Orlando Science Center

Science museum · Lake Formosa

Orlando Science Center

Science museum · Lake Formosa

1

777 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803

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Orlando Science Center by null
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Orlando Science Center by null
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Highlights

Venerable science center with hands-on exhibits & planetarium shows, plus giant-screen & 3-D films.  

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777 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803 Get directions

osc.org
@orlandosciencecenter

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777 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803 Get directions

+1 407 514 2000
osc.org
@orlandosciencecenter
𝕏
@orlandoscience

$$

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Mar 4, 2025

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"A hands-on, science-focused museum of sorts has existed here in some form since the mid 1980s, but its modern incarnation opened in 1997. Today the Orlando Science Center is is a huge white building with glass and steel walkways. Across its four floors are eight themed exhibitions that cover a wealth of scientific subjects. The natural world is an especially strong theme, given the importance of the environment in Florida, but there are also dinosaurs and planetary exhibits that will transport minds of all ages to different times and worlds." - Paul Oswell

15 Best Things to Do in Orlando
View Postcard for Orlando Science Center

hannahmae harris

Google
We went for my son’s 4th birthday and it was a blast ! We were able to get $3 tickets with our EBT card, so it definitely helps when you’re low on money and still want to do something special ! We were there for around 3 hours but was steadily moving to each exhibit. So you can definitely take longer. Went here as a kid and it’s always been 5 Stars!

Julie Zerk

Google
My kids are 9,7,5, and 1. There was something for all of them to do and enjoy. The center was clean and the staff were friendly. I highly recommend coming here on a hot or rainy day when you need to get out of the house! Or any day! What a cool place. Make sure you see the fish and animals too!

Natasha Hernandez

Google
We LOVE the science center the best way to go is to get a family membership!!! We like to go during the week when there isn't as many people. We just don't like how early they close. But they always have new things going on. My two year old ALWAYS has fun!

Ann Young

Google
Fun museum. I Wish we had known there would be so many school groups/day camps. We really enjoyed the Ocean cinema but think it might be time to update it. Made in 1993.

Sebastian Raue

Google
We visited on 07/07/2024 and had a blast. My two kiddos, 4 and 6 years old enjoyed every part of the visit. One star review because of the unacceptable parking situation. We were forced to wait over 45min in our car on top of the garage because of the ridiculous parking system. It felt like being a hostage because there was no way to leave. Here is a suggestion, if the whole parking garage is backed up, open the gates and let people leave as fast as possible.

Fern Tail

Google
Went to see the new life exhibit. It was free. We just had to do an online que for it. So do that first thing when u get there. We also saw a show about storks/natural disasters in the 8 story dome. It was cool but a little scary.

Miguel Puente (MeP)

Google
The Orlando Science Center surprised me with how good it was. Everyone had fun and enjoyed it. A little pricey but worth it, and the annual pass is worth it because if you visit more than twice then you're visiting for freeeeee. Google Maps says people typically spend 3.5 hrs here but it's easy to spend more time with everything there is to do.

Loretta casper

Google
This place was fun. I didn’t realize it had so much to see. My family and I had a great time.

ChiaChun T.

Yelp
The Orlando Science Center is a fantastic destination for families with young children. We spent hours exploring the interactive exhibits, which made learning fun and engaging. The KidsTown area, in particular, was a big hit with our little ones, featuring a water table and a mini construction site that sparked their creativity. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, and the facility was clean and well-maintained. We also enjoyed the live demonstrations, which added an extra layer of excitement to our visit. Overall, the Orlando Science Center is a great place for kids to play, learn, and explore. Highly recommended for a fun and educational family outing!

Howie C.

