Interactive Science Fun for All Ages at Liberty Science Center

Exploring the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City

The Liberty Science Center is a must-visit attraction for families visiting the New York City and New Jersey area. Located just a 30 minute drive from Manhattan in Jersey City, New Jersey, this interactive science museum offers endless educational fun for kids and adults alike. With hundreds of hands-on exhibits to spark curiosity about science, technology, engineering and math, plus an aquarium, a giant IMAX theater, and ever-changing special programs and events, you're guaranteed an awesome day of discovery at the Liberty Science Center.

Exhibits at the Liberty Science Center

The Liberty Science Center contains over 300,000 square feet packed with hands-on, interactive exhibits to engage inquisitive young minds. Permanent exhibit halls like Eat and Be Eaten, Infection Connection, and Skyscraper! Workshop give kids the chance to learn about a wide range of topics from animal ecology to infectious diseases to engineering principles. The center also features seasonal and traveling exhibits on subjects like the science of Sesame Street, the wonders of bubbleology, or the physics of superheroes.

Some of the most popular permanent exhibits at the Liberty Science Center include:

• The Touch Tunnel, where kids can crawl through a pitch black maze
• The Energy Quest exhibit with giant domino chain reactions
• The Skyscraper! Workshop with design challenges
• The Infinity Climber rock climbing walls

With so many interactive displays packed into this museum, you'll likely need more than one day to experience it all. Exciting new exhibits are also frequently introduced, so the Liberty Science Center is worth revisiting again and again.

Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium and Giant Dome Theater

In addition to the exhibit halls, the Liberty Science Center is home to the largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. Named after its main benefactor, the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium boasts a giant dome screen stretching 89 feet across and an advanced projection system displaying stunning images of outer space. Visitors can sit back in 360 degree reclining seats to watch an immersive show that illuminates the mysteries of the cosmos or brings viewers up close with the surface of the moon.

That same giant dome theater also shows exhilarating IMAX films on an even more colossal six story tall screen. From newly released documentaries on ocean life to breathtaking nature footage in exotic locales, the Liberty Science Center's IMAX experience is astoundingly vivid and fun for all ages.

Liberty Science Center Aquarium

In addition to hands-on exhibits and the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium's giant dome theater, the Liberty Science Center is also home to a fascinating aquarium. With over 100 aquatic species living in habitats ranging from the New Jersey Meadowlands to the Hudson River to the Atlantic Ocean, kids can get an up close look at local fish, invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians.

Interactive elements within the aquarium allow visitors to touch sharks, crabs, and sea stars. And special feeding shows at scheduled times let you watch aquatic animals like otters or penguins dine. It's an aquatic experience not to miss during your visit to the Liberty Science Center.

Visiting the Liberty Science Center

With so many amazing exhibits, films, and live animal encounters, the Liberty Science Center offers an incredible interactive learning experience for children and families. And as one of the top things to do in Jersey City, it also makes for a fun and refreshing day trip getaway from nearby New York City.

The Liberty Science Center is located at 222 Jersey City Boulevard in Liberty State Park along the Hudson River. It is easily accessible by road or public transportation, located right near the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail station and Liberty State Park ferry slips. For visitors coming by car, ample parking is available at the site.

The science center is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Usual hours run from 9:00am to 4:00pm on weekdays and to 5:30pm on weekends. Special extended hours until 9:00pm are also offered on Wednesday evenings in summer.

Ticket prices to the Liberty Science Center start at $29.75 for adults and $24.75 for children. However, discounted combo passes are available that also include access to special exhibits, giant screen theater films, and live science demonstrations. Annual membership plans are also available for locals who want to visit repeatedly and save money. Special private events can also be booked at the museum for birthdays, school groups, and more.

So whether you're a New York metro area family looking for an awesome educational day trip or a tourist hoping to spark your child's STEM interests, the Liberty Science Center is a magical destination for discovery. With plenty of interactive science exhibits and cool extras like an exotic aquarium and giant IMAX theater, it promises an unforgettable experience full of fun and fascination.

FAQs

What are the operating hours of Liberty Science Center?

The Liberty Science Center is open 7 days a week except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Regular hours are Monday-Friday from 9am to 4pm and Saturday-Sunday from 9am to 5:30pm. There are also extended summer hours on Wednesdays until 9pm.

How much do tickets cost to visit Liberty Science Center?

Ticket prices start at $29.75 for adults and $24.75 for children ages 2-12. Combo passes are available that also include access to special exhibits, giant screen theater films, and live science demonstrations.

Does Liberty Science Center offer any memberships?

Yes, annual individual and family memberships options are available. Membership includes free general admission for a year plus discounts on combo tickets, Camden Aquarium admission, and more.

What special services does Liberty Science Center provide?

Private facility rentals can be booked for birthdays, school groups, and other events. Accommodations are available for visitors with special needs, including wheelchair/scooter rentals and sensory guides for visitors with autism spectrum disorder.