HARVARD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
26 Oxford Street, Cambridge
The Harvard Museum of Natural History invites visitors to explore the wonders of the natural world through galleries spanning zoology, geology, botany, climate science, and human evolution. Highlights include the world-famous Glass Flowers collection, impressive dinosaur fossils, and immersive exhibits on biodiversity and planetary change.
HARVARD-SMITHSONIAN CENTER FOR ASTROPHYSICS
60 Garden Street, Cambridge
Located in Cambridge’s Observatory Hill, the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) is one of the world’s leading institutions for the study of the universe. The CfA brings together scientists who explore everything from the life cycle of stars to the origins of galaxies and planets. While much of its research happens behind the scenes, the center regularly hosts free public lectures, special events, and seminars that invite visitors to learn about cutting-edge discoveries in astronomy and space science.
MIT MUSEUM
314 Main Street, Cambridge
Located in Kendall Square, Cambridge, on the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the MIT Museum offers a window into the wide-ranging research interests of the MIT community. The museum features exhibits on holography, robotics, artificial intelligence, and more. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits, view technology-focused artworks, and see how MIT research has evolved from its founding in 1861 to today’s cutting-edge innovations.
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE
1 Science Park, Boston
Explore the Museum of Science, Boston, one of the city’s top destinations for hands-on learning and discovery. With more than 700 interactive exhibits spanning space, technology, and the natural world, the museum offers endless opportunities to spark curiosity. Step into the immersive Charles Hayden Planetarium or Mugar Omni Theater, surround yourself with beautiful creatures in the Butterfly Garden, and experience indoor lightning storms in the Theater of Electricity.
NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM
1 Central Wharf, Boston
At the New England Aquarium, visitors can dive into the science of the ocean, exploring marine ecosystems, studying aquatic animal behavior, and engaging with hands-on exhibits that reveal the wonders of oceanography and conservation. From the bustling Giant Ocean Tank to interactive touch tanks and live animal presentations, the aquarium offers a range of opportunities to learn about everything from coral reef ecology to the latest marine research, and more.
PEABODY MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY & ETHNOLOGY
11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge
One of the oldest museums dedicated to the study of human cultures, Harvard’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology showcases thousands of artifacts that highlight the intersections of culture, science, and history. Visitors can explore exhibits on ancient civilizations, Indigenous technologies, global traditions, and ongoing archaeological research.
RUSSELL MUSEUM
2 N Grove St, Boston
Located on the main campus of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, the Paul S. Russell Museum of Medical History and Innovation offers visitors a look into over two centuries of medical breakthroughs and patient care. The museum features a main gallery, rotating exhibits, and a year-round rooftop garden overlooking Beacon Hill. Explore artifacts and interactive displays and learn about the hospital’s evolving role in the medical field. Admission is free, making it an accessible stop for those interested in the intersection of science, technology, and healthcare.
THE COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS
1 Oxford Street, Cambridge
Located within Harvard’s Science Center, the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments offers a fascinating look at how science has been practiced and taught over the past 500 years. The museum features telescopes, microscopes, early electrical devices, navigational tools, and mechanical instruments that once shaped groundbreaking discoveries. Exhibits reveal how these tools transformed fields such as astronomy, physics, medicine, and engineering.
INNOVATION TRAIL
Various Locations
Boston's Innovation Trail takes visitors on a journey through the city’s most influential centers of science, technology, and entrepreneurship. Starting in downtown Boston and stretching into Kendall Square, the trail highlights the people, companies, and institutions behind groundbreaking discoveries. Popular stops include the Entrepreneur Walk of Fame, where plaques honor legendary innovators like Steve Jobs and Thomas Edison; the MIT Kendall Square campus, a hub of research and startups that showcases the area’s cutting-edge technological achievements; and the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, known for its role in mapping the human genome. Guided or self-guided, the trail offers a unique way to see how Boston and Cambridge became global centers of innovation.
