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Science World
Category: Active Life Amusement Parks Amusement Parks [Edit]
TELUS World of Science1455 Quebec St
Vancouver, BC V6A 3Z7
Neighbourhood: Granville Island/False Creek
(604) 443-7443
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am - 5 pm
Sat-Sun 10 am - 6 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
37 reviews for Science World
Review Highlights
"...watching movies on the Omnimax theatre that makes up the..."
(in 4 reviews)
"The hands-on exhibits are good fun."
(in 4 reviews)
"Fun place even for a big kid like me."
(in 4 reviews)
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37 reviews in English
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Review from Allen C.
I didn't get a chance to go to Science World as a youngster but bringing my own kid as a grown up is just as awesome seeing the fun she is having through her eyes.
My only comparable experience was when I was in Grade 7 and it was already beginning to feel a little too juvenile for me. I do remember all the neat gadgets and machines and they still do have the originals now along with new things too. However, some of the more interesting machines like the brainwave's player were not working.
They just opened a new play area space for toddlers. Right now they have water machines, huge stackable building blocks, a playground set, interactive computers, and a lot of space for the kid to run around. It's a toddler/child paradise!
Of course, if you have the time never forget to check out the Omnimax theater for their larger than life films. I would first check Science World online to find out what exhibits and films are showing and see if they interest you otherwise it may not be worth going.
Right now they are showcasing Extreme Dinosaurs and in a few weeks time they are going to show a Legoland exhibit. Cool stuff!
One great thing about coming here as a parent is that you can either pack your own lunch and have it anywhere in the complex or go to their Snack bar or White Spot cafe and you can have a decent lunch there also. -
Review from Theresa W.
Vancouver, BC
2/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Worth a one-time experience, despite it's steep $25 per person price.. Since its renovation, it's gotten some additional space, but until they fill it up I don't think I can justify heading back. The exhibits don't change very often, but if you've never been or haven't been in a really long time, the stuff on the first floor is SO much fun. It's obviously meant for kids, but adults are just big kids (don't pretend, you know it's true).
Pretty sure you could spend an entire afternoon there exploring. The current dinosaur exhibit is also pretty interesting, though a lot of little kids seemed really scared by it, so if you have young'uns you've been warned! -
Review from Gina I.
11/26/2011
What to do when your boyfriend is working and you're left in charge of his children? And your friend comes from Abbotsford with her kid? Right, Science World! Rainy day.. perfect idea right?
WRONG. How awful of them to charge you full price when most of the 'exhibits' and areas are closed. Oh let's pay for the kids to play in Kidspace?? And the Dino exhibit? Cool looking dino's, but small and lame exhibit.
So disappointed. In fact, I hope someone from Science World reads this. $57.00 for 2 kids and I. I could have, like, bought shoes!
I wish I could get my money back. They should close it down until everything is opened properly, because I just can't fathom spending that amount of money again.
Lame, Science World, laaaaaaaaaaaame. -
Review from Realtor Darius D.
Vancouver, BC
Ok, I really like Science World....but I'm not a fan of the price of admission. I understand that they aren't highly funded and therefore understand why they must charge what they do. I'm not sure that I agree with the model though. I think that if they charged a nominal fee, maybe even on a per-attraction basis (they have a lego area, a science area, an animal area etc) they would attract more people and their numbers would increase. As it is now, sometimes when I'm there it's dead. I really like the new interior they've set up....views from the kids experimentation area is absolutely gorgeous.
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Review from Siri W.
11/18/2011
I really like Science World. But then again...I'm also essentially a giant child with a little bit of money and literally no shame, so these hands on exhibits kind of make my life. I love running around this place playing with everything. One of my major complaints as an adult is I don't get to run around playing with enough crap - so, voila science world!
If I have money to burn this is good...'cause it's not really a cheap afternoon outing at $25 a pop (not including the omnimax, which is also very cool). My favourite thing has always been the shadow machine - I stay the hell away from the aging machine though. Fun when you're a kid, kind of terrifying as an adult haha.
So is it worth it? Ehhh...yes (a reluctant yes, but a yes), at least once. It's not the kind of thing you do every single weekend or anything, so if you are looking for a treat of an afternoon to go race around witcho bad kiddie self, then this is a good place. What you get for the money isn't GREAT, but it's fun if you have some extra cash kicking around.
