Ontario Science Centre, Toronto: Hours, Address, Ontario Science Centre Reviews: 4/5
Ontario Science Centre
Ontario Science Centre
4
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
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Where questions spark discovery! The Ontario Science Centre invites you to an exciting visit full of exploration, adventure and innovation! Visitors of all ages can explore more than 500 interactive exhibits, take in live science demonstrations, check out a real-life rain forest and a science arcade and discover the wonders of the galaxy in the Space Hall, home to Toronto’s only public planetarium. Experience how thrilling films can be on our giant screen inside Ontario’s only IMAX® Dome theatre (film tickets sold separately). Science at Home: Science is everywhere, and learning can happen anywhere. That’s why, during our temporary closure due to COVID19, we’re bringing the Science Centre to you! From DIY experiments to science activities to educational resources, we’ve got you covered. Explore the science around you. Whether you’re in the kitchen or the backyard, there are lots of opportunities to ask questions, make observations and test theories. Visit our website today!
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Flemingdon Park
How to get there
- Don Mills • 6 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
885 within 5 kms

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0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Sushi • Asian

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Pioneer Deli
2
0.4 kmDeli
Subway
5
0.3 kmFast food

Shaheen Tikka & Kabab House
25
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Middle Eastern • Pakistani • Halal
Tim Hortons
1
0.4 km
McDonald's
2
0.4 kmAmerican

Diwan Restaurant
220
1.1 km$$ - $$$ • Middle Eastern • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