Yelp
A half a day of education and fun with animals and nature? Sign me up! The Orlando Science Center is such a great place to take your family to. Multiple floors of fun. First you park at the structure across the street (you do have to pay for parking when you leave) then take the elevated footbridge across the street to museum. I'm not a local so I paid the one day fee, but if you live in Orlando and have kids, an annual pass might be the way to go. The Science Center has a little bit of everything. When I was there there was a rainforest habitat on that had monkeys jumping over me on trees. There were baby alligators with turtles in a closed off pond. The water play area had various living organisms for me to touch. In the bigger tank, if you're lucky, you can catch them feeding the fish and shark. There are many hands-on physics play structures that you or your kids and can experiment with. There's a hurricane wind box where you can go into and feel hurricane force winds. On the top floor I got to see the newer dinosaur exhibit that has reproduced numerous life size dinosaur skeletons. One my favorite things after walking around for a couple of hours was chilling out and going in the theater to catch a movie. The movie I saw was in 3D and about 40 minutes, a documentary about assisting three different endangered animals repopulate and releasing them in the wild. The 3D was not dizzying like action movies can be. It was enhancing and relaxing, especially when the camera took a bird's eye view in flight over various areas. The trees and the hills really popped. You can even buy snacks and drinks for the movie. If you get there a minute late and they've closed the doors to the theater, gently knock on the door and the attendant will most likely let you in if there is seating available. The Orlando Science Center is a great asset to the community and a fun way to spend half a day with your family, or in my case, by myself, while killing time on a business trip.

Brigette T.

Yelp
Lots of engaging learning opportunities for kids of all ages. It only takes about three hours to see everything, so it's a great break from the outside Florida heat without spending a whole day inside. There is a new Life exhibit on the first floor that offers an ocean touch tank and walk through rainforest. Your best bet to avoid crowds is to go early and avoid summer and school breaks.

Angie S.

Yelp
I always have the most fun at the Orlando Science Center.....I know, I know...it's for the kids but who can pass up interactive activities that involve science. Not to mention, my teenager loved it when he was younger and now my youngest is loving it too. If you're looking for something fun to do in Central Florida that is indoors, this is it. Make sure to check their site for Bank of America/Wells Fargo day *wink wink*

Megan J.

Yelp
I haven't been to the science center in many, many years, but I had an awesome time with my family today! I got free entry through my job and was able to bring them with me. We loved the Life exhibit, Into America's Wild film, and the Guinness World Record exhibit! Experiencing the science center as a kid verses and adult is very striking, and it brought back tons of great memories. I also loved the art installation on the bridge from the center to the parking garage

Jessica G.

Yelp
It's paradise for kids AND adults! lots of engaging and imagination We love going there, the best investment we've done so far!

Erin B.

Yelp
We recently became members again after years of being away. We were blown away with the new "Life" exhibit! It's small but there is so much in it. I love that it's by the virtual queue so it's not packed. I wish all the sections were more limited because sometimes it gets soo busy in one area. Overall we had a great time and didn't even get to everything but are excited to come back again!!

Barbie C.

Yelp
I am an annual pass holder and my family loves this place. They have cool exhibits, experiences, and even shows. Some activities change based on the month or even season of the year. No matter what though, it's always a good time. What I love most about having an annual pass here is that they partner with science centers and museums across the globe. And I mean that! I have gotten complimentary entry for my family of 3 for facilities in New York, Texas, and even Canada. Locations are listed on the website for the partners (not sure if this can only be seen with an annual pass membership), but I have yet to be disappointed with this cool investment and the experiences it has offered me.

Anjela L.

Yelp
Super fun for kids. We went here as a date and there wasn't too much to do for a couple but if you have kids this is an amazing place to go. A lot of interactive things and puzzles. There were still fun stuff to do as a couple such as solving some puzzles or seeing the animals.

Ayesha F.

Yelp
We had so much fun here. It's a little expensive for the experience but we were on Spring Break so it's cool. My son really enjoyed the exhibits - so many are hands on and interactive. This is not a boring, walk around science center.

Cassie G.

Yelp
We love the science center! They currently have the dinosaurs decked out in lights and Christmas songs played while we were exploring. The Tom Terry weather center is so much fun! On the second floor there's a coffee cart currently slinging a honey lavender latte that was high quality coffee shop caliber, super helpful for a tired mama trying to keep up with an ecstatic toddler! The rotating exhibits are fun. This month is backyard theme. Exploring nature the familiar lens of the backyard. September was "Dogs" that was fun too! My kids loved the exhibit that timed how fast you run.

