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Science Center of Iowa is a tourist attraction in Des Moines, IA.

Science Center of Iowa Review Summary

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4.5
(600 Reviews)
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Joey Lillis
Joey Lillis -Local Guide
a year ago
This was so much fun for everyone, and not just for the kids. We all loved every minute there. They had an entire room for hands on experiments for kids, like egg drops and rocket launches. There was also a large nature exhibit which was...Read More
Melinda
Melinda -Local Guide
a year ago
My boyfriend got us tickets to the Mixology : Paleontology Party on February 10th. It's an after-hours 21+ event where you can buy alcoholic drinks and peruse the exhibits. Not gonna lie...I was extremely disappointed. Maybe I've been spoiled growing up by all of the...Read More
Elwanda Prothero
Elwanda Prothero -Local Guide
2 years ago
Went to go see the different things to do with some of my grandchildren. It turned out to be a great adventure for all of us. We liked it so much that I went ahead and bought the grandparent plus membership. My grandchildren were so...Read More
Benjamin Brown
Benjamin Brown -Local Guide
a year ago
The Science Center is great for all ages! I'm pretty sure every time I've come to Des Moines, I've come here. There's always new things, like this time new giant dinosaurs and fossils, and an updated space section. But plenty of classics remain, like an...Read More
Tarra Brandle
Tarra Brandle -Local Guide
2 years ago
Great for the family. Interesting on hands activities, from learning about space, and dinosaurs. To Tour around Toddler Town, we’re a little kids up to five years old can play at a tiny grocery store. I think it’s ever changing so great to check it...Read More
Bethany Zitzmann
Bethany Zitzmann -Local Guide
6 months ago
Fun for the whole family. We could have spent a couple days here without the kids getting bored. After 6 hours they were asking when we could come back. As a parent I was disappointed that several of the exhibits were closed when we visited...Read More
Linda M. Obert
Linda M. Obert -Local Guide
2 weeks ago
I am a local guide in Carroll Co. But I sure enjoy visiting Des Moines for some culture, activities, and restaurants when I can. I visited here in October 2018. My son and I wanted to see the Lego Exhibit, "Brick By Brick," that...Read More
Greg Eakins
Greg Eakins -Local Guide
a year ago
This place was an amazing spot to bring our 3 year old. There are so many cool things for them to do and see here. There's a whole nature center with snakes and bees - the glass bee display is so cool, because it exits...Read More
Mitchell Lunde
Mitchell Lunde -Local Guide
a year ago
This is a location I wish I could visit more often with my son. It's fun, interactive and provides plenty of creative freedom in terms of activities. As an avid astrophotographer I especially enjoyed the IMAX dome theater with a presentation of the night...Read More
B A
B A -Local Guide
11 months ago
Definitely worth stopping at if you're in Des Moines. It's a good overall science museum. I've visited tons of Science Museums across the US and I'd say this one is middle of the road compared to the others I've visited. Definitely more geared towards kids...Read More
Laura Hinkeldey
Laura Hinkeldey -Local Guide
2 years ago
This has fun for everyone; young and old! Hands on learning and exploring. Live feeding of the snapping turtle was pretty cool. The exhibits change every so often and are usually relevant to current events; for example, they had "sock skating" during the winter Olympics....Read More
Jazmin Morrison
Jazmin Morrison -Local Guide
5 months ago
If you haven't done the sensory hours at the science center, you are missing out. My daughters and myself are very sensitive to sound so once a month they offer a sensory friendly night. It literally felt like we had the place to ourselves. ...Read More
A Nelson (DZ Dog Mom)
A Nelson (DZ Dog Mom) -Local Guide
a year ago
My kiddos loved the nature center and seeing all of the animals and snakes, the had fun building in the Lego center and looking at the professional Lego structures.The Cats and Dogs exhibit was a let down. I disliked the mass amount of tvs with...Read More
Engineer engineer
Engineer engineer -Local Guide
5 months ago
Over the years the science center of Iowa has been losing permanent exibits such as the space related area, the energy generation area lost the watt output, the bat cave makes no sounds, the tornado machine is gone, there are other items missing. There used...Read More
Jason Smethers
Jason Smethers -Local Guide
2 years ago
