Museum of Discovery
4.7(2.8K)google
4.4(52)yelp
ScienceInteractiveFamilyKidsEducational
Overview
The Museum of Discovery, formerly the Arkansas Museum of Natural History and Antiquities, is located in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. The museum is housed in a historic building in the River Market District on the Arkansas River. The museum has a focus on STEM education, and all of the exhibits are interactive.
Practical Info
Mon9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tue9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wed9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun1:00 – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration2.5-4 hours
Best TimeExcellent year-round; ranked as one of the nation's premier interactive science museums for families. Weekday mornings from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM are highly strategic to enjoy the galleries smoothly before the afternoon school crowds arrive, granting children open access to launch indoor wind-tunnels and view the massive indoor Tesla Coil shows.
Getting ThereConveniently situated in the bustling River Market District at 500 President Clinton Ave. From I-30, take Exit 141A straight into downtown and follow President Clinton Ave. The museum sits adjacent to the River Market Garage (structured paid parking). The free central METRO Streetcar line drops you at the River Market station, a 1-minute flat walk to the doors.
Travel Tips
- The science discovery center maps high density student field trip tours weekdays from 09:00 AM to 01:00 PM. Interactive laboratory stations encounter long delays and heavy noise; self-guided family travelers should defer general entry until after 01:30 PM.
- The interactive water dynamics matrix leaves children thoroughly soaked despite provided plastic safety smocks. Parents are strictly required to pack an entire duplicate change of dry clothes and non-slip footwear; wet clothing is banned from crossing onto carpeted electrical exhibit floors.
- The associated municipal multi-level garage sets a low clearance barrier at 7.2 feet. High-top Class B motorhomes or SUVs running elevated roof cargo racks will suffer impact damage; oversized profiles must redirect to open-air flat-surface pay lots two blocks away.
Reviews
Positive
- A top-ranked premier children's museum in the US, packed with hundreds of tactile, hands-on physics, fluid dynamics, and biology exhibits.
- Features a record-breaking massive musical Tesla Coil show; the live high-voltage musical electrical arcs are visually stunning and spectacular.
- Flawless location right in Little Rock's vibrant River Market district, surrounded immediately by bustling ice cream shops and food halls.
- Built to top modern standards with dedicated soft play zones for toddlers, collaborative tinkering labs, and pristine nursing rooms.
Heads up
- General admission is quite pricey for families, and the bustling River Market public parking lots demand premium hourly parking fees.
- Rainy weekend afternoons or heavy school field trip dates make the indoor space completely gridlocked and overwhelmingly loud.
- The popular water play section often leaves toddlers completely soaked despite the limited aprons, and there are no quick-dry blowers available.
- There is no formal dining cafe inside the museum, only standard snack vending machines, requiring you to exit for lunch downtown.