Updated in September 2026, this Exploreum Science Center guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
The Exploreum Science Center, formerly known as the Gulf Coast Exploreum, is a hands-on science museum in downtown Mobile, Alabama.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Tue–Sat 10am–4pm; closed Sunday and Monday |
| Ticket prices | Exhibits only: Adult (13+) $15; Child (3–12) $13; under 2 free |
| Address | 65 Government St, Mobile, Alabama 36602 |
| Nearest transport/parking | Downtown Mobile; street parking and nearby lots |
| Typical time needed | 2 to 3 hours |
The Exploreum Science Center opening hours
The Exploreum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10am to 4pm, and is closed to the public on Sundays and Mondays.
- The gift shop keeps the same 10am–4pm hours.
- Closed for holidays including the 4th of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Joe Cain Day, Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday, and Easter Sunday.
- The museum sometimes opens on select Mondays around holidays; call ahead to confirm, since dates can change.
The current Tuesday-to-Saturday schedule applies year-round, so there’s no separate summer or winter timetable to plan around.
The Exploreum Science Center ticket prices
Exhibit-only admission is $15 for adults (13 and up).
| Ticket type | Exhibits only (approximate) |
|---|---|
| Adult (13+) | $15 |
| Child (3–12) | $13 |
| Under 2 | Free |
Digital Dome Theater tickets are sold separately from exhibit admission for $8 (adults) and $7 (children), and combo packages covering both are available for $19 and $17 respectively. Military discounts apply during non-Blue Star programme periods: active duty and retired personnel with ID receive the member rate or a discounted combo, and dependents get $1.25 off exhibit admission.
Opening hours were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026; ticket prices are approximate and should be confirmed before visiting. You can check current details on the official Exploreum site.
The Exploreum is not part of a commercial city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPASS. It does take part in the ASTC Travel Passport Program, a reciprocal admission scheme for members of other participating science centres and museums nationwide.
How to get to the Exploreum Science Center
The Exploreum stands at 65 Government Street, in downtown Mobile.
The museum is close to other downtown Mobile attractions and easily reached from I-10 and I-65.
Parking at the Exploreum Science Center
Street parking and nearby downtown lots serve visitors to the museum.
Parking can be busier on weekends and during special events, so arriving earlier in the day is worthwhile. The museum’s downtown location also puts it within walking distance of several other Mobile attractions, making a single parking spot go further.
How long to spend at the Exploreum Science Center
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours at the Exploreum Science Center.
Add extra time if you plan to catch a Digital Dome Theater show, since showtimes run on a fixed schedule throughout the day. Families combining a museum visit with a film and a stop at the café should plan for closer to half a day.
Accessibility at the Exploreum Science Center
Children under 16 must be chaperoned by an adult throughout the museum.
The Exploreum is a smoke-free facility, and outside food, beverages and coolers are not permitted anywhere on site. Contact the box office in advance for specific accessibility needs.
What to see at the Exploreum Science Center
Hands on Hall focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math, encouraging visitors to problem-solve individually or in groups. It’s also home to Science Squad Headquarters, a lab offering live physics and chemistry demonstrations.
Wharf of Wonder is designed for the museum’s youngest visitors, ages 0 to 5, with exhibits that encourage dramatic play, tactile exploration and peer interaction.
The ArcelorMittal Calvert Curiosity Factory is one of the newer galleries, featuring a Lego wall, parachute tubes, laser and earthquake tables, alongside the ExploreTec STEM Lab, with computer stations, 3D printers, robotics and drones.
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians Digital Dome Theater features laser-illuminated 6K projection and an upgraded sound system, showing science and nature films throughout the day, plus occasional 21+ movie nights.
The Exploreum traces its roots to 1976, when the Junior League of Mobile funded the creation of what became The Explore Center, Inc., before the museum opened to the public in 1983.
Beyond the galleries, the museum has its own café for a break between exhibits, and a gift shop stocked with science kits, toys and souvenirs.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
|---|---|
| Entry process | Confirm current combo and Digital Dome pricing by phone before visiting, since these aren’t listed as fixed figures online. |
| On-site logistics | Leave outside food, drinks and coolers in the car, since none are permitted inside. |
| Layout | Bring your own chaperone for children under 16, who cannot visit unaccompanied. |
| Timing | Check the Digital Dome Theater showtimes in advance if you want to combine a film with your visit. |
| Crowds | Visit on a weekday for a quieter experience than weekends. |
Frequently asked questions about the Exploreum Science Center
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Exploreum open on Sundays? | No, it’s closed to the public on both Sundays and Mondays. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No, though booking online can help you plan around Digital Dome showtimes. |
| Is there a military discount at the Exploreum? | Yes, active duty and retired military receive the member rate or a discounted combo with valid ID. |
| Can you bring food into the Exploreum? | No, outside food, beverages and coolers are not permitted anywhere on site. |
| Is the Exploreum part of a reciprocal museum network? | Yes, it participates in the ASTC Travel Passport Program for members of other science centres. |
Things to do near the Exploreum Science Center
- History Museum of Mobile – a downtown museum covering the city’s history, within walking distance.
- National Maritime Museum of the Gulf – a maritime museum on the Mobile riverfront, within walking distance.
- Mobile Carnival Museum – a museum dedicated to Mobile’s Mardi Gras traditions, within walking distance.
- Colonial Fort Conde – a reconstructed 18th-century French fort, within walking distance.
- USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park – a WWII battleship, submarine and aircraft pavilion, roughly 10 minutes’ drive.
Alternative attractions
- INFINITY Science Center, Pearlington, MS – the official NASA Stennis Space Center visitor centre, roughly 1.5 hours’ drive.
- Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, AL – a public aquarium focused on Gulf Coast marine habitats, roughly 1 hour’s drive.
- Pensacola MESS Hall, Pensacola, FL – a hands-on math, engineering and science museum, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours’ drive.
- The Emerald Coast Science Center, Fort Walton Beach, FL – a hands-on science museum with indoor and outdoor exhibits, roughly 2 hours’ drive.
- WonderWorks, Panama City Beach, FL – an upside-down building packed with 100+ interactive science exhibits, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours’ drive.
More Alabama travel
Other Alabama travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- How to get the best out of Bellingrath Gardens near Mobile, Alabama.
- Key information for visiting Gulf Shores Public Beach and Gulf State Park.
- Plan your visit to the McWane Science Museum in Birmingham, Alabama.
- Planning a road trip from Memphis to Birmingham, Alabama.
- What to know before visiting the US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
