Arizona Science Center Phoenix — Full Guide 2026

Phoenix's Premier Hands-On Science Destination

The Arizona Science Center sits at the corner of 7th Street and Washington in downtown Phoenix, right in the heart of Heritage and Science Park. With more than 300 hands-on exhibits spread across multiple floors, a giant-screen IMAX theater, and a full digital planetarium, it is the kind of place where a planned two-hour visit reliably turns into a full day. Kids are the target audience, but adults consistently report being just as engaged.

What Is Inside

The Science Center's permanent galleries cover physics, biology, earth science, engineering, and technology. The Forces of Nature gallery lets visitors trigger simulated tornadoes and earthquakes, while the Our Body exhibition goes deep on human anatomy in a way that is informative without being graphic for younger kids. The engineering challenges scattered throughout the building — bridge-building, rocket launching, coding stations — are deliberately open-ended so children of different ages and skill levels can engage at their own pace.

The All About Me gallery on the lower level is designed specifically for children under eight and includes water-play tables, a toddler-scaled climbing structure, and sensory exhibits that hold up well against the standard museum burnout that hits around the ninety-minute mark.

Dorrance Planetarium

The Dorrance Planetarium inside the Science Center is a full-dome digital theater showing both educational astronomy programs and evening laser shows. The astronomy shows run throughout the day and are included with some admission tiers; laser shows (typically set to rock or pop soundtracks) are popular with older kids and teens on weekend evenings. Check the schedule before you go — shows sell out on busy weekends.

IMAX Theater

The Science Center's IMAX Theater screens a rotating mix of educational films and mainstream blockbusters on a screen that is five stories tall. Documentary films on topics like ocean exploration, wildlife, or space tend to be excellent here given the format. IMAX tickets are sold separately from general museum admission, so budget accordingly.

Traveling Exhibitions

In addition to its permanent galleries, the Arizona Science Center hosts several major traveling exhibitions each year. These have included bodies exhibits, dinosaur displays, and technology showcases. In 2026, check the museum's website for what is currently on — these exhibitions often sell out on weekends and may require advance ticket purchase.

Admission, Hours, and Parking

• General adult admission is approximately $24; children under two are free
• Combo tickets that bundle IMAX and planetarium save money for families planning to do all three
• The Science Center is open daily, including most holidays
• The Heritage and Science Park garage on Washington Street offers the most convenient parking; street parking is available but competitive on event days near Chase Field or Footprint Center
• The light rail stops two blocks away at the Washington/Central station

Eating and Nearby Attractions

The Science Center has a small cafe on-site for quick bites. For a real lunch, Culinary Dropout is a short drive away in the Roosevelt Row neighborhood and is family-tolerant with a large menu. After your visit, Heritage Square next door offers a look at preserved Victorian-era Phoenix homes and is free to walk through.

For more family things to do across Phoenix, browse the family events calendar on ZonaHaps or see the full Phoenix guide. Planning a weekend? Check what is happening this weekend across the Valley.