Photo: Mark Nevils
Photo: mashkoora subhani
Photo: Mark Nevils
Science City at Union Station
★4.8(5,414 reviews)$$Science Center
🕑 3-4 hours👶 Best for ages 3-14. Preschoolers enjoy the sensory-focused DinoLab and simple experiments, elementary-aged kids thrive with the robotics and physics exhibits, while tweens love challenging themselves on the high-wire SkyBike and complex engineering activities.🧡 Saved by 50+ families
About
Science City at Union Station transforms learning into an adventure with over 50 hands-on exhibits that captivate curious minds. Kids can pedal the thrilling SkyBike suspended 30 feet above the floor, experiment with robots, explore the mesmerizing Light Lab, and engage with interactive science displays throughout the historic Union Station building.
Highlights
- ✓SkyBike - pedaling across a wire 30 feet above the ground for an adrenaline rush
- ✓Light Lab with lasers, shadows, and optical illusions
- ✓Robotics exhibits where kids can build and program their own creations
- ✓DinoLab featuring fossils and paleontology activities
- ✓Live science demonstrations and experiments throughout the day
Pro Tips
- 1.Arrive right when doors open at 10 AM on weekdays to beat school groups and have the SkyBike nearly to yourself
- 2.The SkyBike has height requirements (42 inches minimum), so measure kids beforehand to avoid disappointment
- 3.Download the Science City app before visiting to access interactive challenges and scavenger hunts that keep kids engaged throughout
- 4.Parking in Union Station's garage is easiest - validate your ticket inside for reduced rates
- 5.Pack hand sanitizer as kids will be touching everything; also bring socks since some exhibits require shoes off
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings (Tuesday-Thursday, 10 AM-noon) offer the smallest crowds. Avoid Friday afternoons and weekends when field trips and family crowds peak. Summer weekday mornings are ideal for locals looking to beat the heat with indoor activities.
What to Know
Admission tickets are separate from other Union Station attractions, though combo packages are available. The venue is fully accessible with elevators throughout, and Union Station offers multiple dining options from quick bites to sit-down restaurants within the same building.
Seasonal Notes
Open year-round making it perfect for hot summer days or cold winter escapes. Special themed events occur during spring break and holiday breaks. Note that Science City is closed Mondays and has reduced Sunday hours (12-5 PM).
Nearby Eats
Pierpont's at Union Station offers upscale dining with a kids menu in the same building, while Harvey's at Union Station provides quicker casual fare including pizza and sandwiches perfect for hungry scientists.
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