The Mary Baker Eddy Library

The Mapparium was the highlight of our visit here, definitely worth taking time to stop by to do the guided tour. The tour takes you out on a walkway within the globe while you view a short show where different parts of the world are illuminated with narration. You definitely hear any whispers in the room. If you come early your admission allows you to visit the entire day.

This is the right place for whoever loves geography and knows well the globe. I felt like a kid in a toy store. This mapparium can be described as seeing the world from the inside of a globe. Of course the map is from 1934 and so many borders and countries have changed since then. I would like a chair and free time inside :)

We loved the three level map structure, and the entire tour lasts about 20 minutes with tickets priced at $6 per person.

***$6 per adult and kids have free entry and the do not allow strollers*** Recommend reservation but staff is very cooperative and kind. Visiting the Mapparium at the Mary Baker Eddy Library in Boston was a truly unique and memorable experience. Unlike any other globe or map display, the Mapparium allows you to actually step inside a three-story stained-glass globe and view the world as it was in 1935. The moment you enter the glass bridge at the center of the sphere, you’re surrounded by a brilliant kaleidoscope of color and history. Seeing the political boundaries of countries from nearly a century ago gives a fascinating perspective on how much the world has changed. It was updated as i remember 10 year ago. One of the most striking features is the acoustics. Due to the perfect spherical shape, sound travels in unusual ways — whispers can be heard clearly across the bridge, and voices echo in surprising directions. The tour guide explained this phenomenon and encouraged us to try it, which added a fun interactive element to the visit.

Have visited this place about 7 years ago, and now I can see some changes. The tickets are $6. And now you can take pictures inside the Mapparium, what was never allowed before. When you enter Mapparium, there is a recorded 6-10 min narration. But I must admit, that it changed, and the workers confirmed, that the text of narration was changed in 2021. And the one which was before, was the best one, it was emotional. I even cried last time, when I heard it. But this time, it was totally different and weird. The library itself is modern and has many high Teck devices, innovations. You can listen and see everywhere the history of Mary Baker.

The Mary Baker Eddy Library is home to the impressive Mapparium, an architectural marvel. We easily found street parking. The staff was friendly and helpful, and we recommend getting walk-in tickets for convenience. The Mapparium offers a unique experience that both adults and children will enjoy, with our guide even taking pictures to capture the stunning globe and glass bridge. The exhibit, The Mapparium: An Inside View, showcases letters, documents, and artifacts detailing its construction. If you’d like to complete your journey, you can ask about the Christian Science tour and learn about how it was founded and walk through their impressive building and meet in person one of the biggest organs of the world. 🌎 A must go when visiting Boston.

A fascinating experience! So glad we found out about the Mapparium. It’s hard to put into words what it’s like—you have to be there to get it! Totally worth the $6 entrance fee. History and art, and friendly staff. We never would’ve known about it had the woman at our Nantasket hotel not recommended it.

My visit to the Christian Science Center was a truly enriching experience. Walking through Mary Baker Eddy's journey provided a profound insight into the history and teachings associated with the Christian Science movement. The exhibits were informative, allowing me to appreciate the founder's remarkable journey and the principles that shaped the center. The serene atmosphere of the center, coupled with the beautiful architecture, created a conducive environment for reflection. Exploring the grounds and learning more about Mary Baker Eddy's legacy enhanced my understanding of the Christian Science Center's significance. Overall, I had a great time immersing myself in the history and teachings of Mary Baker Eddy during my visit to the Christian Science Center. It's a place that not only offers a spiritual retreat but also serves as a captivating educational experience.

I really enjoyed visiting the Mapparium at the Mary Baker Eddy Library. The staff were incredibly nice and the everything was extremely organized. Honestly the best $5.00 you'll spend in Boston.

