- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Ontario Science Centre
Category: Arts & Entertainment Museums Museums
770 Don Mills RdNorth York, ON M3C 1T3
(416) 696-1000
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
17 reviews for Ontario Science Centre
17 reviews in English
-
Review from Amira S.
Mississauga, ON
10/22/2011
Ah, this place brings back plenty of nostalgic memories of childhood field trips. The Ontario Science Centre is a great place to go with friends,family or on a date.Usually more exciting as a kid but even if you are not fond of science, you will find many interesting things to check out and do! (Space floor,simulated amazon forest,IMAX theater,etc). Points are deducted for being a bit unreasonably priced.
-
Review from Will D.
8/18/2011
The Ontario Science Centre is similar to other science centers we've visited, and exhibits were of typical quality given our experiences elsewhere. The staff were very helpful when a member of our party on crutches needed a wheelchair.
We visited on a weekend, and found the museum very crowded. The line at the cafeteria was hopelessly long, so we sampled the fair on one of the little food carts, which was tasty but pricey. -
Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
2/1/2011
Just like everyone else, the Science Centre was the best place on earth when I was a kid. The anticipation walking down the looooong red hallway with the forest in the background, and going down So Many escalators to reach the first floor of funness!
(It was always the Space Floor, and the one I dread because this is where my dad forced me to read what the activity was about before I can shoot metal balls into a hole that simulated a satellite) I only figured this out when I went again as a teenager. I never understood it and only pretended I did.
This review is about what was past, and it comes from someone who went there a lot as a kid. It's hard not to compare.
Lucky for me this exhibit is still around, however, a lot aren't. Yes, we loved this place as a kid, but going back 15 years later, it's really lost it's edge. Is it because we are taller and jaded?? I think it's also because they have completely re-done the place - taking out a lot of the interesting games/learning/exhibits and replaced them with computers, free for all "creative space" (Innovation Centre) that is a mess, and a Kiddie Area that I'm not allowed into because I'm too old.
From what I remember, the entrance hall into the main 'fun' physics area was the best part. There were so many random things happening, that it was a crazy fun science theme park. Now it seems sparse and lacks the encouragement for kids to discover.
The physics/logic/music area hasn't really changed since I was a kid. This means these exhibits are over 30 years old! Except they get moved around. Again it seems sparse and doesn't engage the kids as much as it used to. I remember running from place to place wanting to touch everything. They seem so far away from each other now.
The Communication (MindWorks) area is the best one. Not really fit for kids under the age of 12, but if you actually read each one of the exhibits and activities, it gives a lot of insight into the human mind, how it works, and the weird tricks we play. The other part of it is the Truth section of this, that helps you discover how your bias and believes can effect the way you think.
I was really disappointed with the So called "Innovation Centre". The place was a mess, and are kids supposed to learn something here? It was just paper all over the place, and I'm not sure what they are supposed to do. What happened to organized learning, rather then letting your child roam free - it's a science centre after all.
For the 20 or so years, we've seen sections come and go, and then your favourites disappear. Remember the Food Section? There was a huge plastic table with numbers, and a punch card you can write which foods you would eat for breakfast lunch and dinner. You put it into a machine, and it'll tell you if you have a balanced diet or not.
I remember the place was a mess with the little pencils and paper everywhere, and it smelt funny due to the machine you press buttons and it spits out a small paper with smells on it.
My dad and I loved the Japanese diorama here, that goes through the day of an olden japanese fishing village using sounds and lights. It was delicate, and serene. All of this has gone now.
I also liked the Sports section, full of old sports history and how things work. There was even a small rock climbing wall and that platform that you jumped off and they tell you if you land too hard or not. There was also that wheelchair racing section too! This has gone to the deadpool as well.
As you get older, the appeal to keep going to the science centre starts to wane. That first time you visit when you're older it's the best thing and it's nostalgic. Then you go another time, and things just don't seem as fun. Even writing this, I want to go again, however, I know that when I read the exhibits, I already know what it's about, and then will pass it along. I think the next time I will go will be with a child. It'll be a whole new experience then.