Bamiyan Kabob
175
1 km$ • Middle Eastern • Afghan • Halal
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Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,758 reviews
Excellent
723
Very good
542
Average
285
Poor
135
Terrible
73
ren
9 contributions
Not at all worth the price. The majority of what we saw during our time there was for younger kids with little to no appeal for teens or adults. We originally came looking for something to do for the day but found ourselves bored in less than an hour of being there. The highlight of our visit would be seeing the "Ocean" film in the IMAX theatre. Great picture, quality, and sound unlike the other aspects of the science centre.
Could be fun for young kids, but personally wouldn't go again.
Could be fun for young kids, but personally wouldn't go again.
Written August 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Carla smith
1 contribution
Family
Since the science Center is supposed to be all about science and experimenting projects, it was lacking a lot of interesting science work. Because most visitors are youth groups, this place should have interesting, fun and learning projects for kids to see and learn about.
Written August 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jennifer K
4 contributions
Family
Awesome exhibits! You need a full day to see everything. Very entertaining for all ages! IMAX films were very entertaining too! Nice theatre! Clean! Very nice & friendly staff!
Written August 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stormflora
Toronto, Canada22 contributions
Thoroughly going through each exhibit was about a three hour experience. Sadly, I went when Levels 1, half of 2, and most of the outdoor areas were closed off, so I didn't get the full experience. I'm not sure why the OSC didn't give a discount to factor this in.
The exhibits were largely child-oriented, but there were also some that were strangely adult-oriented. Overall, there wasn't much beyond Level 5, but time flies by quickly as you pace yourself through all of the areas. A good experience, although the price of admission and parking was a bit stiff. Probably won't be going there again for quite some time.
The exhibits were largely child-oriented, but there were also some that were strangely adult-oriented. Overall, there wasn't much beyond Level 5, but time flies by quickly as you pace yourself through all of the areas. A good experience, although the price of admission and parking was a bit stiff. Probably won't be going there again for quite some time.
Written June 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Claire
Ontario's Near North, Canada1 contribution
Friends
It was a fun place to go with your family. Very informative and at the same time, kids will enjoy your stay for the whole day with lots of activities to do.
Written March 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
sterlingwoman
Niagara Falls, Canada63 contributions
what fun for the whole family. Many different activities on many subjects!!!
Lots of walking...and lots to do ! Hands on & experiential.
You need the day to really see it all.
have been several times & will go back!
Cafe has decent food & lots of variety, but it's pricey.
Lots of walking...and lots to do ! Hands on & experiential.
You need the day to really see it all.
have been several times & will go back!
Cafe has decent food & lots of variety, but it's pricey.
Written March 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CJZvan2009
Toronto123 contributions
We arrived early because we understood from reviews that you even have to line-up for parking. I wish we could pay for parking ahead of time, but we did move through quite quickly. It was raining, but many families (even with babies and little kids) lined up outside anyway. The Science Centre was kind enough to open doors early for that reason. The line moved quickly because they had staff to direct people with or without tickets, although we were still a little confused if we were in the right line. But once we were checked-in it was easy to go straight to the exhibits we were interested in with a little direction from the many staff available. We were surprised by how much we could do in two hours even with a March Break crowd probably because we arrived at opening. I saw a negative review about having to read too much stuff, but we found there was still plenty of interactive stations or videos to watch, and my kids (ages 10, 13 and even my husband) never seemed bored. We also ate at the cafeteria which was reasonably priced and seemed to have a good food selection and seating. The person who served us messed up the order, but otherwise no other complaints.
Written March 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Beth
Oakville, Canada1 contribution
Friends
It does not have much fun interaction devices, which I believe should be the most important part of a science center. Too many words and explanations to be read. How does that suppose to work for kids? We only spent 2 hours go through everything and left. Definitely will not go there again.
这家科技馆可供参观者动手体验的太少了,即使有一些可以动手的,也特别的简单。感觉基本以阅读文字为主。原本计划逛一整个下午,结果走马观花两小时就离开了。和北京的中国科技馆简直没法比,那个真是百去不厌。
这家科技馆可供参观者动手体验的太少了,即使有一些可以动手的,也特别的简单。感觉基本以阅读文字为主。原本计划逛一整个下午,结果走马观花两小时就离开了。和北京的中国科技馆简直没法比,那个真是百去不厌。
Written March 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
IAl
Toronto, Canada203 contributions
Family
Definitely do NOT go in the weekend! It’s too packed and can get stuffy real fast, forcing you to hurry along to somewhere where it’s wide and airy. Also, you may want to avoid Kidspark and the Space Center altogether, as it’s in the busy level 4 area. Also too many people (kids) lining up to use the hands-on exhibits. Otherwise, this is a really fun place and very informative and we would enjoy it a lot more if we went on a weekday.
Our favourite area is the Telus Rainforest, where you are inside of an actual rainforest and can see actual poison dart frogs in various colours.
Our favourite area is the Telus Rainforest, where you are inside of an actual rainforest and can see actual poison dart frogs in various colours.