I came here to see the Mapparium this past week. They do give discounts on entry ($5 instead of $6 for students and seniors). They did not allow pictures inside the Mapparium. So what is the point? I am just now reading other reviews which mention a selfie wall but I didn't see this at the museum and the guide never mentioned this. The guide didn't say much other than the rules of no taking pictures and not to be loud inside the mapparium because sound travels in it. I expected there to be some kind of information on how at least some of the borders have changed over the years but there was nothing...no information at all. It was pretty pointless. Something pretty to look at and you couldn't even take a picture of it.

I honestly thought this would be a filler stop on our tour of the Boston area, something to fill a few minutes of time before moving on to bigger and better things--man was I wrong! The centerpiece of the visit is the Mapparium, a giant enclosed dome with a stained-glass map of the world as it looked at the time of its construction, 1935. In the last nearly 100 years, the borders have changed on several continents, states have joined the Union, and many countries had yet to exist. I could have spent an hour looking at the map from different angles; craning my neck to see Greenland and the top of what we know now as Russia, or peering over the side to look down at Argentina and the southern tip of Australia. All of the guides were friendly and helpful, adding warmth to a building that can appear cold as it's so grand. I also am interested in the Christian Science Monitor newspaper now that I know it's not a religious journal! Definitely stop here if you have a little time, it's well worth it.

As many people do, I only came for the Mapparium exhibit. For the Mapparium, tickets are quite decent at $6/adults. They have time slots running every 20min (thats the time allotted for each tour). When the time is up, the tour guide gathers the group and explains a little about the library/room before you actually enter the Mapparium. There are simple rules: (1) keep your belongings close to you [not responsible for lost/fallen items] & (2) no photos inside. The Mapparium itself is a pretty cool place. You see the map as if you are inside a globe. The cool feature about this room is that there is an echo (so one person at one end can hear the other person at the other end because the sound travels around). There is a narrow passageway that runs through the room. Inside, the tour guide explains a little about the room followed by a video which is portrayed on the surrounding "screens/map" around you. You will find yourself looking up/down & side to side to get a glimpse of everything. When you are standing in the room, there really isn't a bad view. Unfortunately, you can't take pictures inside (only via a selfie wall outside in the lobby). But nonetheless, it's a cool unique tour. They even offer free church tours, which is something else to consider.

Mary likes to bake and is always ready to go. You might even say that Mary's Bake-Ready. But this is not that. This is a beautiful library located on Massachusetts Avenue in the heart of Boston, and my favourite part of it is the globe - as in the shimmering Globe Corridor which always stays in my mind as one of the most striking things that I saw in Boston - and I've seen many things in Boston. But Boston is a city of history rather than modernity, so that might stand out because of how modern it is, kind of like the bridge that they just built downtown recently. So it's called the Maparium and it's breathtaking. Definitely one of the most beautiful displays. You can hear your voice in surround sound and it's eerie and incredible. The map is old school from many years ago. They have a great restrooms here as well, says Barbie of course - she reminded me of that because I wouldn't have remembered because it's not usually the kind of thing I remember, but it's definitely the kind of thing that she remembers. Then again, she can't pee in bottles so it's understandable.

This was simply jus amazing, a must see, and #Bucketlister for me!! This was on my list for many yrs and it was all that and then some...It was a cold rainy day, but indeed a very memorable visit. I bought Groupon 2 for 1, they do give military discounts. This was priced fairly to be a tourist attraction, they clearly want all to visit and enjoy. Not a tourist trap at all, take all your kids, Lol! The staff was kind and explained everything, I also bought a book for more info. You can walk around until your time to be called. No pics inside allowed, so I took a few pics outside. I didn't have time to visit the science church, but some other guest said the free tour is a must. Parking is horrible, jus pay and keep it movin in a garage or on the side of the street, good luck. On a positive note the library was worth the parking trauma! And yes construction was going on so some lots were closed. You will have a guide to explain everything before and during your visit, remember no pics inside, AMAZING & BEAUTIFUL!! The USA has a lot to offer if you seek.

