We love the Discovery Center! We can’t say enough good things about this hands-on science museum! It contains 2 floors of interactive exhibits that will appeal to your entire family. And there is an expansive play ground with a water feature on the rear of the property.
Your kids will have so much fun with the ingenious displays that they won’t realize they’re learning as they play! Our favorites include the working crane, the giant pinscreen, and the stairs you can climb through to move from floor to floor. We have never felt overwhelmed by crowds at this museum no matter the number of visitors on that day (but we always arrive early!) One of the best things about this place is the staff. Each floor has employees walking around with disinfectant spray and towels. Exhibits are constantly cleaned throughout the day. And the staff reorganizes areas so that the next eager visitor doesn’t have to search around for bits and pieces or break something down to try it from scratch.
Tip1: Bring a change of clothes in case your child gets drenched while exploring the hands-on water displays that are located inside and outside!
Admission to the museum is free if you are an ASTC member. There is plentiful parking in their lot which is also free of charge (currently under construction so check website for alternate parking ideas). Coat racks and lockers are available. And there are child friendly restrooms (including a small, quiet, family room) on the 2nd floor. There is no café but there are tables inside and out to enjoy a home snack or picnic basket lunch. The museum has a small but reasonably priced gift shop.
Tip2: The playground is incredibly buggy. (It faces the Rock River.) There are spiders and wasps, etc. We’ve never had an incident with these insects but it is a bit unpleasant to play in their company.