So. That's kind of a strange endorsement, I'm aware, but it is what it is. If you have some cash and want to act like a kid, this is a good place to burn it! -
Review from Mike K.
11/6/2011
Some things to know about me before reading on: I don't have small children and have been extremely spoiled in my life, living near one of the better science museums in the world.
This place looks impressive from the outside, but upon entering the building my first impression was "Hmmm, not quite sure what the big deal is." To be fair, it was undergoing major renovations so it may be a lot better once the renovations are complete.
There are lots of hands-on activities for children here, but from an adult's perspective they seemed fairly outdated and some of them were even confusing to me (what does that say about me?). The few that seemed pretty captivating had swarms of kids all over them, of course.
I will say the dinosaur exhibit was fun and had a good message (that we're still learning a lot about dinosaurs even today), but that alone was hardly worth the price of admission. If you have kids under the age of 10 it is probably worthwhile; otherwise I would probably pass. -
Review from Glen C.
10/13/2011
We were on our last day of vacation in Vancouver. My girlfriend grew up here and mentioned we should check out Science World before heading home. She had some good experiences in the past growing up.
As we approached we noticed a lot of construction around the outside of the building. We entered into a side door that they were using for a temporary entrance, but didn't think much of it. We paid roughly $25 each for entry (full price).
We walked around the place for roughly 30 minutes. Half the exhibits were closed, there was construction around every corner we turned, dust in the air, and when we walked back to the front to ask for a refund they had no sympathy for us wasting our money.
We had no problem paying the entry fee, but the least they could have done was mention that there was construction and that some of the exhibits were closed beforehand.
I would avoid this place 100% unless there is some amazing exhibit going on that you've heard good reviews for... and wait for the construction to be completed. -
Review from Christine D.
9/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
What's the first thing you do when you are turned loose in Vancouver? The answer - go to Science World.
Ok, maybe not, but this was kind of a fun diversion. This was a quick jaunt from our hotel room and we went here (with everyone else) on a Saturday morning.
They have a real interesting dinosaur exhibit and they have controls to let kids control the movements of the large dinosaurs. I noticed this was quite hit most of the kids.
They have an Imax theatre there as well. There are also many puzzles for kids to figure out. Lots of mathematical problems for them to solve.
All in all for those of you that live in the Portland, Oregon area, the Oregon Museum of Science Industry has it over this place but still a nice stop for the kids.Listed in: Vancity
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Review from Amanda H.
Vancouver, BC
12/17/2011
We have been here a few times in the last couple of years. However, the only time we go is when I get a deal through groupon or living social. In fact, we wanted to see the Bodies exhibit so we got a VERY good deal. (That exhibit is amazing, by the way) We always enjoy spending the day here. I especially loved watching the bees in the dinosaur section. We haven't made it to the theatre yet so I can't comment on that part. We usually end up having lunch/early dinner at the cafe. It isn't the best food but it is nice to sit and watch what is going on in False creek. I can't wait to see how it looks/improves once the construction is finished. :D
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Review from Kas D.
Vancouver, BC
9/18/2011
Eh. Meh.
I've been many a time, however, today I was pretty disappointed. I don't remember the aquarium being so...well...lame? There was some games and puzzles which were ok. The dinosaur display was also "ok" (albeit somewhat disappointing). The Body Works room was seriously lacking. And the theater was playing Planet Earth (which I have at home). I guess with a $23.50 price tag I was a bit disappointed. My experience was worth maybe $10-$12....but certainly not nearly $24. That being said, it would be a fun place to take kids. I couldn't help but think that my little nephew would have a blast with some of the gizmos and gadgets. But, for the adults.....fairly mediocre at best. -
Review from Jennifer M.
5/3/2011
Totally UN-Impressed!!!! And just an FYI it is still under *MAJOR* construction. We had to jump over puddles on the walk in, and inhale the toxic aroma of paint fumes just to get to the front entrance!
Also, we only had about an hour and a half to spend, (and my child is too young to enjoy any of the science stuff,) so we only went to the Kidspace area of Science World. Therefore, my review is completely about that area, and not anything having to do with any other part of the facility, (with the exception of the entrance, construction & parking.)
