USA TODAY 10Best
Best Science Museum? Readers select COSI
Best Science Museum (2022)
From ancient dinosaurs to futuristic technology, science and natural history come alive at these museums across the country.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Science Museum are as follows:
Photo courtesy of Mark Avino / National Air and Space Museum
No. 10: National Air and Space Museum - Washington, DC
Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, the Apollo 11 lunar command module, the Wright brothers' airplane and a lunar rock sample that visitors can touch are just a few highlights of the collection at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The five-story Samuel P. Langley Theatre shows aviation-related IMAX films daily, while the Albert Einstein Planetarium presents programs exploring outer space.
Photo courtesy of Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum
No. 9: Bishop Museum - Honolulu
Since its founding in 1889 as a repository for Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop's family artifacts, this museum has ascended to become the state's premiere institution for documenting the area's natural history. In addition to a planetarium, the museum’s exhibits also cover botany, entomology, ichthyology and zoology. Don’t miss the Richard T Mamiya Science Adventure Center – a 16,500-square-foot facility of hands-on, immersive exhibits focusing on the environment of the Hawaiian archipelago.
Photo courtesy of monkeybusinessimages // Getty Images
No. 8: Rochester Museum & Science Center - Rochester, NY
With over 1.2 million objects in its collection, visitors can discover something new on each visit to the Rochester Museum & Science Center. Watch live science demonstrations, enjoy a star show at the planetarium, or experience the variety of scientific exhibits. Explore the Jurassic Era with robotic dinosaurs, operate the fill valves in a model Erie Canal Lock, or meet ice-age giants from millions of years ago – these are just some of the opportunities available for exploration and participation at this museum.
Photo courtesy of J.B. Spector/Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
No. 7: Museum of Science and Industry - Chicago
Visitors short and tall will be sure to learn something at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Exhibits range from genetics to ships to bicycles to coal mines – a little bit of everything across the sectors. The five-story Omnimax Theater takes visitors on virtual voyages into space or beneath the sea, while the U-505 Submarine exhibit allows guests to step inside a real German U-boat to see what life was like in these claustrophobic quarters.
Photo courtesy of The Franklin Institute
No. 6: The Franklin Institute - Philadelphia
The Franklin Institute is a hands-on science museum that seeks to create a passion for science and tech in everyone. It holds the distinction of being Pennsylvania’s most visited museum, featuring 12 interactive exhibits that explore science – from sports to space – plus world-class special exhibitions. In the museum’s rotunda, a 20-foot-tall marble statue pays homage to the institute’s namesake, scientist and Founding Father.
Photo courtesy of Saint Louis Science Center
No. 5: Saint Louis Science Center - St. Louis
The Saint Louis Science Center offers a free place to learn and play through more than 700 interactive experiences across 10 galleries. The museum features an indoor-outdoor agricultural pavilion, five-story OMNIMAX Theater and the McDonnell Planetarium.
Photo courtesy of Tellus Science Museum
No. 4: Tellus Science Museum - Cartersville, Georgia
This 120,000-square-foot museum in Georgia comprises four main galleries dedicated to minerals, fossils, science in motion and backyard science. Visitors can also explore space in the 120-seat digital planetarium or gaze at the stars through a 20-inch telescope. Other highlights include an 80-foot Apatosaurus and a replica Wright flyer.
Photo courtesy of Photo Courtesy Great Lakes Science Center
No. 3: Great Lakes Science Center - Cleveland, OH
The Great Lakes Science Center offers a community where real scientific challenges provide a learning culture to encourage curiosity, creativity, and innovation through hands-on exhibits and the NASA Glenn Visitors Center.
Photo courtesy of Michigan Science Center
No. 2: Michigan Science Center - Detroit
The Michigan Science Center promotes creative and dynamic STEM learning through a series of interactive exhibits. This Detroit cultural district institution features live stage shows, an IMAX Dome, 4D theater, planetarium and exhibit space with more than 220 hands-on activities and exhibits.
Photo courtesy of Robb McCormick Photography
No. 1: Center of Science and Industry (COSI) - Columbus, Ohio
COSI offers a wide array of permanent exhibits and hosts a few traveling ones, too. If space isn't of interest, check out the American Museum of Natural History Dinosaur Gallery and Ohio’s largest Planetarium, or maybe take a tour of the ancient stories of the sea hosted by Poseidon himself. Lift a 2,437-pound car with the help of a lever in the outdoor Big Science park.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning science museums!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor... Read More
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home... Read More
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).
In her best Chicagoese, Jacky asks, "Who has the time or money to blow on hotels, attractions, restaurants, exhibits and activities that blow?"
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).
In her best Chicagoese, Jacky asks, "Who has the time or money to blow on hotels, attractions, restaurants, exhibits and activities that blow?"
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of... Read More
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.