Ticketing

If you are going to Purchase Tickets, a Membership or Season Pass:
Use the General Admission line at the Ticketing Area. As a rule the lines move pretty quickly, but you may encounter some wait time as we give personal attention to visitors. Keep in mind you'll receive the same consideration when we welcome you to the desk.

If you have a Complimentary Ticket Voucher:
Use the General Admission line.

If you are a Premier Member or Season Pass Holder:
Use the “Express Entry” line at the Ticketing Area. Please have your Membership or Season Pass cards and valid photo IDs ready. We'll validate your cards, provide you with wristbands, and get you going on your visit.

Even in the “Express Entry” line, you may experience a little wait, but it will move more quickly than General Admission.

The wristband

When you purchase an Admission Ticket, or when you check-in as a Premier Member or Season Pass holder, you'll receive a wristband providing entry into the Exhibit Galleries. Your wristband needs to be visible at all times.

Admission tickets and wristbands are valid only for the day they are issued. If you are coming multiple days, you will need to purchase a ticket for each day of your visit and receive a new wristband each day.

If you are a Member or Season Pass holder, you will need to check-in each time you visit at the Ticketing Area to receive your new wristband.

Last entry

The last general admission ticket sale of the day is at 4 PM. If you plan on returning another day, the purchase of your general admission ticket may be applied toward the cost of a new Season Pass or Premier Membership on the day of your visit. Speak to any Visitor Services Specialist for information regarding this benefit.

Busiest times

You can expect longer lines at the Ticketing Area between 10 AM and 1 PM on weekends, weekdays during summer and school vacation weeks. You might consider visiting on a weekday during non-peak season, or on weekends after 1 PM.

Becoming a Member or Season Pass holder will expedite your check-in process at the “Express Entry” station at the Ticketing Area. To purchase a Premier Membership or Season Pass, click here.

What you can expect during the different visitation seasons at CSC

• Mid-April through mid-June is school field trip season. This means weekdays will be populated with lots of happy, excited, energetic school children. Since most schools need to leave by 1:30, you might consider coming in the later afternoon during those days if you're hoping for a more relaxed visit.
• In July and August, the Science Center is bustling with the energy and enthusiasm of families on vacation. We're open 7 days a week in the summer to welcome all our vacationing visitors.
• The Science Center is an all season, all weather destination, so the fall and winter seasons are great times to visit. With the exception of Christmas break and February vacation weeks, there tend to be fewer school field trips. If you prefer a more relaxing visit, perhaps this is the season for you to come and explore.
• Weekends are busy year-round, with the busiest times between 10 AM and 1 PM.

Budgeting your time

Each person's experience at the Science Center is uniquely their own, but most visitors spend around 2 to 3 hours. With so much to see and do, we're pretty sure it will take you more than one visit to see and do all you really want.

For the complete experience, we encourage you to plan an hour to visit the Café, Gift Shop, and take in one of our state-of-the-art 3D films.

While you're in Hartford, we highly recommend you explore and enjoy the Phoenix Plaza, the Riverfront walk, and all the downtown dining, shopping and attractions the city has to offer. Hartford's Star Shuttle can take you to many of these destinations free of charge.

Touring the Science Center

All tours are self-guided. Upon entry, you'll receive a floor plan and visitors' guide so you can create your own adventure and explore at your own pace.

If you're interested in a “route” we recommend two options:

1. Take the elevator up to the galleries on Level 6 and work your way down via the elevator or stairs.
2. Take the stairs to Level 4 and work your way up to Level 6. This is great for a bit exercise, and you'll be doing your part to save electricity and minimize greenhouse gasses.

Live Science Demonstrations

LIVE SCIENCE: NO MATTER WHEN YOU VISIT!

Science is about doing – seeing concepts unveil themselves right in front of you. Every day, throughout the Connecticut Science Center, Live Gallery Science programs will offer activities, demonstrations, group challenges, and one-on-one investigations to help you uncover deeper aspects behind our exhibits and shows. You'll make observations, conduct experiments, ask questions, and make predictions just like a scientist. The programs are lead by our Gallery Scientists Best of all: these programs are FREE with admission. Each day’s programs are different. Look for these and other programs Tuesday – Friday between 10:00 am – 2:00 pm; and Saturday and Sunday between 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.

