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!

An astronaut in a white space suit with patches and a golden reflective helmet greets children at a birthday party. The children are smiling and looking at the astronaut, with balloons floating above.

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

Empty movie theater with rows of black seats and a large curved screen displaying a starry night sky with bright stars and light flares.

    • 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

Empty conference room with a long table surrounded by black mesh office chairs, whiteboard on the wall, and ceiling lights.

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

Four women standing together in front of a blue wall with framed pictures of underwater scenes, smiling and posing for the photo.

    • 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 warmer 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

Blue sky with scattered white clouds, a tall striped communication tower partially hidden by green trees, and a brick building with a white bricked wall and a small white light fixture.

  • $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

Event room decorated with string lights on walls and ceiling, tables with white tablecloths and blue overlays, candle centerpieces, and chairs arranged for a celebration or gathering.
Four young adults dressed in formal attire smiling at a party or celebration, standing on a staircase inside a building.
Food and drinks are arranged on white-clothed tables in front of a vintage fighter jet with a U.S. Navy insignia. The display includes pitchers of juice, plates of pastries, fruit, and snacks, with informational signs and brochures nearby.

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.