Museums

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When Kids Get in Free at Chicago Museums, Zoos, and Parks

Submitted by Siobhan Adcock on Tue, 03/12/2019 - 10:58am

Chicago's museums, zoos, and parks rank among the best in the country—and lucky for busy, cash-strapped parents, many museums, zoos, gardens, and cultural institutions offer FREE or reduced admission at least once a month. Plus, many of the "grown-up" museums let kids in for free year-round, such as the Art Institute of Chicago, and most of the big institutions, including the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and the Field Museum, host popular free days just for Illinois residents throughout the year.

It can be hard to keep track of when and where these freebies are available, so we've compiled a list of reduced or FREE admission days and times at favorite Chicago cultural spots from the Art Institute to the Museum of Science and Industry.

The Butterfly Pavilion Ushers in Spring at the Natural History Museum

Submitted by Roberta B on Mon, 03/11/2019 - 3:23pm

Everyone's all a-flutter at the Natural History Museum. The seasonal re-opening of the Butterfly Pavilion takes place this month, giving us six months of access to the unfettered joy that is an afternoon among the butterflies. The new, expanded pavilion which debuted in 2017 is still on the museum’s South Lawn, offering delightful flutterby time on the same site where the creepier Spider Pavilion sets up in autumn. From chrysalis to butterfly, the Butterfly Pavilion is full of magical moments, which is why it rates as one of our 100 things to do with LA kids before they grow up.

New Interactive T. Rex Exhibit Opens at Natural History Museum

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 03/08/2019 - 3:58pm

Just three years after making waves with the debut of Titanosaur, one of our favorite family-friendly museums is upping the ante. The American Museum of Natural History is kicking off its 150th anniversary with a fantastic new exhibit dedicated to the ferocious king of all dinos. The interactive exhibit T. rex: The Ultimate Predator opens to the public on Monday, March 11—read on for more details on this not-to-be missed exhibition that will impress dinosaur-obsessed kids and adults alike.

Boston's New England Aquarium: Guide to What's New and What to Do with Kids

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Tue, 03/05/2019 - 4:00pm

My son loves animals of all kinds, so I knew we had to take him to the New England Aquarium as soon as he was old enough for the outing. Our trip did not disappoint! He was enthralled by the beautiful sea creatures and even got to experience some up close at the touch tanks. Here’s what I learned when we went to the Aquarium, including which exhibits are "must-sees," where the best kid-friendly dining options are, and how you can score discounts. With a new, 9,000-gallon Indo-Pacific coral reef display opening this spring, it's an especially exciting time to hit the Aquarium. Interested in more of our favorite kid-friendly Boston attractions? Check out our museum guide.

These DC Museums Are Free Every Day (Seriously)

Submitted by Christine Mooney on Sun, 02/24/2019 - 3:20pm

When it comes to Washington, DC, museums are not in short supply, and thankfully, neither is free admission! If you're looking to explore the wonderful museums that DC offers without breaking the bank, then you've come to the right place. We've compiled the best museums that are free everyday (yes, really, everyday).

Take a look at our list below and find someplace fun - and free! - to check out with the family.

Egg House Set To Open in LA with Pop-up Playground and Museum

Submitted by Li Starr on Sun, 02/24/2019 - 4:28am

Got a kid with an appetite for eggs? Even if you don't, chances are your kids will crave a chance to climb into The Egg House, an interactive, sensory play pop-up with a funky story that, after wowing visitors in Manhattan, is due to open in DTLA March 20, 2019. The exhibit will be open until May, and pre-sale tickets are available now.

A Dozen Museums for Kids and Families in Central and Southern NJ

Submitted by Michelle Vames on Fri, 02/22/2019 - 11:00am

Winter's not over yet, and if you're running out of ideas, don't despair—there's plenty of indoor fun to be found at museums throughout central and southern NJ. At these wonderful and varied spots, you can explore a battleship, learn all about insects, ride a vintage train, gaze at the stars, and even see a shrunken head!

For more educational fun, check out our list of the best museums for kids in northern NJ, or take a ride across the river to check out one of the many excellent museums in Philadelphia.

A Parent's Review: Mythic Creatures at the Academy of Natural Sciences

Submitted by Lindsay Li on Fri, 02/22/2019 - 10:15am

Prepare to enter a world of make believe and monsters. Venture into the abyss and enjoy the fun that comes from interacting with creatures you've only heard of in stories. Featuring dragons and mermaids, unicorns and monsters, the new exhibit at the The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns and Mermaids, is an excellent demonstration of the way cultures all over the world have embraced many similar myths and fantasies. The question is "Why?" Did our ancestors really live in a world of magic or was it their way of explaining the inexplicable? I went with my daughter to learn the answer. Below is our review and a primer for your adventure to this fantastical exhibit!