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Educational and entertaining for all ages, science museums allow visitors to learn a lot about the world around them – and have fun at the same time. From ancient dinosaurs to futuristic technology, science and natural history come alive at the 10 best science museums across the country for 2023.
Photo courtesy of Ted Huetter/The Museum of Flight
No. 10: The Museum of Flight - Seattle, Washington
Seattle’s Museum of Flight, established in 1965, is the largest independent nonprofit air and space museum globally. Hosting over 500,000 visitors every year, the museum is home to over 175 aircraft and spacecraft, plus artifacts, rare photographs, exhibits and a world-renowned library. Its collection includes the first presidential jet, a British Airways Concorde and the world’s first fighter plane from World War I.
Photo courtesy of The Franklin Institute
No. 9: The Franklin Institute - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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 top-notch special exhibitions. In the museum’s rotunda, a 20-foot-tall marble statue of Benjamin Franklin pays homage to the institute’s namesake, scientist and Founding Father.
Photo courtesy of Gayle Laird
No. 8: California Academy of Sciences - San Francisco, California
Located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences houses an aquarium, planetarium and natural history museum under one roof, inviting guests to explore life on Earth and reach for the stars. Museum visitors can observe free-flying butterflies and colorful tree frogs in the four-story Osher Rainforest, travel through the universe with the 75-foot digital Morrison Planetarium, be hypnotized by the 235-pound brass Foucault Pendulum or gaze in awe at an 87-foot-long blue whale skeleton.
Photo courtesy of © Exploratorium, www.exploratorium.edu
No. 7: Exploratorium - San Francisco, California
San Francisco's Exploratorium is "a twenty-first century learning laboratory" that invites kids of all ages (and grown-ups, too) to experience over 600 exhibits spread throughout indoor and outdoor galleries. Visitors can listen to a 27-foot-tall harp that's strummed by the wind or go inside and encounter their reflection in a giant mirror.
Photo courtesy of Image by Ken Blaze for Great Lakes Science Center
No. 6: Great Lakes Science Center - Cleveland, Ohio
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 Visitor Center.
Photo courtesy of Saint Louis Science Center
No. 5: Saint Louis Science Center - St. Louis, Missouri
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 Michigan Science Center
No. 3: Michigan Science Center - Detroit, Michigan
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 The Wild Center
No. 2: The Wild Center - Tupper Lake, New York
Located in the Adirondacks, The Wild Center is situated on a beautiful 115-acre campus that's home to more than 900 live animals. A 54,000-square-foot-building houses the center's main exhibits, while trails, a private pond and river frontage form the outdoor experience. From naturalist-led walks to animal encounters, there's always a special event happening here.
Photo courtesy of COSI
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. 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.
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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.
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.
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.
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion... Read More
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and professional storyteller, she has covered topics that include wild Tahitian getaways; Sicilian wine trails, delectable Hawaiian food trends and luxury beachfront resorts. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and professional storyteller, she has covered topics that include wild Tahitian getaways; Sicilian wine trails, delectable Hawaiian food trends and luxury beachfront resorts. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com