This place is great. Spent hours there with our 6yo. They are doing a ton of renovations too so it will be amazing when it all gets done. We parked in the garage and paid $8 after having been there at least 5 hrs plus...Read More
Chloe Hamer
Chloe Hamer
2 weeks ago
We used SCI as a venue for a corporate end of year holiday party and it was a hit! Jasmine helped us complete our vision of the party exactly and was very communicative. We were able to use the Star Theater for a cocktail hour,...Read More
Richard Baize
Richard Baize
a year ago
Mary Elliott
Mary Elliott -Local Guide
7 years ago
Membership​ only makes sense if you have younger kids. Older kids would get board of regular visits. Our 2 year old loves making visits. The toddler area gets over run by older kids. We wish they monitored the area a bit to keep the toddlers...Read More
Katrina Oaklander
Katrina Oaklander -Local Guide
3 weeks ago
This is a nice place for younger families. I took my 8 year old, and she insists she has a good time, but she rushed through the whole thing in an hour and seemed embarrassed by all the little kids around. I saw a few...Read More
Justin Barkema
Justin Barkema -Local Guide
4 months ago
Great place for kids to learn. But as for adults very disappointing compared to the old science center. Even down to the gift store. Full of stuffed animals and trinkets. Barely anything science-related. Like I said yes it's an AMAZING place to take your kids....Read More
Jeanne S
Jeanne S
4 months ago
It was my first time in any science center and if they are all like this one, I would love to go. It was soooo much fun seeing all the different types of learning styles from touching to using your hands as binoculars to find...Read More
Todd Lawson
Todd Lawson -Local Guide
2 months ago
We went there on October 5th for a special show at the planetarium. The show is a traveling light and sound show. It was just OK, the seats there are horrible. You sit upright and have to bend your head backward to see up. My...Read More
Dennis Miller
Dennis Miller
4 months ago
This was one of the most frustrating days. We spent less than 45 minutes here. No food, no cinema for stars, same exhibits from 2 years ago, only less than what they use to have. My family was disappointed in this. You...Read More
Yeah Ok
Yeah Ok -Local Guide
6 months ago
This review isn't about the science center but about the science center preschool my grandson graduated from there as the only African-American student in their class he really enjoyed it but when it came to graduation is where I have a problem he was called...Read More
Amanda Claussen
Amanda Claussen
a year ago
I took three neurodivergent children to explore. When we got there, several school groups were here as well. Some of the rooms were very loud. We were able to check out one of the sensory backpacks and one child was able to...Read More
Vikas Mathur
Vikas Mathur -Local Guide
11 months ago
Its a small science center and does not have as many exhibits as some of the other science centers such as that in Kansas City.Nice stuff around animals, space etc. We watched a couple shows too which were OK too.
Brooklyn Hofer
Brooklyn Hofer -Local Guide
2 years ago
My son loved it! He's almost 4 and we went this weekend for the first time. While we were still there he was already planning his next visit and asked if we could bring someone else with us next time we come. There was a...Read More
Kasie Akins
Kasie Akins
a year ago
The science center itself is wonderful. There is so much for the kids to do, play, and even I was learning! What causes my low review though is I brought our 7 and 5 year old on Friday during spring break. There was barely any...Read More
Erik Tietz
Erik Tietz -Local Guide
2 years ago
We attended one of the 21+ nights that included a murder mystery. Absolutely loved it. In addition to being able to do an escape room style activity, it was fun to explore the building's exhibits while having an adult beverage or two. We also saw...Read More
Julie Schimerowski
Julie Schimerowski
3 years ago
It’s awesome! I loved it! Great for all ages. Loved the winter stuff. Like snowflakes and curling and the snowmen. I love how everything is super interactive. The little grocery store brought back such great memories. We loved the team building block bridge. That was...Read More

Features

Highlights

check icon Live performances

Accessibility

check icon Wheelchair accessible elevator
check icon Wheelchair accessible entrance
check icon Wheelchair accessible parking lot
check icon Wheelchair accessible restroom

Amenities

check icon Restaurant
check icon Restroom

Planning

check icon Getting tickets in advance recommended

Children

check icon Good for kids