Kinda boring but fun taking pics for insta tho bathroom super clean too and nice people

Amazing piece of architecture, beautiful inside and out. It is a quick visit inside the room. Check out the reflecting pool outside. Unfortunately no photo's allowed.

Mary Baker Eddy established the Church of Christ and was a teacher and an author. The Mary Baker Eddy Library is in possession of Eddy's original materials, such as letters, manuscripts, organizational records, photographs, artifacts, books, periodicals, and AVs in which you can utilize for researching purposes. There are also special events that one can attend and options for educational field trips. We came here to check out the Mapparium, a 3-story stained glass globe in which you can see a 3D perspective of the world as it was back in 1935. Free tours are available, and it was interesting to learn more about this amazing woman and this attraction that represents her organization. The acoustics were fun to play around with, and I loved the LED lights that showed the travel of ideas across the globe. Please note that you are NOT allowed to photos inside the Mapparium, and SHAME ON THOSE who try to circumvent this rule! There is, however, a photo-op background of the map outside in the main lobby where you can take a selfie. Cool place to check out when you're visiting Boston! +Mapparium +no photos, please!

I honestly had never heard of Mary Baker Eddy and came away from the Library and Mapparium blown away. I'm not a very religious person, and definitely don't identify with Christian Science but I do respect and appreciate all that she did. This place is filled with a lot of great information I imagine a lot of people never knew. The best part and biggest attraction is of course the Mapparium, the giant stained glass globe you walk into. The idea was to walk inside the Earth and gain an appreciation of how far the Christian Science faith had reached in the world at that time. Each piece was hand painted and is just beautiful. They also designed it with extremely interesting acoustics, where if you stand directly in the center, if you whisper it sounds as though you're yelling. And if you stand on the very outside edge it sounds as though it circles around the entire globe like wind is carrying your voice. When we first walked in we thought a recording of people talking was playing because of how everyone talking sounded. Lastly, the employees are a wealth of information. The building itself is incredible and easy on the camera lens. It cost just $6 and takes all of about 30mins for the Mapparium and however long you want to spend in the library. Pretty much a Must See in my book for both visitors and residents!

If you're at the Mary Baker Eddy Library, you're probably there for a tour of the Mapparium. The Mapparium is a three-story, stained-glass globe designed in 1935 when the The Christian Science Monitor Publishing House was built. The Mapparium has been renovated but never updated, so the map exists as it did in 1935 (names of countries, numbers of countries, etc. are not accurate as of today). For a small fee, you can have a guided tour of the Mapparium, which includes some information about the Mapparium, The Christian Science Monitor, and Mary Baker Eddy, as well as a light show inside the Mapparium. It's quick, but interesting. (No pictures inside.) Well worth a quick visit if you're interested. (Don't forget you can take a free tour of the church as well!)

The Library is on a busy road and it was congested during our visit so I dropped off the family and made a U-turn to find parking on the road for a fee. I paid for a couple of hours but we were there less than one. The tour was a bit underwhelming as I expected more especially with the controlled manner in which it operates. They start by providing some background history on the project and then take the group into the globe, flash the lights, allow you to experience the ease of being heard across the room. It's massive and one has to appreciate the creation to scale. It got a bit crowded with our group standing together on the overpass in the middle of the globe at times and with trying to talk over others in an audio sensitive area. No pictures are allowed in the globe which was disappointing but they have a selfie background as you exit...not the same. I appreciate the experience and feel it's a must see at least once. There's more to see than just the globe but we were there for the globe.

Like most people, I came here to check out the Mapparium. It is a short tourist spot where you walk into a "world globe" where they give you the history of the globe you're standing in and information on the acoustics. This was a pretty unique experience.

The Mapparium was amazing! The entire family loved it! Inexpensive trip. $6/adults $4/kids. We did find street parking/meter. The church tour is free. No pics or video in the Mapparium. They do have a selfie station replica in the lobby. The huge pipe organ is beautiful. No matter what religion you are, you should go see the church. The Mapparium has amazing acoustics. Which they give you aprx 5 minutes to play around. There's a light show, lightning up each country.

