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    EcoTarium

    3.7 (94 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Inside a terrarium
    Lori F.

    I haven't been to the museum in quite a number of years, now I'm back with my granddaughter and was amazed at all the updates and user friendly experiences. She had a blast! We were there for 4 hrs and didn't nearly see or interact with everything. We did enjoy the train ride, $7 per person additional than entrance fee. We also did the Planetarium showing that was $7 per person. She enjoyed both and in turn I did, reminded of bringing my girls here throughout their childhood. Bathrooms were clean, the few employees we interacted with were kind and helpful. The playground area is much more extensive than it used to be with plenty of room for playing and exploring. It was a great day

    Bryan R.

    Great time was had by all. Lots of great exhibits and kid friendly activities. We will definately be back soon

    Looking down
    Alan B.

    This is a great place for children, offering many educational and tactile exhibits about nature, animals, environment and conservation. They have so many fun things to do, including a hurricane wind enclosure, a live animal pond exhibit, miniature rock climbing wall, bridge building, live animals, walking trails and much more. They have live educational shows throughout the day, and a planetarium. If you looking for a fun, educational place to take your kids, in the warm or cold weather, look no further. A family can spend a couple of hours here, or much more. Note that they have reciprocal museum privileges with other museums including Sturbridge village.

    City science Interactive exhibits
    Krystal K.

    We finally went for our first time - such a fantastic science museum / nature center! There is an outdoor area (in the shade) to play, with wildlife paths and a bubble station! There is also a fun little train you can take. Inside are three levels of interactive exploration and a Planetarium that runs shows throughout the day. Planetarium shows and Train Rides are an extra cost, but are very fun! We had wondered if this would be an ok place for a rainy day, and there is SO much to do inside it's perfect for any weather! We spent 4 hours there, and certainly could've spent more! You can also bring your food, which is wonderful, with a few designated areas to eat. Lockers are typically available, but we're not running when we went. Fantastic museum with great reciprocal membership locations if considering joining! (Old Sturbridge Village is free!)

    Feeding otters

    My daughter purchased tickets to feed the otters for me for Xmas $60 each! When we arrived for our scheduled out door time we were stopped at the gate and were told that we had to pay an additional $20 each for admission into the ecotarium. We told him we were only there to feed the otters he insisted that we would not be admitted if we did not pay. Well we ended up paying and we ended up with 10 minute walk and talk to the outside exhibit and a 3 minUte cup of sardines throwing session. absolutely not worth it!

    It's alive!!!
    Theo B.

    This place was an hour away for us but totally worth it. It's a zoo/science museum. The planetarium is small but quite nice. Also the otters were amazing!

    JoAnna S.

    One of my favorite places! I brought my kids here many times when they were younger and now I bring my students. Tons of cool, hands-on exhibits in their three story building. Outside they have animals and huge playground. This year we took our entire lower school and they all had a blast!

    Dino
    Andres D.

    Very cool science museum! Inside exhibits are pretty extensive and impressive. Best part in my opinion is the extensive grounds. You can spend a while here in the museum and also exploring the park area outside, which had a good number of animals to see too. Was not expecting a museum this good!

    Bubble area

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    2 years ago

    Great for a family fun afternoon. Wait for the deal days, if you don't have much money.

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    EcoTarium Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - EcoTarium

    Based on what i see on reviews, is this mostly for kids?

    Yes. It has cool stuff for everyone, but mostly for kids elementary school aged. Maybe middle school.

    Is there a place to eat there? Coming from Boston so I want to make sure that my 6 year old will have plenty to do

    Yes there is a little snack area outside with hotdogs, chips, etc

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - EcoTarium

    Also an awesome outdoor play area with picnic tables for us tired adults to take a break.

