Media - Discovery Center Museum

If you would like to receive press releases, please send an email to annmariew@discoverycentermuseum.org to be added to the Media List.

If you need to interview someone at Discovery Center for a news story, please contact Ann Marie Walker, director of marketing, at annmariew@discoverycentermuseum.org or call 815-963-6769.

To download our logo, click here.

Overview

Discovery Center Museum is a hands-on children's museum with more than 300 exciting interactive exhibits spread over a two-floor area and an outdoor park. All our exhibits relate to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math). Out in the museum's backyard, visitors can explore Rock River Discovery Park, a giant, multi-level science park with a hands-on twist! Discovery Center is one of the top attractions for family fun in Northern Illinois.

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

Trip Advisor – Certificate of Excellence

2017

Trip Advisor – Certificate of Excellence

2016

Trip Advisor – Certificate of Excellence

2015

Trip Advisor - Certificate of Excellence

2014

Trip Advisor - Certificate of Excellence

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

2007

Grand magazine “Top 20 Children’s Museums in America”

2006

Family Fun magazine featured Discovery Center's traveling exhibition Team Up: The Science of Sports in an article about the best hands-on traveling exhibitions. Discovery Center made two copies of the exhibition, one to stay permanently at Discovery Center and the is rented to museums across the nation.

2005

Family Fun magazine featured Discovery Center in a story titled "Great American Escapes: Out of Chicago"

2002

Child magazine ranked Discovery Center #4 in an article titled, "The 10 Best Children's Museums"

Recent Local Recognition

2023

Rockford Register Star newspaper's annual "What Rocks" community choice award in two categories: "Museum" and "Family Amusement"

2022

Rockford Register Star newspaper's annual "What Rocks" contest for best "Family Amusement"

2021