Discovery Center Museum is a children's science museum located on the Riverfront Museum Park campus, with the Rockford Art Museum and Burpee Museum of Natural History in downtown Rockford, Illinois. We're ideally located for a full day or two of education, adventure and family fun! Discovery Center is one of the top family attractions in Northern Illinois and has received recognition at the local, state, and national levels. Explore our more than 300 hands-on exhibits. Check out our schedule of special events and temporary exhibits.
Collins Aerospace Live Science Theater - Not available during COVID-19 restrictions
Enjoy entertaining, interactive science shows in theater setting. These 30-minute shows are fun and educational for the whole family and include topics such as physics, chemistry, electricity, sound, color and light and more. Live science shows take place twice weekly during weekends September - May and threee times a day June - mid August. The theater is also availalbe to rent for meetings and special events.
Hours
Advance reservations required.
Choose from timed sessions: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm or 2:00 pm- 4:00 pm Tuesday-Friday and 9:30 am - 11:30 am, 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm, or 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Saturday-Sunday. Advance reservations required.
Beginning April 28
Reservation sessions:
Wednesdays 10-Noon;
Thursdays Fridays 10-Noon and 1-3:00 pm;
Saturdays-Sundays 9:30-11:30 am, 12:30-2:30 pm and 3-5:00 pm
Due to new COVID-19 Health Guidelines, guests will be permitted for 2-hour visits with advance online registration required. No walk-ups permitted at this time. Click here for details and to purchase e-tickets.
Open year-round except Easter, July 4th, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
For lodging and additional attractions in the Rockford area, visit GoRockford.com.
Where We Are
Discovery Center Museum
711 North Main Street
Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 963-6769
Free Parking
Discovery Center has ample free parking
Admission Prices
$9.00/person
Free - Members and children age one and younger
Due to new COVID-19 Health Guidelines, guests will be permitted for 2-hour visits with advance online registration required. No walk-ups permitted at this time. Click here for details and to reserve tickets.
Discovery Center on PBS
Watch Discovery Center's national debut on PBS's Behind the Scenes show! The short form documentary showcases the importance of children's museums to the education of children, as well as fostering family connections and the the impact on the quality of life in a community. Discovery Center was chosen to represent children's museums across the country!
Membership Options
Discovery Center offers a variety of membership options. Memberships typically pay for themselves in just a few visits! Basic family memberships start at $90 for a full year. Learn more at Become a Member.
