This spot in Massachusetts will deliver the most electrifying experience of your life. If you’ve ever wanted to see lightning up close, the Boston Museum of Science has you covered. It’s home to a massive Van de Graaff Generator that shoots out huge bolts of indoor lightning.

This is the world’s largest air-insulated Van de Graaff Generator. It lives at the Boston Museum of Science.
Wikimedia Commons/Boston Museum of Science
The massive contraption shoots crackling bolts of lightning through the air during daily shows in the Theater of Electricity.
Facebook/Museum of Science
It’s hard to appreciate the scale of this thing until you see it in person. Two huge pillars topped with aluminium orbs send electricity streaking in all directions.
Facebook/Boston Museum of Science
During the show, guests are invited into the theater and seated behind a metal curtain for safety reasons. Then, the generator begins throwing out glowing bolts.
Facebook/Boston Museum of Science

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The show’s presenters make the lightning do mesmerizing things and even stand inside a metal birdcage while sparks strike.
Flickr/Éamonn Ó Muirí
It’s powered by several Tesla coils and internal belt that produces static electricity on a massive scale.
Flickr/Dave L.
The generator was originally built by an MIT professor in the 1930s in order to power an actual particle accelerator, so you know this thing packs a punch.
Flickr/Brendan Dolan-Gavitt
Lightning shows run daily and are an amazing way to learn about things like lightning, conductors, magnetism and storm safety. Plus, being near this thing is just plain awesome.
Flickr/Sandro Enomoto

Shows run every day of the week and are free with a museum ticket. If you just want to see the lighting show, the price is $25 for adults and $20 for kids. Click here to reserve a spot.

You can find the Boston Museum of Science at 1 Science Park, Boston, Mass. For another awesome day trip idea, check out this one store in Massachusetts that could be straight out of Harry Potter.

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