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McWane Science Center: Birmingham's Hub for Discovery

Explore interactive science exhibits, an aquarium, and an IMAX Dome Theater at Birmingham's premier science center. A world of discovery awaits!

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The McWane Science Center in Birmingham, Alabama, is a hands-on museum and IMAX dome theater that makes science accessible and fun for all ages. With interactive exhibits, an aquarium, and dinosaur fossils, it's a destination where curiosity comes to life [4, 14].

A brief summary to McWane Science Center

Local tips

  • Visit on weekday mornings for a less crowded experience, allowing for more interaction with exhibits [14].
  • Check the daily schedule online for science show times and special events [2].
  • Consider purchasing a membership for free admission, free parking, and discounts [2].
  • Take advantage of the free parking for members in the attached parking deck [2].
  • If you have an EBT card, show it to receive the lowest-priced admission [3].
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Birmingham Museum of Art, head north on 20th Street North. Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North, then turn right onto 19th Street North. McWane Science Center will be on your left, a few blocks down. The walk is approximately 10 minutes. Street parking is available in the vicinity, free on weekends [10].

  • Public Transport

    Several bus routes serve the McWane Science Center area. From the Central Station, use the MAX Transit. Check the MAX Transit website or app for the most up-to-date route information and schedules. A single ride fare is $1.25 [10].

  • Driving

    From I-65, take the 16th Street exit and head north. Turn right onto 2nd Avenue North, then right again onto 19th Street North. McWane Science Center will be on your left. Use the McWane Science Center parking deck located on 2nd Avenue North for convenient and secure parking [2, 7]. Parking is $5 for non-members [2, 7]. Street parking is also available [2, 10].

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Discover more about McWane Science Center

McWane Science Center, located in downtown Birmingham, Alabama, is a premier science museum housed in the historic, refurbished Loveman's department store building [15]. Since opening in 1998, McWane has welcomed millions of visitors, offering a dynamic learning environment for explorers of all ages [4]. The center features four floors of interactive exhibits that celebrate science and wonder [4, 12]. Highlights include the World of Water exhibit, home to Birmingham's only aquarium, where visitors can view and interact with over 50 species of marine and freshwater aquatic life, including sharks and rays [2, 15]. The Alabama Collections Center houses over 500,000 items, including fossils, minerals, and Native American artifacts [15]. Don't miss the impressive dinosaur collection, featuring the Appalachiosaurus and the state fossil of Alabama, the Basilosaurus cetoides [15]. For younger children, Itty Bitty Magic City offers a dedicated play space with age-appropriate exhibits that encourage learning through play [2, 15]. ScienceQuest features hands-on exhibits where visitors can experience science in action, with popular displays like the distortion room and the off-to-the-races challenge [2, 6]. The IMAX Dome Theater provides an immersive cinematic experience with educational films on a five-story dome screen [4, 6]. McWane also hosts special exhibits and events throughout the year, ensuring there's always something new to discover [8, 13].

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