Please click on the question you would like answered:
What exactly is the Children's Museum of Maine?
Where is the Children's Museum of Maine located?
What are the Museum's hours?
Where do we park?
How much does the Museum cost?
What forms of payment do you accept?
Are Museum memberships available?
How long does it take to experience the whole Museum?
Is the Museum accessible?
Can we eat at the Museum?
Are there good places to eat nearby?
Are there any hotels nearby?
Does the Museum have a gift shop?
What else can we do in the neighborhood with children?
The Children's Museum of Maine is not a "typical" museum. It's far more fun and interesting. The Museum is filled with unique, and in some cases, one of a kind exhibits. Most importantly, each and every exhibit at the Museum is a hands-on experience.
Our mission at the Museum is to inspire discovery and imagination through exploration and play. We want every Museum guest to discover, explore, and experience all that we have to offer.
The Children's Museum of Maine is located in Portland, directly next door to the Museum of Art (at the corner of Congress and High). Click here to find your way to 142 Free Street, Portland ME 04101.
Labor Day to Memorial Day
Monday: Closed to the general public. Open 9am-11am for Members ONLY
Tuesday - Saturday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: Noon-5pm
Memorial Day to Labor Day
Monday-Saturday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: Noon-5pm
The first Friday night of each month, all year long, is FREE from 5-8pm!
Discounted parking is available at the indoor municipal parking garage on Free Street, one block past the Museum. Be sure to bring your ticket in for us to stamp!
Although the parking lot next to our building appears to belong to the Museum, we are sorry to report it does not. You are welcome to park there, but no discounted parking is available.
Metered parking is available in two hour increments on Free Street and on the streets around the Museum. Meters are $.75 an hour and take nickels, dimes and quarters. And if you come to visit us on Sunday they're FREE!
On extremely busy days, you might find the garage on Free Street full. Try the Gateway Garage on High Street.
General Admission: $7.00 per person (under age 1 free)
Group Rate: available to groups of 10 or more ONLY when a reservation is made for a scheduled visit. The group rate, with a reservation, is $5.00 per person.
Call 828-1234 x221.
Camera Obscura only: $3.00
The Children's Museum accepts cash, personal checks with identification and debit & credit cards (Visa/MC/Discover/AmEx).
When you're at the front desk paying for your day at the Museum, remember to ask about memberships. They're affordable and come with many valuable benefits. The day you purchase a membership and on every visit after for twelve months, your family's admission to the Museum is free!
Plan on at least a two-hour visit. There's plenty to explore and experience. Your admission is valid for the entire day. If you choose to leave the Museum for lunch or a nap and return the same day, simply present your stamped hand to the cashier at the admission desk.
Yes, The Children's museum is fully accessible to all visitors.
Yes, tables and chairs for eating your own picnic or snack are located on the lower level. Vending machines with juice and water and snacks are also located on the lower level. During warm weather months, outdoor dining space with picnic tables and a deck is available to Museum visitors. Please note that food is not allowed in the exhibit areas.
Yes, Congress St. has several nice locations, and the Old Port is just steps away. There are menus from local eateries at the Museum's Front Desk, as well as a list of Family Friendly places to eat that you can take with you.
Several easy-to-find hotels are located within walking distance of the Museum. Click here for a list of lodging options in Downtown Portland.
Yes, be sure to stop in the Museum's Explore Store. It's located just off the lobby area. We have books, dress-up costumes, educational toys and many other fun items on-hand. If you are looking for something educational, a travel keepsake, or a unique gift, the Explore Store is the place to shop.
Portland is a kid-friendly city. There are dozens of great sites to see and wonderful areas to explore. But don't take our word for it. Learn more at www.visitportland.com.