Admission was $14.25 for what I'd say is the equivalent of the play area in my local shopping mall. :( BIG sad face. A miniature train that kids can operate themselves using a button and a lever, a slide, a spaceship, a thing to roll balls down, big lego blocks & foam noodles make up the "Kidspace" area of the Science Center. And in a word, I'd say: pathetic.
Everything is very dated, scroungy and boring. (I remember coming here as a kid and it seems they haven't made any updates since then - a good 20 years!) The ball thing had no balls, so I had to flag down a volunteer to let him know, and he returned with ONE ball.
Here's my suggestion - if someone just wants to visit the kidspace, you should cut admission in half, at LEAST! It was not at all worth it. Here's another suggestion, SHUT THE WHOLE THING DOWN & JUST FINISH YOUR CONSTRUCTION!
And word to the wise, you will need to pay for parking: The machine in the parking lot only accepts credit cards. There is a machine in the lobby area that accepts actual money, and you do not need to return to the car to display the receipt in the window. We paid $5 for 2 hours of parking.
All in all - it cost us $20.25 for a rather dull experience. -
Review from Sandra T.
Toronto, ON
2/2/2011 1 photo
Although the center was currently under renovations when we visited and a lot of the exhibits were closed, we had SOOOOOOOO much fun!
There was a lot to keep us adults occupied on the first floor. There are about 5 - 6 tables of extremely (well, to us) challenging puzzles. We could have spent all day there trying to solve the puzzles if we could. There was also a stage with different shows/ demonstrations. We came in time to catch the very last show of the day - a mix of demonstrations - smoke rings, firing of foam balls using air pressure, lighting things on fire, etc. The guy running the show was young, energetic and very engaging. The kids in the audience were laughing and having so much fun :)
On the second floor - of what was opened - there were a lot of "chuck e cheese" type games i.e., rolling the balls on a ramp to knock down viruses, rolling balls into holes to make your commuter win the race, putting together a skeleton before it pops on you, an aging machine, etc. It was a lot of fun!!!!
My only regret is we came too late and only spent about 2 hours there ...
What a great place to bring your kids or even have an adult date day.
We came on a weekday afternoon so we didn't have to wait too long (if any at all) for our turns at different stations but I can see how this place could get crowded on a weekend.
Love, love, love, love, love this place!!! :)Listed in: Mommy Stuff
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Review from Toshi I.
5/10/2011
We all received a discount since the center was being renovated so the 3rd floor is closed. However, the place is very spread out. I got to try some interesting exhibits like aging your face 20 years or so. Downright scary.... Then I checked out the symetry of my face. Images were doubled on each side. My right side doubled resembled primitive cave woman. My left side doubled looked like something out of Avatar!
Around 3 pmish, there were hordes of school aged children pouring in, so we left in time. Be sure to check out the IMAX theatre. We missed the only showing but caught another freebie flick on natural disasters.
There's a cute area for toddlers to play in and whole section on parasites. Nice segue to the question about food. There's a Triple O's located inside. Check out the sweet potato fries. See my other review.
I ended up not buying anything in the shop but at the airport, I spotted another Science World store and purchased 2 dino tees for baby for just 10 bucks!
Great place to check out on a rainy day in Vancouver (and there are plenty of them) -
Review from Mandy C.
11/21/2010
Disclaimer: I think more than half of this place was currently under renovation when we visited. However, the silver dome thing was too irresistible to miss.
The exhibit being shown was Body Worlds. I saw Bodies The Exhibition when it came to Seattle so I knew what to expect. Body Worlds was smaller but interesting. It makes you think and I felt a bit exhausted after emerging from it. The kids seemed to have fun running around and I will mention that they have a giant cheeseburger in the play area. It's random.
We ate at the only food joint inside, Triple O's, which is Canadian fast food. It served its purpose but giving us sustenance but the highlight has to have been the poutine. It's fast food fries slopped with gravy and cheese curds. Why can't America have that?? I ask you. -
Review from Stacy B.