Kathy K.

Yelp
This private science museum located in Orlando offers wonderful exhibits for children and adults too. They are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and a member of the Association of Science Technology Centers. First floor is NatureWorks, second floor is KidsTown and Kinetic Zon, third floor is The Hive: a Makerspace and Fusion: a Steam Gallery, fourth floor is DinoDigs and Our Planet, and on the sixth floor is the Observatory. Our group had a family membership for $189. Well worth it if you visit often. We had a great time.

Vanessa L.

Yelp
This is an educational museum geared towards all ages. They have different exhibits and the fee is affordable. Great place to spend a lazy afternoon.

Melissa B.

Yelp
We had a wonderful afternoon at the Orlando Science Center in June 2023. We enjoyed the Dinosaur Bones & informational activities. We also went into the other areas so he could enjoy the hands on stations. Deacon also went to the indoor play areas and Orange Grove Kids Play areas. The center cost admission fee of $25 and $20 for Deacon. There was a souvenir store and a $7 fee indoor parking garage. There is also a inside restaurant available!

Aidilyn G.

Yelp
Our visit to the science center was amazing. We visited for Science Night Dead! This is an adult only night event where you basically get to explore the entire science center without the little ones. The activities were so perfect and tailored for adults to enjoy. The entire staff truly did so great at teaching us and encouraging the activities. We truly felt like kids exploring science again. The vendors that were there that night were amazing. We stopped and honestly tried everything. Loved the event, loved the science center staff!

Craig L.

Yelp
What a fantastic event. Thanks Yelp team and many thanks to the Science Center as well. This was my first Yelp event and I will certainly plan to attend more in the future. The venue was perfect. Yelp had the top two floors. The center was closed to the public for the evening. Loads of crazy food and beverages. Good music from multiple DJ's. The outdoor patio was included. My family' held membership for many years when the kids were young. We always enjoyed the day at the Orlando Science Center. I can also vouch for their hosting capabilities. This Yelp event was no fluke. I recall a work event while I was at IBM or AT&T, don't recall which. The event was just as spectacular as this one, if not more so.

Craig C.

Yelp
If you have children, do yourself a favor and get a membership. It's affordable and 100% worth it, especially in summer with the heat and rain. This is one of the best activities in the Orlando area for children (and they have a lot to offer adults as well, but there's definitely a focus on the younger ones). From the interactive exhibits to the dinosaurs and more, you're sure to find something that you and your kid(s) love here. And perhaps the best part - it's got a roof and it's air-conditioned.

Scott S.

Yelp
This place is like Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, but for science geeks! The interactive exhibits are so hands-on, they practically give you a high-five for being curious. The staff is as friendly as your grandma when you bring her cookies - except these folks might just know the secret formula for turning cookies into rocket fuel. So, if you're tired of science being the kid at the back of the class no one talks to, come to the Orlando Science Center. Here, science is the cool kid with a lab coat and safety goggles, ready to blow your mind and make you snort with laughter. Who said learning couldn't be the highlight of your weekend?

Deshika B.

Yelp
It's amazing how you can visit a place several times and one experience can make you never want to go back. That was my experience, today. My boyfriend collects and is interested in rare hot wheels, and the museum advertised an exhibit from 10/8-01/08/23. I quickly went to the website, purchased tickets for 10am opening day. Upon arrival to the museum, I noticed that the box office was giving out either purple, or Orange bracelets (I later found out why). Apparently, the first two hours of any new exhibit is reserved for members only, and any one with purple wristbands can visit the other parts of the museum until the preview is over. This was stated to us when we attempted to enter the hot wheels exhibit, and when we went to customer service. The rep at customer service (African American female with short hair), proceeded to brush us off when we stated that we were not aware of this preview time, and that they should probably have it listed somewhere. She repeatedly stated that on the website their is a banner that lists this information, and I attempted to show her both pages that explained the new exhibit, and the absence of any such banner. She brushed me off and replied "look, I can just provide you a refund and you can come back some other time. Maybe the weekdays so you don't have to deal with crowds". I stated that the crowds were not an issue, the lack of transparency regarding the set up, the complete absence of customer service, and any sort of accommodation based on the museum's inability to update their website, or the signage outside. They expected us to wander around for two hours when most of the exhibits were closed for renovations. They also stated that they no longer require timed entry, but without selecting a time on the website, you cannot purchase tickets. We got our refund, and unless it's free, we won't be back.

