Blue Hills Trailside Museum

This museum of regional ecology, and its generous adjoining outdoor cul-​de-​sac of live rescue animal exhibits, are happily wedded to forge a genuinely lovely, well-​loved, and well-​tended local gem. We’ve lived just north of here for years, and have long enjoyed swims in Houghton’s Pond and walks in the Blue Hills, yet, somehow, we never quite noticed this modest but mighty museum until some pals hosted a recent kids’ birthday party there. The animals outside are healthy and well cared-​for, and seem to deal well with visitors (the river otter likes to show off and do back flips). Exhibits within are packed with detail, and accomplish the subtle feat of appealing to a range of ages and interests. I’ve got a sweet tooth for botany and cool tidbits about how ecosystems thrive and interact, and — while shepherding my toddler — managed to sate my craven curiosity to supreme satisfaction. Highly recommended to folks who like to explore and to learn.

I love this place. The museum itself is well maintained and all the animals that dwell there seem loved and cared for with respect for the wild creatures they are. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, many are volunteers happy to be working with such beautiful raptors. The hiking around this area is also fantastic and is low grade enough for the whole family to enjoy.

The outdoor exhibits are in horrible condition. I can understand if they are animals that are injured and can’t be returned to the wild, but give them better homes. The otter’s display is concrete, crumbling, without any toys, or great shade.
The snowy owls are tucked in the back and have to be incredibly hot. They are not an indigenous bird to this area and should not be on display in our heat.
Overall, it was a very sad site. I would have expected a museum associated with the Audubon society to have a higher standard of comfort and care for the animals.

After Years and Years and Years of coming to the outdoor portion of this little zoo I finally paid the 2 whole dollars to go through the inside exhibit and I was sad I had not done it before. The place is very much made for children with low displays and animals to look at and learn about but it was entertaining enough for two adults as well.
Bring the kids check out the animals and go for a hike. Spring is here!

I took my Saturday recreation group here and the kids really enjoyed it. We spent a lot more time here than I expected we could, especially considering the size of the museum. I actually had a flashback to when I was a kid and realized I had been here before! I have thought about this particular museum that I went to as a kid, but could not remember what or where it was and then bam! It hit me while looking at the bee exhibit. For me to remember the place from age 4 or 5 means it must have been a great experience when I was a kid!
I will say that it’s not a zoo and you’re not going to feel like the animals are living in luxury, but the museum obviously takes good care of the animals and has a focus on education. I highly recommend attending the live animal presentation. It’s good for all ages, even teenagers could get into it, but it’s probably best for ages 4 –12. There’s a wide variety of trails near the museum as well. We took the mile-​long hike up to the observation tower, which was a great view!

Niceeeeee view, good place for Relaxation :-)

Blue Hills offers a great hiking opportunity if you don’t want to travel to NH or VT. You can spend a quick hike an hour or two starting from the Trailside Museum to Eliot Tower and back. Or more adventurous, hike the Skyline from the Trailside to the other end, east at Shea Rink, which would take you about 4 – 9 hours depending on your pace.
Eliot Tower offers a great view of the Boston skyline. It brings into prospective the size of Boston and relative distances of the Pru to the Hancock Tower for example.
The Red dotted trail offers a more rugged and rocky hike, while the Green dotted trail is more flat and wooded. Some spots are wide and flat and great to take in the fresh woodsy air.

Great place to check out before you hit the trails of the Blue Hills Reservation.
There’s an adorable river otter doing tricks for you, a couple of graceful deer, some birds of prey, turtles, and other wildlife to gaze upon There is also a gift shop if you want to purchase anything Blue Hills related (I assume because I usually only stop by to check out the animals and rest rooms).
Oh yeah, there are clean rest rooms so that you can relieve yourself before your trek through the wilderness.
It’s fun and it’s free so be sure to stop by and walk around before you begin your hike.

My wife and son met with the museum coordinator, Norm Smith, last Saturday. I went to the beach instead. Anyway, I was told that Mr. Smith methodically walked to every exhibit that concerned my son and carefully explained why each animal’s habitat was the way it was. Some reasons made sense, e.g., the owl who refused to eat when it was moved to a larger habitat after being in a small enclosure for many years. Other reasons were not acceptable. The otter pool is a good example. My wife and son were told it was built in the 1950s and that constructing a new pool would cost some staggering sum. I’m sure that’s the case, but the fact remains it’s a dirty, sad home for the otter.
I upgraded the zoo to 2 stars because of Mr. Smith’s earnest approach and the Audubon’s good intentions, but it’s not a fun place to visit because of the poor conditions of many exhibits. I think many people would be upset with its current state. I hope it improves.