10/18/2010 3 photos
We just wanted to see the IMAX movie dealing with the inner workings of the human body; therefore we were pleased they knocked down the museum price, considering most of it was under construction, and therefore unaccessible. We weren't please by the attitude we encountered when we didn't want to pay the upcharge to see the Bodies exhibit. You needn't ask us three times ("Are you SURE....?"); it's only going to annoy me and make me write about you on Yelp. Geesh.
Great IMAX theatre...the dome shape gives you the feeling that you are IN the movie. Nice touch. -
Review from Anne W.
Vancouver, BC
12/20/2009
I've been to this Science Centre a couple of times with my kids and we all agree. it's terrible. Embarrassingly terrible.
Love the spherical building as it really stands out in an iconic way. Unfortunately, the exhibits/activities within don't live up to the architecture.
The meager displays are often out of service which is a huge disappointment when you're paying full price to get in.
There is only one room, imo, that is interesting/fun and that's Eureka. There is enough going on in that display to engage kids (and adults) for a good while. Too bad the rest of the building wasn't similarly thought out.
I also think the price of admission should include the Omnimax show or, at the very least, provide a discount.
Perhaps I've been jaded by my numerous visits to the Ontario Science Centre. -
Review from Ian W.
11/18/2008
Science World is a fun place for little kids and big kids like myself! I visited this museum recently and I had a great time. The base general admission was on the pricey side at $17.75 (adult).
This three level museum has a circular layout and offers plenty of hands-on/interactive exhibits (more like stations), plus an OmniMax Theatre (extra charge) on the third floor. The various exhibits/displays cover the human body, plants, water, light, sound, electricity, physics, transportation, music, natural history, and fossils.
Throughout the day, various science demonstrations take place on the center stage on the first floor and kids can volunteer and participate in the demos, pretty neat, eh! The science theatre on the second floor shows a rotating schedule of interesting educational films such as Walking With Dinosaurs, Beavers, Water under Fire, and Creatures plus there's a snack bar next to the theatre to grab some popcorn, cotton candy, and cold refreshments. For the kids, there's also a Kidspace area to make science even more fun.
I spent about half a day here and enjoyed the interactive internal human body (placing organs in the correct place), the contraption center (build your own inventions), giant lever, speed & accuracy test with the hockey stick and ball, and the "whack the wasters" game (similar to Whack-A-Mole). I felt a bit out of place since the museum was mobbed with energetic youngsters on a Saturday. A big kid can have fun too! -
Review from Anita T.
Toronto, ON
9/11/2008
Oh Science World. How I absolutely LOVED coming here as a kid... and now, even as an adult - it's a treat! It brings you back to your youth as you learn cool new facts, and play with fancy gadgets and gizmos!
My favorite part of Science World is in the music room.. I heart the BIG PIANO that you play by stepping on the keys - and the keys light up when you step on them!! I also really love watching movies on the Omnimax theatre that makes up the unique globe atop of Science World. It makes you feel like you are actually in the movie/documentary that they are showing - whether it be an African Safari or an underwater adventure - the Omnimax is definitely sure NOT to disappoint! -
Review from Alli D.
8/27/2009
I'm going to pretend I'm not as big of a nerd as I actually am by claiming that I went here to do research for my job as a science teacher. Because, let's be real, this place was designed with kids in mind. But that doesn't mean I didn't have a hoot playing with all the mind-teaser puzzles, the water feature, the special exhibition on phobias, the brain wave tug-of-war*, or the wheelchair races*.
Kind of expensive to get in, but well worth it. Just leave your adult mindset at the door.
*Be careful. Your brain muscles will be sore the next day.
**So will your wheelchair muscles.Listed in: The Couv
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Review from Chloë E.
Vancouver, BC
11/21/2008
Science World is a dream for anyone in the charge of children -- floors of entertaining things for kids to push, press, pull, sound, yell at, swing, bounce... you get the point.
Go early and make a full day of it for the admission price. Be sure to join in for the activities and not just watch. There's lots to learn for grown ups too.
As great as a massive screen is, don't be wooed by the Omnimax unless you're really into something that's playing there. We were disappointed with "Greece: Secrets of the Past" that lacked any of the promised secrets. But that's a tangent on the movie not the theater. -
Review from Simon R.
BC
12/12/2008 1 photo
While the name of this place has recently adopted a brazenly corporate pseudonym (Telus World of Science), everyone in the city continues to refer to it under its previous name of Science World.
