Boston: Mapparium® Globe + How Do You See the World?™

The Mapparium® in Boston’s Christian Science Plaza offers an unforgettable journey through time and space. This three-story stained glass globe, illuminated from within, showcases the world as it was in 1935. Visitors embark on a guided tour, exploring historical perspectives and advancements through immersive companion exhibits. Whether you’re a geography buff or simply curious about humanity’s evolution, the Mapparium promises an engaging and thought-provoking experience. But the real question remains – how do you see the world?

Good To Know

• The Mapparium® is a unique, immersive experience featuring a three-story stained glass globe representing the world as of 1935.
• Companion exhibits, such as "Our World: Mapping Progress" and "Points of Progress," showcase global advancements since 1935.
• The Christian Science Monitor, founded by Mary Baker Eddy, aims to chronicle inspiring stories and global resilience.
• Visitors can explore Mary Baker Eddy’s life and ideas, as well as the Monitor’s role in shaping global communities.
• The experience offers a flexible ticket reservation system, a high overall rating, and a full refund policy for cancellations.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Experience Overview

Situated within the Christian Science Plaza in Boston, the Mapparium® offers visitors an immersive 20-minute experience showcasing a three-story stained glass globe.

Tickets range from $6 per person, making it an affordable attraction. The globe, frozen in the year 1935, provides a historical perspective before World War II. Guests are treated to a narrated tour, offering a unique view of geographical landmarks.

Accessible to wheelchair users, the Mapparium® also features exhibits celebrating humanity’s advancements since 1935.

With free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, it’s a flexible and enriching addition to any Boston itinerary.

Mapparium Globe

The Mapparium® is a three-story stained glass globe frozen in the year 1935, providing visitors with a unique historical perspective before World War II.

This immersive experience offers a narrated tour from within the globe, allowing guests to witness the world’s geography as it was nearly a century ago.

Entering the Mapparium® is a timed, ticketed event, ensuring an intimate experience.

Visitors can explore the world’s progress since 1935 through the companion exhibits, including "Our World: Mapping Progress" and "Points of Progress" – showcasing advancements in human rights, science, and exploration.

Exhibits and Themes

The Mapparium’s companion exhibits celebrate humanity’s advancements since 1935.

"Our World: Mapping Progress" showcases the world’s progress, while "Points of Progress" highlights pivotal moments in human rights, scientific breakthroughs, and exploration post-war.

Visitors can explore interactive stories across eight sets of narratives, each focusing on individuals shaping communities globally.

These exhibits provide a comprehensive look at the world’s evolution, offering a fresh perspective on the modern era.

Through compelling visuals and informative displays, the Mapparium’s companion exhibits invite guests to reflect on the resilience and progress of humanity.

Christian Science Monitor and Mary Baker Eddy

Founded in 1908 by Mary Baker Eddy, the Christian Science Monitor is a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper focused on global resilience and progress.

Its mission is to "bless all mankind" by chronicling inspiring stories through daily and weekly editions.

Visitors can explore the life and ideas of Mary Baker Eddy further at:

1. The Mary Baker Eddy Library

2. The Mary Baker Eddy Exhibit

3. Learning about the Monitor’s commitment to global perspectives

4. Discovering the paper’s role in shaping communities worldwide

This additional opportunity adds depth to the overall experience, allowing guests to delve deeper into the Christian Science movement and its influential publication.

More Great Tours Nearby

Booking and Customer Feedback

Visitors can reserve their tickets to the Mapparium® Globe experience now and pay later, a flexible booking option that allows for easy planning.

The meeting point for the experience is marked by banners reading "How Do You See the World?" on the building next to the Christian Science Church.

Based on 12 customer reviews, the Mapparium® Globe experience has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5, with visitors highlighting the quality of the guided tour and the value for money.

With a flexible cancellation policy, visitors can receive a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled visit.

Immersive Lighting and Sound

How does the Mapparium® Globe’s immersive lighting and sound create a captivating experience? The three-story stained glass globe transports visitors through:

1. Dynamic Illumination: Vibrant, multicolored lights dance across the glass panels, casting a mesmerizing glow within the spherical space.

2. Evocative Narration: A thoughtful, guided audio narrative accompanies the visual spectacle, providing historical context and insights.

3. Binaural Acoustics: The globe’s unique architecture amplifies and reverberates sounds, immersing guests in a surround-sound experience.

4. Sensory Synergy: The harmonious integration of light, sound, and architecture creates a profound, immersive experience, inviting visitors to see the world through a new lens.

Historical Perspective on Global Geography

As visitors step into the Mapparium® Globe, they’re transported to a unique historical perspective on global geography.

This three-story stained glass globe is frozen in the year 1935, offering a pre-World War II view of the world. Through a guided narration, guests experience the historical geography first-hand, gaining insights into how the world has evolved since.

The Mapparium® provides a fascinating glimpse into the past, allowing visitors to see the global landscape through the lens of a bygone era and appreciate how much has changed in the decades since.

Celebrating Humanity’s Advancements

Stepping beyond the Mapparium’s historical lens, the exhibits within the Christian Science Plaza celebrate humanity’s remarkable advancements since 1935.

"Our World: Mapping Progress" showcases the profound ways society has evolved, from groundbreaking scientific breakthroughs to pivotal moments in global human rights.

Four key features highlight this progress:

1. Points of Progress: Chronicling influential achievements in exploration, technology, and social justice.

2. Interactive Stories: Engaging narratives about individuals shaping communities worldwide.

3. The Christian Science Monitor: Celebrating its mission to "bless all mankind" through global resilience and progress.

4. The Mary Baker Eddy Library: Exploring the visionary ideas of the newspaper’s founder.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Photography Policies for the Mapparium?

Photography is allowed in the Mapparium, but visitors must use handheld cameras or smartphones without flash. Tripods and commercial photography are prohibited to preserve the experience for all guests.

Do Any Guided Tours or Audio Guides Come With Admission?

Guided tours and audio guides are included with admission to the Mapparium. Visitors can take a narrated tour through the three-story stained glass globe and learn about its historical significance and global progress exhibits.

Are There Any Discounts or Packages Available for Group Bookings?

There are discounted group rates available for bookings of 10 or more people. Groups can save up to 20% off regular admission prices. Advance reservations are recommended to secure the discounted group rate.

Can I Bring Outside Food and Drinks Into the Mapparium?

Visitors can’t bring outside food or drinks into the Mapparium. The exhibits and tours are self-contained experiences, and the venue doesn’t allow outside items to be brought in. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase on-site.

How Long Should I Plan to Spend at the Mapparium and Exhibits?

The Mapparium and exhibits are designed to be experienced in around 20 minutes, though visitors may want to spend up to an hour exploring the immersive light and sound show, historical displays, and interactive experiences at their own pace.

The Sum Up

The Mapparium® Globe in Boston’s Christian Science Plaza offers a remarkable journey through time and space. Visitors can enjoy a stained glass representation of the world as it was in 1935, while exploring companion exhibits that shed light on humanity’s evolving understanding of the globe. With an affordable ticket price and an engaging, informative experience, the Mapparium® is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in exploring historical perspectives on our world.

You can check availability for your dates here: