Facility Rentals

The Discovery Center is not only New England’s premier space and aviation museum—it’s a gorgeous and spacious venue that will leave a lasting impression on your guests! Rental space is available seven days a week for before- and after-hours events. Please review our various rental packages below!

Anniversary celebrations, bar & bat mitzvahs, class reunions, appreciation events, birthday parties, company retreats, holiday celebrations, conferences, weddings & receptions, intimate concerts, and more!

Four people in formal attire talking at an event next to an aircraft with a sign about the aircraft's history McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center.

Full Facility Rentals

Accommodates up to 600 people. A unique space that will make a lasting impression on your guests. This space can be used for holiday parties, proms, bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings, and more!

    • Use of the Atrium

    • Use of the Function Room

    • Use of the Classic Wing

    • A maximum of 5 hours

    • Up to 200 chairs

    • Up to 10 tables (7ft)

    • Sound system

    • Podium

    • Projector/screen

    • Option to have exhibits on

  • Non-profit/Non-Business:

    $275/hour | Deposit Required

    Standard Rate:

    $375/hour | Deposit Required

    Corporate Members receive discounts!

  • Year-round availability during our non-public hours.

A woman in a military uniform giving a presentation at a conference, with a slide that reads 'The sky is not the limit', at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center.

Function Room Rentals

    • Use of the Function Room

    • Up to 100 chairs

    • Up to 10 tables (7ft)

    • Sound system

    • Podium

    • Projector/screen

  • Public Hour Rentals: $115/hour

    Before/After Hour Rentals: $125/hour

    Corporate Members receive discounts!

  • Year-round availability during our normal business hours and after hours.

Can accommodate up to 100 people. A great space for a meeting, workshop or a smaller celebration!

Birthday Party Rentals

    • Use of a private party room

    • Access to exhibit galleries

    • Access to our Science Playground (May-October, weather permitting)

    • Tickets to one of our daily planetarium shows

  • Flat Rate

    $300 | 25% Deposit Required

    Corporate Members receive discounts!

  • Year-round availability during our public hours.

Celebrate your next trip around the sun! Our birthday party package includes up to 25 people! Available during regular operating hours.

Planetarium Theater Rentals

    • Private use of our state of the art planetarium theater

    • Catalog of planetarium show options

  • Base Rate

    $150/hour | Deposit Required

    Educator-Led Live Show (Add-On Option)

    Additional $50/show or hour | Deposit Required

    Corporate Members receive discounts!

  • Year-round availability during our non-public hours.

Ready to propose to your partner? Looking for a creative way to host a gender reveal? Looking to book a private showing of a planetarium show? Now you can!

Board Room Rentals

Host your next meeting in our clean, comfortable board room! Corporate Members receive additional discounts.

    • Use of a private 2nd floor board room that seats up to 15 people

    • Board table with 12 adjustable chars (additional non-adjustable chairs available)

    • Whiteboard

    • Smart TV/Projector

  • Standard Rate

    $150/hour | Deposit Required

    Corporate Members receive discounts!

  • Year-round availability during our non-public hours.

Rental Add-On Options

    • Pre-recorded show: $150

    • Educator-led show: $200

    • Custom Show:

      $240/hour

      Additional Showings of Custom Show: $200/hour

      Please note: Custom planetarium shows are available by request.

  • $150/hour, weather permitting

  • Minimum of $150 for event setup in Rocket Plaza.

    *An additional fee of $40/hour may apply for complex event set-up/breakdown.

  • Standard Rate

    $150 for use of the Discovery Center stage.

  • An additional fee of $40 may apply to your facility rental if an additional Discovery Center staff member is required for coordination, or safety purposes.

  • During winter months during daylight hours only, utilization of our outdoor space (such as the Science Playground) may be available to include in your facility rental.

    $150/hour, weather permitting

Looking to add something extra to your facility rental? We’re happy to help! Please review the following information on add-on options.

Additional Fees

  • $40/hour per required staff member

    Applied to rentals starting before 8am, and ending after 10pm

  • A fee of at least $125 may apply for event clean-up that is deemed excessive or beyond the scope of standard housekeeping.

    This includes but isn’t limited to:

    • Carpet stains

    • Use of glitter or confetti

    • Marks on or damage to walls, equipment, or exhibits.

Please review the following information on additional time/building maintenance fees.

Book Your Rental

Please fill out the following facility rental request form. Once submitted, a member of our visitor services team will contact you via e-mail within 72 hours.