Janice K.

Yelp
We attended a friend's wedding here and it was amazing. There were so many staff taking care of everything. There was an area for the bride and bridesmaids to get ready for multiple hours before the wedding. The photographers took the pictures from start to finish. They had candid pictures of the bride getting ready, pictures of the couple in the daylight before the wedding, and in the museum area after the wedding. They had staff serving passed hors d'oeuvres outside the main area while the couple had pictures taken with their family and the amazing displays. The outside patio area was open for our use. If you're in the market for a party venue I would highly recommend checking them out.

Linda W.

Yelp
Fun place for young children to begin their journey for science knowledge. Cool place for events - we attended a wedding there & they hosted a fun, safe teen sleepover that night. Their signage was not the best but the ambience was a good compensation.

Eric G.

Yelp
Way over priced and It felt like we entered a drag queen show between some of the employees and blatant lgbtq flags throughout the place. Not exactly "kid friendly" and clearly odd for a SCIENCE Center of all places. Not really much there either. Food choices are slim, exhibits are kinda lame (especially given admission prices) and much is under construction STILL as they keep pushing back the opening. The place is dirty in many areas and some rude staff when inquiring on when an area (forget the area's name) would open again due to a kid being sick in the area. It has really gone downhill and seems to be run by people with a really bizarre agenda and we all see that playing out in today's world, shouldn't happen in a SCIENCE Center of all places, yet here we are.

Karen S.

Yelp
Great time at their Science Center with our grandchildren & "children""( over 40 yrs old lol!) !!! We had a phenomenal time at this amazing Science Center! Our grandson just loved it & it kept the adults interested too!

Tiffany D.

Yelp
This place continues to consistently be excellent. My kids could spend all day here. The exhibits are impressive and in pristine condition. They continue to update it and we still love coming here when we are in town.

Tiffany A.

Yelp
$25 entrance fee for adults and $5 parking. To me it wasn't really worth the $25, but I took my toddler who seemed to enjoy himself. This place seemed so big, 4 floors but I didn't feel that there was much to see or do. I thought some of the areas were extremely packed, way too many people for little kids especially in the orange room. I kept thinking "this is how we get COVID." On the first floor there was nothing going on, so while that exhibit is being worked on, I think there should be a discount on the tickets.

Natalia L.

Yelp
Went here with a friend for an adult and ucf stem night. Walking in its filled with a lot of people exploring the interactive exhibits and meeting with people teaching us about different topics such as the basics of physics and how it can apply to wind and solar power and see shark teeth and different fossils. Only downside was the main floor is under construction where animals used to be but it made up for it with the observatory!

Natesha G.

Yelp
First visit for our family was great we will definitely be back! The only downside was the pricing is a bit high for a family of 4 and the floor that usually features live animals was under construction which we did not know until we paid and made our way down there a sign at the entrance would be helpful. The kids ran around and tried out most of the stations it was very clean. We went during the week to try and beat the weekend madness. We will likely be back but maybe consider annual passes since the individual passes are not cheap.

Megan M.

Yelp
We love the science center!! We have been members for about a year now with our young toddler and haven't been disappointed. There is a toddler town area that truly caters to the under 5 set with water table, crawlable area for under 2s, and a STEM area with blocks, makeshift roller coasters, and a stage to dance. The orange grove is a larger area where you can pick "oranges" and follow their production all the way to the grocery "store" which is a fun place for young to old. There are rotating exhibits, iMax, STEM weekends, popup play times, story times, a Dino dig, and evening events for adults. Each time we go back there are new things to explore!

Catherine B.

