Whitaker Center
Whitaker Center
4
9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
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How to get there
- Harrisburg Transportation Center • 5 min walk
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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.
4.0
243 reviews
Excellent
126
Very good
67
Average
33
Poor
8
Terrible
9
Yucatan-Admirer
Harrisburg, PA200 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We took our niece to the Science Museum about 3 years ago and she loved it. Took her again over the holiday. It'll be our last visit, unless we're absolutely desperate to entertain a child. They reduced the exhibits and the amount of space. Several exhibits were not functioning. This facility has definitely seen better days.
Written February 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.
Christina H
Harrisburg, PA23 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
It’s been many years since I have been here , we brought 3 kids , ages 6,7 & 8. This was a huge disappointment. As the first floor seemed to have more the kids enjoyed I believe it was geared towards smaller children. The downstairs was a huge disappointment as half the interactions didn’t work or worked partially. I remember there being so much more interactive stations. Now it’s just tables with buckets and blocks. This place has really gone down hill. Not with the money or time. This place has the potential to be great , it just needs an upgrade. Take it back to how it was when it was in strawberry square. As a kid , that was the best place to go and for a school field trip. May have been smaller but it had the nearest hands on science learning opportunities.
Written January 20, 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.
BS
Baltimore, MD68 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
I have been to the Whitaker Center in center city Harrisburg twice within the past year. The first visit was ok and my kids had fun (under 6). However, on our second visit in April of 2018, over 50% of the exhibits were not working. If I would have paid money to enter I would have been asking for a refund as it was not acceptable at all.
On the bottom floor nothing is working correctly except for the hurricane simulator. Even the water area is poorly maintained and not working as it was the first time we visited. The main attraction is the globe, but none of the projectors were working. Everything else on this floor was items you could read about in a book from 1995 or see at your local high school.
On the middle floor, basically everything in the circus section does not work. They have removed the cool basketball machine and did not replace with anything new. One of the main attractions on this floor is the bead machine, but there are only a handful of beads left and the vacuum doesn't work anymore. You can still make paper airplanes, but then again you can also do that at home too.
The top floor is basically for toddlers and was up to par. The kitchen and water areas were working as expected.
Updates: This museum is in serious need of updates. We have a membership from another science museum so we frequently visit Science centers. Most Science centers will introduce new exhibits or areas on an annual basis. However, the Whitaker center seems to care less about adding anything.
I would call ahead and ask about what exhibits are and are not working. Otherwise you will be wasting the $15-$20 a person as this science center is not keeping up with maintenance.
On the bottom floor nothing is working correctly except for the hurricane simulator. Even the water area is poorly maintained and not working as it was the first time we visited. The main attraction is the globe, but none of the projectors were working. Everything else on this floor was items you could read about in a book from 1995 or see at your local high school.
On the middle floor, basically everything in the circus section does not work. They have removed the cool basketball machine and did not replace with anything new. One of the main attractions on this floor is the bead machine, but there are only a handful of beads left and the vacuum doesn't work anymore. You can still make paper airplanes, but then again you can also do that at home too.
The top floor is basically for toddlers and was up to par. The kitchen and water areas were working as expected.
Updates: This museum is in serious need of updates. We have a membership from another science museum so we frequently visit Science centers. Most Science centers will introduce new exhibits or areas on an annual basis. However, the Whitaker center seems to care less about adding anything.
I would call ahead and ask about what exhibits are and are not working. Otherwise you will be wasting the $15-$20 a person as this science center is not keeping up with maintenance.
Written May 8, 2018
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.
Thank you so much for visiting Whitaker Center and for taking the time to leave us a review. Because our science center is specifically hands-on and interactive, our exhibits undergo a lot of wear and tear. We do our best to fix issues as soon as they arise, but oftentimes the repairs require extensive labor, which, especially as a non-profit, we aren’t always immediately equipped/prepared to do. If there were specific exhibits you recall being unusable, please send them to us at info@whitakercenter.org and I’ll be sure to forward your message to our Exhibits Manager immediately. Thank you again for your time and patronage - we truly appreciate it. –Deb
Written May 10, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lanai_Kona
Fairmont, WV9 contributions
Feb 2013 • Family
I have been to a lot of science museums and this by far was the most underwhelming.
3 "levels" with very spaced out exhibits. For example, the toddler/kid floor at the Pittsburgh science center had more exhibits than this whole museum.
The "moving parts" of the museum were underwhelming. The only part where kids seemed to have lots of fun was in the circus exhibit on the second floor, with a spot to through basketballs through a hoop.
Overpriced for what was available. If it cost 50% less, I would not have such expectations. I would not go back to this center.
This review is based on the science center only, and not extra things to buy, such as the IMAX.
3 "levels" with very spaced out exhibits. For example, the toddler/kid floor at the Pittsburgh science center had more exhibits than this whole museum.
The "moving parts" of the museum were underwhelming. The only part where kids seemed to have lots of fun was in the circus exhibit on the second floor, with a spot to through basketballs through a hoop.
Overpriced for what was available. If it cost 50% less, I would not have such expectations. I would not go back to this center.
This review is based on the science center only, and not extra things to buy, such as the IMAX.
Written February 11, 2013
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.
aorundtheworld
Philadelphia, PA1 contribution
Jan 2014
This is the most disappointing "science" center I have been to. Kids (4&5) ran through it in about 45 minutes and had to be forced to stay longer. Overpriced and a bore to children if all ages. On tip of that, downtown Harrisburg sucks. There is nothing to do for families, but head right to the car and get out of dodge. Do not waste your time, you have been warned.