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    Worcester Historical Museum

    Worcester Historical Museum

    (10 reviews)

    Worcester, Massachusetts a little bit of unknown fun and our first time here…read more As we were exploring the area around the convention center we ventured to Elm Street and started walking . The streets are so quiet and peaceful here. Each little event is marked with some sort of celebration of history. Then we found the historical significance museum . We are definitely going in . Oh my, the museum was "free to get in and explore. " Who would have known that Worcesters world was not so small after all . It was interesting to think about. Going all the way back to 1840, the monkey wrench was created by Loring Coe in 1840. Shredded Wheat cereal was created by Henry Perky in 1895. The National Women's Rights Convention was first held in Worcester in 1850 with Susan B Anthony attending. The first Valentine Day cards were mass produced here by Esther Howland in 1847. In 1914 the liquid fueled rocket patent by Dr Robert Goddard was issued the very first one . The "smiley face" created by Harvey Ball in 1963 was kicked off . At the museum here they break down each era of Worcesters beginning and outline what happened in that specific period of time. It a chronological masterpiece. In the displays many things have been featured. Make sure and take a piece home of history with you and visit the small area that is the gift shop. Many items aside from the "Smiley Face," were made by local artists. Thank you to the staff and the city of Worcester for all their knowledge and smiles!

    Such an underrated gem of Worcester :)…read more Heard about the free admission for everyone until January in honor of a long time Museum Trustee. I was amazed and fell in love with all things Worcester! I had no idea of all the wonderful inventions & creations it had to offer as well as the well informed museum hosts who were so well educated on the history and facts about the museum. So very fortunate to have visited this museum and have even more appreciation for the Worcester community.

    Worcester Art Museum

    Worcester Art Museum

    (107 reviews)

    Lovely museum with a variety of exhibits…read more I was very excited to view the new armor collection they have on exhibit. It's a vast collection with full suits of armor down to the smallest embelishment, cerfemonial or functional. Pieces include European and Asian examples. The exhibit is included with admission and has timed entry so be sure to book ahead to get your desired time slot. A small kids area in the exhibit has art supplies and books in case the adults are taking too long. Directly across from the armor exhibit we viewed the "Peaceable Kingdom" exhibit. Artists around the world have submitted works of their interpretation based on the original painting. Some artist included information explaining their thoughts working on the project. Many of the pieces are very insightful. A recreation of an Italian palazzo courtyard showcases a roman mosiac floor. Gorgeous. Also on this level is a 12th century Charter House moved from France. The museum has adorned this space with period stained glass from England and mimic candle light with electric candelabra to set the scene. A small cafe near the moasic floor offers sandwiches, coffee, tea, water, sweets, soft drinks, soup and salad. The gift shop is by the entrance on this side of the building and offers a large variety of gift items including note cards, ornaments, books, games, kitchen items, hand bags and more. On the next level up in the palazzo are a series of galleries flowing into each other displaying European art from the 11th century to the early 20th. Behind this area you will find egyptian art and more. One exhibit included a kiosk with more information about items in that collection and a comfortable sofa and seating. At the time of this review, the third level is being renovated. The fourth level is modern art (Andy Warhol and Christos for ex.) and collection preservation labs. Fifth level seems to be an event space. Free lockers are available in the coat rooms near the ticketing desk. Class rooms are located near the Lance St. entrance. See their website for available classes. A free parking lot for museum patrons is available across Lance St. There is a cross walk with wheelchair ramps on/off the sidewalks here. An elevator is available to the left of this entrance if you cannot navigate steps. Interior elevators move between levels as do staircases. Restrooms are on a couple of levels and have diaper stations. A water fountain (bubbla) is near the elevator and restrooms. A few wheelchairs are available on a 'first come' basis. Discounted entry is available, see website for details. Most definitely recommend. I very much enjoyed our visit. Plan to possibly spend a few hours. You can easily spend hours looking at all that armor. You can also make a quick run through if you are short on time. On a side note, the Salisbury Mansion is located behind the museum and well worth a look if you have time.