The OSC has a lot more to offer than meets the eye. The school groups get taken to the back areas with areas only open for them. They used to have a whole simulated space station, from the computer on land, to what you would do in the rocket. I went once with a Space Camp.
If you're a parent reading this, YES take your kid here. Supposedly, in addition to all these exhibits, there special workshops and shows (like how to make paper) but everytime I go there, it doesn't seem like they happen - I would check.
If you're an adult looking for some fun, and you've never been here before, it's worth a visit at least once. I would go for a movie or special exhibit that gives you combined admission to the place.
If you're an adult looking for nostalgia, it's fun, but be warned: you might be disappointed. It seems so much less than it used to be, but you'll definitely have more fun than when you went with your parents - you get to choose what you want to see! -
Review from K V.
Thornhill, ON
3/14/2011
The Science Centre itself is boring and outdated, unless there is a special exhibition like Human Bodies, there is nothing to do there, what a shame, it is such a waste of beautiful space.
However their dome Imax called ONMIMAX is always a great hit, every single movie I've seen in it was amazing. The experience is breath taking, I love the feeling of being inside the movie, it is way more fun than todays 3Ds. We sometimes go on Fridays for 9pm to catch a movie, the tickets are $13/adult, which is ok given current movie ticket prices at Cineplex are at $15 for 3D and OMNIMAX is waay better. -
Review from Anthony M.
Mississauga, ON
1/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good food kids but I find it's 'standard' exhibits are very slow to change.
It's a good place to go for special exhibits but I find it's pricey to get in plus they make you pay for parking.
I think for what you pay they should offer more. -
Review from Geoffrey W.
Toronto, ON
The KidSpark area for young children is quite busy, but still a nice place to while away an afternoon. A few other areas (the Telus Rainforest, the Weston innovation zone, etc.) are recent and well-maintained.
Other areas, however, are terribly dated, and can't stand up to the immersive media experience that a kid can get at home these days.
So, basically, it's still a viable place to play and learn, particularly for toddlers and young children, but some areas are getting heavily dated, and without further investment, I'm not sure how long it can remain relevant. -
Review from bernice c.
6/7/2010
Review for the Harry Potter Exhibit Only
I love Harry Potter! This exhibit is a must for any Harry Potter fans. An incredible collection of props, costumes and life size sculptures of the Harry Potter world of creatures. It was amazing that they brought the actual buck beak, all the wands and Hagrid's Hut to the museum. I don't want to give away too much of the magic you will see, but there was really so much cool stuff!
I rented the Audio Tour for $5 and it was totally NOT worth it. The clips were so short, that they made me feel a little ripped off. It wasn't really setup for those who read the book, because it was so lacking extra tidbits and it didn't explain anything for those who didn't.
Come after 4:30pm for a cheaper price and don't forget your student ID for an even better deal! $20 cash for parking was also pretty expensive, so carpool. -
Review from Rebecca W.
7/24/2011
We spent about 4 hours at the science center on a recent trip to Toronto. Four hours was definitely not enough-the place is huge and full of amazing interactive exhibits. We didn't even get close to seeing the whole thing.
The day we went there were a ton of field trip kids there and it was pretty loud and hectic with long waits to get to some of the more exciting exhibits but they were worth the wait.
If I every get back to the Toronto area another trip to the Science Center will be on my must do list! -
Review from Karl R.
3/8/2010 8 photos
I've haven't been to the Science Centre since the early 1990s. I do seem to recall, however, this place had more "stuff". There were a lot more hands on exhibits, more stuff to play with. They seem to have gutted the halls. What's left seems to make little sense and is full of fluff or simply scientifically incorrect. Consider:
http://www.ontarioscie...
The science centre claims the human genome has 100,000 genes? It's under 30,000 according to the human genome project. The 100K estimate is a decade old before the results of the human genome project.
This place is still crack for kids, however.Listed in: When you're alone and life is…
-
Review from Alexia S.
Toronto, ON
12/28/2010
Admission to the Ontario Science Center is far too pricey in my opinion, especially since the exhibits hardly ever change. Once you've seen it, you've seen it. On top of that you have to pay around $8 for parking. Every now and then they have a special exhibit which will cost you an arm and a leg, and is hardly ever worth the price. For example the recent Harry Potter exhibit consisted of little more than some Harry Potter props.