Saw some photos of the Mapparium and felt it would be a fun place to stop. My cousin is in the military and we got in for free. However I believe it was like 5$ or 8$. It was a rainy day and not too many people were on the tour. Lasted about 30 minutes. No pictures allowed unfortuantey :( But the history of how the glass and clocks were made are incredible. We were waiting for the rain to stop and made our way over to the Church right next door. I'm not a huge church goer, however it was beautiful and the people inside the church building were so kind and friendly we enjoyed listen to the passion they had for the building and its history. They don't try and pressure you are anything but they loved showing off the pipe structure.

This is a truly stunning piece of architecture. The whole church is gorgeous with so much detail every way you look. I looked up and saw this very co lighting installation which I attached a photo of. I came here to check out the Mapparium and it did not disappoint. It's probably one of the coolest things to check out in Boston! I mean where else can you be inside an all glass globe? FYI: YOU CANNOT TAKE PHOTOS! They have an area outside where you can take pictures but inside it's prohibited unfortunately. I recommend checking out the Christian Science Church too. They have one of the largest organs in the world and it's beautiful to look at.

$6 to for 20 min inside 9 meter wide glass globe and listen to nature sounds and lady talk about world peace. Not sure why all the positive reviews are here. Rest of museum is about "Christian Science" aka pray away your problems

Came here for the mapparium and I hate that they won't let you take pictures because it's so beautiful ! It's like you're inside a globe and it changes colors, one of the coolest things I've seen! The overall building was beautiful too. With Marble and the map incorporated into the architecture, very nice. It is also one of the oldest buildings in the area, so do pass by and visit. If you're ever in the area, check it out.

I came here with my boyfriend recently on a day trip to Boston. I had never been and we wanted to do something more low key but still touristy enough for the single day we had. The library was in many ways like a museum, with a well displayed exhibit in the entrance on the history of the church of science and its mark in west africa. We came mostly to see the Mappetorium - a giant spherical room with a transparent bridge that suspends you within this 380 degree stained glass map of the world pre 1930. The space was absolutely beautiful and the science behind it too was fascinating - featuring the whispering effect in which one person on one end of the bridge can whisper to a person on the other end and still be heard super clear. the tour guide was a younger student, but knew her information and was clear during the tour. Bathrooms were also kept in great condition with beautiful tiling and light. would definitely recommend this for a cheap, fun and kind of off the main routine thing to do in Boston!

Admission: $4 for students with school ID, $6 for adults Closes at 4pm. Too early. Mary Baker Eddy's library is a lesser known, hidden gem next to the Christian Science museum. No, no Christian Science is not a cult and and it's not related to Scientology. The 2nd floor gallery focuses on Mary Baker's life ("the only American woman to find a lasting American-based religion"-cool!), what medicine and science was like in the 19th century, and the evolution of The Christian Science Monitor publication. A little too much reading material jammed together from the exhibits, would've been better if there was a guide. Interestingly, explanation of the faith of Christian Science and any religious connotations for the most part are absent. It's funny how I learnt more about what Christian Science is from the brochure than I did from the gallery- they're a faith that believes in praying and spiritual care rather than modern medicine to heal ailments. If we were all Christian Scientists, perhaps our society's abuse of prescription meds and controlled substances would be put to an end. Mapparium is the star of the show and the only guided part of the museum. It's a stained glass, 3 story globe with a glass bridge running through the middle, giving you the unique vantage point of the world from the core. It's stunning and beautifully done so countries look 3D. It's a 1935 version of the world with a guided auditory light show. The acoustics wonder of Mapparium is the only one of its kind in the world given its spherical shape, well worth the $4! You won't be seeing the actual library on the 4th floor unless you ask for permission from the receptionist. Architecture and layout of the museum is another note worthy feature. The art and spaciousness of the Hall of Ideas was another favorite aspect of the museum.