    The Worcester Art Museum is packed with memorable exhibits, and I had a great time exploring them…read morefor 2.5-3 hours. I was able to make it through the entire museum at a leisurely pace. The Asian art section, especially the Japanese prints exhibit "Reflections of a Changing Japan: The Evolution of Shin Hanga" was a standout. The Roman mosaics taken from a floor of a home were definitely memorable. They're incredibly well-preserved and shows stories about life, mythology, and religion. I was amazed by the amount of skill and detail it must've taken to puzzle it back together after transporting it across the world. The ancient Egyptian exhibit was super cool, packed with statues, sarcophagi, and other artifacts. They also have some restored European and American oil paintings that were truly stunning, some looked insanely realistic. I spent the most time admiring this exhibit. I wasn't a fan of the contemporary art but one can say that I lack whatever it takes to fully appreciate it. It's a small museum but worthy of a visit.

    Electromagnetic Pinball Museum and Restoration - Skeeball (or ice ball if you prefer)

    Electromagnetic Pinball Museum and Restoration

    (60 reviews)

    Well that was super fun…read more When we arrived no one was on the desk so we began to wander the first floor. If you just want to walk around, and check out the machines that is free. I saw someone who works there and he gave us a quick 'tour'. Pinball machines are set up here by year beginning in the 1930's! There a many from the 70's, a big collection of 80's and then further back it's a mix. The tour took up upstairs. There is a wheelchair lift here, however, you have to step over a barrier at the bottom of the doorway leading to the stairs so not really handicap accessible? Call if you need info on that. Keep that door at the bottom of the staircase open so you can get back! At the top of the steps is a private event room. (sorry no photo, a meeting was going on). Turn right after the event room and follow the hallway to the 'Blue Room' on the left at the end. Here you'll find a small, open space for a party with shelves of board games, a table and comfy couches. The Blue Room includes several racing games (seated style), shooter games, skeeball, basketball throw and other arcade games. There were a couple dozen pinball machines without an outlet to play them stored in this space. Our tour guide tells us for events up to 150 people, these games are moved out and tables moved into that space. The second floor hosts many other businesses so be respectful when in the halls. Our visit lasted about two hours playing all the games. Some of the pinball machines include information on who designed them and other info. The Star Trek machine is signed by some of the actors. Scoobydoo, Addams family, Aerosmith, Rick & Morty, Dolly Parton, on and on. Some games have hepatic feedback - like when the dinosaur eats your ball in the Jurasic Park pinball game the entire machine shakes. I love how the machines are all set to 'free play'. You just hit the start button (usually a round button on the front) and you get your three balls. When that game ends, hit start again and you get another three balls. Also, if you loose a ball quickly, you get an extra ball. Really makes for a fun experience. Admission is ten dollars per person (all ages), cash or credit, and covers playing all the available games for the whole day - come and go as you please. Parking is available next to the building in two lots. No food or drink are available for sale here. When hosting an event here, bring your own catering. Contact them/visit their website for details on hosting events. Public restrooms are on the upper level off the hallway. The museum space is more or less warehouse space. It was cold in there when we visited and we left our coats and hats on (February). When there are a lot of games being played, it gets loud, so be prepared. There are a few step stools for the smaller kids. Check next to or under the machines for those or if you have a collapsable one at home maybe bring it along just in case they are all in use. During our week day visit there were a fair amount of adults in there enjoying pinball and all the other games. Staff are knowledgeable and very easy to chat with. Definitely plan an outting to visit this fun museum diguised as an arcade. Alone, or with the kids. You might become the 'fun uncle' after a day here with the nibblings.

    We had so much fun discovering the Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas several years ago, so when I…read moreheard about this similar concept in Rhode Island, I had to visit. It did not disappoint! The variety of functioning arcade games is limited, but there are many working/playable pinball machines from different eras and manufacturers. And sadly, many non-functioning machines (hopefully temporary). Michael and the quirky staff will enthusiastically provide a quick tour of the no-frills warehouse. With the super reasonable $10 all-you-can play concept, I was really able to test out so many different machines which gave me a new appreciation for the differences between the older Bally and Williams machines, and some of the modern outrageously themed machines. Surprisingly, I quickly discovered I had strong preferences in pinball machines. Who knew?! Ultimately, I found myself drawn to the simpler Bally style machines from decades ago, as the modern flashing lights in the dark warehouse were a bit of a sensory overload for me. As fun as The Simpsons and Family Guy might be, I hope Michael and his team are able to preserve the classic machines for many others to discover and enjoy for a long time!

