A hands-on science center on New Holland Avenue with 75+ exhibits on one floor, free Sensory Sensitive backpacks at the admission desk (child-sized noise-canceling headphones, color therapy sunglasses, fidgets, a stress squeezy and feelings picture cards), noise-cancelling headphones by request, and its own advice on the quietest times to visit.
Sensory supports. Free sensory backpacks, quietest on Sundays.
Hours
Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday noon to 5 pm; closed Mondays. Special hours: Fri Nov 20 2026 closes at 4 pm; open 10 am to 5 pm on Mondays Nov 23, Nov 30, Dec 21 and Dec 28 2026; closed Thanksgiving (Thu Nov 26 2026); Christmas Eve (Thu Dec 24 2026) 10 am to 1 pm; closed Christmas Day (Fri Dec 25 2026); New Year's Eve (Thu Dec 31 2026) 10 am to 1 pm; closed New Year's Day (Fri Jan 1 2027). It is also closed Easter.
454 New Holland Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17602 (free parking in the lot across New Holland Avenue next to Quips Pub)
“The Science Factory is an active place and can be noisy, especially on busy days or when there are large groups.”
“Sensory Sensitive backpacks are available to be checked out at the admission desk for FREE!”
“Noise cancelling headphones for guests with sensitivity to noise are available by request at our admissions desk.”
“Visitors who wish to visit during the quietest times should consider joining us on Sundays or any day in September or October.”
“Admission is good for an entire day, so feel free to leave and return as you please.”
Each Sensory Sensitive backpack has a pair of child-sized noise-canceling headphones, a pair of color therapy sunglasses, fidget toys made on the Science Factory's 3D printers, a stress squeezy and a set of feelings picture cards.
The Wonder Zone is a brand new exhibit area: 12 exhibit experiences about light, sound, forces and motion, and engineering, designed for kids 3 to 5 and their families. They include Everbright, a light wall of hundreds of dials that change color, Ramps and Magneticars with big foam magnetic pieces, an air exhibit where balls and scarves float, and a shape projector.
The exhibits are generally geared for kids in kindergarten to 8th grade; younger children need closer supervision, and some exhibits have small pieces. Grown-ups must stay with their children at all times.
Free Sensory Sensitive backpacks at the admission desk, with child-sized noise-canceling headphones, color therapy sunglasses, fidgets, a stress squeezy and feelings picture cards.
Quietest times, in the Science Factory's words: Sundays, or any day in September or October.
Admission is good all day: you can leave (for lunch, or a break) and come back.
Admission: ages 3 and up, $13; ages 2 and under free; members free. Timed tickets are sold online; a limited number are available at the door each day, subject to availability. Members and visitors using a free admission program don't need to buy ahead.
Free and reduced routes: Museums for All, up to four free admissions with a SNAP/EBT or ACCESS card and a matching photo ID at the admission desk; Library System of Lancaster County passes cover up to five admissions (ask your library); ASTC Passport members of participating science centers may get in free under the program's rules; Blue Star Museums, up to five free admissions with an active-duty military or spouse ID, from Memorial Day to Labor Day only; First Friday, the first 300 visitors get in free from 5 to 7 pm on the first Friday of each month, and children must be with an adult. Groups of 10 or more pay $12 each when they book ahead through the field trip form and pay together.
Free parking in three places: the regular lot across New Holland Avenue next to Quips Pub, overflow behind the building at any time, and Urban Place behind 550 Lofts after 5 pm and on weekends. Don't park at the Cork Factory Hotel or in spaces marked for Urban Place residents. The lot has van-accessible spaces.
No food, drink or gum inside. The front desk keeps a list of family-friendly places to eat nearby.
The Hall of Science is on one floor and fully ADA-accessible, with a wheelchair to borrow. Plan at least two and a half hours to see every exhibit. Maps are at the front desk.