I don't really get the hype about this place. It's just a large globe that you walk through and you get to stare at it for about fifteen minutes and listen to the history behind it. The acoustics are pretty cool but it's not that impressive or interesting and you're not allowed to take pictures.

I came here with a friend, not knowing what exactly to expect. With the $6 admission (adult; $4 student), you get a 20 min tour of the large, walk in globe. It is absolutely breathtaking! I won't spoil the experience here, but I think if you have an afternoon free, this place would be a fun place to visit. (My only gripe: not sure if 20 min is worth $6...) The first floor is completely open to the public. The Hall of Ideas is very grand and calming- definitely worth a stroll. We also went to the other exhibits detailing Eddy's life, and it was interesting to say the least. All in all, I would recommend to come here if you have a free afternoon - you could learn something interesting, however, I would think it is a one time visit only.

Five stars for the unique Mapparium experience. There was nothing else there which interested me too much, but I value the 20 minute beautiful visit through the Mapparium enough to highly recommend it. The audio peculiarities alone made it worth my time and money. Stand in the very middle if you get the chance and enjoy the fluttering whispers all around you. Learning about Mary Baker Eddy and her fascinating life and contributions to society even into her 80's was quite inspiring I must add.

So we came to visit the Mapparium, so this review is just for that. It's $6 a person and you spend ~20 minutes actually in the Mapparium. There's no photography allowed and they're very strict on that rule. It's quite a neat structure as it's a complete sphere of stained glass representing the world from the 1930s. The more interesting thing though is the acoustics inside, which are quite neat and make for some unique abilities to whisper and hear someone else from across the room. I wouldn't come here again, but it was worth a look one time.

Really enjoyed how sophisticated the area seemed and how much culture it offered. A good place to visit is the maparium that shows you a large globe in a room that you can walk through, in the room you can see what the earth looked like back a few hundred years ago to now. Also you can hear the smallest whisper very loudly which seems to me be very symbolic. I recommend it as a romantic date or an educational group project. Very beautiful.

The Mary Baker Eddy Library is worth a look if you are in the area with a bit of extra time on your hands, but it is certainly not a must-see attraction, and I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to visit. Mary Baker Eddy herself is not a household name to most, but she is well known as the founder of Christian Science, with the publication, Christian Science Monitor still in wide circulation today. I would not say that I am an avid reader by any means, but I am definitely familiar with it. There is an upstairs area dedicated to the life and times of the building's namesake. It is a great learning experience to die hard nerds like myself (or fans of the magazine), but to be honest, there isn't a whole lot to keep the casual person interested, and children might be apt to signal a run to the exits. The star attraction of the library is undoubtedly the Mapparium, likely the main reason why most patrons pay a visit. It is basically a giant inverted globe that you walk inside of. Constructed out of 600+ stained glass panes, the map is frozen in time from the world as we knew it in the 1930's. It is interesting to see how names and boundaries of countries have changed so much since. Visitors are not allowed to enter on their own, so everyone has to wait for the guided tour. Photography is also not allowed. Walking on the bridge through the center of the earth along the equator is a unique and amusing experience. It almost makes you feel a bit like Professor X. Also fun is the fact that the design of the Mapparium itself serves as an echo chamber of sorts. Every whisper, snicker, and jeer can be heard by all. The tour guide initially tells the guests to keep it down while s/he gives the scoop, but afterwards, everyone is free to have at it. At $6 a pop, the admission price is affordable enough that even if you spend less than an hour, it won't cause too much of a dent. It can add up rather quickly though if you've got little Billy and Sally along for the ride. The Mapparium tour is relatively short, but fortunately, you are able to go back for more rounds if you like.

Found this place through Instagram. Admission is $6. You have a tour guide who takes you into a room where the Mapparium is located. Pretty interesting. FYI: No photos allowed, which, was a bummer.

