The Ontario Science Centre Toronto is one of the world’s most-loved interactive science museums — 900+ hands-on exhibits across 10 themed halls, the unforgettable Living Earth rainforest simulation, the OMNIMAX dome theatre, and a recently announced relocation to a new state-of-the-art waterfront facility opening 2027. With its iconic 1969 Raymond Moriyama hilltop building (a brutalist concrete masterpiece) and its commitment to “minds-on” learning since founding director Tuzo Wilson designed it, the Ontario Science Centre Toronto has welcomed more than 53 million visitors and shaped how science museums work globally. This guide walks through every gallery, the must-see exhibits, the planetarium dome shows, the OMNIMAX films, the food court, and how to plan a Science Centre visit that gets the most from your $25 admission.
Ontario Science Centre Toronto: the basics
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 770 Don Mills Rd, Toronto (current building) |
| Hours | 10am–5pm daily (later in summer) |
| Admission (adult) | $25 |
| Admission (child 3–12) | $15 |
| Toronto CityPASS includes? | Yes — choose Ontario Science Centre or Toronto Zoo |
| OMNIMAX films | $5 add-on |
| Planetarium | $5 add-on |
| Closest TTC | Pape (Line 2) + 25 Don Mills bus, or 100 Flemingdon Park bus |
| Parking | $15/day |
| Visit duration | 4–6 hours |
The 10 must-see Ontario Science Centre Toronto exhibits
1. The Living Earth (Hall 4)
The most-photographed Ontario Science Centre Toronto exhibit — a recreated tropical rainforest with mist, simulated thunderstorms, live plants, and a 30-foot artificial waterfall. Kids 4–10 are mesmerized; adults appreciate the clever environmental engineering. Allow 30 minutes.
2. Science Arcade (Hall 1)
The Science Arcade hosts live demos throughout the day — the famous “Hair-Raising Experience” Van de Graaff generator, the static electricity demo, the cryogenic ice cream demo (yes, they eat liquid-nitrogen ice cream made on stage). Check the daily schedule on arrival; demos run every 30–60 minutes.
3. The Human Body / Sport (Hall 2)
Hands-on body and movement exhibits — measure your reaction time, your flexibility, your jump height. Kids 6+ and teens love it. The free-throw station is consistently the busiest.
4. The Space Hall
The Space gallery has the original Mars rover replicas, the ISS module model (walk through the astronaut module), and a meteorite collection that includes pieces of Mars and the moon. Allow 30 minutes.
5. The Power and Energy Hall
Toronto Edison’s classic “lightning chamber” — a glass-enclosed Tesla coil that shoots 5-foot lightning arcs every hour. The most dramatic single demo in the building.
6. KidSpark (Hall 9)
The dedicated 0–5 year old hall — water tables, soft climbing, a baby-and-toddler exploration zone, and parent rest areas. Strollers welcome. The single best Toronto attraction for under-5 families.
7. Question of Truth
The most thoughtful Ontario Science Centre Toronto gallery — challenges visitors to question what they “know” via a series of optical illusions, paradoxes, and cognitive bias demonstrations. Best for kids 10+.
8. Material World / Earth Hall
Hands-on geology — pick up a 100kg meteorite, identify minerals, work the fault-line simulator. The earthquake table simulation rattles a real model city to demonstrate building seismic codes.
9. The Planetarium dome
A separate $5 add-on, the Planetarium runs 25-minute dome shows on rotating topics (deep space, our solar system, exoplanets, the Hubble images). Best for kids 8+ and astronomy buffs. Two shows/hour.
10. OMNIMAX Theatre
The 320-seat OMNIMAX dome theatre runs IMAX-style 1-hour films on space, oceans, dinosaurs, and natural history. Separate $5 admission. Best for older kids and adults.
Ontario Science Centre Toronto for different age ranges
Toddlers (0–3)
KidSpark is the dedicated zone. Allow 60–90 minutes there; brief visits to Living Earth and the Science Arcade. Strollers throughout. Bring snacks for stroller-time. See our Toronto with toddlers guide.
Pre-K (3–5)
KidSpark, Living Earth, the Sport / Body hall, and the live Science Arcade demos. The Space Hall’s astronaut module is a hit. Allow 3 hours.
Elementary (6–10)
The classic Ontario Science Centre Toronto sweet spot. Hit all 10 halls plus the Planetarium and OMNIMAX. Allow 5–6 hours including lunch break. The hands-on Sport hall, the lightning chamber demo, and the OMNIMAX film are highlights.