Yelp
I have loved this place ever since I was a little kid! I still have vivid memories of the Orange room when we would go on field trips or with friends. Now, I get to go as a mom and see everything through my son's eyes and it is AMAZING. I highly recommend getting an annual membership as this includes things like science night live, free parking, 10% discounts on all purchases, and access to other events! Come explore the Orlando science center in their dino digs, kinetic zone, steam gallery, kid zone, and so much more. This place is great for all ages! My son was 9 months the first time I brought him here and I was pleasantly surprised by the activities they had that he could partake in. Be sure to sign up for story time or other fun exhibits like meeting a snake!

Rachel G.

Yelp
A nice place to visit on a rainy day! The museum is obviously for children, but good for adults who want a chill day. The museum is super interactive and the staff keep it pretty clean. Most of the exhibits worked and were well maintained. I'll be honest -- it looked small but there's plenty of things to have fun with. It took my boyfriend and I about two hours to run through the whole museum. Parking is $5 all day, and admission for an adult is $24. However, healthcare heroes get a discount, so ours was $18 each! Just show your badge when you buy tickets at the front. I was pretty upset when we got to the gift shop. The toys were a bit outdated and old. They also didn't have any souvenirs that say Orlando Science Museums, so I wasn't able to bring back anything home that reminded me of this place. There's also a food court and coffee shop in the building, and restrooms throughout the place. I wouldn't recommend strollers as their is a lot of foot traffic. ** my favorite part was the bottom floor, with the animals!

Elena W.

Yelp
We will definitely will be back soon, my husband and I have 4 children from age 11 to 18months and they all truly enjoyed there self. There were a lot of activities for each of their "likes", from a dinosaur area, planets, and a lot of hands-on science activities. - (The kids would like to add they enjoyed their strawberry banana smoothies at the little café area located in The establishment.)

Steven W.

Yelp
Great place to take the kids on a drizzly afternoon! The Orlando Science Center had a fantastic collection of interactive kids activities, so good because they trick them into thinking that it's all just for fun! Hopefully, this qualifies as "independent study" during our week away from school.

Christina V.

Yelp
Went to the 21 and up event they have once a month. I have to say I was quite disappointed. The exhibits are lacking and dull. The cinedome- the video was blurry and you could see the flaws on the screen that need fixed. I had such great memories of this place as a kid and it's nothing like I remember. With the technology and science available today- I really had high hopes but it felt like it was still stuck in the 90s.

Soraya K.

Yelp
Would have given 5 stars because we enjoyed the museum itself but I realized once we got back home that the employee at the ticket sales counter charged us for 2 youth tickets even though I told him one of our kids was only 1 year old, so she should have been free. He charged us an extra $18+ tax so I feel ripped off. Wish I had realized this earlier so I could have gotten a refund.

Lorena P.

Yelp
The Orlando Science Center is always a good time. My husband and I have been members for about a year and we love the perks. Last night we went for the 21+ event Science Night Live. It's a fun event because you get to enjoy the museum without the children and can enjoy a drink while doing so. Our favorite part is always the observatory. It's amazing to take a look at the telescope and see the stars. We also enjoyed the guest speaker who spoke on other sources of energy besides Fossil Fuels. The staff is fantastic, they are always in a good mood. We are probably going to renew the membership for next year.

Andrea D.

Yelp
PARENTS.....this is hands down my favorite science museum. I really am used to only keeping the kids interested in a science museum 2 hours maximum. We were there from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. They did not want to leave. The staff was wonderful. The place was pristine. All bathrooms very clean. The Roots Cafe was decent. My daughter had the cheese pizza and liked it. It does not come with a side parents, just a heads up but it is a decent size. I got an Italian Sandwich which was good. It came with side. Unfortunately, the rice was still raw and crunchy for my youngest daughter's meal. Lime and Cilantro rice. The Coffee Spot was decent. My daughter's got the strawberry and berry blend smoothies. They liked them. This place is worth the money. Exhibits and play places that are entertaining. I as an adult had a blast to. It would make a super fun date!

Erica H.