Generally occupied by families, and couples pretending to be there for the novelty but secretly gauging their partner's ability to interact with children, Science World is the fun and clever venue in Vancouver designed to confuse and amaze people of all ages.
There are timeless classical set-ups like the slanted room that makes small people seem tall, and the hollowed out tree trunk upstairs next to the wall of bees. But it is the rotating series of featured attractions that make Science World worth revisiting. Such displays have included the predictable type of rooms like "big things made out of Lego", but have also been host to controversial phenomenon, like "Bodyworks", the series of skinned dead corpses embalmed with wax.
Sometimes huge corporations rent the space for overnight staff parties, and their lucky employees get to run around, dance, and drink from an open bar. But mostly it's about educating children to how helium works, and doing hourly presentations where they shatter things after they've been covered in liquid nitrogen. -
Review from Rich W.
6/24/2010
This is truly an AMAZING place!
We arrived about noon, and stayed until they closed at 5 (with a brief detour for lunch - they stamp your hands for in-and-out privileges). We could have stayed much longer.
The first floor has enough to keep you occupied for a LONG time. Many puzzles and exhibits. I was truly amazed that the little pieces of the various puzzles didn't "walk away" - whether intentionally or not... nothing is chained down in any way.
We spent so much time on the first floor that we didn't even realize that most of the museum is really upstairs! Had to rush through that part.
The only part I would bypass is the natural history room - a few live and stuffed animals, but nothing to "write home about".
Definitely worth a look, and worth the admission price! -
Review from Reena M.
7/14/2009
I consider myself to be a science geek. And being a scientist, when I go to a science museum I want things to be explained to me. What causes that? Why do certain reactions occur the way they do? At science world, it is very interactive so I will give it props for that. However, they explain the reasons or causes for nothing! :( And I don't see and scientists around whom I can ask why things occur. Some of the things in the exhibits I don't even understand why it's in the "science museum" because it doesn't seem science-y. Which is why they should have more explanation!
I went to a science museum in Valencia, Spain and it was so much more exciting! Very interactive. And everything was explained well enough for both a science-y and non-science-y person to understand, and not dumbed down either. Plus, it was fun! i.e. there was a Marvel Comics superheroes exhibit that explained the "scientific nature" of the superhero powers etc. This is what a science museum should be like. Interactive and descriptive. -
Review from Noa G.
Vancouver, BC
10/21/2008
Science World is a great place for kids, young and old alike. Enjoy hands-on exhibits that teach about light, sound, physics, biology, meteorology, and music (take a stroll across the giant keyboard!). The centre's Search Gallery lets you (if you fit!) crawl through a beaver lodge and observe tree roots hanging from the ceiling as you learn about British Columbia's natural history.
The Science World complex includes the Omnimax Theater, which features films on a variety of subjects, including Antarctica, a Pacific Rim volcano, and the history of transportation. -
Review from Maria K.
12/2/2009
This is a fun place for the kiddos that also manages to amuse the adults. We took our nephews here after the so-so trip to the aquarium, and they loved it. The second floor is particularly fun, and though our nephews are too young to understand the science behind it, it was nice to see them figure out by themselves how some of the stations work. For the countless hours that the kids could spend here and end up just exhausted enough to nap all the way back, we didn't think this place was too expensive.
Didn't see a place to eat a meal (other than the snack bars), so minus one star. But otherwise, well worth it. -
Review from Alan H.
Vancouver, BC
2/23/2011
Prices should be discounted when they're under renovation! Half the exhibits aren't there - it's like they've went through all the rooms and randomly removed half the exhibits, even though the room itself doesn't appear to be under renovation, leaving big gaps all over the place. Left feeling pretty ripped off! They should just close for a month and do their renovations.
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Review from Michelle O.
1/9/2011
Been a few years since I was there but the times I have been there it was cool and kids LOVE it!!
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Review from A E.
12/14/2008 2 photos
Just about the only place on earth where I don't mind screaming little monstrosities (read: kids) because I am too engrossed in the interactive exhibits that introduce us to the wonderful world of science.
