Science Museum Oklahoma

Type: science museum in Oklahoma City's Adventure District, adjacent to the Oklahoma City Zoo. Founded 1958 as the Kirkpatrick Planetarium; relocated to the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds area in 1962; renamed Omniplex Science Museum in 1978, then Science Museum Oklahoma in 2007. Spans over 390,000 square feet, one of the largest science museums in the U.S., drawing an estimated 600,000+ annual visitors.

Science Museum Oklahoma began in 1958 as the Kirkpatrick Planetarium and has grown, through several relocations, expansions and rebrandings, into a sprawling 390,000-square-foot science center in Oklahoma City's Adventure District. Successive additions—an Oklahoma Air and Space Museum wing in 1980, the Kirkpatrick Gardens and Greenhouse in 1985, an OmniDome Theatre in 2000, and a substantial remodel and rename in 2007—built the museum into one of the largest of its kind in the country. Its newest planetarium, Love's Planetarium, opened in September 2024, replacing the original Kirkpatrick Planetarium's shows. Alongside space-themed galleries, the museum houses hands-on areas such as CurioCity for children, Tinkering Spaces, an Oceanarium, and the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame, plus rotating traveling exhibitions. Sitting next to the Oklahoma City Zoo, it's commonly paired with a zoo visit for a full science-and-nature day out.

The museum is located at 2020 Remington Place, Oklahoma City, OK 73111, in the Adventure District, immediately adjacent to the Oklahoma City Zoo.

Oklahoma City has hot summers and cool winters typical of the southern Great Plains, with an active spring severe-weather season; because the museum is almost entirely indoors, weather has limited impact on a visit here beyond travel conditions. Specific monthly averages were not confirmed from sources used for this profile.

Because the museum is climate-controlled and indoor, it is a reasonable visit in any season; weekdays outside school holidays are likely to be less crowded than weekends, though specific museum-published crowd guidance was not found in sources used here.

The museum traces to 1958 as the Kirkpatrick Planetarium, moving to a permanent facility at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds area in 1962. It was renamed the Omniplex Science Museum in 1978, then Science Museum Oklahoma in 2007 alongside a significant remodel. Major expansions followed: the Oklahoma Air and Space Museum wing in 1980, the Kirkpatrick Gardens and Greenhouse in 1985, and an OmniDome Theatre in 2000. The original Kirkpatrick Planetarium's shows ended April 21, 2024, superseded by the new Love's Planetarium, which opened September 20, 2024.

Visitors can catch shows at Love's Planetarium, explore the recently expanded Oceanarium, and take in hands-on areas such as CurioCity, Tinkering Spaces, smART Space, and the museum's gardens. Live science demonstrations ('Science Live') run throughout the day, and the museum hosts rotating special exhibitions such as Expedition Dinosaur: Into The Deep (through Labor Day 2026) and an upcoming Barbie-themed experience (summer 2026).

Key areas include Love's Planetarium (opened 2024), the Oceanarium, CurioCity, the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame, Destination Space (a NASA-focused gallery), and galleries such as Light Minded, Elemental Worlds and Tinkering Garage.

The museum sits in Oklahoma City's Adventure District, easily reached by car via the city's interstate network (I-35/I-44 area, shared with the neighboring zoo). Will Rogers World Airport serves Oklahoma City; exact distance to the museum was not confirmed in sources used here, so a rental car or rideshare from the airport is the practical route.

As of research, hours were Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., and Sunday 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Confirm current hours at sciencemuseumok.org before visiting, since special exhibits can affect scheduling.

As of research, general admission was $22.95 for ages 13-64 and $17.95 for children 3-12 and seniors 65+, with children under 3 free; prices exclude sales tax and may not cover special traveling exhibitions. Military discounts are available daily in person with valid ID, and student discounts apply weekdays after 1 p.m. Confirm current pricing at sciencemuseumok.org/tickets.

Given the museum's size (390,000+ square feet) and range of galleries, most visitors should plan at least three to four hours to see the main exhibits and a planetarium show.

The museum sits in the same Adventure District as the Oklahoma City Zoo, so lodging options are the same broader Oklahoma City hotel market concentrated downtown and along the interstate corridor a short drive away; specific nearby properties were not confirmed in sources used here.

The museum has its own on-site dining option, Pavlov's Café, plus a Science Shop for gifts. Wider Oklahoma City dining is a short drive away; specific nearby restaurant names were not confirmed in sources used here.

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is immediately adjacent, making a combined visit straightforward. The wider Adventure District and downtown Oklahoma City attractions are a short drive away.

The museum is reachable via Oklahoma City's I-35/I-44 interstate corridor; Will Rogers World Airport is the region's commercial airport, though exact driving distance was not confirmed in sources used here. A car or rideshare is the practical way to reach the museum.

As an indoor museum, general safety considerations are minimal; follow posted guidance at hands-on exhibits and planetarium seating. For any emergency, dial 911.

Comfortable walking shoes for a large indoor campus, and a light layer since indoor exhibit spaces can be cool; a camera for planetarium and gallery photos is popular among visitors.

Buying tickets online in advance and checking the current schedule for planetarium shows and special exhibitions (like the dinosaur or Barbie exhibits) helps plan your visit. Pairing a visit with the neighboring Oklahoma City Zoo is a common way to make a full day of the Adventure District.

Dial 911 for any emergency. For general museum information, call 405-602-6664.

Science Museum Oklahoma - https://www.sciencemuseumok.org

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.