We checked out The Mapparium at the library and it was cool. The tickets were low cost and the tour only takes 20 minutes. It was cool seeing someone else's vision of the world. The only thing is you can't take pictures while you're in the room, however they do have a backdrop of the map when you exit the room and you can take pics there. Cool place to check out in Boston!

I visited the Mapparium in December 2018 with my family and we just thought it was OK. The Mapparium is like standing inside a giant stain glass globe. A very unique experience. The Mapparium is located in the Mary Baker Eddy Library which is next to the Christian Science Church (not to be confused with Scientology). The cost is $6 for adults/$4 for children. You'll be given a timed stamped pass on when you can enter the Mapparium. You'll be guided in with a small group and a docent who will explain how the Mapparium came to be and some fun facts. You are limited to about 10-15 minutes inside the mapparium. The biggest bummer is you are not allowed to take pictures when you are inside, which would be awesome, and worth the price. It was cool seeing, but would not do it again.

The Mary Baker Eddy Library is a neat attraction. She was definitely an influential and interesting person. The best part is the globe you can walk inside of. It's amazing from the beautiful glass to the quirky acoustics. It's a bummer that you can't take any pictures because it's beautiful. This is something that, if you have time, I would do. Simply for the globe exhibit. If you don't have time I think you could absolutely miss this one and not have any problems.

Mapparium! This place is so inspirational! It's a huge church/library, where the Christian Science Monitor is published, and the home of the Mapparium! The Mapparium is a huge globe, viewed from the inside out. The room is a perfect sphere, so you get some interesting acoustics going on in there. Stand at the very center of the room, and you hear your voice in true 360 surround sound. The sound of your breathing alone can be overwhelming! Incredibly cool. The map is a bit out of date, intentionally. They built the thing before Israel, Russia, Thailand, and several other countries existed. It's fun to go through and look at how the political boundaries have changed. You can only see the Mapparium by a guided tour, which takes about 15-20 min and seems to be held every half hour or so. Didn't have to wait at all to get in! Once inside the globe, they give a bit of a speech and a video presentation on the wall of the globe, which is inspirational. The restrooms here were probably the fanciest I'd seen in all of Boston! There's a waiting room, and a restroom foyer that was exquisite! The tile work and wood details in there seemed like something out of a dream of what an executive washroom looks like. The restrooms are right off of the Hall of Ideas, which gives info on the history of the church. They have a little gift shop by the exit.

If feeling like Professor X is for the betterment of humanity, our cerebral evolution will definitely accelerate in this thirty foot in diameter sphere. Let me explain myself: encased in this library founded upon the pillars of Christian prayers discovered on the path of one woman's trials, a man was inspired to erect a huge glass globe of 608 individual panels depicting all the nations of the world circa 1935. You walk onto a glass an aluminum bridge through the center (there's the X bit) as LED panels behind it coruscates and fades into a glorious symphony. The crazy acoustics and zero sound absorption allow for some awesome whispering with perfect audibility to a companion on the complete opposite side of the "room." While I am not sold on the whole god thing I very much respect the message of divinity and strength within. I am unsure where the science part fits in, other than appreciating order and patterns in the universe, but it makes for interesting visuals displays in the hall of ideas, with quotes from Rosseau to Einstein to Mariah Carey. Bottom line, totally worth the $6 and great for adults and kids alike.

A friend and I went to tour the Mapparium, as it was included in our Go Boston card and was something we repeatedly saw online and on Pinterest when planning our trip. Overall, a little disappointed. The tour lasted approximately 15-20 minutes and while the globe was really neat, there wasn't a whole lot else to see in the library that was of interest. The globe itself was interesting, as the acoustics are really unique and it is an out-dated map, so it shows all the changes the world and its countries have undergone in the years since. Would I go back again, no. Did I think the experience was neat, yes. For $6, was it worth it, sure. I wouldn't consider it a "must see" while in Boston, I also didn't think it was a complete waste of time either. Kind of felt neutral about the whole experience.

