WonderLab Science Museum
4.8(1.1K)google
4.5(33)yelp
ScienceInteractiveEducationalFamilyKidsIndoor
Overview
The WonderLab Museum of Science, Health & Technology is a science museum located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana, United States. It was incorporated in 1995 as a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. WonderLab is a member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers.
Practical Info
MonClosed
Tue9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wed9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thu9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Fri9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun1:00 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-3 hours
Best TimeWeekday mornings are optimal for families, allowing children to interact freely with the hands-on science exhibits before the busy weekend crowds and large tour groups arrive.
Getting ThereLocated in downtown Bloomington right along the B-Line Trail, it is highly walkable; drivers can utilize the nearby 4th Street or Morton Street public parking garages.
Travel Tips
- The museum lacks a private lot; visitors must utilize the 4th Street public parking garage, as street meters enforce a strict 2-hour maximum limit.
- The interactive Waterworks exhibit causes severe splashing; packed spare clothing is advised. The Sprout House zone restricts entry to children under two.
- Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM to 2 PM represent peak local group volumes; plan weekday visits after 3 PM to avoid extreme noise and crowds.
- The water-science exhibition zone causes major splashing; bringing a complete change of clothes and a dry towel for children is highly recommended.
Reviews
Positive
- A fantastic interactive science museum for kids! It's full of hands-on exhibits like the giant bubble show and climbing wall where children learn physics through play.
- Though the facility isn't massive, the staff are organized and enthusiastic, often guiding kids through experiments on-site, and the safety measures give great peace of mind.
- Restrooms are specially designed with child-friendly heights, hand sanitizer stations are available throughout, and it's kept spotlessly clean—very friendly for families with young toddlers.
- The ticket price is well worth it, and the membership offers even better value; it's the absolute top choice in Bloomington for rainy days or hot summers with kids.
Heads up
- Since it mainly targets children, the museum gets incredibly noisy during weekends or school field trips, with kids running everywhere, making it hard for adults to enjoy quietly.
- The museum itself does not have a dedicated large free parking lot; you have to use downtown metered street parking or public garages, making driving and parking a bit tedious.
- A few popular water exhibits and mechanical gadgets look a bit worn and occasionally experience leaks or malfunctions, indicating a need for quicker maintenance.
- There is no large cafe inside, only very basic pre-packaged snacks for sale; if you plan to stay for most of the day, you must pack your own food and water.