About This Experience
Ever wondered what connects an ancient Ice Age mastodon, a live Two-Toed Sloth, and distant galaxies billions of light-years away? At the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, every exhibit is an invitation to explore. From interactive STEM experiments and live wildlife encounters to full-dome astronomy showtimes, dive into our blog to discover behind-the-scenes stories, field research, and hands-on science activities for curious minds of all ages.
Trip Itinerary
Self-guided exploration of interactive science exhibits, planetarium shows, natural history galleries, live animal exhibits in the Discovery Zoo, and hands-on learning labs.
Full museum entry with access to all permanent science galleries, live animal encounters, space theater programming, and natural history collections.
Access to youth-focused interactive science exhibits, the Discovery Zoo, role-play learning towns, and the planetarium.
Free admission to all general public galleries, interactive children's play spaces, and live animal exhibits.
Featured Media
Museum Main Entrance Exterior Description: A welcoming wide shot of the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery building in Dayton, Ohio, inviting families and visitors to enter a hub of learning and exploration.Boonshoft Museum of Discovery exterior. Source: By Texas141 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10128255
Live animal education presentation. Source: Boonshoft Museum / Discovery Zoo - DSNH
Ice Age fossil exhibits. Source: O2O Creative / Getty Images
Hands-on interactive science exhibits. Source: boonshoft.org
A vibrant aquatic exhibit displaying marine life such as sea stars and anemones, where visitors can safely touch marine specimens under educator guidance.
An immersive interior view of the planetarium's projection dome set up for astronomical showtimes and space exploration presentations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exhibits and attractions are included with museum admission?â
General admission gives you full access to all major museum areas under one roof, including the Discovery Zoo (an AZA-accredited indoor live animal facility), interactive STEM science halls, natural history and fossil collections, the Do Lab, toddler play areas, and planetarium shows (subject to daily schedule availability).
Is the Boonshoft Museum suitable for children of all ages?â
Yes! The museum is specifically designed to accommodate toddlers, young children, teens, and adults. Younger guests enjoy dedicated areas like ToddlerTown and interactive water play stations, while older kids and adults benefit from science theaters, live animal shows, planetarium stargazing, and paleontology exhibits.
How often is new content added to the Boonshoft blog?â
The Boonshoft blog is updated regularly with stories covering wildlife conservation initiatives (such as sloth bridge conservation projects), local archaeological discoveries, upcoming seasonal events, behind-the-scenes staff interviews, and DIY science activities you can try at home.