Written February 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TravellingIsAMust4Us
108 contributions
Family
I feel bad rating this so low. & I went with low expectations…I had never been (I’m 39) and my kids had never been (ages 10 & 12). I read mostly good reviews but 1 bad review stuck out in my mind. Ok, it’s November 2021, we’re still affected by the pandemic. No one was there which made it great; No lines, no crowds, no waiting. However, we zoomed through the exhibits in an hour, nothing really wowed us, most felt like waiting room exhibits, like maybe the real stuff is in this next room???Thankfully we got the “hair raising experience” at 11:30am prior to the OmniMax movie we had booked at 12pm- this is where you touch the static electricity ball & your hair stands on end. I was also grateful I had paid extra for the movie otherwise a 1.5 hour drive here would have been additionally disappointing for a 1 hour walk through. However, the movie (Back from the Brink - about 3 near-extinct animals) was no better. It got really boring. & this isn’t terrible, but to put in perspective there were 4 families in this large theatre. Like I said I feel bad leaving a bad review, everywhere is struggling because of the pandemic, but with a name like ONTARIO science centre, it should be amazing & it really felt like we visited somewhere that is closing down tomorrow. Permanently.
Written November 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
PapaBars
5 contributions
How long usually are the IMAX movies here? I'm planning to go here w/ a friend. The time of our meetup is 2PM. The Science Centre closes @ 4PM.
I would want to maximize the visit here and get to see it as much as possible.
Also, I would not consider myself a casual visitor. I take time to go through exhibits and their descriptions.
Will I have enough time from 2PM onwards?
carriemleemba
Manassas, VA307 contributions
most are around an hour, but all are different,
gilda s
Toronto, Canada6 contributions
Is cigarette smoking permitted at Toronto Science Centre? How close is the nearest smoking space?
Dilip P
Vadodara, India686 contributions
You cannot smoke inside the Ontario Science Centre building. You can smoke outside the building but you have to be fairly far from the area/building to smoke.
LightPacker235372
Barrie, Canada
Can you bring a lunch for the grandchildren with you to the science centre?
gnfitcat
Winnipeg33 contributions
There's a cafeteria where you can buy food, but I don't see why you couldn't bring your own.
4kleins2015
Winnipeg, Canada
Are registered therapy dogs allowed in the science center?
artymart
Bridport, UK111 contributions
I checked their website and their Accessibility Commitment says "The Ontario Science Centre is committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal on our premises. We will also ensure that all staff, volunteers and others dealing with the public are properly trained on how to interact with people with disabilities and their service animals".
This bodes well - and is a lot more user-friendly than a lot of our such centres back here in the UK. Happy visit!
dianadcgt
San Luis Potosi, Mexico25 contributions
Is it just for kids??
I’m planning to go there but I’m kinda worried it will be boring and most of the things are for children.
Lucy
Sarnia, Canada91 contributions
Can I park at the Science Centre all day? Is it $10 for the day or per hour? Is there other local parking lots closeby within walking distance, maybe a free one?
Sidonya W
Thornhill, Canada115 contributions
Hi, I believe it's $10.00 per day... there is no free parking around the area. It's totally worth it as you will be spending most of your day there. Lots of great things to see and do. I hope this was helpful...enjoy!
ssm23arr
2 contributions
When is a good time of the year to visit?
sunshineCDN123
Mississauga, Canada72 contributions
Anytime of the year is a good time of the year to visit but I would go right when the Ontario Science Centre opens as it can get busy. Before going to the Ontario Science Centre I would look online at the time of the shows and presentations so you do not want to miss anything. I would also recommend purchasing your tickets in advance to avoid lineups.
How long would you usually suggest it takes to go through?
Yas72
Toronto, Canada218 contributions
It depends on what kind of a person you are. If you read all the descriptions and try the stuff, I suggest between 3 to 4 hours, but if you are just one of those look and pass guys, then 1 to 2 will suffice.
Charles H
Dublin, United States5 contributions
If you had to choose between the Ontario Science Centre and the Toronto Zoo for a family of four with kids 5 and 8 who like both science and nature, which would you choose and why?
jaysonjstewart
Massey, Canada101 contributions
That's a tough question! It would have to depend on what special feature they have at the Science Center. Last year they had an incredible the science of Star Trek live show that was a lot of fun.
Weather is a question to.
If I had a choice I'd go to the Zoo with the Science Center as a good rainy day alternate.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ontario Science Centre
- Ontario Science Centre is open:
- Sun - Sun 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Wed - Fri 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Sat - Sat 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Hotels near Ontario Science Centre:
- (6.73 km) The Hazelton Hotel
- (9.59 km) 1 Hotel Toronto
- (9.79 km) Making Waves Boatel
- (8.97 km) Bisha Hotel Toronto
- (6.43 km) Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
- Restaurants near Ontario Science Centre:
- (0.33 km) Subway
- (0.35 km) Pita Land
- (0.40 km) Osaka Sushi
- (0.36 km) Tim Hortons
- (0.40 km) Caribbean Palms
- Attractions near Ontario Science Centre:
- (1.08 km) Aga Khan Museum
- (7.95 km) St. Lawrence Market
- (2.43 km) Edwards Gardens
- (4.65 km) Looking Glass Adventures
- (0.91 km) The Ismaili Centre