-
Review from Alicia C.
Hamilton, ON
3/20/2011
This is my favorite museum. I remember going on field trips in grade 5 and loving this place and now, at 25, I still get joy out of my visits there. There is so much to do there you could spend an entire day just looking at the exhibits. I would strongly recommend the Science Centre to any parents looking to educate their children in a fun way who have a bit of money to spend. The Science Centre can be pricey after admission prices, souvenirs and food.
-
Review from Jasmine W.
6/8/2010
woo hoo! as late 20-somethings even we had fun here! we swung by since we have city passes but unfortunately arrived with only an hour to spare! parking's typically $8 but we got lucky and no one was manning the parking booth. we quickly entered and were amazed at how large this spot is! at least 3 floors full of interesting, fun exhibits! there are areas to learn about the human body, psychology experiments, forensics, nature, space, physics... just about anything science and it's there! i dispute claims that it's better than the exporatorium in SF - while the are around the exploratorium is nice and the tactile dome can't be beat the ontario science center is HUGE and has at least 3 times as many exhibits!
the most popular machine was probably the aging machine that can take your picture and show you what you may look like in 50 years. even though the museum was about the close there was still a long line to have photos taken.
granted, when this spot is stuffed full of kids fighting to try experiments it probably isn't quite as much fun as what we experienced (since almost everyone was gone we got to run around and play with whatever exhibits were available). if you have a kid they'll LOVE it here and i can definitely see how if you live in the area it'd be worth it to get an annual pass. -
Review from Mike S.
Toronto, ON
9/5/2008
Of all the tourist areas in Toronto I have the fondest memories of the Ontario Science Centre, I remember as a child practically vibrating with excitement when we pulled into the parking lot. A lot has changed with the Science Centre since I was a child and while I still do enjoy going I think some of the magic that the building once held has disappeared. The new Science Centre has a great deal of interactive features still does house the fun quasi science that I grew up with at the center you can find out how hard you throw a baseball, you can learn about weights and measures and physics (and they make it all fun). My personal favorite activity is in Science Arcade where you can test your reflexes, sitting in a car seat and having a stop sign flash at you it may not read well, but the line is always long and I always wait. The Science Center is a great place to take kids to get them excited about science. The Science Centre still is one of the premier destinations to take young kids in the city. You can easily spend an entire day at the Science Centre and still want to stay longer. If you are feeling particularly flush I would also recommend going to the omnisphere, mostly because documentaries about the ocean or space are the kind of things you should watch when you go to the Science Centre. I would recommend the Science Centre to everyone and while it perhaps isn't what is was when I was a lad it still is an awesome place to take a wide eyed youth to learn about their world.
Like the review? Check out the link to my blog on my profile. -
Review from Sherwin B.
8/11/2010
What a disappointment. Expensive, huge, poor signs, very hard to navigate. 1st floor is on the top - who's idea was that? Many exhibit things broken. Huge rooms that were turned into mazes by the way the exhibits and walls were arranged. The worst was a massive (huger than huge) " kids exploring room" that was totally disorganized, unsupervised, filthy with papers and garbage onthe floor everywhere, noisy, much over- loaded with kids and parents running around after them. I lost sight of my 3 kids and it took me about a half hour to find them in the maze and gather them up. One of them could have easily been whisked off by a perv or kidnapper, or they could have become lost and frightened and wandered out, since there were several exits from the room and non were in any way supervised. Was glad to get out of there in one piece.
-
Review from Joanne W.
4/11/2010
I use to go all the time as a child. Didn't get to revisit this place until 2007 - which didn't seem too thrilling. However, I went again this year with a friend, and had a better appreciation for the exhibitis at the Science Centre. I took my time to read through the experiments and the exhibits and learned quite a lot.It makes learning fun!
-
Review from Ivan S.
NORTH YORK, ON
9/4/2010
Very boring and outdated exhibits.
-
Review from marisoL t.
2/2/2010
it's not as fun as the exploratorium or the academy of sciences in san francisco. it was just aiiiiiiiiiiight.
