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Museum of Discovery: Little Rock's STEM Hub

Explore interactive science exhibits, witness a Tesla coil performance, and discover the wonders of STEM at Little Rock's Museum of Discovery.

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The Museum of Discovery in Little Rock is Arkansas's premier science and technology center, offering interactive exhibits and experiences for all ages. Founded in 1927, the museum has evolved into a leading center for STEM education, featuring a Guinness World Record-holding Tesla coil and a diverse collection of live animals.

A brief summary to Museum of Discovery

  • Monday 9 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-5 pm
  • Friday 9 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 1 pm-5 pm

Local tips

  • Check the museum's website for daily schedules of Tesla coil shows, animal presentations, and other live demonstrations.
  • Visit on the last Sunday of the month for discounted admission.
  • If you have a membership to another children's museum, check if the Museum of Discovery participates in the Association of Children's Museums reciprocity program for discounted admission.
  • The River Market area offers a variety of restaurants and shops, making it easy to combine your museum visit with other activities.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Museum of Discovery is located in the heart of the River Market District, making it easily accessible on foot from many downtown hotels, restaurants, and attractions. If you are near the Clinton Presidential Center, simply walk west along President Clinton Avenue. The museum will be on your left.

  • Public Transport

    Rock Region METRO offers bus and streetcar services to the Museum of Discovery. The METRO Streetcar has two lines, the Blue Line and the Green Line, that service the downtown area. The closest bus stop is Markham St & Fountain Ave, a short walk from the museum. A single fare for the bus is $1.25.

  • Driving

    The Museum of Discovery is located at 500 President Clinton Ave in the River Market District. From I-30, take the President Clinton Avenue exit. Parking is available in the River Market parking deck across the street from the museum. Enter the deck from Second Street between River Market Avenue and Sherman Street. Metered street parking is also available. The River Market parking deck offers validated parking for museum visitors at a rate of $2 for three hours. Standard hourly parking rates apply at the River Market Parking Deck, check with the parking operator for current pricing.

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Discover more about Museum of Discovery

The Museum of Discovery, located in the River Market District of downtown Little Rock, has been sparking curiosity and inspiring learning for nearly a century. Founded in 1927 by author and activist Julia Burnell Smade Babcock, the museum began as the Museum of Natural History and Antiquities, showcasing a collection of artifacts, taxidermy specimens, and cultural items. Over the years, the museum has transformed and expanded, moving to several locations before finding its current home in the River Market District in 1998. Today, the Museum of Discovery focuses on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education, offering a wide range of interactive exhibits designed to engage visitors of all ages. Among the museum's highlights is a Guinness World Record-holding musical bi-polar Tesla coil that puts on electrifying shows. Visitors can also explore exhibits on forces and energy, light and sound, and electricity and magnetism. The Dynamic Earth gallery demonstrates how the planet changes through adaptation, transformation and the forces of change. Animal lovers can enjoy the museum's live animal collection, which includes ferrets and possums. Younger children will enjoy the Small Fry Fish Camp, an immersive exhibit designed for children 6 and under. The museum also offers a Sensory Cove, a calming space for guests with sensory processing disorders. With a pre-visit social story and sensory map, the museum strives to create an inclusive and fun environment for everyone.

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