Orlando Science Center makes for a pretty fun and interesting day (or half-day) excursion away from the city’s amusement parks. It presents an array of exhibits and hands-on activities just outside of Downtown Orlando. Tickets for adults cost around $20 while discounts are given for kids, seniors and students with valid ID cards.
The range of exhibits is "designed to inspire curiosity and exploration" according to the Orlando Science Center. There are shows, presentations, and hands-on interactions throughout that aim to "bring the exhibits to life". Highlights include Nature Works, a huge space on the ground floor that details much of the surrounding Central Florida wildlife and ecosystems, which offers a great insight into how all living things in this area of the world interact with one another. Another area for younger children is Kids Town, a miniature town full of fun and interactive games.
Orlando Science Center - one of the highlights of 10 Things to Do Besides Theme Parks in Orlando and 16 Great Museums and Galleries in Orlando (Read all about Orlando here)
photo by Ebyabe (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
Highlights of the Orlando Science Center
Budding palaeontologists can head up to the 4th floor of Orlando Science Center to find the cool Dino Digs area. You can uncover fossilized dinosaurs, inspect huge dinosaur eggs, and see the habitats of these beautiful beasts that roamed the Earth all those years ago.
Florida’s largest public refractor telescope can be found on the 6th floor. Named the Crosby Observatory, it’s open from 3pm to 5pm for ‘Sun Watch’ on the first Saturday of every month, and from 5pm to 9pm on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. Note that other exhibitions in the Orlando Science Center are closed during these after hours.
Good to know about the Orlando Science Center
Away from the exhibits, the Orlando Science Center also promises a regular line-up of videos and presentations in 3 separate onsite theatres. These include the Dr Phillips Cine Dome, the Digital Adventure Theater and Hollywood movies. Screenings include everything from learning about how humpback whales do whatever they do, to discovering more about space travel (with 3D glasses!).
photo by Ebyabe (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
Orlando Science Center
Location: 777 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803, USA
Open: Thursday–Tuesday from 10am to 5pm (closed on Wednesdays)
Phone: +1 407-514-2000
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