Written January 2, 2014
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.
dianar04
Wapwallopen, PA98 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
the science center has very few exhibits and half of them are out-of-order. your kids can stay home and look at computer screens. then you'll save the cost of the overpriced admission.
Written April 11, 2013
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.
BandwagonPa
Lancaster, PA543 contributions
Nov 2011
This place is $55 for a family of four. Add a Imax movie and clear $70. Plus parking add $5 more. This place charges way too much for offering very little. The Lancaster Science Factory has better exhibits and is less than $30 for a family of 4. The Turkey Hill Exp is better too. Or visits Franklin Inst for a big science center. Small children, under age 6, have no business going to a science museum.
Written April 5, 2012
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.
Zap3852
Harrisburg, PA80 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
My G/F and I went to see Kenny Wayne Shepard the other weekend. Concert was great. Seats were great. But when you leave the Center to go to the Parking Garage there is a machine to pay your parking stub. Well that costs $30 for 4 hours. We paid and went to our car which took a while since everybody left at the same time. If you don't go out the gate within 10 minutes of paying that stub you will be charged for the extra time. $10 more dollars. It cost us $40 to park for a concert where the tickets were $50 each, ridiculous. Let me tell you that I will never be going back to the Whitaker Center. Very poor parking management. There should be a sign stating to pay on the way out the gate, not at the machine, if the parking is associated with a concert.
Written September 11, 2017
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.
Thanks for purchasing tickets to Kenny Wayne Shepherd and we're glad to hear you enjoyed the show. He's one of our favorite performers and we always look forward to seeing him! The parking garages and street parking are controlled by the city so Whitaker Center, unfortunately, has no say in the procedures or parking rates. We've tried to alleviate some of the confusion by adding signage next to the kiosk at Walnut Street Garage but we are limited in what we have permission to do. Street parking is free after 7pm and we hope you're able to take advantage of this option and return for a show in the future. Thanks for your feedback.
Written September 13, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Reddozee
12 contributions
Nov 2015 • Family
We were told about this place by friends. We have been trying to get the chance to come and it finally happened!
Displays were perfect. Activities were well planned and safe. I enjoyed myself and learned quite a bit in the process!
Staff was helpful and polite. Restrooms were clean and wekk stocked. Facility was in excellent repair and very clean. You would swear that it was just built this year!
Interesting art piece on the Market Street entrance! We were able to get the name and research the artist. A bio of this interesting man would be helpful, as his art is an expression of his life. Your choice, display, and location really is a plus to Harrisburg.
The only flaw I see is that there is no refreshment stand. I talked to a gentleman that was exiting the former Starbuck's near the gift shop, and he said they are just waiting on a health license from the city.
If you are in Harrisburg, you MUST visit the Whitaker Center. As an adult male, I enjoyed it. Yes, it is geared toward families with kids, but if you have an interest in science and the arts, this is the place. Interactive fun.
When you visit, catch a movie on the big screen. I saw D day. Fantastic.
After you leave the center, travel to the State Museum and the Susquehanna Art Museum. All on 3rd street. All worth it!
Displays were perfect. Activities were well planned and safe. I enjoyed myself and learned quite a bit in the process!
Staff was helpful and polite. Restrooms were clean and wekk stocked. Facility was in excellent repair and very clean. You would swear that it was just built this year!
Interesting art piece on the Market Street entrance! We were able to get the name and research the artist. A bio of this interesting man would be helpful, as his art is an expression of his life. Your choice, display, and location really is a plus to Harrisburg.
The only flaw I see is that there is no refreshment stand. I talked to a gentleman that was exiting the former Starbuck's near the gift shop, and he said they are just waiting on a health license from the city.
If you are in Harrisburg, you MUST visit the Whitaker Center. As an adult male, I enjoyed it. Yes, it is geared toward families with kids, but if you have an interest in science and the arts, this is the place. Interactive fun.
When you visit, catch a movie on the big screen. I saw D day. Fantastic.
After you leave the center, travel to the State Museum and the Susquehanna Art Museum. All on 3rd street. All worth it!
Written November 6, 2015
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.
Chiao
Harrisburg, PA22 contributions
Aug 2015
there is theater, kids movies, kids activities. childrens love it. we adult can go there have some fun and be kids.
Written September 29, 2015
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.
Where can you park. Is there a lot for this museum?
Written March 24, 2018
I don’t believe there is any specific lot. There is on street parking that is limited and you have to pay for that unless you go Sunday or after 5. There are also multiple parking garages in the area you can utilize. I know there is a public parking garage off of N 2nd st in the 200 block on the left hand side.
Written March 25, 2018
I would recommend it for slightly older kids. There are things to do and if they are tagging along for siblings' sake, yes. But it's not worth it just for them. Wait until after at least 2, then they'll start fitting in more. :-)
Written July 15, 2017
Would this science center be appropriate for a 12 & 14 yr old? Or would the State Museum of Pa be better for older kids? Any suggestions I only have a day to spend in Harrisburg. Thanks in Advance.
Written July 6, 2016
I took my 10-year old to the Science Center, and she really enjoyed it. So did I, and I am a middle school and high school science teacher. The center has displays and interactive areas that will appeal to the younger crowd, but also interest 5th, 6th and 7th graders too. High school students may find it too elementary.
Written June 28, 2018
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