Cox Science Museum in West Palm Beach

With over 100 exhibits and so many hands on things to do, The Cox Science Museum and Aquarium in West Palm Beach is a great place for families. You can easily spend at least 2-3 hours exploring and learning. This fun Palm Beach non-profit institution was founded in 1961, and is dedicated to its mission; “Open Every Mind to Science”.

The Dinosaur Exhibit

This large T-Rex welcomes you as your arrive!

One of the main reasons to come to the museum is to experience The Dinosaur Explorer. It’s new as of September 2022 and will run through April 2023. The dino exhibit not only has large animated dinosaurs, but there’s fun interactive features throughout it. My kids favorite is the virtual screen that puts a dinosaur head on yours as you’re walking by! Outside the museum there are more dinosaurs with lots of great spots to take pictures.

Dinosaur Explorer Exhibit

Fresh and Saltwater Aquariums

Kids love the Palm Beach Aquarium.

Now don’t expect a massive aquarium like Georgia’s or The Frost Museum but the smaller Palm Beach aquarium still has great sea life for the kids to explore.

This aquarium is all about fish native to Florida and it’s diverse habitats. Daily, the museum offers a touch tank experience where the kids can learn about starfish, sea urchins, and stingrays. Aquarium feedings and alligator petting are also on the list of shows!

How cute are the kids lab coats in the Florida Conservation Station.

In the aquarium you can learn all about Florida habitats and conservation. There were hands on brain teasers and even creative art stations. Make sure to look at the schedule of shows, the kids get to do a free STEM kit where they made their own dinosaur fossil.

The Discovery Zone

Human Brain exhibit is very neat and educational. Kids loved the sense of smell section where you have to guess the smell.

The discovery area offers a lot of interaction and learning for kids and adults! Here’s some of the things available:

Journey through the Human Brain
Many brain teasers and puzzles
Hurricane Simulator where you can feel winds up to “115 mph” (more like 30 haha) kids love it.
Tornado Simulator
Space exploration including a 232-pound meteorite you can touch
Hands on displays for states of matter (liquid, solids, and gas)
An outdoor playground

The Palm Beach Science Museum even has a playground!

For little ones 6 years and under, there’s a dedicated space for them to play. Comfortable seating is available for parents and a 16 foot water table for the little ones.

Cox Science Museum Kids Water Table

Planetarium

The Cox Science Museum is the only planetarium in Palm Beach County. The shows are FREE for members and $5 for non-members. The shows range from sea exploration, black holes and our solar system, to prehistoric sea monsters and dinosaurs. Every second Friday of each month, the planetarium puts on a laser show while playing music like The Beatles.

See the Planetarium Show Schedule here.

More to explore outdoors

Wynn had me “take a picture,” with every dinosaur outside. I’m pretty sure there’s 8!

Continue your science exploration outdoors, also called the Fisher Family Science Trail. There are an additional 15 exhibits outside. Our favorite is the shark tooth dig pit. It took us about 20 minutes to find 2 shark teeth – which you can keep!

Shark Tooth Dig Pit

There’s also a splash pad, gem panning station, a Physics Forest and an 18 hole mini golf course! Putt putt golf is INCLUDED with your ticket.

Putt Putt Golf

Where is The Cox Science Museum West Palm Beach located?

Located just off of I-95 and right nextdoor to the Palm Beach Zoo. The science center is open year-round except Thanksgiving and Christmas

The Cox Science Center and Aquarium
4801 Dreher Trail North,
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
Phone: (561) 832-1988

Cox Science Museum West Palm Beach Map

Does Palm Beach have an aquarium?

The Cox Science Museum’s 10,000-gallon Aquarium houses some of Florida’s native fish such as puffer fish, parrot fish, nurse sharks, moray eels, and stingrays.

How much are tickets for the science center?

Adult tickets are around $20 and children $16. Teachers and vets get discounts. They offer yearly membership discounts, basically on the 3rd visit it pays for itself. If you ride the Brightline, bring in your ticket for $2 off.

Does the science museum have a restaurant inside?

There is a small cafe offering up food and snacks. There are many picnic tables outside to eat at.

The Cox Science Museum is a great place to visit and explore! Did you find this helpful? If yes, subscribe below for more places to explore and fun things to do with kids!