Getting ready forthe Delaware Museum of Nature and Science.
A nature and science museum in Wilmington with dinosaurs, a Respite Room a staff member opens for you, a Sensory Map of louder and quieter spots, a social story, and Sensory Friendly Sunday mornings (next: Sunday, Nov 15 2026, 8:30 to 9:30 am).
Sensory supports. Respite Room, Sensory Map, Sensory Sunday Nov 15.
Hours
Open 9:30 am to 4 pm; hours and admission vary for special events and holidays. Closed Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov 26 2026) and December 24 and 25, 2026. New Year's Eve (Thursday, Dec 31 2026): no general admission; the museum holds Roaring Into the New Year, 9:30 am to noon, then closes for the day. Reopens New Year's Day (Friday, Jan 1 2027) at 9 am. Nature Nook: closed Mondays; Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 3:30 pm.
“If you or someone in your party needs a break from the lights, sounds, crowds, and experiences in the museum, you can find a staff member to let you into the Respite Room, located in the Regional Journey Gallery.”
“We understand that sensory overload can occur, so we offer a Respite Room located in the Regional Journey Gallery, near the Bald Cypress Swamp exhibit.”
“This sensory map shows areas of low, medium and high stimulation.”
“Quieter periods, particularly after 2 p.m. on weekdays, offer a more serene museum experience.”
“Enjoy a morning at the museum as we lower the lights and noise where we can, to create a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere for all to enjoy.”
The museum's social story, made by Salus University students, walks through the visit: the big squid overhead when you come in, checking in at the front desk, scavenger hunts you can ask for (an indoor one and an outdoor one on the Nature Trail), and the Respite Room, where a child can use fidget toys, do some animal yoga and dim the lighting. It also points to the jellyfish at the Deep Sea Dive and the dark Cave in the Nature Nook for a calmer moment.
For noise, the museum suggests bringing earplugs, or earphones, or taking a sensory break on the back patio. For glare, it suggests sunglasses indoors.
Sensory Friendly Sundays: Nov 15 2026 runs 8:30 to 9:30 am; the 2027 dates (Mar 14 2027, Jun 6 2027, Sep 12 2027 and Dec 12 2027) are 9 to 9:30 am.
At the Coral Reef Walkover, the glass floor is thick and safe for wheelchairs and walkers; if you feel dizzy, have a friend with you.
Main Entrance, Skylight Atrium and Discovery Gallery (tile floors, high ceilings and glass walls can mean more noise; medium to high stimulation, especially at peak times including Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm; big windows may mean more sunlight)not stated
Rest, Relax, & Recharge Café (can be loud, especially from 11:30 am to 1 pm; the outdoor paved patio may be quieter)not stated
Museum Store (can be loud, especially at peak times)not stated
Nature Nook (lots of young children (8 and under) can mean more noise; storytime may be a peak time)not stated
Quieter, in the museum's words
Delaware Community Foundation Respite Room (Regional Journey Gallery)quiet zone
Cave, in the Nature Nookquiet zone
Deep Sea Submersible Dive (Global Journey Gallery)quiet zone
Curiosity Covequiet zone
Arctic Tundra tunnelquiet zone
Admission: general (ages 3 and up) $15.50, toddlers (1 to 2) $5.50, infants under 12 months and members free, with a 5% cash discount. Online ticket sales end at 9 am each day; walk-ins are welcome. Visitors under 16 must be with an adult throughout the visit.
Discounts: Museums for All ($5 a person for an EBT cardholder and up to three others; the person named on the card must be there); Bank of America Museums on Us (free general admission for the cardholder only on the first full weekend of each month, with card and photo ID); Blue Star Museums (active-duty military and up to five family members, Armed Forces Day to Labor Day); seniors 65 and up $2 off on Mondays; veterans free on Mondays (veteran only, valid ID, not for special events); Explore and Save ($2 off adult general admission for members of listed Brandywine Valley organizations); the Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport (Memorial Day weekend to the end of October); and ASTC, NARM and ROAM reciprocal memberships, with restrictions.
Roaring Into the New Year (Dec 31 2026, 9:30 am to noon), pre-registration requested: members $8 ages 6 and up, $5 ages 3 to 5, $3.50 ages 1 to 2; non-members $22 ages 6 and up, $15.50 ages 3 to 5, $5.50 ages 1 to 2.
Parking is free and accessible; accessible spaces are to the left in front of the main building.
The front desk has first aid, lost and found, wheelchairs and scavenger hunts. Restrooms are in the hall between the atrium and the Regional Journey Gallery; a single-stall accessible restroom is available (ask at the front desk), and a family restroom is in the Education Wing. A coat room for jackets and belongings is not monitored.
Food: no eating or drinking in the galleries. You can eat your own food in the Rest, Relax, & Recharge café or, weather permitting, on the patio or picnic area; the café sells snacks and drinks 11 am to 3 pm. Water fountains are outside the restrooms.
Not allowed inside include toy or pretend weapons, balloons, confetti, glitter, glow sticks, roller skates or shoes with wheels, hoverboards and drones. Service animals are welcome; other animals are not allowed in the building.
Questions: call 302-658-9111, or ask any staff member during your visit.