Tweens / Teens (11–17)
Question of Truth, the Material World hall, the Planetarium, the OMNIMAX, plus the Science Arcade demos. Teens often skip KidSpark and Living Earth and focus on the more challenging exhibits. Allow 4 hours.
Adults (without kids)
Yes, adults love the Ontario Science Centre Toronto too. Adult Date Night events run quarterly. The OMNIMAX film + Planetarium combo + Question of Truth gallery makes for a solid 3-hour adult visit.
Special programs and events
Birthday parties
The Ontario Science Centre Toronto runs birthday party packages for $30/child (10-child minimum) including a private event room, host-led science demo, and full Science Centre admission. Book 4–6 weeks in advance.
Adult Sleepovers / “After Hours” events
Quarterly adult-only evening events with cocktails, music, and curated science demos. Tickets $50–$80; sells out quickly.
Educator events
The Science Centre offers daily educator-led programs for school groups Tuesday–Friday. Reservations required.
March Break Camps
Week-long full-day camps for kids 6–12. $400/week. Books months in advance.
Summer Science Camps
Multi-week summer programs for kids 6–14. The Engineering and Coding camps are particularly popular. $500–$700/week.
The new Ontario Science Centre (opening 2027)
In 2024, the Province of Ontario announced the closure of the original Don Mills Road building — citing $369M in needed repairs — and a relocation to a brand-new waterfront facility at Ontario Place. The new Ontario Science Centre Toronto is currently under construction and expected to open in 2027. Programs continue at the existing building until the move.
The new facility is designed by international architecture firm Snøhetta and will feature: a 60% larger exhibit floor, a digital “Maker Lab” with full prototyping tools, an integrated Cree science programming hall (in partnership with Indigenous educators), a green roof, and a redesigned planetarium.
Visitors planning a 2026 trip will visit the original Moriyama building. Visitors planning a 2027+ trip should check the relocation status before booking — the new facility may have phased openings.
Food and amenities
Galileo’s Food Hall
The Ontario Science Centre Toronto food court has 6 vendors — typical museum-cafeteria fare (sandwiches, pizza, salads, kid menus). Decent quality for a museum but nothing to write home about. Adult lunch $18–$25; kids’ menu $10–$14.
Picnic option
The grounds outside the building are pleasant for a picnic. There’s no off-property food within walking distance — bring sandwiches if you want to skip the cafeteria.
Gift Shop
The lobby Gift Shop has science kits, books, telescopes, planet posters, and the city’s deepest selection of educational toys. Allow 20 minutes.
Accessibility
Fully wheelchair accessible. Sensory-friendly programming runs the first Sunday of each month.
Practical tips for visiting Ontario Science Centre Toronto
When to go
Weekday mornings (10am opening, Tuesday–Friday) are ideal — calmer crowds. Weekends and school holidays bring 5,000+ daily visitors and queues at the busy demos. School field trips dominate Tuesday–Thursday 11am–2pm.
How to get there
By TTC: Pape Station (Line 2) + 25 Don Mills bus (10 min) directly to the entrance. By car: 25 minutes from downtown via the Don Valley Parkway / Eglinton. Parking $15/day.
What to bring
Water bottles (refill stations available), light jacket (the building runs cool), comfortable walking shoes (you’ll cover 4–5 km of corridor), snacks for the kids, your CityPASS or pre-purchased ticket on your phone.
Buying tickets
Buy online at ontariosciencecentre.ca to skip the ticket counter line. The CityPASS line is separate from the regular ticket line and saves time on busy days. See our Toronto CityPASS guide.
Combining with other family attractions
The Ontario Science Centre Toronto pairs well with Edwards Gardens (10 minutes east) and the Aga Khan Museum (15 minutes south). For families with energetic kids, the Don Valley ravine trails are 5 minutes north — see our best parks in Toronto guide.
More Toronto days out with kids
The Science Centre is one of the anchors in our Toronto with kids guide. Pair the Ontario Science Centre Toronto with the rest of family trip planning: family attractions Toronto, playgrounds and splash pads Toronto, visiting with toddlers, Toronto CityPASS, family hotels Toronto, ROM, and Toronto Zoo.
The Ontario Science Centre Toronto remains one of the city’s most-loved family attractions — plan a 4–6 hour weekday visit, hit the live demos, and you’ll see exactly why this museum has shaped science centres worldwide.