Yelp
False advertising and misleading hours. They say open online everyday from 10am to 5pm to randomly find they are closed during business hours on a Wednesday. Bad business practice and upset children. Not professional.

Ariel W.

Yelp
The Orlando Science Center is a long standing culturally diverse educational institution in Central Florida. It was incorporated in 1965 as the Central Florida Museum and it opened in Loch Haven Park in 1960. The building that it now resides in opened in 1997 To enter the museum you have to use the Love Bridge that connects the parking garage to the museum. There is no way to enter the museum from the ground floor. The Love Bridge is dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community of Orlando. It has 49 hearts embedded in the crystals on the bridge to represent the 49 victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting. The bridge lets you out at onto the floor with the ticket counter. I came to the museum specifically to see the traveling Pompeii exhibit. Adult tickets are normally $21 but if you have a Bank of America card you can get in free to the museum during the first weekend of every month. All you need to do is show them your card and it includes the special exhibits. There are four floors of exhibits. labs, a theater, and an observatory. The floors are arranged in a circle around an open atrium that contains a tree that goes through all of the floors. Level 1 contains the exhibit NatureWorks where you can learn about the ecosystems of Florida and the animals that inhabit them. It was gross but I got to see a snapping turtle eat a frozen rat. Also on the first floor is the 4Roots Cafe where you can purchase food and drinks and Kids Town where young children can play and explore but which was closed. Level 2 contains the traveling exhibits hall where I saw the excellent Pompeii exhibit. It will host Planet Pioneers from February 22 to May 9th. This floor also contains the gift shop. Level 3 contains The Hive : Makerspace where children can learn how to design and make things and Fusion: A STEAM Gallery that demonstrates how art and design are a part of science. Level 4 contains Dino Digs where you can learn about dinosaurs, marine reptiles, and megafauna. The dinosaurs were lit up with lights for the holidays. They also had a cool screen where if you stepped in front of it it looked dinosaurs were in the room with you. Also on level 4 is the exhibit Our Planet where you can learn about weather and earth science through interactive exhibits. There is quite a bit to see and do here. I enjoyed looking around but the museum is definitely geared towards children. The kids I saw running around looked like they were having a ball. I had a very nice and healthy lunch in the cafe and then headed out to explore the art museums also located Loch Haven Park. I love this cultural epicenter of Orlando.

Shelby W.

Yelp
I love coming here and bringing my one year old, there are soooo many things for him to do! We love the water area they have and the 0-2years old play area where he can crawl around. On the second level in the Bionic area some of the spots where you can try the bionic eye test and hearing tests are always not working which is a bummer. The hand sanitizing stations always tend to be empty but other than that I love coming here because it's so educational.

Christopher P.

Yelp
The Orlando Science Center is so much fun! I love all of the dinosaurs attractions! I could spend hours walking around! I can't wait to visit again!

Julio H.

Yelp
I've been here for so many events, I am actually surprised I never wrote a review for this museum. I guess this special visit to Pompeii: The Immortal (immoral?) City takes the honors. Now, I am not Italian, neither a lover of Italian culture (except film makers), I like their gastronomy, but I am not vibing with Italy in general. However, I do have a soft spot for a few cultural items, like St. Francis of Assisi, Venice, and obviously Pompeii. Interestingly, I have been to Italia a few times, but never been to Pompeii or to Assisi. Maybe I should make an effort to visit those places (actually, it's on my bucketlist). Anyway... The exhibit is pretty small, about 5 rooms, but there are many interactive and audiovisual stops that make it a very enjoyable and time consuming visit. The introductory short movie is pretty amazing in itself. There are many artifacts, and a long background history regarding these items. But this exhibit is not just a display of archaeological pieces, it is instead a view of how people lived in Pompeii, what technologies they were using, and how all this came to a stop before being rediscovered in the 18th century. I learned a few things during my visit. For example, I didn't know that the patroness Goddess of Pompeii was Venus/Aphrodite. I didn't know that glass was a revolutionary technology of their times, akin to plastic in the 1950's. They also ate a lot of bread and unfortunately mice (yuk!). They also started every meal eating a quail's egg (usually at least). What I didn't get to see more was about the cults that existed at the time, but I was glad to see that they placed importance to the discovery of the Temple of Isis. I also would have loved to see more glass jewelry, and I would have loved to learn about their relationship with the ocean, Pompeii being a maritime city. Other things not mentioned: the importance of slavery and prostitution. I guess I do have a pending visit to Naples and Pompeii for villas, wine, and hookers.

