Speaker Series: Astrophysics

June 14 - Join a local astronomy expert in the Alden Planetarium and dive into the latest discoveries in the grandest science of all. Every month, a researcher from the Worcester area will come to the EcoTarium to discuss their work!

Mud Day

June 28 - Get down and dirty on Mud Day with everything from mud pies and mud painting, to mud toss games and creature sculptures! Bring a change of clothes; this will be a delightfully messy event the whole family will enjoy!

Insect Day

July 12 - Explore the hidden world of insects on Insect Day! Embrace the things that bug you as we identify these amazing creatures up close, learn fun facts, and dress up in costumes!

EcoTarium’s 200th Birthday Party: Celebrating the 200th Day of Our 200th Year!

July 19 - Join us on the 200th day of our 200th year for an unforgettable birthday party that brings our Worcester community together. Admission is FREE, but donations are welcome and very much appreciated!

Breakfast with the Otters

April 20 through October 11 - You’re invited to an exclusive breakfast with Worcester’s favorite river otters! Join us for a breakfast at Upper Pond while enjoying an informative keeper chat featuring our resident otters!

Celebrating 200 Years of Science and Nature

On January 1, 2025, the EcoTarium turned 200 years old! To celebrate, over 200 fun and engaging programs and events are planned for 2025!

Building Expansion Coming Soon!

In 2025, the EcoTarium will celebrate its bicentennial! To mark this milestone, we are expanding our Museum by adding the new 8,200 square foot Stoddard Exhibition Hall and developing an Early Childhood Science Learning Center.

Explorer Express Train

All aboard! Take a ride on our replica steam locomotive, the Explorer Express, and enjoy a scenic 12-minute trip around the EcoTarium; a relaxing and beautiful way to see the museum grounds!

Otter Encounters

Slydell and Daisy are inviting you to lunch! Get up close to our otters and feed them their favorite foods.

Planetarium

The all-new Alden Planetarium! Daily shows and learning experiences for visitors of all ages. 

Science Discovery

Want more hands-on science? Catch our free, daily, educator-led Science Discovery Programs!

Adopt an Animal

Our symbolic adoption program is an opportunity to support our beloved animals at the EcoTarium!

Welcome to the EcoTarium

Explore exhibits from wherever you are with our virtual tour!

The EcoTarium museum of science and nature in Worcester, Massachusetts, offers an indoor-outdoor experience to visitors of all ages. Guests are encouraged to explore three floors of indoor interactive exhibits, live animal habitats, daily Science Discovery programs, hikes through forest and meadow nature trails, outdoor imaginative play, and a train ride (seasonal) around the 45+ acre campus.

Exhibits

New Indoor Exhibits!

The EcoTarium's museum building features three floors of hands-on, interactive exhibits that explore the natural and physical sciences and our New England environment. Each year, the museum welcomes dynamic traveling exhibits, as well as houses permanent installations that make creative use of the museum's natural history collection and living wildlife. Our exhibits make learning fun and are designed to engage a family audience.