COSI Center of Science and Industry
COSI Center of Science and Industry
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
COSI, the #1 Science Museum in the Country as voted by USA Today’s 10Best, is an esteemed science center that has delighted Central Ohio, with all things science for 58 years, inspiring interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topics and delivering our experiential, "hands-on fun" brand of learning. As a trusted educational resource for families, schools and community partners, COSI is an essential element of our community, engaging more than one million people annually through onsite, offsite and online experiences.
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764 within 3 miles
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See what travelers are saying
- taylorsatteAshland, Ohio258 contributionsLove it!COSI is a really cool pace to visit. The exhibits are really cool for people of all ages, not just kids. We came after hours for the Columbus Brew Festival and I HIGHLY recommend this. We had so much fun. It was pretty busy, but I recommend the VIP tickets. For the first hour, the lines were reasonable and we got to see all of the exhibits that we wanted to. After they let the GA tickets in it got much more crowded and the lines for drinks got a lot longer. Either way, we really enjoyed ourselves and will definitely be going back.Visited March 2022Written July 12, 2022
- KZ BShaker Heights, Ohio325 contributionsInteresting and worth a visitLots of hands on exhibits. Well organized and spacious. Great for small kids. Visited with my adult son & had a good time. The only drawback is that the cafe closed at 3pm - a full 2 hours before the rest of COSIVisited October 2021Written October 17, 2021
- bree sGirard, Ohio112 contributions2 families spending a hot day indoorsIt was a first time trip for many in our group. There were many rooms to explore and we did not see it all. We spent 4 hours there including lunch time. It was a perfect way to spend a hot summer day. We had discounted tickets but lunch for 2 kids and 1 adult cost $47. The parking was extra but right on the property.Visited July 2022Traveled with familyWritten August 2, 2022
- Classic CountryColumbus, Ohio172 contributionsWon’t be back. Likely…. ForeverThis has become another tourist trap with NUMEROUS “static” stations where you just read about something. (Like Ripleys Believe It or. Not” Who wants to pay $25/adult to read signs about a picture all while dealing with kids brought in by a school without even considering how they need to learn respect for adultsVisited October 2022Traveled as a coupleWritten October 21, 2022
- Porthos7West Chester, Ohio6,274 contributionsWOW!What an incredibly cool place! Part museum, part history, part play area, part science...all fun and fun for all ages ! Don't go when it's crowded - and you'll need about 2-3 hours to get everything in! Teachers get discounts, and is handicap accessible. Go have fun!Visited October 2022Traveled as a coupleWritten October 6, 2022
- Mrs. RomenceGrand Rapids, Michigan106 contributionsAwesome STEAM MuseumIf you haven't been to this museum before then you are missing out! What a treasure this place is! My only wish is that we lived closer so that we could experience this more! There is so much to do, we could have easily stayed the entire day at this place. The museum is set up into two parts: the science/technology part and the natural history part. We started with the science part and eventually worked our way over to the natural history. We went on a Saturday and it was very busy, however it did not stop us from having fun. Some of the awesome highlights include: *sitting inside a small submarine *working a remote controlled submarine robot *creating your own sea creatures on an interactive graphic design computer *shooting water fountains at a Poseidon sea adventure *creating a water tunnel out of PVC piping *sitting inside a space shuttle *visiting gigantic dinosaurs *dressing up as construction workers and getting to build things with foam blocks And there is seriously so much more! This place rocks! One suggestion to is bring your own lunch (I wish that we had!) because the cafe line was very long at lunchtime and the lunch choices were expensive. If you have kids interested in science, technology, and natural history then this is the place to visit if you are in Columbus. We are so excited for our next trip to Columbus to visit COSI!Visited July 2023Written July 18, 2023
- Amy S6 contributionsGreat museumFantastic science museum. Even our older teens got into it and loved the experience. The only negative was the planetarium. No museum staff were overseeing it and multiple times groups entered the room loudly, interrupting the experience.Visited June 2023Traveled with familyWritten June 28, 2023
- John R3 contributionsGreat museumI visited COSI as a kid in 1981 when visiting Columbus and wanted to take my kids back to the same museum I thoroughly enjoyed. I still remember getting a small plastic magnifying souvenir full of Mt St Helen's ash from the eruption in 1980! Although they are in a different building now, the museum is as great as I remembered it. We spent 5 hours there, but could've easily spent a little more time if they weren't closing for the day.Visited October 2022Written October 17, 2022
- Travelmunky16West Virginia88 contributionsCOSI has so much to see and do. Great visit!Being new to Ohio and having a little one we were excited to get her out and explore Columbus. We decided to visit COSI and had the best time. There is so much to see and do and our little one (16 months) had so much fun exploring everything. She loved all of the hands on exhibits, the kids area, and the dinosaurs! (Not sure if the dinosaurs are year round) Definitely worth it and we will be going back!Visited July 2021Traveled with familyWritten July 11, 2021
- gottcokeHemet, California618 contributionsExpensive foodTook our 8 year old grandson here for his early birthday. We all had a good time and enjoyed doing most of the things. There were a couple things closed because of covid but most things were open and working. The only thing that sucked was that the food is expensive and of bad quality. We didn’t finish anything because it was not good. Would return with other grandkids if the time comes.Visited September 2021Traveled with familyWritten September 2, 2021
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,472 reviews
Excellent
869
Very good
375
Average
157
Poor
54
Terrible
17
Classic Country
Columbus, OH172 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
This has become another tourist trap with NUMEROUS “static” stations where you just read about something. (Like Ripleys Believe It or. Not”
Who wants to pay $25/adult to read signs about a picture all while dealing with kids brought in by a school without even considering how they need to learn respect for adults
Who wants to pay $25/adult to read signs about a picture all while dealing with kids brought in by a school without even considering how they need to learn respect for adults
Written October 22, 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.
