Discovery Centre
Discovery Centre
4
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The Discovery Centre is now open in its brand new state-of-the-art 40,000 sq. ft. facility located at 1215 Lower Water Street, a short walk from the beautiful Halifax Waterfront. Featuring four floors of interactive, learning experiences including an Innovation Lab and Featured Exhibit Gallery that invites traveling exhibits 3-4 times a year. The new Discovery Centre facilitates its not-for-profit mission to bring STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) to life through fun, interactive learning experiences to inspire the curious minds of all ages.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
340 reviews
Excellent
171
Very good
99
Average
44
Poor
19
Terrible
7
Meander545372
Moncton, Canada7 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
the trick is quickly done, especially with a 15 year old teenager. Nothing interesting for a teenager, yet I asked the reception if it was for young children, I was told no. But that's not true, so I paid $ 48 for 1 hour. it is good for young children.
Written August 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SilverOrlov
Bedford, Canada2,495 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
In fact, this is a very interesting place for children, where on 4 floors in sum you can learn interesting sides about things like different types of energy, or about the hockey. There is a small cafeteria and a room where children can do different things, which I called for myself “teaching a child to love science.” But in my opinion the price is higher than normal. Let’s just say that either there is a need for more space with something more interesting, or the price is a little lower. In my opinion it’s too much now.
Written June 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Orion A
1 contribution
Feb 2023 • Family
OK spot for kids. It is overpriced and unfortunately you have to pay extra for the dome experience. So we paid 62 bucks (5 people) for the centre entrance fee plus it would have been another 25 ( 5 per person)for the dome. Its insane to think that an average family can afford this. We did not do the dome so can't speak on that experience. Not overly clean and some of the interactive displays do not work properly. Not a lot of activities for the price. No parking at the facility makes things aggravating and adds at least 10 bucks to the day. I love museums but this is a disappointment. Save your money and go take your kids to Ross Farm in New Ross.
Written February 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vensure1
Ottawa, Canada284 contributions
Aug 2022
What a wonderful science museum! Our daughters absolutely loved it. They were enthralled by the oceanography exhibits, as they have a keen interest in nature and the seas - it really brings that part of the world to life. The play submarine in the basement has some really intricate designs and stuff too. My girls also enjoyed the flight simulator and learning all about the human body systems. You will find something to appeal to everyone's taste for science and there's never a boring moment.
Written September 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catonic
Halifax, Canada21 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
If you haven’t gone to the new Discovery Centre in Halifax, my opinion is that it’s a waste of money. It cost $36.80 for myself and my 7-year-old niece, and it was basically a Nova Scotia Power display. NS Power owns the building and it shows. Very little there that wasn’t about electricity and energy. Hardly anything in the way of creativity. It’s not being kept up like a new building should be, and all the fun things to do from the old Discovery Centre have disappeared. She and I were both very bored with it. Very disappointed. Also, 2 small drinks and 2 cookies at the cafe was over $9. Very expensive experience, and certainly not worth the almost $50 I spent.
Written April 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
B0bNM
Fredericton, Canada127 contributions
Oct 2020
The Discovery Centre was recommended to us by our children and grand-children as a good place to visit in Halifax. Although we are seniors, we had an excellent time and really enjoyed spending the morning “playing” with circuit boards, rockets, wind tunnels, etc. We especially enjoyed the exhibit "Joy.” It was fun to take silly photos and be a kid again. My husband had a turn at the flight simulator which was very realistic. Although we crash-landed, we magically survived without injury!! After our visit, we enjoyed a cup of tea in the upstairs cafe. Loved the lights that change colour and the musical stairs on the way up!
Written November 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janice H
Truro, Canada23 contributions
Jul 2021
My daughter, granddaughter and I went to the Discovery Centre on Friday but didn't stay very long. Although there was lots of signage and instruction, Covid protocols were not being enforced! Children were not staying with their groups, running around as usual and several not wearing masks. We also saw several adults with masks off to talk on their cell phones. I mentioned this to staff but nothing was done. None of the surfaced were being wiped off after use - they only time we saw any sanitizing was the trapeze at the end of the butterfly exhibit. Very disappointing!!!
