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The Mapparium
The Mapparium
Back Bay / Fenway
view website200 Massachusetts Ave
Boston, MA 02115
1-888-222-3711
617-450-7000
Good-for-Kids Rating
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-KSchool-Age KidsPre-Teens & Teens
History Museum
Special Collection
Historical Landmark
The Mapparium Description
You won't find anything like this anywhere else in the world. The Mapparium is a stained- glass globe that visitors actually walk in to. A guide leads you inside, closes the doors, and then a recorded presentation called "A World of Ideas" explains how the world has changed since 1935 (when the Mapparium was completed). Meanwhile, you're standing in the middle of a 30-foot glass bridge with the South Pole below you and the North Pole above, and all around you the world of 1935. Fascinating for grown-ups, intriguing for kids, this is a must-do activity in Boston.
Kid Tips
Babies: Bright stained glass and cool music and a very short presentation make this venue good for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
School-Age Kids: An incredible way for school-aged kids to understand that the world is really round. They'll love it.
Pre-Teens & Teens: Older kids will find the Mapparium fascinating. The unusual acoustics alone are intriguing.
Planning Notes
- Outside and in. The Mapparium visit won't take very long but plan to spend some time looking at the Mother Church, enjoying the reflecting pool, and playing in the spray fountains outside the Mary Baker Eddy library.
- Bring a change of clothes. If it's even a little warm out, your kids will plunge into the fountains outside (they will!) so bring a change of clothes for them and let them enjoy.
- No loose change. If anything drops to the South Pole it's difficult to retrieve. Secure all your stuff before you go inside.
Just the Facts
Hours: Tues.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Mondays. Mapparium tours are usually every 30 minutes. Call ahead to confirm.
Fees: Under $10
Recommended Time: Less than 1 hour
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