:   Tues.-Sun. and Mon. holidays 9-5, Mar.-Oct.; 9-4, rest of year. Closed Jan. 1, Thanksgiving and Dec. 24-25 and 31

Drumlin Farm Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, on SR 117, .7 mi. e. of SR 126, has 232 acres of pastures, fields, woodlands and ponds. This center has animals representative of a New England farm including chickens, horses, sheep and pigs as well

as various species of such wildlife as deer, owls and pheasants. In the Burrowing Animal

Building visitors go into an underground passage to see part of the dens or burrows of animals, including those of foxes, woodchucks and opossums. Picnicking is permitted.

Mugar Omni, Planetarium and Lasers

1 Science Park

Boston, MA 02114 USA

Phone: (617) 723-2500

Admission (includes The Charles Hayden Planetarium and the laser show)

The Mugar Omni Theater has a five-story, domed screen that creates a wraparound effect. Allow 1 hour minimum.

Hours:   Films shown daily; phone for schedule. Closed Thanksgiving and Dec. 25

Reservations suggested.

Museum of Science

Science Park

Boston, MA

617-723-2500

Admission charged.  On the cutting edge with impressive exhibits that will amaze and instruct adults and children.  The Theater of Electricity demonstrates the world’s largest Van de Graaff  Generator.  In the Virtual fish tank, children can create a fish and then watch it interact with other creatures as they release it into the ocean.  There are many, many fascinating hands-on interactive exhibits as well as live stage presentations.

Boston Harbor Islands

National Park Service

408 Atlantic Avenue

Boston, MA 02210-3350

617-223-8666

Georges Island:

Daily Ferries May-mid Oct. (45 minute ride from Long Wharf in Boston Harbor)

Free water taxi to other islands.

Pick wild raspberries, picnic on the beach, enjoy the view of Boston’s skyline, visit Fort Warren where Civil War soldiers were imprisoned.  Study wildlife in the rock pools, salt marsh, and woodlands.  Most beaches are pebbled, but Lovells Island has a sandy, supervised swimming beach.  Bring a picnic lunch and water, as there is no drinking water available in the island parks (except at the concession stands on Georges Island).