Sight guide · Fort Lauderdale · United States
Visiting Museum of Discovery and Science
Downtown's science museum has hands-on galleries on the Everglades, the sea and space, a large gravity clock in the atrium and a giant-screen theatre.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Museum of Discovery and Science is a museum in Las Olas and Downtown, Fort Lauderdale. Allow 2–3 hours; it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- Las Olas and Downtown
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- kids, rainy day and nature
- Best months
- January–March
Plan a trip to Fort Lauderdale
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
About Museum of Discovery and Science
Downtown's science museum has hands-on galleries on the Everglades, the sea and space, a large gravity clock in the atrium and a giant-screen theatre. Live animal exhibits include otters and reef fish, and there is a dedicated area for under-sevens.
Tip: Use it as your rainy-afternoon or hottest-hour plan; it is on the Riverwalk next to a Water Taxi stop.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2–3 hours.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Las Olas and Downtown, restaurant terraces, galleries and the New River Riverwalk.
Best time to visit Museum of Discovery and Science
Museum of Discovery and Science is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- February: 25°C (77°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- January: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- March: 26°C (79°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, very busy crowds.
When to visit Fort Lauderdale has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Fort Lauderdale itinerary visits Museum of Discovery and Science on day 3, together with NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park and Las Olas Boulevard.
- No. 8 of the 16 sights in our Fort Lauderdale things-to-do list.
- Day 3 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Fort Lauderdale.
- A family favourite in Fort Lauderdale with kids.
Near Museum of Discovery and Science
Also in Las Olas and Downtown, so you can walk between them:
- Riverwalk and Stranahan House — 1.5 hours, low cost
- NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale — 1–1.5 hours, mid-priced
- Las Olas Boulevard — 2–3 hours, free
If you like Museum of Discovery and Science
- Hugh Taylor Birch State Park — Fort Lauderdale Beach, 2 hours
- Everglades airboat ride — Western Broward County, Half a day
- Butterfly World — Coconut Creek, 2–3 hours
- Flamingo Gardens — Davie, 2–3 hours
Staying near Museum of Discovery and Science
Stay in Las Olas and Downtown ($$$) to walk here: restaurant terraces, galleries and the New River Riverwalk. All areas to stay in Fort Lauderdale.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Museum of Discovery and Science?
Plan 2–3 hours. With Riverwalk and Stranahan House nearby, it fits a half-day in Las Olas and Downtown.
+Is Museum of Discovery and Science free?
No, it is mid-priced. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Museum of Discovery and Science?
January–March for the most comfortable weather. Use it as your rainy-afternoon or hottest-hour plan; it is on the Riverwalk next to a Water Taxi stop.
+Do I need to book Museum of Discovery and Science in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Museum of Discovery and Science good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale suits families who want beach time with easy extras: lifeguarded beaches, a science museum, Water Taxi rides and wildlife parks within half an hour.