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Best Science Museum

By Readers' Choice On 2/1/24 at 12:00 PM EST

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From institutions with a special focus, such as medicine, aviation or agriculture, to general science centers, these top US museums chosen by our experts bring STEM endeavors to life for patrons of all ages. From outer space to the minerals mined beneath our feet, you can explore the natural world as well as man's technological advances through a variety of special programs, interactive experiences and astounding exhibits.

These 10 museums were selected by our expert panelists and contributors and voted on by readers as the best of the best.

Congratulations to our 2024 winners; you can now visit our 2025 Best Science Museum contest.

OMSI

1. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)—Portland, OR

Guests of all ages can engage in a full range of STEM exhibits at OMSI, and bonus features include the Kendall Planetarium and the Empire Theater, which shows both documentaries and Hollywood favorites. Visitors can also tour the USS Blueback submarine to learn firsthand about how humans can live and work under water. The museum also hosts a wide range of special events, camps, and classes including festivals and Science Pubs.

Explora

2. Explora Science Center and Children's Museum of Albuquerque—Albuquerque, NM

A gem of the southwest, Explora Science Center & Children's Museum in Albuquerque holds more than 250 interactive and engaging exhibits designed to ignite kids' interest in science. While many exhibits cater to younger children, there are plenty of options for older kids and adults, including a teen science cafe and adults-only evening events. Permanent exhibits allow you to play with and investigate sound, light, air and water.

Science Museum of Oklahoma

3. Science Museum of Oklahoma—Oklahoma City, OK

Spanning 390,000 square feet, the Science Museum of Oklahoma is one of the nation's biggest science museums. The range of exhibits dig into every scientific field and include early-childhood options, a planetarium and the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. They also make accessibility a priority with a museum map that provides sensory warnings for the various exhibit spaces.

Museum of Science and Industry

Photo credit: Heidi Peters/Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago Photo credit: Heidi Peters/Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

4. Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago—Chicago, IL

An educational experience for the 21st century, the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago pairs top-notch displays with interactive exhibits, encouraging a hands-on approach. From flight simulators and submarine tours to VR space exploration and a dissection lab, this museum offers unique immersive encounters. You can even book an overnight visit.

Science Museum of Minnesota

5. Science Museum of Minnesota—St. Paul, MN

The Science Museum of Minnesota has a strong focus on natural history (especially that of Minnesota), evolution and climate change. Kids love the five-story floating Giant Astronaut, which includes an interactive exhibit, and the smallest scientists can find engaging content. A strong rotation of temporary exhibits stands along permanent exhibits, such as a dinosaur and fossil gallery, and installations dedicated to light, the solar system, the human body and race.

The Franklin Institute

6. The Franklin Institute—Philadelphia, PA

One of the nation's oldest science centers, The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia carries on Benjamin Franklin's legacy with exciting displays on science and technology. Iconic exhibits include the walk-through Giant Heart standing two stories tall. In the observatory, a historic Carl Zeiss Refracting Telescope lets visitors safely view the sun (during daytime hours of course), and exploration of the sky continues in the planetarium, which houses a 60-foot diameter domed screen.

Museum of Science

7. Museum of Science—Boston, MA

Boston's Museum of Science provides a wide array of engaging exhibits and live demonstrations to both inform and entertain people of all ages. The museum also inspires visitors to continue learning outside the museum with special "at home" aids. Visit highlights include Omni films projected on a five-story domed IMAX screen and the shows at the Charles Hayden Planetarium.

Exploratorium

8. Exploratorium—San Francisco, CA

Billed as a public learning laboratory, the Exploratorium in San Francisco takes an interdisciplinary approach that combines art and science and always in a hands-on way. Its dedication to an interactive experience is apparent in its diverse displays covering physics, biology and environmental sciences as well as perception and cognition. The museum emphasizes inquiry-based education and holds professional development workshops for teachers along with its other educational initiatives.

Lowell Observatory

9. Lowell Observatory—Flagstaff, AZ

Noted for its commitment to scientific research, mesmerizing exhibits and historical significance (founded in 1894), Lowell Observatory has played an important role in studying the solar system, including the identification of Pluto, and continues to be at the forefront of the field. The passionate staff make the museum a welcoming and enlightening space. All ages can enjoy an immersive experience with interactive displays, informative presentations and engaging demonstrations.

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

10. Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center—Chantilly, VA

An extension of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, boasts thousands of aviation and space artifacts. Exhibits include full-scale aircraft like the Space Shuttle Discovery, a SR-71 Blackbird and the World War II bomber Enola Gay. Galleries outline the history of flight and space exploration, and engaging presentations, a knowledgeable staff, flight simulators and an IMAX theater round out the experience.

About Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For more details, read our terms and conditions. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readerschoice@newsweek.com.

Our experts

Lura Seavey

Lura R. Seavey has been writing travel books and articles for over 25 years, with a focus on multi-generational travel. She has authored and contributed to several travel and nonfiction books for publishers including Michelin guides, Frommers, Scholastic, Globe Pequot and TwoDot Press. She is also a freelance writer for Planetware.com and other digital outlets, a contributing editor for JAXFAX Magazine and a prolific ghostwriter. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and their five children, plus an inexcusably adorable little dog named Theodora. Read more about her travels at https://www.world-byte.com.

Stacey Wittig

Stacey Wittig loves to go deep to uncover the spirit and culture of a place. A writer and book author, Stacey has bylines and photos in a variety of digital and print publications including National Geographic Traveler, Forbes, The Telegraph, Arizona Wine Lifestyle and quite a few guidebooks. When she's not walking solo across Spain, Italy or France, she's hiking her home turf in Flagstaff, Arizona with her husband Dan. Read about her adventures at https://unstoppablestaceytravel.com.

Terri Colby

Based in Chicago, Terri Colby is an award-winning travel writer and photographer who finds wonder in destinations close to home and around the world. Off-beat places, natural spaces and water travel top her list of favorites but luxury travel and fine dining are always on her radar. Follow her on Instagram.