Museum date, part 1: Scanning through TimeOut Boston, I came across the Mapparium on their "20 great things to do in Boston" list. I told my date that it was on my hit list, and we decided to make the Mapparium the first stop on our museum adventure. We arrived a bit before the next tour and were encouraged to wait in the Hall of Ideas for the tour to begin. The Hall is an interesting space, at its center is a glass and bronze fountain with rotating quotations. When the tour started we were ushered into the Mapparium; a three-story stained glass view of the world circa 1935. You stand on a glass bridge suspended in the middle of the globe during the short tour, which includes a brief sound and light show. Now if you're wanting an IMAX-caliber sound and light show you will be disappointed, but what you get is appropriate for a world frozen in time. At the end of the tour, our guide pointed out some of the cool acoustical features of the Mapparium. Let me just say this is not the time or place to talk smack about anyone, even if it's just a whisper; trust me on this one. After the tour, we checked out the second floor exhibits, including the one chronicling the life of MBE and her journey to discovering Christian Science and The Monitor. For those of you not in the know, "Christian Scientists believe that through prayer, knowing and understanding, all things are possible for good through God." I can't say I subscribe to that belief, but it isn't necessary to enjoy the museum. Bottom line: The Mapparium is the real draw here; for $6, this is a fun way to see a bit of the world frozen in time.

Mapparium! Definitely worth the $6 admission. Located inside the Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity (whew, what a mouthful), next to the Christian Science Church, Mapparium is a three-story glass globe built in 1935 that you can walk through across a 30 foot bridge. Besides seeing what the world looked like over 70 years ago, the globe creates some strange and funny acoustics, which were apparently accidental. The tour lasts about 15 minutes, and while you are waiting for the next tour, you can look around the Hall of Ideas, which includes a fountain with quotes projected on the water from up above. Highly recommended for children and adults alike!

I ponied up my $6 donation to check out the Mapparium and found myself impressed. The three-dimensional, three-story glass globe is richly colorful and has some pretty amazing acoustics inside. While the light and voice show was a bit idealistic in its take on world politics, it also highlighted some of the geopolitical changes of the last century in an understandable and concise way. The experience was so unique and so visually beautiful that it's well worth the $6. One word of advice: Because the acoustics are so unusual in the Mapparium, I would not recommend bringing young children. There were some well-behaved toddlers on my tour and at times it was nearly impossible to hear the guide and the narration over their (not really that loud) chatter. I spent some time in the surrounding museum as well and was much less impressed. I think it is hard to appreciate some of the exhibits if you do not subscribe to the Christian Scientist belief system. Overall, I recommend a visit to the Mapparium. This would be a great activity for out-of-town visitors who enjoy art or history, and the gift shop might unearth some treasures for holiday giving.

Went for Mapparium part of the library, the show lasted about 15 minutes. Very educational, worth $6/person admission price. The coolest part was to learn that secrets is no secrets in this place. Even if you whisper to yourself in this room, everyone will hear it (due to the reflection of sound from glass). Overall, highly recommended!!

Let's be open and honest upfront about this review. The library serves one purpose and it is to see the mapparium. I'm not sure what else you can see in the library and I don't know of any other reason you would go there except to see the mapparium. Many people argue that it's too expensive or a waste of money for a 15 minute tour of a large glass globe; however, I disagree. The mapparium really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Not only are the countries on the globe from the early 1900s allowing you to see how much this world has evolved in toughly 85 years but sight and the acoustics of the mapparium are also stunning. Even our eight and six-year-olds thought it was a really cool 15 minute tour. It really puts in perspective your station on earth. I would absolutely recommend spending the money and checking out this cool piece of history.

The Mapparium is so cool! It was so cool to see all of the old countries and to see history stuck in one moment of time. Loved the whispering effect of being in a sphere, and all in all a really cool 20 minutes of your life. Used the Boston Go Card to go, and would recommend.

