gulf coast exploreum science center

I love this place for my children 3 and 4. They have a little place area (well pretty big) for 5 and under which I like so they aren't pummeled by bigger kids. Everything is hands on and interactive. Took some friends last weekend and her kids were ages 6, 9, and 11. They loved it, I took them to the Imax inside to watch a show and it is amazing. Husband has been to other IMAX and he said it was nothing like the ones he's seen, he was blown away. I love this because it teaches science, it is hands on and interesting, my kids learn so much even being so small, my four year old knows about viscosity! Its awesome for anyone, any age, I even enjoy it ever time I take them - so we buy an annual pass and it is worth the drive from Pensacola (about an hour).

First, the staff are great!..friendly and knowledgeable. We went for the Faces of Abraham exhibit and the IMAX film "Jerusalem." Our guide was an anthropology grad and shared so much information. The exhibit of artifacts (especially the Bibles) is very well done. We loved the IMAX film too! We also had lunch there of lasagna, salad, garlic bread and dessert. You have to pre-select one entree for your group and pre-order with Natasha. Box lunches with sandwiches are also available to pre-order. But there is a small cafe there as well for purchase without any pre-arrangements. After lunch we explored the permanent exhibits and found them to be very well presented and lots of fun, too! Lots of knowledge provided with great entertainment.The gift shop is small but stocked with many unique items. We were a group of senior adults but folks of all ages would enjoy spending a few hours here.We were told that Tuesday is the best day to go in terms of crowds. On school days they may be hosting large groups of school children so you might want to call first.

This place has great permanent exhibits, as well as temporary. The "kids" exhibits are fun for all. The IMAX Theater is small, but does the job. It is easy to get to the seats and the films are great. It is in a nice area as well. I now have a yearly membership and plan on going often. I would call ahead to check movie times .

We went at a time when it was not very busy, easy to park, lots of room to explore. When we looked up the hours for the location online it displayed a different time than the actual center closes. I highly recommend calling if the time they close might be an issue for you. The staff at the Science Center were friendly and helpful. The gift shop was awesome. Our young child enjoyed the toddler area very much. It was well done with lots of great areas for kids to enjoy. They had a puppet stage with lots of puppets kids could try on, a boat complete with the huge steering wheel, a shallow ball pit filled with fake sea creatures, puzzles, huge soft blocks, and much more. There were areas with sand too for digging. The health exhibit contained a giant beating heart, food choices, skeletons, and instant BMI machine. We didn't get to go upstairs for very long but it was definitely a fun place for kid to experiment with science and build. We were sorry we missed the IMAX with butterflies. The Gulf Coast Center closed at 4 pm but the museum next door to it stayed open until 5 pm.

Being somewhat tardy in adding this review, the movies we saw at the IMAX are no longer showing.... we saw "Space Junk" and a film about Monarch Butterflies. Being in a domed theater watching Space Junk ( orbiting debris) it was likely as near to being in outer space as I will ever come. Breath taking! The collection of butterflies , moths and other winged insects was impressives in its scope. The remainder of the museum seemed geared toward children, while not a "bad" thing, it wasnt as interesting as hoped for. The IMAX made it worth the trip for us.

I went with a friend this Sunday to see the movie Jerusalem. We did not go into the museum this time. I was quite keen to see the photography as I lived in Israel for several years a couple of decades ago. The dome screen was pitted and several "tiles" need to be replaced. They were late starting and the place was freezing. The movie started and we were quite enthralled when suddenly it just stopped about 10 minutes in. We sat waiting and a voice over said they were experiencing technical difficulties. They could not resolve it and we all had to file out and get refunds or rain checks. I won't be rushing back to this one even though it is the best way to see a movie.

The parking to this location was very easy to obtain. Once inside, I was greeted politely and was given a brochure about all the offerings inside the building.I ventured down to check out the penguins while I waiting for my Imax movie to begin. A worker was in the display room, using a red laser light to hold the penguins' attention.The Imax movie was a bit different than what I am use to seeing. It was the Imax Dome Theatre, and the wrap-around screen was truly amazing. No other theatre can possibly do a better job of pulling the viewers into the movie! It was like I was in the very center of the action!Many stars to this place. It is a great place to take the kids, as there are plenty of hands-on learning stations as well as fun and learning!

The Jerusalem exhibit was fantastic, the guide was informative and fun--IMAX, however was down for the day--BUMMER! All other activities and areas brought out the kid in me, it was great to participate with the interactive demonstrations.

It was goin good until a giant dancing banana with a wooden leg jumped out at us and tried to fight us but we all jumped on him and ate him wooden leg and all. All around good trip. jk

My grandson MUST go the the Science Center every visit to us. It is hands on whether building things that fly, building with block structures, playing musical instruments, experimenting with wind and light, it is total fun! It is great they change the one section every so often with a new presentation, right now it is about penguins. You can leave to go for lunch and re-enter or have lunch there. Also, there is an IMAX presentation. The have a whole section devoted to the human body and how it works. Definitely kid specific with all you need for their and your comfort.

Having been there two years ago, we remembered the place as being full of interesting exhibits and hands-on experiments for youngsters and grown ups. Presently, it looks as if it had been plundered, partly devastated and subsequently filled with replacement parts for under 6 year olds. The best part left is the medical area ("My Body Works") on the first floor which seems to get enough funding from companies, but even there, the cards on which you are supposed to collect your measured physical data were non existent and some of the test areas would have needed calibrating, lest I and my family are medical marvels.The guides around are friendly, always ready to help, but some lack the ability to clearly explain what the nature and purpose of the few leftover experiments is. The section upstairs ("Hands on Hall") that used to display a multitude of interesting and educative experiments is more or less deserted and turned into an area where kiddies can build a couple of simple things that mostly don’t really work. There is maybe half a dozen of experiments left, which would still justify going to that place, but again, some don’t work. So the comparatively high entrance fee is a waste of money.The Chem Lab did not show any activity, despite that there were enough people present on this Saturday that would have justified a little demonstration. On the other hand, having graduated in chemistry myself, I could not detect many exciting objects. Maybe they were locked inside the cabinets.

The IMAX movie combo package will keep the kids entertained for hours. Lots of hands on exhibits and fun things for the kids to explore and do. Don't miss the penguins.

This is a great place to learn about science and different animals. Many attractions, the prices are ok, not too bad , if you are in a big family bring enough money, you might want to watch a movie in the IMax theater.

The IMAX movie combo package will keep the kids entertained for hours. Lots of hands on exhibits and fun things for the kids to explore and do. Don't miss the penguins.

What an awful experience. We visited on a weekday morning/afternoon and after about 1 1/2 hrs decided to leave. There were so MANY child groups there that they seemed to either NOT care or were unable to handle the volume. Either way every exhibit was overcrowded, completely trashed and/or not working properly (or able to participate) b/c items had yet to be replenished. This establishment seems to be all about how much money they can bring in vs providing a worthwhile experience. This was my first visit here and now I know why I've avoided it so long... what a waste of time and money. A side note, we came with grandparents, one that was in a wheelchair and the lift is a joke. Would not work properly without both doors being closed... with the upper door being upstairs and no call button to call for help. Again with all the people/kids running around (was it even legal to have that many based on fire codes?!) it made it extra difficult to get around.