Discovery Center of Springfield

Discovery Center of Springfield is an interactive science museum featuring permanent and rotating exhibits on physics, biology, environmental sciences, and engineering across multiple floors. The displays combine hands-on activities with visual explanations that guide visitors through different scientific topics.

The center originated from a community initiative led by the Junior League of Springfield in the 1980s and opened to the public in 1998. This founding reflected a desire to make science education accessible to the wider community.

The center serves as a gathering place where families explore science together, and children discover how the natural world works through hands-on activities. Visitors notice how the space encourages curiosity and makes learning feel accessible to everyone who walks through.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday with both individual tickets and annual memberships available for different visitor needs. Plan to spend several hours exploring the various exhibits and interactive stations at a comfortable pace.

The center houses North America's only public access LU Digital Interactive Playground and the Midwest's largest collection of animatronic dinosaurs. These exclusive collections make it a standout destination for visitors seeking rare technological and prehistoric exhibits.