From the infrared camera, MD Escher's optical illusions, and base drums that mirror your very own heartbeat to the exhibitions du jour of Orbis Pictus and Fossils, Fin and Fangs, Science World is definitely a way to make often-dreaded middle school science classes less painful.
When the time comes for me to have my own little monstrosity, places like this would be where I spend my hard-earned money buying annual membership for. -
Review from Judy L.
8/7/2008
Just a hop, skip, and jump away from the Skytrain. IMAX theater, beehive, live entertainment shows with real enthusiastic people. Great place for the kiddies to go wild, while enjoying the beauty of life science and natural history. Its just a bit on the pricey side to get in. Check out your entertainment books for a discount.
Listed in: Oh Canada! Vancouver Canada!
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Review from Nadine N.
Vancouver, BC
10/22/2008
If you've been avoiding Science World because you're afraid that it'll be overrun with kids, I have some good news for you. Check out the adults only night. You won't have kids cutting in front of you and you can have a beer while checking out the hands on exhibits.
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Review from Hoa Q.
3/3/2009
The museum was smaller on the inside than it looked from the outside. Once inside, we found interactive, educational activities that were geared towards children. It had been a long time since I had been to a science museum, so I had lots of fun. If you like the Exploratorium in San Francisco and the Discovery Museum in San Jose, you'll also find your inner child here.
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Review from Esther Y.
8/29/2008 14 photos
Fun place even for a big kid like me! ;D Three floors of hands on interactive exhibits. I liked the Shadow room...the optical illusion stuff...the music stuff...I think this place could rival the Exploratorium in San Francisco. There was also a special Disney exhibit when I went this summer (Summer 2008). Highly recommended even though it's a bit on the expensive side.
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Review from David L.
12/8/2009
Admission price is expensive and they display the same old stuff from the 1980's!!!! There's nothing to be excited about unless you're 5 years old. I only recommend Science World to elementary school students or grade 8 to 9 high school students.
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Review from Mathieu Y.
Vancouver, BC
1/27/2010
I still think the demonstrations of liquid nitrogen and the vandograph machine are fun, but the rest of this place are old discovery channel showings and simple, slightly science oriented toys. You can play eccentric instruments and shoot hockey pucks at a screen, but its easy to get bored with the science in under an hour.
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Review from Mercedes G.
Vancouver, BC
9/12/2008
Who doesn't love Science World?! With 3 floors of exhibit mayhem, you'll be as tired out as the legions of small folks running about uncontrollably! We had a grand time, particularly during the Omnimax Theatre presentation on Australia, a place I long to go and have for some time. The hands-on exhibits are good fun...assuming you can get at them before a 4 foot banshee rips in front of you and steals your spot. Okay I like kids, but if you're going to Science World without one in tow, I would suggest checking out Adult Nights on Thursdays, no kiddies allowed, so you can handle all you want without having to hold back from shoving someone 20 years your junior, an action generally frowned upon!
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Review from Mike O.
Port Moody, BC
9/3/2008
If you've seen the movie Big starring Tom Hanks, then you'll remember the scene where he dances on top of a giant piano key pad. If you've ever wanted to do that, you have about a week left at the Vancouver Science World. The Music Behind the Magic exhibit is on until September 7th and it's a lot of fun. I took my nephew there last week and he had a great time... and so did I. I thought they would prevent adults from recreating the sound effects from actual Disney movies or participating in the Disney game show, but they didn't. (I'm thinking maybe it was because I was a 212 pound kid that didn't/wouldn't take no for an answer).
I love science world. Ever since I was young(er), I loved going to the Omnimax theatre to watch a movie on the giant screen. There's a tour of the Grand Canyon on right now that shows you a side of the world wonder like you've never seen. My nephew and I snuck into the Dinosaurs Alive movie and it scared the crap out of him.
It's kinda pricey to get in. At $20 for an adult and about $15 for your kid, but it's worth the day.
And if you happen to make it to the music exhibit, don't try and play the same song from the movie unless you know it well. Guess who looked like a big goof when he got the note totally wrong? -
Review from quincy l.
Vancouver, BC
2/22/2009
too kids-oriented. too many interactive exhibits instead of informative ones. personally, there should be way more science in science world.
saw the omnimax film, little gimmick. again, not informative enough.
may be i am too much of geek, informations in science world is underwhelming.