    Discovery Museum - Leonardo da Vinci workshop

    Discovery Museum

    (102 reviews)

    I don't have kids but I went with my mom, sister and nephew. It was so cool to see what kinds of…read morebusinesses and opportunities there are for kids to receive enrichment beyond the home & classroom (e.g. daycare). It sounds like this is a popular place in the winter given its wide range of indoor activities. It's organized very well and provides different types of stimuli for children to choose from. The staff inside support and encourage parents & guardians to utilize the Discovery Museum's facilities to the best their kids are able to. The outdoor areas & trails seemed fun, as well as the giant chair and swing set.

    The Discovery Museum is a hands-on museum for families that opened in Acton, Massachusetts in 1982…read more It was founded by math teacher and naturalist Donald B. Verger. The museum blends science, natural and play. A second museum building opened in 1987. After an $8.8M expansion and renovation, the museum reopened as a single-building museum in March 2018. A 550 -square-foot tree house and accessible nature playscape were also added to the campus in July 2016. The current museum now has twice the exhibit space of the original museum and includes significant galleries for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) experiences including water, air, tinkering, design, engineering, early brain development, math, light and color, and sound. My family and I recently visited the Discovery Museum while we were visiting the area. We visited a local brewery for lunch and my wife and I were interested to see if there was a place nearby that we could take our sons. The museum came highly recommended. We're glad that we heard about it because we all had a blast. The whole campus was beautiful! There are a variety of different interactive exhibits devoted to topics such as math, airplay, water, music & sound, illusions, simple machines, light & color, and Leonardo da Vinci. My sons never wanted to leave. After exploring the museum, we all headed outside to explore the Discovery Woods. My sons really liked checking out the tree house, the nature playscape, Adventure Hill, the slap-a-phone, the outdoor da Vinci exhibits, and Bessie the Dinosaur. Overall we had an excellent experience at the Discovery Museum and we highly recommend it to families who are visiting the area!

    Salisbury Mansion - Front of house

    Salisbury Mansion

    (6 reviews)

    What a beautiful home. Open to the general public for tours at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, the door is kept…read morelocked. We knocked a couple of times before it was opened. We were a bit early for the tour and waited in the hallway until tour time began. One other gentleman joined the tour on this weekday visit. The house was moved from down the hill to it's current location in 1929 leaving behind a kitchen addition and outbuilding. Originally the home was mostly a store with a ground floor kitchen and living quarters over head. Later, the shop space was turned into a small office, central staircase, hallway, dining room and parlor as it is today displayed. The tour included information about the original owners family and their impact on the City of Worcester. The building was temporarily used as rental property, one of which was a men's club who tore down walls to build a bowling alley. Because why not? The museum has restored that area to be as close to period as possible. Some items in the home are original to the family, including a beautiful harp. Other items in the home are appropriate to the period and include some beautiful dresses, furniture and artwork from one of the gentleman's 'tour of the Continent'. One fun piece on display is a Lego mock-up of the home. The tour guide is very knowledgeable and friendly. Parking is located next to the building. I'm not sure if it's wheelchair accessible due to it's age. There certainly is no elevator to reach the upper level and the staircase is steep. Some of the wall paper has been reproduced from pieces found during renovation and the lower level floors covered in a reproduced 'floor cloth' which the tour guide described as 'the original linoleum'. Very interesting view into life in Worcester during the late 1700's and early 1800's.

    Great tour. Guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Showing just a few photos so you can see the…read morerest for yourself! Go there - it's awesome!

    EcoTarium - museums - Updated May 2026

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