Porthos7
West Chester, OH6,274 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
What an incredibly cool place! Part museum, part history, part play area, part science...all fun and fun for all ages ! Don't go when it's crowded - and you'll need about 2-3 hours to get everything in! Teachers get discounts, and is handicap accessible. Go have fun!
Written October 6, 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.
Mrs. Romence
Grand Rapids, MI106 contributions
Jul 2023
If you haven't been to this museum before then you are missing out! What a treasure this place is! My only wish is that we lived closer so that we could experience this more! There is so much to do, we could have easily stayed the entire day at this place. The museum is set up into two parts: the science/technology part and the natural history part. We started with the science part and eventually worked our way over to the natural history. We went on a Saturday and it was very busy, however it did not stop us from having fun. Some of the awesome highlights include:
*sitting inside a small submarine
*working a remote controlled submarine robot
*creating your own sea creatures on an interactive graphic design computer
*shooting water fountains at a Poseidon sea adventure
*creating a water tunnel out of PVC piping
*sitting inside a space shuttle
*visiting gigantic dinosaurs
*dressing up as construction workers and getting to build things with foam blocks
And there is seriously so much more! This place rocks! One suggestion to is bring your own lunch (I wish that we had!) because the cafe line was very long at lunchtime and the lunch choices were expensive. If you have kids interested in science, technology, and natural history then this is the place to visit if you are in Columbus.
We are so excited for our next trip to Columbus to visit COSI!
*sitting inside a small submarine
*working a remote controlled submarine robot
*creating your own sea creatures on an interactive graphic design computer
*shooting water fountains at a Poseidon sea adventure
*creating a water tunnel out of PVC piping
*sitting inside a space shuttle
*visiting gigantic dinosaurs
*dressing up as construction workers and getting to build things with foam blocks
And there is seriously so much more! This place rocks! One suggestion to is bring your own lunch (I wish that we had!) because the cafe line was very long at lunchtime and the lunch choices were expensive. If you have kids interested in science, technology, and natural history then this is the place to visit if you are in Columbus.
We are so excited for our next trip to Columbus to visit COSI!
Written July 18, 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.
Amy S
6 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Fantastic science museum. Even our older teens got into it and loved the experience. The only negative was the planetarium. No museum staff were overseeing it and multiple times groups entered the room loudly, interrupting the experience.
Written June 28, 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.
John R
3 contributions
Oct 2022
I visited COSI as a kid in 1981 when visiting Columbus and wanted to take my kids back to the same museum I thoroughly enjoyed. I still remember getting a small plastic magnifying souvenir full of Mt St Helen's ash from the eruption in 1980! Although they are in a different building now, the museum is as great as I remembered it. We spent 5 hours there, but could've easily spent a little more time if they weren't closing for the day.
Written October 17, 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.
Travelmunky16
West Virginia88 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Being new to Ohio and having a little one we were excited to get her out and explore Columbus. We decided to visit COSI and had the best time.
There is so much to see and do and our little one (16 months) had so much fun exploring everything. She loved all of the hands on exhibits, the kids area, and the dinosaurs! (Not sure if the dinosaurs are year round)
Definitely worth it and we will be going back!
There is so much to see and do and our little one (16 months) had so much fun exploring everything. She loved all of the hands on exhibits, the kids area, and the dinosaurs! (Not sure if the dinosaurs are year round)
Definitely worth it and we will be going back!
Written July 11, 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.
gottcoke
Hemet, CA618 contributions
Sep 2021 • Family
Took our 8 year old grandson here for his early birthday. We all had a good time and enjoyed doing most of the things. There were a couple things closed because of covid but most things were open and working. The only thing that sucked was that the food is expensive and of bad quality. We didn’t finish anything because it was not good. Would return with other grandkids if the time comes.
Written September 2, 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.
Rae Ann H
Hartford City, IN257 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
I would not take a teen here unless there is a special exhibit. I took my 14 yr old grandson to the Marvel's exhibit. We both enjoyed this exhibit. The rest of the museum was geared to younger kids.
The souvenirs were outrageous in cost.
The souvenirs were outrageous in cost.
Written March 23, 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.
Dede K
141 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
If you have not been to the Columbus Center of Science and Industry, it is worth the trip! Loads of fun and learning all in one place! Our favorite areas were “The Ocean” which was so over the top that I felt like I was at DisneyWorld’s Epcot! Progress was another area we fell in love with! Reminiscent of 2 eras of movie sets making up a difference in the same street many years apart. Things to do inside a few of the buildings made you feel like you were a part of those times! Interest around every corner. An amazing place!!
