Overview - Discovery Center Museum

About Discovery Center Museum

Discovery Center Museum is a hands-on children's science museum with more than 300 exciting interactive exhibits spread throughout 23,000 square feet on two floors. All our exhibits relate to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math). Exhibit galleries focus on the human body, forms of electricity, the science of sports, space travel, simple machines, communication, agriculture, color and light, and math. Out in the museum's backyard, visitors can explore our Rock River Discovery Park, a 15,000 square foot multi-level science park featuring a dinosaur dig pit, maze, water play area and a Secret Garden. Discovery Center is one of the top family attractions in Northern Illinois and has received numerous local, state and national accolades.

In addition to Discovery Center's exhibits and award-winning outdoor park, the museum also hosts traveling exhibits, special events and programs throughout the year. For up-to-date information, check out What's Happening

Our Mission

Create opportunities for playful learning and discovery through hands-on experiences in the sciences and arts.

Recent National Recognition

2020

Trip Advisor – Traveler's Choice award

2019

Trip Advisor – Hall of Fame award

2018

Vacation Critic - named to the national list of "Best Museums to Take Toddlers"

Trip Advisor – Hall of Fame award

2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014

Trip Advisor – Certificate of Excellence

2014

Flipkey.com names Discovery Center in list of top family attractions

USA TODAY names Discovery Center #5 in top 10 "Best Museums for Families"

USA TODAY/ 10Best.com Reader's Choice Award - Discovery Center earned 5th place in its contest for "10 Best Museums for Families"

DestinationsTravelMagazine.com included Discovery Center in its list of “Nation’s Best Children’s Museums”

2013

Family Vacation Critic names Discovery Center one of the "10 Best Children's Museums in the U.S."

2012

Forbes names Discovery Center a top children's museum in the article, "The 12 Best Children's Museums in the U.S."

2009

Discovery Center Museum named a Top Ten Children's Museum in the book The 10 Best of Everything published by National Geographic Society