Accessibility

Science Park Station is located on the D/E branches of the Green Line. This station has an elevator that will take you from the platform to the street level and vice versa. 

Paid parking is available in the Museum's attached garage. Designated disabled parking spaces are located near the elevator on all floors. Take the elevator down to the first floor (lobby level) and the Museum's lobby will be straight ahead of you. 

Visitor pick-up and drop off is allowed at the Museum's main entrance. There is an automated doorway when you enter from the front plaza. 

• For sighted guide support navigating this page and the rest of the Museum's website please click here. You will be asked to share your screen and a live, virtual sighted guide will assist in describing and navigating in real-time. 
• The Museum offers free, virtual sighted guide services through AIRA Explorer, which can be used on your personal device while visiting the Museum. This includes sighted guide tours where live interpreters communicate key information through audibly describing, reading, and navigating in real-time by viewing your surroundings through your personal device or phone camera. You can use the Aira Explorer web browser here or by downloading the app here. 
• Audio description is available for all pre-recorded Omni and 4-D Theater shows. It is also available for select shows in the Planetarium. You can request audio description devices from the Museum box office or staff stationed at the entrance to each theater.
• Please ask Planetarium staff for Braille constellation maps and tactile pictures while attending a live presentation or pre-recorded show.
• The Museum has trained sighted guides on staff, please request a sighted guide for your visit by emailing [email protected] or calling Science Central at 617-723-2500.

Exhibit Recommendations

• The Museum has many tactile and multi-sensory objects to explore throughout our exhibits. 
• Cosmic Light, located in the Red Wing, level 1 (on the lobby level to the left when you enter the lobby, past the Omni theater, in front of the Planetarium) houses an exhibit that features Dr. Mona Minkara, a chemist and AstroAccess ambassador who is blind and performed zero gravity flights to help make space travel more accessible. Dr. Minkara's flight suit is available to touch, along with many other tactiles. Braille guides for the Cosmic Light exhibition can be requested by asking a staff member at the Information Desk in the lobby.
• Arctic Adventure, located in the Blue Wing, Level 1 (on the lobby level to the right when you enter through ticketing) has a touchable ice wall; many objects and technologies used to explore Arctic ecosystems; and a team-based game that uses haptic feedback.
• New England Habitats, located in the Green Wing, Level 1 (on the lobby level to the left when you enter through ticketing) has touchable, taxidermized animals and natural artifacts, as well as scent stations that mimic the flora and fauna of New England.
• Science in the Park, located in the Blue Wing, Level 2 (one floor up from the lobby) has many full body, interactive experiences, including equipment to see-saw and spin on and a bed of nails that you can lay on. 
• Natural Mysteries, located in the Blue Wing, Lower Level (one floor down from the lobby level) has many rocks, shells, and natural materials to touch and explore. 
• Take a Closer Look, located in the Blue Wing, Lower Level (one floor down from the lobby level) has many items to touch, listen to and smell. Including activities with directional hearing, temperature detection, vibrations, and sonar. 

Loud Noises

• Noise reducing headphones are always available while at the Museum. You can request a pair from staff at the Information desk in the lobby, or from staff at the black kiosk in front of the Theater of Electricity entrance. You do not need to attend a Theater of Electricity show to borrow a pair. 
• There is a low sensory viewing area in the Theater of Electricity, located to the left of the main entrance. You can also access the low sensory viewing area from the top of the ramp next to the accessible restrooms. The presenters typically give advance warnings when loud noises will occur during the show.
• Quieter times to visit usually include Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9:00-11:00am and on weekday afternoons after 2:00pm during the school year. We recommend planning around school vacations and holidays due to these being very busy. September is also a quieter month to visit. 
• Access Hours at the Museum is an event held every other month, where we extend our typical open hours and limit the number of people coming to the Museum, to ensure a quieter, less crowded experience. Upcoming Access Hours will be posted on the bottom of the Accessibility page under Events.
• The Theater of Electricity, 4-D Theater, Planetarium, and the Omni are generally louder environments. The Planetarium often hosts lower sensory versions of shows, labeled as “Soft Light, Soft Sound”. This includes Big Bird’s Adventure: One World One Sky (Soft Light, Soft Sound), showing the first Sunday of each month at 10:30am;, and The Taylor Swift Experience (Soft Light, Soft Sound), a low sensory edition of The Taylor Swift Experience. Please find upcoming Soft Light, Soft Sound showtimes at the bottom of the Accessibility page under Events. 
• More information can be found in the sensory map below.

Bright and Flashing Lights

• Exhibits with flashing/strobing lights will be blocked off from immediate view and labeled with a caution sign. 
• The Theater of Electricity and all music shows at the Planetarium have flashing lights.
• More information on dimmer light areas can be found in the sensory map below.

Sensory and Big Movement Activities

• More information on recommended exhibits for big movements and sensory activities can be found in the sensory map below.

Break Areas

• Quieter places to take a sensory break are located throughout the Museum. Please find information in the sensory map below.

Free admission is offered to personal care assistants when accompanying a person with disabilities who requires support to visit the Museum. For more information please email [email protected] or call Science Central at 617-723-2500.

Service dogs are welcome at the Museum. There are grassy areas surrounding the building for use; we kindly ask that you dispose of any animal waste.