1 / 6
Location
What you should know
Visitor tip
Start with the Jurassic Discovery gallery featuring the largest collection of animatronic dinosaurs in the Midwest - it's a standout attraction and tends to draw crowds, so visiting early can provide a better experience
Best time
Popular interactive experiences like the balloon drop events can get crowded; arrive early or check event schedules (like Cirque Du Discovery in March 2026) to plan your visit around peak times
Visitor tip
While geared toward younger children, teenagers still enjoy the hands-on interactive exhibits like the aircraft cockpit, HighWire Bike, and Lu Digital Interactive Playground - all ages can find engaging activities
About Discovery Center of Springfield
Hands-on science learning. Interactive science exhibits, experiments & activities on topics ranging from DNA to dinosaurs.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Science Center
- Space
- 60,000 sq ft across 6 floors with 15 galleries
- Top Attractions
- Animatronic dinosaurs, aircraft cockpit, LEGO Brickyard, Lu Digital Interactive Playground
- Admission
- Children $12, Adults $17 (with $2 cash discount)
What visitors say
The balloon drop was a little crowded but so fun! I was visiting my friend. She got a library pass, so all of us could get in for free. I did check the prices on the website and I feel it's a fair price and would have been worth it!
We enjoyed it. Definitely alot to see. It is geared more toward younger children. I have 2 teens but they still enjoyed themselves.
Really disappointed as I have a lot of great memories here from when I was a kid. Everything is either broken, missing a lot of pieces, or a relic from the 90s. Only giving it a second star because the dinosaurs animatronics were neat…
From 1,466 Google reviews Read all reviews
Did You Know?
- Jurassic Discovery is the largest gallery of animatronic dinosaurs in the Midwest
- The Discovery Center spans 60,000 square feet across 6 floors with 15 unique galleries covering diverse topics from DNA to dinosaurs
- Features a Giant Eyeball walkthrough exhibit that visitors can walk through entirely
Other Children's Museums in Springfield
More Family Fun Nearby
Other venues within driving distance:
Own this venue? Stand out from the competition.
Children's Museums listings that are Featured get seen first by thousands of families every month.
- Priority placement in search
- Photo gallery showcase
- Insider tips from visitors
- Highlighted in dedicated featured section