A big hands-on science museum and Omnitheater in downtown St. Paul, with sensory kits at the exhibit entrance, quiet spots it names floor by floor, a loudness rating for every gallery, and a lights-up, sound-down Omnitheater show on the first Sunday of each month.
“At the exhibit entrance, ask our staff for sound-dampening headphones, a timer, or a kit containing headphones, fidgets, gloves, and sunglasses.”
“On the first Sunday of the month, the Science Museum hosts Sensory Friendly Sundays, where visitors who learn best in a calmer environment can experience a lights-up, sound-down Omnitheater show at 10 a.m.”
“Located on Level 4 near the Race exhibit, the Wellness Room is a quiet, private space”
Sensory Friendly Sundays are the first Sunday of each month, with a lights-up, sound-down Omnitheater show at 10 am. Call (651) 221-9444 to confirm the date and how to get seats.
Headphones are first come, first served, so bring your own as a backup.
The visitor guide and social narratives are from 2024, and exhibits change. Use the loudness ratings as a starting point.
Experiment Gallery, Level 3 (a keyboard that can be loud or high-pitched)
Math Moves, Level 3 (one exhibit makes a loud, metallic clicking sound)
Sportsology, Level 3
Lobby, Level 5 (the Ping Pong Ball Launcher makes sudden noise)
Human Body Gallery, Level 4 (a continuous pumping sound overhead)
Quieter, in the museum's words
Mississippi River Gallery, Level 5quiet zone
Dinosaurs and Fossils Gallery, Level 3quiet zone
RACE and We Move and We Stay, Level 4quiet zone
Wellness Room, Level 4 near the Race exhibit: quiet and private, first come, first servedquiet zone
Back hallway of the Race exhibit, Level 4, with seatingquiet zone
Level 3 hallway behind the Experiment Gallery, past the brown bearquiet zone
Admission: adults $34.95, ages 4 to 17 $24.95, under 4 free. Admission includes one Omnitheater show.
Parking in the museum's ramp is $15. The ramp has 16 accessible spaces and fits vehicles up to 8 feet tall; take the elevator from the ramp to the Lobby level. The entrance has automatic doors and no steps.
You can leave and come back the same day; keep your ticket barcode.
In the Omnitheater, the lights are low and colorful. If motion bothers your kid, sit in the upper section. You can use the exits any time during the movie.
If low light is hard, staff can help you use an accessible entrance.
You can bring your own food. Lobby lockers cost $2 to $3, card only. Strollers rent at the visit desk, and wheelchairs are free to borrow at the lobby desk.
Every exhibit level has a restroom with a changing station. All-gender and family restrooms are on Level 4.