Scott W.

Yelp
Orlando is one of only three sites in the United States to host Pompeii: The Immortal City. The Exhibition is currently on display at the Orlando Science Center from October 26, 2020, to January 24, 2021. Admission is free the first Saturday and Sunday of each month for Bank of America members, just show your card and save! Otherwise, general admission is $26 for adults, $18 for youths (2-11), $23 for seniors, $23 for students, and Free under 2. FYI, visitors cannot enter the Science Center from the main entrance located on the Northside of Princeton Street. The best way to access the Science Center is by parking in the Science Center parking garage located on the Southside of Princeton Street. The museum charges $5 to park even if you do not park in the parking garage, so if you park somewhere else, take a photo of where you parked to argue the removal of the $5 charge. Once in the parking garage, utilize the bridge on the second floor to access the Science Center. Temperature checks and proper PPE is required upon entry. Note: no neck gators or bandanas! I had to walk back to the parking lot located on the Northside of Princeton street where we parked to swap out PPE (PITA). The Orlando Science Center is a great place for anyone, especially kids! There are 4-levels of exhibits mostly geared toward learning and interactivity that will keep visitors entertained for hours; however, we were here today to experience the Pompeii exhibit. The first portion of the exhibit includes an augmented reality (AR) experience that immerses the viewer in the daily life of Pompeii citizens pre/post the volcanic eruption that ultimately petrified the Roman city. The AR experience is amazing; however, it goes by fast, so soak it all in while you have the chance. After exiting the AR experience, there's a 10,000 square foot gallery filled with 2,000-year-old artifacts ranging from jewelry to man-made cranes (small scale of course). Pompeii is truly an Immortal City. Although it is sad to relive such a tragic time in history, this monumental event essentially preserved the ancient city until excavation began in 1748. I highly recommend this experience. The artwork, sculptures, artifacts, multimedia presentations truly immerse the guest in what life was like before, during, and after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.

Uyen N.

Yelp
Such a fun place to host events! My cousin recently held her wedding here and honestly, at first I was skeptical. But it was kinda magical! The Ceremony was held outside on the terrace and there were light pre-hung up there and it was beautiful during sunset. Cocktail Hour was held in the weather room (? forgot what it was called) but all the guests were able to play and interact with the games and experiment with different things. Reception was in the Dino room - which was so pretty when the lights lit up (only during the Christmas season). There was a lot of space as they were able to move some of the center exhibits out of the way so that we can put tables and a dance floor. The only thing I wish was different was that some of the things were so spaced out such as the buffet and cake table. But small details that could be talked about with the vendor I guess. Basically, when you host a wedding here, you get your own wedding planner (they help you organize and run the event for you there) and that was really helpful so that we didn't have to worry about it during. The staff that was helping my cousin with the whole event was kind and quick to respond the whole time. She knew what she was doing and didn't miss a beat when we had mishaps with tables.

Claudia C.

Yelp
As with anything there is always room for improvement. I was invited to a party at OSC, I like that parking and admission is included even prior to party start time. With that said there was definitely areas that could use some working on, the Hive, what an excellent idea no kids under 8 allowed, great place to hang out, I enjoyed activities but there were not enough magazines (for collages). As for the party, the room was set up very nicely with fun science decorations, before and after cake there were a few activities and an animal experience, these were run pretty well, I will say that between eating pizza and activity staff did not think to clean up used food plates so myself as a guest and the birthday child's parent did the clean up so kids had space to work. All and all a great experience

Marjorie H.

