Discovery Center of Idaho
4.4(1.9K)google
3.6(79)yelp
ScienceInteractiveFamilyKidsEducational
Overview
Boise (locally also ) is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Idaho. It is the county seat of Ada County. The population of the city was 235,685 at the 2020 census.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tue10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sun10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-3 hours
Best TimeAn excellent year-round indoor hands-on science center. Visiting on a weekday afternoon between 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM is highly recommended; by this time, large morning school field trips have departed, giving you crowd-free access to explore the 100+ interactive physics, kinetic, and engineering exhibits.
Getting ThereLocated just off the northeastern edge of Julia Davis Park. Take VRT Bus Route 1 or 2 to the Myrtle St & S 5th St stop, cross the street, and walk south for 2 minutes. If arriving by car via Myrtle St, turn right into S 5th St; the center provides its own dedicated on-site parking lot which is free for ticket holders.
Travel Tips
- The center enforces a strict timed-entry reservation system; physical walk-up tickets are not guaranteed if online slots sell out during peak weekends.
- The gallery is highly interactive; schedule family visits after 14:00 to avoid the chaotic congestion caused by regional morning preschool field trips.
- The onsite complimentary parking lot is small; do not park in surrounding commercial retail zones, as unauthorized vehicles are towed within 30 minutes.
Reviews
Positive
- An excellent interactive science center where all exhibits encourage hands-on play, making it perfect for learning STEAM concepts.
- The high-quality rotating special exhibits (like dinosaurs, Titanic, or mummies) are masterfully produced, captivating even adults.
- Fully air-conditioned indoor environment kept spotlessly clean with clear signs, a perfect refuge during extreme summer heat or rain.
- Staff and floor educators are incredibly patient and friendly with kids, explaining complex physics principles in simple terms.
Heads up
- The permanent gallery footprint is relatively limited; without fresh special exhibits, repeat local visits might lose a bit of novelty.
- Admission fees are slightly higher compared to other downtown public museums, making it a hefty expense for large families.
- There is no dedicated cafeteria inside, only a few vending machines for snacks; plan your meal times or drive nearby to dine downtown.
- With numerous school groups and birthday parties on weekend mornings, it gets very loud and rowdy, which might headache quiet-seeking guests.