McWane Science Center: Birmingham's Hub for Hands-On Science
Explore interactive science exhibits, an aquarium, and an IMAX Dome Theater at Birmingham's leading science center.
The McWane Science Center in Birmingham, Alabama, is a leading science museum featuring interactive exhibits, an aquarium, and an IMAX Dome Theater [10]. Housed in a renovated historic department store, McWane offers four floors of engaging experiences for all ages, from dinosaurs to marine life [4, 18].
A brief summary to McWane Science Center
- 200 19th St N, Birmingham, Fountain Heights, Alabama, 35203, US
- Click to display
- Click to display
- Wednesday 9 am-5 pm
- Thursday 9 am-5 pm
- Friday 9 am-5 pm
- Saturday 10 am-5 pm
- Sunday 12 pm-5 pm
Local tips
- Check the daily schedule online for science demonstrations and show times in the Rushton Theater [2].
- Consider purchasing a membership for free admission, free parking, and discounts [2, 19].
- Visit during off-peak hours (weekdays or Sunday afternoons) for a less crowded experience [5].
- Take advantage of the sensory bags available at the ticketing desk if you have sensory sensitivities [14, 18].
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Getting There
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Walking
From the Birmingham Museum of Art, walk south on 20th Street North for two blocks [14]. Turn right onto 1st Avenue North and walk one block west to 19th Street North. McWane Science Center will be on your left, at the corner of 19th Street North and 2nd Avenue North [14]. Allow 5-10 minutes.
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Public Transport
Several bus lines operated by the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) stop near McWane Science Center [14, 5]. The closest stops are 2nd Ave & 19th St (1 min walk), 1st Ave N And 19th St N (2 min walk), and 2nd Ave N And 18th St N (3 min walk) [14]. A single ride fare is $1.25 [14].
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Driving
If driving, approach McWane Science Center from I-65 or I-59/20 [14]. From I-65 North or South, take exit 260-B [14]. From I-59/20, take exit 125-B [14]. Follow signs to downtown and then to the Science Center, located at the corner of 19th Street North and 2nd Avenue North [14]. McWane Science Center has a parking deck on 2nd Avenue North [2, 6, 8]. Parking costs $5.00 for non-members [2, 6]. Street parking is also available, with free parking on weekends [6, 8, 14].
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