Yelp
We are Season Pass members at the Science Center, and what I appreciate is how easy they make it for us to get checked in quickly with our own lane. Early afternoon seems to be the best time to go, with lower crowds in some of the more popular exhibits. One of our first stops is always to the top floor to see the dinosaurs. On this particular day, there was a Science Center employee giving a talk about the dinosaurs and the differences between them. My oldest is a walking Dinosaur encyclopedia, so he was very excited to answer as much as he could. However he was also very quick to scale back some of his questions and answers because he didn't want to be rude. I think it would be very cool if you were able to bring in some actual Paleontologists to teach. Another one of our favorites is the Kinetic Zone. Next to dinosaurs, my kids could spend all day just building and trying different things. The entire place was clean, not super crowded until later in the afternoon, and overall it was a very fun day.

Joseph G.

Yelp
This place is unbelievable and suitable for all ages. I better start by writing gym hat we were there for a child's birthday party, which deserves its own mention. Though we weren't throwing the party, we will probably have one here for our kid as the years go by because it was so smooth, the kids were engaged, and afterward, free admission to the museum for everyone! Pizza, fruit, veggies provided which were standard. But the beauty in this was in the staff who really streamlined the experience. There were two science experiments for the kids, and then afterward they brought in a snake and everyone got to touch it. The kids were totally enthused. The museum itself is very engaging and reminded me of experiences I had at this science museum in Atlanta in the 80s. There were a ton of different experiments focusing on physics that were fun even for me (in my 30s and a science background) which is what I found most enjoyable. We then found the dinosaur, fossil area that was decorated for the holidays (cute), and there was an exhibit about fossilized dino poop... who knew there was such a thing?? For parents, great coffee at the cafe and interestingly, they actually run a preschool out of the cente. Wish I had known about that when my kids were younger. For those with really young kids, I think the biggest attraction of all were the play areas which we didn't find until heading out. There were massive water tables, climbing areas that were both great for letting the young ones burn off some energy. I'll just say the kids napped very well after our visit. Hand sanitizer stations everywhere. Will probably consider membership here after our experience.

Melody L.

Yelp
I visited Pompeii: The Immortal City exhibit here today. It is on display from October 26-January 24, 2021. The exhibit includes interactive elements, artwork and artifacts from Pompeii. The exhibit was educational and fascinating. I've been looking forward to this Pompeii exhibit for months. It was rescheduled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. No photography or video was allowed inside to protect the artifacts. We also watched the Volcanos: The Fires of Creation movie in the Dr. Phillips Cinedome. We sat up front and it felt like we were so close to the lava! It was a volcano themed day. You can spend 3-4 hours here if you have kids. There are many exhibits on the different levels. My son's favorite was the dinosaur exhibit and the interactive science experiments room. See the Orlando Science Center website for Covid-19 safety protocols and for buying tickets online. There are timed entry tickets for the Pompeii exhibit. All of the employees and visitors we saw were wearing masks and there were lots of hand sanitizer stations.

Stephanie B.

Yelp
Amazing! I was shocked how clean and well kept it was especially with so many kids running around all day! They had little signs for reporting problems or concerns by scanning a QR code, which probably helps to keep everything in good working condition. If we lived in the area we would definitely get a membership.

Brooke M.

Yelp
I have been coming here since I was a child and even as an adult it still awes me! It's the perfect place for a rainy day. All the exhibits are spectacular and there is such a variety to see from dinosaurs, to snakes and turtles, space, and more! We signed up for the membership and come once a month since it's far from my home. My 3 year old has the time of her life every time! The kids Dr Phillips oranges area is so fun and entertaining. Kids could easily spend an entire day in this area alone. We also love the baby gators and finding the reptiles hidden throughout the cages on the 1st floor. Overall, this place never gets old! :)

Nicole J.

Yelp
I had the pleasure of working with the events team. They showed true compassion during a hard time in my life. The science center hosted the memorial honoring the passing of my son that was just beautiful. They were so helpful and resourceful. I have nothing but kind words. Special thanks to the team that helped me I also have the pleasure of having a membership that I love because of all the access to event for my family. Very engaging and fun for all. I totally recommend attending the Halloween and Tech event. Getting a membership is totally worth it