Tommy Bartlett Exploratory
Tommy Bartlett Exploratory
4
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Visitors can journey through the original Russian MIR space station, as well as other exhibits.
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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
547 reviews
Excellent
223
Very good
195
Average
99
Poor
19
Terrible
11
Vanessa Z
Thunder Bay, Canada3 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
As first-time visitors to the Wis Dells, we purchased tickets to the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory hoping for a fun afternoon activity for the kids (aged 5 & 7). As soon as we walked in we knew we were going to be sadly disappointed. It is EXTREMELY outdated, so many of the exhibits aren’t working, and was dark and dingy. It appeared as though no updates had been done in over 20 years and plenty of the exhibits required reading and instruction by parents to the kids and then half of them didn’t even seem to work so it was highly disappointing for everyone. Sadly, the only thing we would have changed about our overall trip was going to this attraction.
Written August 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.
E B
1 contribution
Mar 2021
I can recall visiting the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory as a youngster in the 80's and finding it amazing. It's still the same... literally - very little in the way of updates, and much of what was there decades ago is still there. If you've been to a good science museum or have access to good science/tech programs, this place feels like an anachronism. I'd hate to see this place close, but it needs a thorough update to be worth visiting.
TL,DR: TBE is, effectively, a "meh" science museum. The tech is very outdated, and the futurism, absent.
TL,DR: TBE is, effectively, a "meh" science museum. The tech is very outdated, and the futurism, absent.
Written April 5, 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.
tarit1979
Gurugram (Gurgaon), India246 contributions
Apr 2023
We visited this science museum and spent half a day there. Right from the various exhibits depicting the various scientific principles to the space zone and the final place of puzzles, it was a place which engaged the lids and adults throughout. It is so interesting to see and experience the various scientific theories and concepts.
Written April 3, 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.
Seth R
Watertown, WI49 contributions
Jan 2021 • Family
Stopped here with two 3 year olds and a 2 year old. We spent about 2.5 hours checking everything out. Interesting hands on activities to check out. Children under 5 are free, which made it a good deal. Additionally, we got a discount on tickets with our stay at Mt Olympus. The place is very 80’s/90’s dated. I wouldn’t recommend it if you have to pay for tickets for everyone. Our kids absolutely loved the “Star Walk”, a dark room of mirrors and lights. They also really got a kick out of lifting up a truck. I would go again if I was trying to keep small kids busy in the Dells.
Written January 8, 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.
Elizabeth H
6 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
I was worried with some of the reviews that it going to be super outdated. But everything was working, although there were some things that needed wait time between functions (like the bot wars). It was pretty busy due to the rainy day. But still tons to do so nothing was a very long wait. We spent over 2 hour there with myself and 3 kids and could have spent more time doing activities we either skipped, or wanted to try again.
Written August 12, 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.
nah
Saint Paul, MN1 contribution
Aug 2022 • Family
Many of the exhibits are interesting, but overall the place is extremely dated. I loved this place as a kid (30 years ago) and it hasn’t changed a bit. Given the rapid pace of technological change, this place needs serious updating. Too many of the electronic items were not working or in poor condition.
This place is ok to spend a couple of hours at on a rainy day, but i don’t we’ll go back unless it is seriously revamped.
This place is ok to spend a couple of hours at on a rainy day, but i don’t we’ll go back unless it is seriously revamped.
Written August 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.
bluerodeo05
Columbus, OH58 contributions
Jun 2020
It was a rainy day so we were looking for an indoor activity and decided to stop by. I would save your money! This place is a rip off for the price. Everything is terribly dated. The "technology" is laughable. Many of the exhibits aren't even completely functioning. My daughter begged us to leave halfway through.
Written July 17, 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.
Nazia S
Muscat, Oman7 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
It was very outdated and worn out..a few things here and there were good..my 11 year old and I enjoyed the bicycle ride on the rope and the static electricity thing.The simulation ride in the space section is a waste of time.you can spend your time here if you have nothing else to do on a rainy day
Written July 30, 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.
beachcruizer77
Stoughton, WI411 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
We hit this place up in the off season. It's not crowded then. To say the 5 year olds love it , is an understatement. Everything is hands on and the price for admission is decent. The kids could easily spend hours and hours in there.
Written December 30, 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.
Andy3838
Sarver, PA433 contributions
Jul 2021
We visited this because we received free admission passes from Kalahari. As a free perk for our stay this was a nice stop during our vacation, but if I had had to pay for admission I would probably be disappointed. We came with a 5 year old and while there were some exhibits that kept her interest many were not very interesting or were broken and not functioning correctly. It appears much of this is overdue for an update. It was not overly crowded when we went.
Written August 29, 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.
How much time do people typically spend here?
Written June 2, 2021
Don't actually know because we bought the tickets as part of several attractions. We got the tickets right outside the Exploratory where you can get up to 35% off when you purchase several attractions. Never buy single attractions or buy them at the door if you can help it.
Written August 12, 2018
maborman729
Elmhurst, Illinois
Are there exhibits etc that a 14 month old would enjoy? I’ve seen posts about kids as young as 3 having a good time but wondering if one-ish is too young?
Written January 21, 2018
I feel they would be a little to young. It is hands on but I think intended more for school age kids.
Written January 24, 2018
Adults $15.00, children (5-11) $12.00
Written March 26, 2016
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