Written June 28, 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.
Amanda JBD
49 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
COSI was amazing! I took my 11 & 13 yr old daughters and we were there from Noon-5pm and still didn’t see everything. Their hands on exhibits were interesting and engaging and they found a way to keep visitors engaged and having fun the entire time.
Their “Meet the Innovators” exhibit featured lots of hands on activities that involved cars, engines, transmissions, etc. and the girls had a lot of fun and were very interested in how things worked and what they did.
The “Animation Academy” exhibit they currently have was so much fun. It took me back to my childhood and the kids had fun checking out the backdrops, answering the quiz questions, and seeing how it was all done before computers.
We will definitely be making another trip soon to see all that we missed.
Their “Meet the Innovators” exhibit featured lots of hands on activities that involved cars, engines, transmissions, etc. and the girls had a lot of fun and were very interested in how things worked and what they did.
The “Animation Academy” exhibit they currently have was so much fun. It took me back to my childhood and the kids had fun checking out the backdrops, answering the quiz questions, and seeing how it was all done before computers.
We will definitely be making another trip soon to see all that we missed.
Written August 1, 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.
If you get food assistance what choice do you pic and for military does a drivers license work with the military stamp on back ?
da120757
Middletown, OH143 contributions
I am bringing two 9 year olds what is your policy on bringing a backpack with water bottles and snacks? thank you
occams-razor
Antioch, IL89 contributions
what is the fee for parking in their lot?
MrsBray2218
Kentucky227 contributions
The cost to park was $6 for the day.
NorthStar647270
Toledo, OH
I have a 9 month is there something to do at COSI
Melissa Sarver
Columbus, OH4 contributions
We do have a little bit of everything for everyone. Specifically for our very young guests we have an exhibit called littlekidspace which is geared for birth - 1st grade. Please let us know if you have any other questions. COSI Call Center 614-228-2674 ext. 0
How much does it cost for children under the age of 10?
Buckeye girl
13 contributions
It's $20 for General admission for ages 2-12. That will grant you access to a lot of different things. If you want access to the special exhibits it's $35. However, I would look at the membership prices if you ever plan on going back or going to any of the other museums in the group. By the time you pay for a one day admission you could pay a little more and have membership for a year. Membership is not only granted at COSI. Look at the list of other places you can go with your COSI membership. It's definitely worth it if you ever plan on revisiting or going other places. We had one for years when my kids were younger and loved all the different things we got to experience! Hope this helps! Have fun!
Nicte V
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Im 21 and my boyfriend 23 we are planning to make a visit here, we want to know if it is just kids oriented or we will enjoy the exhibitions as well?
travelingenigma
Columbus, OH488 contributions
it's great even as adults! they even once a month do a 21 a d up only night and that is the best because no kids are allowed, but if you can't time your visit with that you will still enjoy and learn from your visit at a normal time. it's a great place.
lindaklembara
Fort Thomas, KY2 contributions
How young is COSI appropriate for?
Catherine B
Lewis Center, OH13 contributions
Greetings, our little fella was four years old. There were smaller children in certain areas but I think anything below three would just me observing rather than participating except in the water play area.
marilynklingshirn
Alpena, MI
what are current admission rates? any "hidden" charges? ..parking fees?
David S
Lexington, KY68 contributions
There was a charge for 4 "extra" things to do (movie, motion ride, explore adventure, planetarium, unicycle) these are like $4 each or a wrist band to do all but unicycle for $15, parking was free
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Claim your listingCOSI Center of Science and Industry (Columbus) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about COSI Center of Science and Industry
- COSI Center of Science and Industry is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- We recommend booking COSI Center of Science and Industry tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 COSI Center of Science and Industry tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near COSI Center of Science and Industry:
- (0.09 mi) The Junto
- (0.31 mi) Hotel LeVeque, Autograph Collection
- (0.47 mi) Residence Inn by Marriott Columbus Downtown
- (0.25 mi) Rare Downtown Apartment with Free Parking
- (0.79 mi) Drury Inn & Suites Columbus Convention Center
- Restaurants near COSI Center of Science and Industry:
- (0.27 mi) Milestone 229
- (0.25 mi) Strongwater Food & Spirits
- (0.50 mi) Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus
- (0.82 mi) Pistacia Vera
- (0.30 mi) Danny's Delicious Deli
- Attractions near COSI Center of Science and Industry:
- (0.22 mi) Scioto Mile
- (0.16 mi) National Veterans Memorial and Museum
- (0.19 mi) Downtown Columbus
- (0.26 mi) Supreme Court of Ohio
- (0.42 mi) Ohio Theater
COSI Center of Science and Industry Information
| Excellent Reviews | 846 |
|---|---|
| Very Good Reviews | 364 |
| COSI Center of Science and Industry Photos | 528 |



















































































