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Preparethe placeget us ready

Getting ready for Discovery Museum in Acton.

A hands-on museum and outdoor Discovery Woods built on Universal Design, with headphones and sunglasses to borrow, a social story and sensory map in eight languages, and free Especially for Me sessions with limited capacity.

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Sensory supports. Inclusive Afternoons, headphones and a social story.

Hours

School year: Tuesday to Sunday, 9 am to 4:30 pm; closed most Mondays. First Friday of each month, October to June, open 4:30 to 8 pm with free admission.

177 Main Street (Route 27), Acton, MA 01720

CallDirections
Inclusive Afternoon (Especially for Me) at Discovery Museum, 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. A free afternoon with a more sensory friendly atmosphere and limited capacity; no group visits are scheduled. The Take-A-Break Space is on the second floor. Pre-register. Free with pre-registration.Inclusive Afternoon (Especially for Me) at Discovery Museum, 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. A free afternoon with a more sensory friendly atmosphere and limited capacity; no group visits are scheduled. The Take-A-Break Space is on the second floor. Pre-register. Free with pre-registration.

Sensory help, in the museum's words

“Noise-reducing headphones are available to visitors who may be sensitive to sound or need a break from stimulation.”

“Sunglasses are available to visitors who may be sensitive to light.”

“any family that would benefit from a sensory friendly visit is welcome at any time. A medical diagnosis is not required.”

  • The headphones, sunglasses and a portable step stool are in the cubby spaces behind the Admissions Desk.
  • The social story and sensory map come in English, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Hindi and Russian, online or at the Admissions Desk.
  • Weekday afternoons in the school year are usually quietest, especially after noon. Weekends, holidays, school vacation weeks and summer are usually busiest.
  • Discovery Woods can have snow or ice on the path in winter, and it closes at sunset.

In their own words: discoveryacton.org. Checked Tue, Nov 3, 2026. Something wrong or out of date? Tell us · How we check

Three things to know

  1. Free Inclusive Afternoons with limited capacity; pre-register.
  2. Noise-reducing headphones and sunglasses to borrow at the Admissions Desk.
  3. A social story and sensory map in eight languages.

Visual schedule

Discovery Museum Day

  • Drive to the museum
  • Park the car
  • See the dinosaur
  • Go in the museum
  • Check in at the desk
  • Go in the treehouse
  • Snack break
  • Bathroom
  • Walk to the car
  • All done
Make it yours →

Ask before you go

  • a quiet room on regular days
  • whether you can leave and come back in
  • holiday hours this winter
  • Inclusive Afternoon dates after December 1, 2026
Call 978-264-4200
More about Discovery Museum

Louder, in the museum's words

Quieter, in the museum's words

Take-A-Break Space, back of the Building Brain Together exhibit (2nd floor), during Especially for Me eventsquiet zone
Backyard at Night (2nd floor)quiet zone
The Treehouse (outdoors)quiet zone
  • Admission covers the museum and Discovery Woods: adults and children $19, seniors 60 and up $18, under 1 free. Reservations aren't needed.
  • Parking is free. Accessible spots are near the rear of the building. The lot is one-way.
  • Large strollers and wagons aren't allowed inside; small umbrella strollers are, and you can ask at the Admissions desk for an exception for medical or accessibility reasons.
  • Food isn't allowed in the galleries. Patio tables are uncovered; water fountains and bottle fillers are inside.
  • An accessible family restroom is on the first floor; all five restrooms have changing tables. Two elevators reach all three floors.
  • Staff wear name tags and purple aprons (purple aprons or blue jackets in Discovery Woods).
  • Questions: 978-264-4200 ext. 116.

Source: discoveryacton.org