The programs are lead by our Gallery Scientists. These folks live, breathe and eat science day and night. They're experts in astronomy, physics, biology, chemistry, geology, meteorology, health, genetics, robotics, green energy and more. But the best part is, the programs they run are FREE with admission.

Invention Dimension

LEGO Imagination Zone

See the creative side of science and start “thinking outside the box.” Deconstruct the latest gadgets to see how they work, build and test bridges and skyscrapers, and construct simple machines. Play with robots and explore new technologies.

River of Life

Wet Lab

Learn about the fascinating wildlife, aquatic organisms, and plants of the Connecticut River and surrounding watershed. Conduct water quality experiments to learn about how the health of our river affects each of us. Help with fish feedings and take a dive into the behind the scenes of our tanks!

Planet Earth

Climate Change Show

A rubber-booted, informed sheep discusses the Earth’s formation millions of years ago and how global gasses were distributed to allow life to form. Fast forwarding to the present, the sheep talks to us about our current lifestyle and how it impacts the entire planet. Seating is first come – first serve and is limited to 30. Show is 22 minutes in length and appropriate for ages 7 and up. Showing daily.

Live Weather Broadcasts

See an actual weather broadcast by a WSFB Channel 3 Meteorologist from the WSFB Weather Studio located in the Planet Earth Gallery each weekday, Tuesday – Friday, between 12:00 – 12:30 on Level 6 North in the Planet Earth Gallery. Note: The WSFB Weather Studio is off-line between 11:45 – 12:45 as an exhibit so that the Channel 3 Meteorologists can broadcast the live weather.

Earthquakes and Faulting in Connecticut - An i4 Initiative

From the 1500’s to the present, over 1200 earthquakes have rocked New England; 137 of these originated in the subsurface of Connecticut. Detect earthquakes and tremors right here at the Science Center with our seismometer. Watch an earthquake unfold, analyze data, determine distance and intensity, and more.

Sediment Science - An i4 Initiative

Simulate the experience of a real geologist by trying your hand at core sampling. Uncover the evidence of millions of years of geologic processes that have created the layers of sediment that lie beneath us today, and in turn, created the beautiful patterns that we see in canyons across the globe. Learn what the size of the particles in the dirt underneath our feet and at the bottom of our rivers tells us about how it got there and where it came from.

Smart Energy

It’s Electric

A hair-raising show about electricity. Explore the ways electricity affects everything around us and investigate alternative sources of energy.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

There is more to “saving” the planet then just recycling. Learn more about waste and waste management so you can become a key player in making our world a safe and healthy place. Watch us make ordinary styrofoam disappear right before your eyes. Magic? No, it is science.

Picture of Health & Sports Lab

Simulating the Human Body - An i4 Initiative

Simulation is creating an experience as close to real life as possible. Nursing utilizes simulation through state-of-the-art mannequins with body functions similar to those of humans. Come experience this for yourself. Learn about the workings of your body: touch, feel, hear, and see body conditions as you take blood pressure readings, count respirations, measure pulse rate, learn about CPR and more. Don’t worry, our mannequin won’t feel a thing!

Do Gummy Bears Have the Right Stuff?

Explore how your body turns food into energy – with a big bang!

Don’t Catch Cooties

Are your hands really clean? Are you sure? See if your hand-washing passes our glowing test and explore how quickly germs can get passed around.

Iron Breakfast

Iron is used in steel but is also used in our bodies. Explore iron rich foods and even extract iron from your breakfast cereal.

Forces in Motion

Nano! Technology Where Size Matters!

Nanotechnology is quickly becoming part of our daily lives. Learn about the world of nanotech, what it is, where it can be found, and what it could mean for us.

Wind Tunnel Testing!

Use our Wind Tunnel Testing Chamber to explore why airplanes fly and the forces that air has on objects. Measure force, pressure and study flow patterns. Make and test your own airplanes and airfoils. You’ll soon discover that humans we’re indeed meant to fly!

Taking a break

If anyone in your family needs to take a break, get some fresh air, or even visit our downtown attractions, parks or restaurants, please note that your wristband provides you with access to the Science Center all day. You can exit and re-enter the building anytime during the day simply by showing your wristband to the attendant