Information
Landmark: Boonshoft Museum of DiscoveryCity: Dayton
Country: USA Ohio
Continent: North America
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Dayton, USA Ohio, North America
Overview
In Dayton, Ohio, the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery packs a children’s museum, an accredited zoo, a planetarium, and a hands-on science center into one lively space, where you might hear kids laughing as they peer through a telescope.It’s built to spark curiosity and learning in visitors of all ages, with hands-on exhibits you can touch, the rustle and movement of live animals, and engaging educational programs.The museum began in 1893 as the Dayton Museum of Natural History, and in 1995 it took on the name Boonshoft Museum of Discovery to honor philanthropist Oscar Boonshoft.The Dayton Society of Natural History runs the museum, which holds accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to guarantee top-tier animal care and engaging, well-crafted educational programs.It’s a key source of learning for the Dayton area, offering hands-on ways to explore science, technology, engineering, math, and even the earth’s natural history.Top Attractions and Must-See Exhibits 1.Discovery Zoo is a fully accredited indoor zoo, home to over 150 animals from around the world, from bright green parrots to slow-moving tortoises.You’ll find sloths hanging lazily from branches, river otters splashing through the water, meerkats standing alert, plus reptiles, amphibians, birds, and other small mammals.At the zoo, the focus is on protecting wildlife-safeguarding their homes and making sure each animal is cared for, whether it’s a tiger in the shade or a parrot in a leafy perch.Visitors can watch animals in action-like a hawk swooping for its prey-and pick up fascinating facts about their biology and the ecosystems they call home.Number two.Science on a Sphere is a large globe-shaped display, about 68 inches across, hanging in midair like a planet frozen in space.It projects vivid, real-time views of Earth and distant planets, showing swirling weather systems, shifting ocean currents, signs of climate change, and even rare events unfolding in space.It helps visitors picture complex scientific data clearly, like turning dense charts into a simple, colorful map.Number three.Step into the Hall of the Universe, an exhibit that pulls you into the glow of the solar system, the glitter of distant stars, and the mystery of far-off exoplanets.You’ll find interactive models and hands-on displays that bring astronomy and planetary science to life, like a glowing globe that spins under your fingertips.It shines a spotlight on space missions, from roaring rocket launches to the ongoing hunt for signs of life beyond Earth.Number four.Explorers Crossing is a hands-on role-play zone built for kids, where pint-sized chefs stir pretend soup and young pilots chart imaginary skies.Kids can dive into pretend play-maybe they’re running a busy vet clinic, sorting bottles at a recycling center, or poking through leaves and pinecones on a nature adventure.It sparks creative thinking and gets people talking, whether they’re swapping ideas over coffee or building something together.Five.At Oscar Boonshoft Science Central, visitors roll up their sleeves to test water tables, watch sparks fly in physics demos, and explore other hands-on STEM experiments.Perfect for hands-on discovery of scientific ideas-magnetism tugging at metal, light scattering through glass, and gears clicking in smooth motion.Number six.Mead Tree House offers a fully enclosed indoor space, like a cozy wooden hideaway tucked among painted branches.It’s built to help kids explore forest ecosystems, learn how wildlife makes its home, and understand what it means to care for the land-like leaving a streambank untouched so fish can spawn.You can watch live birds in their natural habitat, from songbirds darting between branches to hawks circling high above.Seven.Tidal Pool A is a living display where you can watch starfish cling to rocks, sea anemones sway gently in the water, and hermit crabs scuttle across the sand.Visitors get a chance to handle some of the animals under careful supervision, feeling the soft brush of fur or the smooth curve of a shell.Eight.The Bieser Discovery Center showcases an impressive array of real natural treasures-animal skeletons, gleaming seashells, ancient fossils, and glittering minerals.It’s also home to live snakes and a children’s science library, where bright picture books line the shelves.It offers educational programs in biology and paleontology, from studying cell structures under a microscope to examining ancient fossils.Nine.Nesiur the Mummy showcases a real Egyptian mummy-Nesiur-her linen wrappings still faintly smelling of ancient resin.It offers a glimpse into ancient Egyptian life, from the solemn rituals of burial to the dust-covered tools unearthed by archaeologists.It also features African artifacts, like carved wooden masks, to help bring cultural lessons to life.The Apollo Observatory sits on the museum grounds, its dome glinting in the sun, and is run by the Miami Valley Astronomical Society.It’s equipped with a hefty 50 cm Dall-Kirkham Cassegrain telescope, its polished mirror catching the light like a silver coin.You can drop by for public stargazing nights, join hands-on astronomy programs, and take part in special events under the clear evening sky.Visitors can wander among celestial wonders-planets glowing in the dark, stars scattered like glitter, and the pale curve of the moon.Toddler Investigations offers science activities that spark curiosity through hands-on sensory play-think soft sand, bright colors, and gentle sounds that invite discovery.Lil’ Scientists offers lively, hands-on science sessions where preschoolers can mix colors, watch bubbles fizz, and discover the fun in learning.Sensory Sundays offer special hours for kids with sensory sensitivities, creating a calm space with softer lights and fewer distractions.Planetarium shows bring the stars to life with lively astronomy presentations designed for school-age kids, from glowing constellations to swirling galaxies.Zookeeper Talks offer lively sessions where you’ll learn how animals are cared for, why they behave the way they do, and what’s being done to protect them-like keeping a red panda’s bamboo fresh each morning.Workshops and camps offer seasonal and after-school programs where kids dive into STEM projects and explore natural history-like identifying bird calls on a crisp fall afternoon.We’re open Monday–Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5.Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors 60+, and $12 for kids ages 3–12; children under 3 get in free.Members come in free with a valid ID and membership card, and we offer discounts for AAA, State Farm, and military-just show your card at the front desk.You’ll find it at 2600 DeWeese Parkway in Dayton, Ohio 45414, home to the Eco‑Eatery Café serving fresh, sustainable dishes like crisp garden salads and warm whole‑grain bread.The gift shop offers educational toys, colorful books, and small souvenirs you can tuck into your bag.Amenities include wheelchair access and plenty of family‑friendly touches, from wide doorways to a play corner for kids.The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery buzzes with energy, bringing science, natural history, and wildlife education together in hands-on exhibits where kids might peer through a microscope or touch a fossil.With its zoo, planetarium, and interactive science displays-where you can touch fossils or peer through a telescope-it’s a perfect spot for families, school trips, and anyone eager to explore nature and science.The museum keeps refreshing its exhibits and programs, sparking curiosity and a love of learning that lasts a lifetime-like the thrill of spotting a newly displayed artifact behind glass.
