Science World

Visit Science World to get hands on with science at the permanent galleries with exhibits on the body, physics, and illusions and to watch live science shows—topics include balloons, bubbles, and fire—at the Peter Brown Family Centre Stage. Science World is sometimes visited as part of family-oriented tours of Vancouver. Hop-on hop-off bus tours also stop here, while bike tours often follow the seawall path, passing by the eye-catching dome.

• Science World is a must for families.

• The attraction is wheelchair-accessible.

• Sensory maps and a limited number of noise-cancelling earmuffs are available at Science World, which also hosts sensory-friendly mornings for visitors with autism or sensory processing differences.

Science World is situated along the False Creek Seawall walking and biking path, about 1.2 miles (2 kilometers), or a five-minute drive, from downtown Vancouver. To get there by public transit, ride the SkyTrain to Main Street-Science World station. The Aquabus and False Creek Ferries also stop nearby.

Science World sees the most visitors on weekends and over school vacations with afternoons (about 12pm–4pm) attracting the largest crowds. If you’re looking for a little more elbow room, go on a midweek morning during term time. For some child-free exploring, attend one of the adult-only After Dark events, where you can explore the hands-on exhibits, sip drinks, and listen to live talks or music performances.

Even the youngest visitors to Vancouver can enjoy Science World at the Wonder Gallery, specifically designed for those aged 0–5. Those 18 months and under can explore the Crawl space on all fours, exploring the textures, buttons, mirrors, and hovering and spinning objects within their reach. The Experiment area allows preschoolers to take part in simple child-driven explorations, pretend play, and staff-led experiments, while the Splash area features a water table with jets, buckets, and funnels.