The NY Hall of Science in Flushing, Queens is a terrific place to spend the day with your kids.
This is a place where I’ve spent a lot of time with my kids and they always seem to find new exhibits and places to explore. We were members when my oldest was small. It’s so close to my house and membership was a good deal. If you are interested in going with your children, here are some good things to know.
You don’t have to worry about lugging heavy coats around all day. There’s a coat check ($1 per coat).
While we didn’t get to explore as much as we usually do on this day, but we set out on the first floor.
How cool is that structure? My kids loved running around it. This museum encourages touching and exploration — which is awesome.
And you can’t go wrong with bubbles!
We checked out a new section, Charlie & Kiwi’s Evolutionary Adventure.
This exhibit offers an engaging story, exhibits and activities that introduce visitors to the basics of evolution, seen through the eyes of Charlie, a young boy who is writing a report about his favorite bird—the kiwi. Join Charlie as he travels back in time to the age of the dinosaurs to discover the kiwi’s ancestors and evidence for how evolution works. There’s a short video (that airs around every 13 minutes) that kids will love.
Charlie and Kiwi’s Evolutionary Adventure is an original 3-part experience that invites visitors to:
- See evidence of evolutionary connections between dinosaurs and birds
- Enjoy the story of Charlie, whose curiosity leads to his understanding of how evolution works
- Engage in activities about variation, inheritance, selection, time and adaptation (VISTA), key evolutionary concepts
We spent some time in the library. After all the time I’ve spent here with my kids, we hadn’t spent much time in the library.
This time, my kids are readers, so it was more appealing.
My little guy is four and really into books about trains, trucks, and dinosaurs.
Of course, there were toys and legos to keep the kids occupied.
There’s a lot more to see, but we were short on time. There’s tons of exhibits and programs. Click here to check them out: http://nysci.org/programs-main/.
Coincidentally, my nieces are featured on the website and in the youtube video.
Here’s some things to know:
ADMISSION
Adults (ages 18 & older): $15
Children (ages 2 – 17): $12
Children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Students (with college ID): $12
Senior Citizens (age 62 & older): $12
Members: Enjoy FREE general admission to NYSCI and discounts on special events.
SCIENCE PLAYGROUND
$5 per person, plus general NYSCI admission fee.
Free for NYSCI Premium and Family Explorer Members.
ROCKET PARK MINI GOLF
$6 per person, $5 for children and seniors, plus NYSCI admission.
Members: Family Explorer free, all other members $3.
3D THEATER PRESENTATIONS
$6 adults; $5 children, students & seniors, plus NYSCI admission.
Members: Family Explorer free, all other members $3.
FREE ADMISSION Friday afternoon and Sunday morning.
Enjoy free general admission on Fridays, 2 – 5 pm and Sundays, 10 – 11 am.
Free hours are suspended during World Maker Faire.
ASTC PASSPORT PROGRAM
NYSCI honors members of institutions participating in the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) Passport program (benefit 2 adults/4 children) with photo ID and proof of home address within 90 miles of host museum. ASTC Passports are not accepted during World Maker Faire.
STROLLERS
Strollers are permitted. You can check them in the coat check, or keep them with you. There are elevators and ramps if you have a stroller with you.
PARKING:
It costs $10 to park, but members and Cool Culture Pass holders get that waived. The new NYC Municipal id will also get you in for free.
NY Hall of Science
47-01 111th Street
Queens, NY 11368
718-699-0005
Located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park
You can take the subway or bus there.
Subway
Take 7 train to 111th Street Station. Walk three blocks south.
Please Note: For the most up-to-date subway service advisories, please visit www.mta.info.
Bus
Q23 or Q58 to Corona Avenue and 108 Street.
Q48 to 111 Street and Roosevelt Avenue.
I have a Cool Culture Membership and got into the Hall of Science with this. No compensation was received.
What a wonderful resource for locals and visitors! I love how engrossed kids (of all ages) get when they get a chance to get hands-on with creative-play science. Thanks for sharing!