Top 10 Natural History Museums in New England, New England

Sea Space has moved to Whaler's Wharf in downtown Provincetown! Experience the natural wonders of Cape Cod under the expert guidance of our dedicated educators. Family friendly exhibits and hands-on activities offered daily. Admission is free (donations welcome), but we do charge a nominal fee for special activities. Programs include: "Get to the Bottom of It" for kids age 6-12: Become a junior marine biologist, collecting and exploring the tiny marine animals in Provincetown Harbor. NEW! Junior Marine Animal Entanglement Responder (MAER) Program Kids learn what tremendous work it takes to free an entangled whale or turtle. They’ll see the tools used by our MAER team, photos and videos of actual disentanglement operations, try their hand at “rescuing” a “whale”, and brainstorm new ideas to prevent marine animal entanglement. We also offer seal walks, kayak tours and lectures. Full schedule here: https://bit.ly/2z4e4U7 ***DON'T MISS WHALE WEEK 2018, JULY 29 - AUGUST 4!***

The Oceanarium is a small, unique hands-on natural history museum with a touch tank and deep water tank. Admission includes a personal tour with a biologist including handling the deep-water crabs, stars and other live sea animals and a short talk on whales, sharks and lobstering. There is unlimited time at the touch tank and to explore the exhibits on your own. The biologist is available for questions during your entire visit. Everything in the museum is brought in by local commercial fishermen and can be found in the Gulf of Maine.

The Vermont Granite Museum is located within an authentic turn-of-the-century granite manufacturing plant, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We offer our guests a stimulating environment for discovering the geology, technology, and art of Vermont's unique granite heritage using a variety of interactive displays that will engage both children and adults. In addition, our visitors

Living Sharks Museum is a pop-up Shark History & Conservation exhibition, created to educate the public about the story of the shark through a visual record of their history, exploitation and conservation. Featuring the permanent exhibit of infamous shark hunter-turned conservationist Frank Mundus. Curated by shark advocate and educator Keith Cowley.

Beginning June 24, 2020, the Maine State Museum has closed to allow significant repairs and upgrades to the building's mechanical systems. This necessary closure was unanticipated at this time. The duration of the closure has yet to be fully determined. Because the scope of work to be completed is substantial and complex, the museum could be closed for up to two years. Please see the museum's website for additional details and updates.

An inspired, eclectic collection that started as a "cabinet of curiosities" during the Victorian era. Displays include taxidermy, shells, tools, mummies, and artifacts from around the world. Don't miss John Hampson's "Bug Art" -- mosaics made entirely of beetles and moths -- and the seasonal native butterfly house (in the summer). Home to Vermont's only public planetarium (temporarily closed due to COVID19) and the Eye on the Sky weather center.