Great Lakes Science Center
4.5(5,097)4.5 out of 5 stars, 5097 reviews Cleveland, OH
About Great Lakes Science Center
A two-floor interactive science museum in downtown Cleveland featuring hands-on exhibits, engaging live science shows, and rotating themed displays like legos and dinosaurs, making it an excellent 2.5-hour indoor educational destination for families.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families looking for indoor educational activities on cold days in ClevelandLocal children during school holidaysKids who thrive on hands-on, sensory-rich learning experiences7-year-olds (highly engaged by the star-gazing and planet shows)Toddlers and younger children (benefited from the playground, musical instruments, and sensory stations)
Why families love it
- Engaging live science shows with interactive experiments
- Hands-on paper rocket building and launching station
- Downstairs themed exhibits featuring legos, dogs, and dinosaurs
- Musical instrument section and indoor playground areas
- Small live animal collection featuring birds and snakes
- Paper rocket aerodynamic testing launcher
Insider tips
- Budget around 2.5 hours to fully explore the two floors of exhibits
- Be prepared to pay a $9.00 parking fee typical for downtown Cleveland
- Check the daily schedule for live science and astronomy shows which are highly recommended for kids
- Great indoor destination option for cold winter days
Good to know before you go
- Expecting all interactive exhibits to be in perfect working order, as some require maintenance
- Several interactive experience-exhibits are in need of maintenance and upkeep
- Parking is somewhat expensive at $9.00
- Crowds
- Can be popular with local families during school holidays
- Value
- Good value for a 2.5-hour educational experience, though visitors should budget an extra $9.00 for parking which is typical for the downtown area.
- Accessibility
- Exhibits incorporate various types of sensory stimulation suitable for diverse learning needs
What parents say
"I visited Great Lakes Science Center 3 times. Our first visit was to see a show for children on stars and planets, and star-gazing. My 7-year grandson enjoyed it. It was very good. The presenter did an excellent job by engaging the children who formed the majority of the audience. On another occasions we were there with the little boy so see the small collection of birds and snakes. This Science Center is worth-visiting for local kids during holidays."
3 months ago
"My husband and I visited the Science Center today and had a fun time! There were lots of interactive learning centers with activities that incorporate various types of sensory stimulation. I do think the attractions are more geared toward children, which is the only reason I’d not consider going. With that being said, we still had a fun time! Parking is a bit expensive ($9.00), but that seems pretty typical for the city. I’d definitely recommend anyone check it out, especially if you have kids."
3 months ago
"So much fun things to do! The different exhibits from legos, dogs, dinosaurs and etc. downstairs bring lots of excitement to my daughter. The musical instrument section, and playground places are not only fun but also so very knowledgeable and keeps little hands and brains dexterous."
2 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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