Children's Museums

Discovery Museum

Name: Discovery Museum
Address: 177 Main St, Acton, MA 01720, Acton, MA, US
Telephone: (978) 264-4200
Rating: 4.7

★★★★☆ 4.7 (1893 reviews)

📍 177 Main St, Acton, MA 01720

📞 (978) 264-4200

🌐 www.discoveryacton.org

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	9 AM–4:30 PM
Tuesday	9 AM–4:30 PM
Wednesday	9 AM–4:30 PM
Thursday	9 AM–4:30 PM
Friday	9 AM–4:30 PM
Saturday	9 AM–4:30 PM
Sunday	9 AM–4:30 PM

⭐ Want to stand out? Get featured ⭐

About Discovery Museum

Hands-on exhibits for toddlers on up. Interactive science exhibits for children of all ages, as well as adults. The Discovery Museum features a 550-square-foot fully accessible treehouse, making it one of the few museums with a dedicated accessible nature structure for exploration. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,893 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Children's Museum
Best For: All ages
Key Features: STEAM exhibits, fully accessible treehouse, nature playscape, year-round outdoor play
Free Admission: First Friday nights 4:30-8:00pm, all summer Friday nights, special sensory-friendly hours
Recognition: Awarded the Nation's Highest Museum Honor

💡 Did You Know?

⭐The Discovery Museum features a 550-square-foot fully accessible treehouse, making it one of the few museums with a dedicated accessible nature structure for exploration
⭐The museum offers 'Especially for Me' program with free admission hours specifically designed for families with children with autism spectrum disorder, hearing or vision loss, and sensory sensitivities
⭐Discovery Museum provides free admission during all Friday nights throughout the summer, plus the first Friday of each month (4:30-8:00pm), making it significantly more accessible than comparable Boston-area children's museums
⭐The museum hosts 'Discovery After Dark,' a 21+ adults-only evening party event, offering a unique engagement model for adult visitors beyond typical family-focused museum programming

💬 What Visitors Say

🕐Visit on weekday mornings or during school hours to avoid crowds and enjoy a more relaxed experience. Many reviewers specifically praised weekday visits and noted that arriving in the first 1-2 hours before peak times allows children to explore more comfortably.
💬Plan for at least 2 hours of visit time to fully experience the exhibits. Reviewers noted children stayed engaged longer than expected at various stations, and there's much to explore across STEAM exhibits, the treehouse, water room, and outdoor nature playscape.
💬Attend Free Friday Nights (first Friday of each month 4:30-8:00pm, or all Friday nights in summer) for completely free admission. For families with sensory-sensitive children, book the free 'Especially for Me' hours designed for children with ASD, hearing/vision loss, or sensory sensitivities.
💡Bring multiple adults if visiting with young children, especially on busier days, as the museum gets crowded on weekends and public holidays. Parking is convenient with a shuttle service available if the main lot is full.
💡Don't miss the water room (smocks provided) and the drawing station where children create inertia drawings they can take home. The baby area is noted as exceptionally clean, safe, and designed with thoughtful interactive elements for the youngest visitors.