Arizona Science Center
3.9(1.8K)google
3.5(620)yelp
ScienceFamilyInteractive
Overview
The Arizona Science Center, at 600 Washington St in Downtown Phoenix, Arizona, is a science museum located in Heritage and Science Park. It was founded in 1984 as the Arizona Museum of Science & Technology in a downtown storefront. Its current building, designed by Antoine Predock, was completed in 1997.
Practical Info
MonClosed
Tue10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Wed10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Thu10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Fri10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Sat10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Sun10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Suggested Duration3-4 hours
Best TimeYear-round. Very suitable as a top choice for a weekend or holiday family outing. Note that noon to afternoon on Saturday and Sunday is the peak for local family outings, so it's advisable to enter right at the 10 a.m. opening
Getting ThereLocated in the traditional Science Park in downtown Phoenix, right next to Chase Field. Take the light rail, get off at the 3rd St/Washington station, and walk 3 minutes; those driving can park in the associated paid indoor parking garage
Travel Tips
- This is a top-tier interactive science mecca of over 140,000 square feet, with 4 floors of exhibits and more than 350 hardcore "must-touch-and-operate" hands-on science demonstration stations
- The museum's most iconic features include a giant five-story IMAX theater equipped with the world's top digital projection system, and a giant digital planetarium that immersively takes you traveling through the galaxy
- Don't miss the nationally popular "Forces of Nature" experience zone, where you can personally experience the hardcore power of a simulated giant Arizona dust storm, flash flood, tornado, and violent earthquake
Reviews
Positive
- The quality of the educational interactivity is astonishingly high! From the water cycle and the mysteries of the human body to airplane wind-tunnel experiments, everything can be touched and operated by hand. Bring kids here and they'll happily play like crazy for most of the day without a fuss
- The giant planetarium film where you lie down and watch a sky full of stars is so stunning, the air conditioning is very strong, and the visual effects are extremely realistic—a rare treasure indoor tech venue in downtown Phoenix
Heads up
- Because it's the top choice for local families with kids, on weekends the museum is full of children screaming and running everywhere, and the environment is very noisy. Also, some popular interactive facilities may require queuing