The Arizona Science Center is an interactive science museum located in the Heritage & Science Park in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in April 2026 and includes the current adult admission price of $22.95 alongside ticketing details for the limited-time POMPEII: The Exhibition.
Quick facts
| Fact | Details |
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Sunday 10:30 am to 4:00 pm (open select Mondays) |
| Ticket prices | Adult: $22.95, Child (3-17): $16.95, Under 3: Free |
| Address | 600 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Heritage and Science Park Garage or 3rd St/Washington Light Rail station |
| Typical time needed | 3 to 4 hours |
Arizona Science Center opening hours
The Arizona Science Center is open to the public from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm, Tuesday through Sunday.
Opening hours remain consistent year-round, but the facility is typically closed on Mondays. However, seasonal variations apply, as the museum opens on select Mondays during busy periods such as spring break in March and major public holidays like Memorial Day.
Arizona Science Center ticket prices
General admission tickets cost $22.95 for adults and $16.95 for children aged three to 17. Seniors aged 62 and over, students, and military personnel can purchase discounted tickets for $20.95, while children under three enter for free.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in April 2026. The attraction is included in the Visit Phoenix Attractions Pass scheme, which provides bundled entry to several local sites alongside the Phoenix Zoo, the Phoenix Art Museum, and Medieval Times.
5 great Phoenix experiences to book
- 🎈 Float above the Sonoran desert on a morning hot air balloon ride.
- 🚴 On a guided ebike adventure, see the most spectacular desert scenery.
- 🏜️ Enjoy the thrills on a guided desert ATV tour.p
- 🍽️ Take a food tour along Roosevelt Row – with 7 tastings.
- 🥾 Let a local show you the trails on a guided sunrise or sunset hike.
How to get to the Arizona Science Center
The museum is located in downtown Phoenix and is highly accessible via the Valley Metro Light Rail system. Visitors travelling by light rail should alight at the 3rd Street/Washington station or the 3rd Street/Jefferson station, both of which are a short walk from the main entrance.
For those using rideshare services, there is a dedicated drop-off and pick-up location positioned near the primary entrance on 5th Street.
Why book the Deluxe Grand Canyon & Sedona Day Trip?
- 🚐 Intimate Small-Group Experience: Travel in comfort with a maximum of 13 guests in a custom touring van featuring high ceilings and leather captain’s chairs for a more personal and relaxed journey.
- 🏜️ Sedona & Oak Creek Canyon: Enjoy a scenic break in Sedona to admire the world-famous red rock formations and experience the stunning drive through Oak Creek Canyon, one of the most beautiful roads in America.
- 🦅 Grand Canyon South Rim: Spend approximately three hours exploring the most iconic part of the National Park, including Grand Canyon Village, the historic El Tovar Hotel, and various panoramic viewpoints.
- 🌵 Sonoran Desert Vistas: Witness the dramatic transition of Arizona’s landscapes, from the towering Saguaro cacti of the Sonoran Desert to the high-altitude ponderosa pine forests of the Coconino Plateau.
- 🎓 Expert Local Guidance: Benefit from a professional guide who handles all the driving and logistics while sharing fascinating insights into the geology, history, and diverse ecosystems of the American Southwest.
Parking at the Arizona Science Center
Visitors driving to the facility should park in the Heritage and Science Park Garage, located at the southeast corner of 5th Street and Monroe Street. The garage accommodates standard vehicles under 6 feet, 8 inches tall.
Guests must bring their parking ticket inside the main lobby for validation at the front desk. Validation reduces the standard municipal parking fee, applying a tiered pricing structure that caps at $8 for visits lasting more than four hours.
How long to spend at the Arizona Science Center
A standard visit to the Arizona Science Center requires three to four hours. This allows enough time to view the static displays across the four primary exhibition levels.
Visitors who purchase add-on tickets for a planetarium show, a documentary screening, or the elevated bicycle ride should allocate an additional hour to accommodate scheduled start times.
Accessibility at the Arizona Science Center
The entire facility is fully wheelchair accessible, with flat pathways and lifts connecting all four storeys of the building. The adjacent parking garage includes 24 designated accessible parking spaces.
The on-site theatres accommodate varied physical needs; the Dorrance DOME features fully reclining seats, while the giant screen theatre provides dedicated wheelchair seating areas.
Inside / what to see at the Arizona Science Center
The museum features over 300 interactive exhibits spread across four floors, focusing on physics, biology, and earth sciences.
The Forces of Nature exhibit is a key permanent display where visitors can experience simulated natural events, including volcanic eruptions and extreme weather patterns.
The Evans Family SkyCycle is a notable interactive feature on the second floor. It allows guests to ride a bicycle suspended on a cable 15 feet in the air to demonstrate the principles of counterbalance and gravity.
The facility houses the Dorrance DOME, an immersive planetarium equipped with 8K LED panel technology for displaying astronomical content.
Additionally, the Irene P. Flinn Giant Screen Theater features a five-storey screen that shows rotating educational nature and space documentaries throughout the day.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip Category | Advice |
| Timing | Arrive shortly after opening at 10:30 am on a weekday to experience the interactive exhibits before school groups arrive. |
| Crowds | Weekends and school holidays experience the highest visitor volumes, which often leads to queues for popular hands-on stations. |
| Layout | Pick up a physical map at the ticketing desk, as the multi-level layout and separate theatre entrances can be complex to navigate. |
| Entry process | Purchase a Discovery Pass online to bundle general admission with theatre screenings and ride access in a single transaction. |
| On-site logistics | Remember to bring your physical parking ticket from the garage inside to the front desk to ensure it is validated for the discounted rate. |
Frequently asked questions about the Arizona Science Center
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Arizona Science Center suitable for children? | Yes, the museum is designed primarily for children, featuring hundreds of hands-on interactive stations and dedicated early-learning zones. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Arizona Science Center? | Advance booking is not strictly required, but it is highly recommended to secure specific timeslots for the planetarium and theatre. |
| Is the Arizona Science Center open on Mondays? | The facility is generally closed on Mondays, except during specific busy periods such as spring break and major public holidays. |
| Are bags allowed at the Arizona Science Center? | Yes, standard day bags and rucksacks are permitted, though they may be subject to a security check upon entry. |
Things to do near the Arizona Science Center
- Heritage Square: A historic block adjacent to the museum featuring original 19th-century Phoenix architecture and the Rosson House Museum.
- Children’s Museum of Phoenix: A hands-on, play-focused museum designed for younger children, located just a few blocks away.
- Chase Field: The home stadium of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team, situated within walking distance of the science complex.
- Phoenix Art Museum: The largest visual art museum in the southwestern United States, easily accessible via a short light rail journey.
- The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix: A traditional stroll garden offering paved paths and a koi pond just north of the downtown core.
More Arizona travel
Other Arizona travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Visitor guides to the Arizona Heritage Center and Sea Life Aquarium Arizona in Tempe.
- A complete guide to visiting Phoenix Zoo.
- Visitor guides to the national monuments around Flagstaff: Wupatki National Monument, Sunset Crater National Monument and Walnut Canyon National Monument.
- A visit to Red Rock Crossing – nature’s greatest swimming pool.
- A visitor guide to Cathedral Rock in Sedona.
