Scott Family Amazeum
4.8(3.1K)google
4.5(62)yelp
InteractiveScienceFamilyKidsEducationalIndoor
Overview
The Scott Family Amazeum is a premier interactive museum in Bentonville designed to ignite curiosity and creative thinking for families and children. Spanning over 50,000 square feet, this state-of-the-art facility features hands-on exhibits that seamlessly blend science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Highlights include the multi-sensory Hershey's Lab, a massive climbing canopy, and an outdoor adventure space. It offers a dynamic environment where young travelers and lifelong learners can build, explore, and experiment freely.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
TueClosed
Wed10:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun1:00 – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration2.5-4 hours
Best TimeRecommended on non-holiday school-year weekdays after 2:30 PM when the massive morning elementary school field trip groups begin to exit. This timing gives young families immediate, queue-free access to explore the child-sized interactive Walmart market simulator and physics water tables without lines inside the galleries.
Getting TherePositioned directly adjacent to the northern perimeter trails of Crystal Bridges at 1009 Museum Way, Bentonville. While sharing the same highway approach, the hands-on science center provides its own separate, high-capacity and completely complimentary flat surface paved asphalt parking plaza steps from the turnstiles.
Travel Tips
- This discovery center regularly hits strict fire-code capacity caps during weekends and school breaks. Non-members must secure electronic date-specific admission tickets online days in advance; walk-up ticketing is immediately suspended once the ceiling is reached.
- The water dynamics exhibition area results in children becoming completely drenched despite the provided protective smocks. Parents must pack a comprehensive secondary set of dry clothes, towels, and traction shoes, as wet attire is barred from carpeted laboratory zones.
- The expansive unshaded outdoor discovery zone poses sunburn and heat risks during summer middays (12:00 PM - 03:00 PM). Ensure high-factor sunscreen is applied externally and force systematic hydration breaks inside the air-conditioned wings to prevent heat exhaustion.
Reviews
Positive
- An exceptional children's museum featuring countless hands-on interactive exhibits, a massive water play area, and an indoor climbing tree.
- The Hershey's Lab and simulated Walmart market are highly unique, allowing children to learn science and life skills through immersive play.
- The restrooms are incredibly thoughtful with stepping stools and low sinks, supplemented by a spotless and private nursing room for mothers.
- The outdoor exploration space is spacious and creative, packed with physics-based play equipment that keeps kids fully active and engaged.
Heads up
- General admission is quite pricey for the overall size, and special workshops like the chocolate lab require an expensive secondary ticket.
- The museum gets overwhelmingly crowded and extremely noisy during weekends and holidays, resulting in long wait times for popular exhibits.
- The water play section often leaves kids completely soaked despite the provided aprons, and there are no clothes dryers available on-site.
- There is no formal dining cafe inside, only vending machines, and re-parking is a nightmare if you leave for lunch as the lot fills up completely.