FAQs
General FAQs
Parking and Public Transportation
Parking Note: Downtown metered parking is free unitl March 4, 2024 during the system installation process. New parking meters and kiosks will accept cash, credit, and app payment. The app for Peabody downtown parking is Park Smarter.
The rear lot behind the Museum at 10 Main Street is for volunteers and staff only. There is typically street parking available on Main Street, and the closest public parking options are the Central Street Lot, Mill Street Lot, Foster Street Lot.
NSCM is accessible via public transportation on the MBTA Bus. The Central Street Bus Shelter is the closest stop to the museum and is accessible via the 435 bus.
The use of skateboards, bikes, scooters and skates are not allowed in NSCM. Skateboards and small scooters may be left in the coat room if space allows. The closest bike rack to the museum is located at the Peabody Public Library (82 Main Street.) The NSCM is not responsible for damage to or theft of personal items.
Hours and Ticket Prices
Hours
The North Shore Children’s museum is open the following hours:
Wednesday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Thursday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Friday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Saturday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Sunday, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Please check the monthly calendar on our homepage for any schedule changes, such as holiday closures or special school break hours.
Ticket Prices
Adults and children 12 months+: $12
Adults and children 12 months+ presenting an EBT Card: $3
Adults and children 12 months+ presenting a library pass: $6*
Members: Free
*Participating libraries include: Beverly, Burlington, Danvers, Essex, Georgetown, Gloucester, Groveland, Hamilton-Wenham, Haverhill, Ipswich, Lynn, Lynnfield, Manchester by the Sea, Melrose, Middleton, Nahant, Newburyport, North Andover, North Reading, Peabody, Reading, Rowley, Salem, Saugus, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wakefield, and Wilmington.
Cancellations
Guests who have purchased tickets online and need to cancel their visit are asked to contact NSCM as soon as possible to enable staff to release the tickets for other visitors. Refunds will be issued if you contact us before the start time of your ticket by calling 978-538-5765 (leave a message if no answer) or emailing nscminfo@peabody-ma.gov to cancel reservations. Birthday party reservations require a non-refundable deposit of $100. Refunds (minus the deposit) will only be issued if canceled at least 7 days prior to the scheduled party.
Food and Drink
Food and drink are only allowed in the Snack Spot, party room, and party room kitchen. Guests are encouraged to wash their hands thoroughly before returning to play. Bottled water is allowed throughout the museum.
NSCM is an allergy-aware organization and is sensitive to the needs of our guests who have food allergies. However, it cannot feasibly create a space that is 100% allergen-free. To minimize the risk of a severe allergy event, the Museum strongly encourages all guests to consider leaving nut products home and wash hands before and after eating.
Inclement Weather
In the event of inclement winter weather, the Museum follows the Peabody Public School delay and cancelation protocols. Changes to NSCM’s hours due to inclement weather will be posted on social media and the Museum’s website. Refunds will be issued for any reservations made on days in which weather forces a closure.
Health and Cleanliness Procedures
Health and Cleanliness Procedures
NSCM is cleaned before, during, and after visitors enjoy the exhibits. Staggered museum operating hours and play sessions allow for more thorough cleaning on a regular basis. Deep cleaning of the facility is conducted monthly.
Bins for isolation of NSCM’s toys that become dirty are located throughout the NSCM. Guests are encouraged to put any loose NSCM items that their child puts in their mouth into one of these bins to prevent the spread of germs to other guests.
An air filtration system throughout the space ensures that the air is consistently refreshed.
Guests are encouraged to notify NSCM staff if an area or object needs attention.
Masks are not required in the NSCM unless required by the Peabody Health Department, however masks are available at the reception desk and hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the Museum. Staff are required to consistently wash their hands. NSCM will follow and enforce public safety guidelines established by the Health Department of the City of Peabody. Vaccinations for guests and staff are not required, but strongly encouraged.
To reduce the risk of spreading illness, guests and staff are encouraged to stay home if they feel sick. Guests who have purchased tickets online who become sick in advance of their visit are asked to contact NSCM as soon as possible to enable staff to release the tickets for other visitors. Refunds will be issued if you contact NSCM before the start time of your ticket. Call 978-538-5765 (leave a message if no answer) or email nscminfo@peabody-ma.gov to cancel reservations.
Safety Policies
Fire Evacuation
In the event of a fire alarm, everyone should exit the building out of front or rear doors and go down to the square in front of Sports Collectables (2 Main St). Parents and group leaders are responsible for taking attendance of children. Fire extinguishers and smoke alarms are checked and maintained on an annual basis.
Lost Persons
During visits to NSCM, adults are required to always stay in the same room with the children who are accompanying them. Adults should have a plan in place in case of accidental separation. Guests are required to immediately notify staff if a child and grown-up become separated.
Unaccompanied Adults
Unaccompanied adults w/o children must leave a photo ID at the Admissions Desk and wear a sticker.
Nursing Room and Restroom
There is a private mother’s room for moms who need to nurse their babies, which includes a comfortable glider and changing table.
Bathrooms are accessible to museum guests only. Each public bathroom has a changing table and diaper genie.
Accessibility
NSCM is an ADA Accessible building. The handicap entrance is in the front, to the left of the main door. All our exhibits are in ADA Accessible spaces. The Museum is located on one floor.
Strollers and Other Personal Items
Space is limited in the Museum. Please consider leaving strollers at home or using a smaller umbrella-style stroller. Please note that exhibit spaces cannot accommodate strollers.
The NSCM is not responsible for damage to or theft of personal items.