Written July 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tshep42
Halifax, Canada4,168 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
We’ve taken our now 5 year old grandson here a bunch of times over the years and he always has a great time. Place is very large. There is a decent souvenir/toy shop on the first floor. Older kids would like it as well. Plan to spend 2-3 hours. We usually have found parking at the lot right across the street which is free on weekends.
Written July 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nathan Porteous
Winnipeg, Canada1 contribution
May 2023
It's ok. A few of the cool exhibits were not working. I took a 9 year old and she was a bit old for it and the oldest kid there. We still made the best of it but took in the entire thing in 40 minutes and that was looking at everything. There's really not a lot to it.
Written May 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MKJLR
Canada168 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Wow! This place is absolutely amazing! I have never seen a place with so many hands-on exhibits. The "Discovery" Centre is the perfect name. Our 4 and 8 year old were entertained for hours (and so were we!).
Families, add this one to your Halifax list for sure.
Families, add this one to your Halifax list for sure.
Written August 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If adults only: Top level (Kid careers inspiration) takes about 15-20min to walk around and experience some of the kid fun stuff. Then walk down the musical stairs to 3rd level between 30 sec to 5 mins (depend on how many songs you wanna play out - just like the Big floor piano in the movie - Big!
2nd (main level) & 3rd level will each takes about 30-60 mins depend how detail you go through the floor. Also they have the dome theatre so add on another 45mins.
1st floor (basement) which is their special exhibition with some science stuff. It was Games History when I was there... that is totally depend on how many time you wanna repeat some of the fun stuff... I spent like 2 hrs just for the exhibition part. Then found the 3D printer so amazing and chit chat with the workers for about an hour asking about it!
So that’s alone took me about 5-6 hrs. Recommend to prepare a whole day thing, so you won’t rush through any parts. (I was visiting Halifax, but if you live there, suggest to get membership card and can have fun all the times!)
Written September 4, 2018
What is the cost?
What is the recommended age range?
Written July 13, 2018
Brenna H
Halifax, Canada
Hi there, the cost is $12+hst for adults, $10+hst for kids (ages 3-17), and kids 2 years of age and under are free. The Centre attracts people from all age groups, with different galleries for each age.
Written July 13, 2018
Hello All,
I have 3 children ages 7, 10, and 11 and am considering going to the Discovery Centre. Many reviews claim that it's good for younger kids. I'm not sure if my 10 and 11 year olds would enjoy this? Please advise? Also, how many hours should I allot for this place?
Thanks.
Written May 23, 2017
Hi Toronto01234. Of course each family is different but I can say that I went there with 2 adults and 3 children aged 12, 13 and 17. They all enjoyed it. Spent a lot of time in the music section and the Innovatiob Lab. We spent 2 hours and a half there. Depends on the interests of your children of course.
Written May 23, 2017
What were the originals call letters of the Piper Cub on the Flight Floor?
Written March 19, 2017
Is this a question on the Discovery Centre?? If so, I'm sorry, I have no idea.
Written March 20, 2017
Due to the location of the business youll have to use alternative parking. The business is located on a corner of a sidewalk with no rear parking. So you have a choice to find parking near the waterfront/ fairy terminal area or the under parking at Scoita Square mall parking. Both are only a 5 min walk to the business.
Written July 29, 2016
My son has autism not sure if he would like it or not is there attractions for special needs children? And is the rate adjusted at all?
Written July 18, 2015
Renee F
Halifax, Canada
Hello and thanks for the inquiry. I would recommend coming at a time that is less busy - early mornings or on Wednesday night. If he finds it to be overwhelming we can certainly give you a refund. I hope this helps.
Written July 18, 2015
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