April Vacation Week: Community Science

April 21-25 - Want to meet an important scientist who can protect our planet? Just look in the mirror, because science needs you! Harness your powers of observation to help solve real-world problems in your community and across the globe!

Support the 2025 Spring Appeal

Help ensure that the EcoTarium can offer fun and educational summer programming and summer camperships to local youth!

Speaker Series: Astrophysics

May 10 - 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!

Film Screening + Q&A Session

May 20 - Join us for an evening celebrating one of New England’s most elusive and endangered reptiles—the spotted turtle. The Last Spotted Turtles of New England is a powerful new documentary by acclaimed filmmaker Ari Taub!

Brain: The World Inside Your Head

Opening May 24 - This fascinating limited-engagement exhibit for all ages provides a hands‑on and up‑close look at the human body’s most essential and fascinating organ by exploring its development, geography and function!

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.

New Indoor Exhibits at the EcoTarium!

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.