These Are the 6 Best Science Museums in America

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

The first science museum on our list is constantly talked about. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., is a real treat to visit. It’s free and was established in 1946. This highly-rated science museum can take days to explore. Interestingly, although it’s one museum, it’s located in two buildings. The first building, located on the National Mall, is open every day except for Christmas from 10 am to 5:30 pm. While here, you can see exhibits like Destination Moon, America by Air, Early Flight, and The Wright Brothers & The Invention of the Aerial Age.

The second building of this museum is the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. Although free to enter, there is a parking fee. The hours are the same as the first building. The exhibitions include Interwar Military Aviation, General Aviation, and Cold War Aviation.

The Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)

Moving to Illinois, another great American science museum is the Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago). This wonderful museum is located in Jackson Park. It was established in 1933 and receives over 1.5 million visitors a year. This popular museum is home to many interactive and immersive exhibits. Some of the exhibits you may find in the Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago) are The Blue Paradox, Coal Mine, Extreme Ice, Colleen Moore’s Fairy Castle, Yesterday’s Main Street, and Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze.

The Franklin Institute

Continuing our list of the best science museums in America is the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This unforgettable science museum has a little bit of everything. Apart from exciting exhibits, the Franklin Institute has a planetarium, Fels Planetarium, and an observatory, The Holt & Miller Observatory. So, what exhibits does this science museum offer? While visiting, you can interact with exhibits like the Giant Heart, Franklin Air Show, and Wondrous Space. Wondrous Space is a newer exhibit with two floors to explore. 

Great Lakes Science Center

In Downtown Cleveland, Ohio, you can find the Great Lakes Science Center. It was established in 1996 and sits on the shore of Lake Erie. While visiting the Great Lakes Science Center, you won’t run out of things to see. A popular spot in this science center is the Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater. This massive theater plays films like “Sea Lions: Life By a Whisker” and “The Arctic: Our Last Great Wilderness.” Also, in this science center are hundreds of interactive exhibits. A few of these exhibits are the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, Solarworks, and the restored William G. Mather Steamship.

The Science Museum of Minnesota

The next science museum on our list is located in Minnesota. The Science Museum of Minnesota greets hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. It was first founded in 1907 and has come a long way since then. This lovely museum houses incredible exhibits and hosts events like Museum Nights, the Member Lounge, Sensory Friendly Sundays, and STEM Saturdays. Countless temporary exhibits are frequently replaced with unique collections and activities. Permanent exhibits, though, include the Collectors’ Corner, Giant Astronaut, Human Body Gallery, Dinosaurs & Fossils Gallery, and Math Moves.

The Museum of Science (Boston)

Although in no particular order, ending our list is the Museum of Science in Boston. It’s a favorite for many due to its large and impressive exhibits. Like other museums on our list, one day may not be enough time to see and do everything. The Museum of Science (Boston) is an exciting experience. On the same day, visitors can fly a virtual drone, explore A.I., learn about the human body, discover dinosaur fossils, and walk through an insect zoo. The Museum of Science (Boston) also features the Charles Hayden Planetarium, where you can experience vibrant shows. Live presentations like Live Animal Story Time, Tesla Coils, and the Amazing Nano Brothers Juggling Show are also held throughout the museum.

Can’t make it to this museum physically? There are plenty of virtual exhibits to explore. Some of these include Sounds of the Arctic, the Science Behind Pixar, and Bird Flight Patterns.