The Mapparium is hands down the coolest tourist attraction I had the pleasure of viewing, and for only $6 a person. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and straight to the point. The acoustics in the mapparium are amazing and a bit Wild; whispers are as clear as day. Very interesting piece of Boston history as well as a retrospective on the history of name changes of so many countries.

I have been here several times, but realized I never gave the Mapparium a rating until I saw that they are having a Groupon deal now (and I may just buy it since it is good until March '15). The Mapparium is a REALLY cool place to bring an out-of-town friend, a history buff relative and/or that friend/relative who just thinks THEY know it all (we all know THAT person, right?). The globe was constructed in the 1930's and there is just nothing like it anywhere else, so it is really cool to walk in the middle of the world - literally - in the 1930's. Oh, and don't say anything too loudly because sound bounces off those glass tiles. Of course, unless you really WANT everyone to know what you are saying :) Well worth a visit!!!

This review is for the Mapparium only. One of Will C.'s co-workers highly recommended that we stop by the Mapparium, which is located inside of the Mary Baker Eddy Library. Admission is $6 per person and the tour lasted about 15-20 minutes. The Mapparium is very impressive, but visitors are urged not to take photos as the map is trademarked. The map reflects what the world looked like circa 1935. It's fun to take a look at how much the world has changed since then. Once the tour is over, the tour guide lets you stay inside for a few more minutes to play around with the acoustics of the room. Although the experience was short, it definitely left a lasting impression on me. Highly recommend!

The Mapparium is the highlight of the library and only available to visit as part of the 20 minute guided tour for $6 ($4 for students). Tours run every 20 minutes or so for 3 hours a day. Poor poor tour guide who lost her thought twice in the first 5 minutes of the introduction and was rocking on the balls of her feet with a glazed over look in her eyes as the sound & light show played for what must be the nth time that day alone. Was that a slight Indian English accent that I heard in the voice over guy? Since glass doesn't absorb sound waves, it created this whispering gallery in the globe, just like St. Peter's Basilica, just like the Capitol Building. Nice reverb, that's a pretty cool surround sound system. The library is sleek and modern, while the gallery detailed select stories and displayed artifacts from Mary Baker Eddy's life. Worth the visit if you have 30 minutes to spare one day. But definitely not worth making a special trip.

The Mapparium room was very interesting indeed! I just wish there was more to the experience for the $6 I paid.

Great place to go on vacation with the family. There's books, and a 3 story glass globe you can go in! I know what I liked the best. I recommend exploring for a while afterwards as well. But shhhh this is a library.

I'm not here to hate on anybody's religious beliefs so I'm going to leave MBE out of this. The Mapparium is worth every bit of your $6 to look at the world in full color in a 365 degree view as it was in 1935. Simply amazing. It really stinks that you can't take photos. The architecture in the building is gorgeous. The globe is one of a kind. Don't do the "church" tour.

Old and rustic, the service here wasn't very polite but was very helpful. The seats were not very comfortable but it is a nice place to sit down briefly and wait to go to the Mapparium. Inside temp was warm not air conditioned well.

The maparium was amazing! I wanted to go see it when planning a trip to Boston and I'm so glad we went! There are no photos allowed inside, but the experience is worth it.

This review is a review of the Mapparium. I cannot express how 'worth it' a visit to the Mapparium is. Our family of four - including an ennui afflicted teen and easily bored tween - thought this one of the greatest things we had even seen. Aside from the inherent coolness of being inside a glass globe, as a history buff a lot of my enjoyment came from seeing the world as it was in 1935. Of noting how some of the states (e.g. the Baltic countries) had disappeared only to return and of finding others (e.g. Tuva) that I had never heard of before. The other half of the coolness factor was the auditory properties of a glass sphere. I have been many places with 'whispering galleries' and the Mapparium has it's own as well. But I've never experienced anything like standing in the middle of the globe and hearing the whispers, voices, and sounds of movement from everyone around echoing inside of my head. For anyone who has seen the X-men movies it is clear that their vision of Cerebro was influenced by an experience in the Mapparium.