Today's Hours
10:00am - 5:00pm There's always more to discover!
Past Events
$5 Admission After 4pm
Visit The Discovery after 4:00pm every Wednesday when admission is just $5.00 per visitor! Members and children under age 1 are always free. And best of all, the museum stays open until 8:00pm!
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Bank of America Museums on Us
Bank of America cardholders enjoy one free general admission to The Discovery on the first full weekend of every month with credit or debit card and photo ID. Find out more here. To qualify, simply present your active Bank of America®, Merrill Lynch® or U.S. Trust® credit or debit card along with a photo ID to gain one free general admission to The Discovery. Cardholders only; guests are not eligible for free admission. Excludes special exhibitions, ticketed shows or events,…
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Members’ Preview: Mindbender Mansion
The Discovery is pleased to welcome you to Mindbender Mansion, our latest featured exhibition. This large-scale, eclectic and quirky exhibition, full of brainteasers and interactive challenges, is guaranteed to test the brain power and problem solving skills of even the most experienced puzzlers. Join us and be one of the first to master each of the 40 individual brainteasers and four group activities that make up this fun, challenging and unconventional mansion! Members-only Admission to this exhibition preview event is…
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Discover Your Way
Sensory-friendly exploration at The Discovery Join us for Discover Your Way, a program that offers exclusive admission for families with children with Autism or those who can benefit from sensory-friendly time at the museum, on the first Sunday of each month from 10:00am to noon. This program creates an opportunity for parents to network while also discovering ways to enjoy the museum outside of Discover Your Way hours. Discover Your Way visitors are welcome to stay and play when the…
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Exhibition Opening: Mindbender Mansion
The Discovery is pleased to welcome you to Mindbender Mansion, our latest featured exhibition. This large-scale, eclectic and quirky exhibition, full of brainteasers and interactive challenges, is guaranteed to test the brain power and problem solving skills of even the most experienced puzzlers. Adults, families, and children alike will enjoy exercising their minds as they try to master each of the 40 individual brainteasers and the 4 group activities in this fun and unconventional mansion! Gather secret clues and passwords revealed…
Find out more »
Bank of America Museums on Us
Bank of America cardholders enjoy one free general admission to The Discovery on the first full weekend of every month with credit or debit card and photo ID. Find out more here. To qualify, simply present your active Bank of America®, Merrill Lynch® or U.S. Trust® credit or debit card along with a photo ID to gain one free general admission to The Discovery. Cardholders only; guests are not eligible for free admission. Excludes special exhibitions, ticketed shows or events,…
Find out more »
Small Wonder Wednesday
Visit us every week for stories and more! Make your way to The Discovery every Wednesday for a special morning just for families with children ages 5 and under. Hear stories, climb the clouds, create art, and enjoy the entire museum for a full hour before it opens to everyone! Supported in part by:
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$5 Admission After 4pm
Visit The Discovery after 4:00pm every Wednesday when admission is just $5.00 per visitor! Members and children under age 1 are always free. And best of all, the museum stays open until 8:00pm!
Find out more »
Open Build in The Shop
In The Shop, hands-on gets serious. During Open Build, take your pick from a variety of materials and use real tools to design and build nearly anything you can imagine. Best of all, what you create is yours to keep! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
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Social Science: The ’80s
Calling all nerds, preps, jocks and valley girls to an exploration of the science and culture of the ‘80s. Play classic arcade games, make your own ectoplasm, master the Rubik’s Cube, design a sequined glove, and much more, dude! Labs, lectures and programming at this Social Science will include: Go for High Score! Become an ’80s hero when you try your hand at classic arcade games from Press Start Arcade. You got next! Become the King (or Queen) of Pop…
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Small Wonder Wednesday
Visit us every week for stories and more! Make your way to The Discovery every Wednesday for a special morning just for families with children ages 5 and under. Hear stories, climb the clouds, create art, and enjoy the entire museum for a full hour before it opens to everyone! Supported in part by:
Find out more »
$5 Admission After 4pm
Visit The Discovery after 4:00pm every Wednesday when admission is just $5.00 per visitor! Members and children under age 1 are always free. And best of all, the museum stays open until 8:00pm!
Find out more »
Tech!Night February
Visit The Discovery on the second Wednesday of every month for Tech!Night, a new program designed to put emerging technology in the hands of museum visitors. Tech!Nights will feature a variety of high-tech tools and techniques, gadgets and games – command a robot, print in 3-D, and even code a new game – happening monthly in Spark!Lab Smithsonian. Generously supported by:
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Mini Robot Bugs
Visit The Shop to build a mini robot bug using a battery and a small motor. Choose from a variety of materials to give your insect charm and character! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »
Mini Robot Bugs
Visit The Shop to build a mini robot bug using a battery and a small motor. Choose from a variety of materials to give your insect charm and character! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »
Open Build in The Shop
In The Shop, hands-on gets serious. During Open Build, take your pick from a variety of materials and use real tools to design and build nearly anything you can imagine. Best of all, what you create is yours to keep! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »
President’s Day: Museum Open
The Discovery will be open 10:00am to 5:00pm on President’s Day, Monday, February 18, 2019. To find out what’s happening at the museum, be sure to explore the calendar of events.
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Hardware Fidget Spinners
Visit The Shop to use available tool and materials to create your own version of the popular fidget spinner. Building on a provided bearing (while supplies last), you can use a variety of materials to create a custom-design fidget spinner made to your exacting specifications. Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »