Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center
Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center
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About
The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center is a not-for-profit, mission-based, science center that promotes science learning through a variety of inquiry-based educational and entertaining activities, including exhibits, IMAX films, demonstrations, workshops and teacher professional development. Located in downtown Mobile, Exploreum visitors can experience more than 150 hands-on science adventures in three permanent galleries: Hands On Hall, the Wharf of Wonder and My BodyWorks, the most advanced health exhibit in the nation. The Exploreum also features large-scale, family friendly, interactive traveling exhibits, year-round with broad science content and supplementary, themed educational programming. Guests can also enjoy demonstrations or workshops in the ChemLab, BioLab or new ExploreTEC lab and see a film in the J.L. Bedsole IMAX Theater.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
234 reviews
Excellent
114
Very good
67
Average
23
Poor
20
Terrible
10
June P
Jamestown, NY35 contributions
Feb 2020
Both movies, Dinosauers Alive and Hidden Pacific, were excellent. The photography is awesome and both movies were very interesting & educational. While the Dinosauer models were very good and realistic with roars and movements thrown in, the exhibit would be more interesting to young children. We go to the Exploreum every winter when we are on the Gulf Coast & always enjoy our time there, but if we had it do over again, we'd probably just go to the 2 movies & save the money we spent on the exhibit.
Written 19 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chloe T
Mobile, AL120 contributions
Jan 2020
Wonderful outing for grandparents and kids. So many things to do in safe surroundings. Different play areas, many opportunities to learn new things. We are always finding something new to test and try and do. My four-year-old loves it, especially the body exhibit (sponsored by Mobile Infirmary) and the Dinosaurs. We generally spend four hours here and both look forward to return visits.
Written 2 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Relax2224
Mobile Alabama1 contribution
If you want a series of awe-inspiring attractions to thrill not only you, but your kids too, take them to the Exploreum! This is a great place displaying attractions ranging from the dead sea scrolls to Ancient Egypt. They have something new about every 6 months and I always go. They also have a side area of scientific things and other attractions.
Written 28 April 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Holly N
1 contribution
Jan 2023 • Family
Native of Mobile (held a fam membership) and this museum is consistently underwhelming. Most permanent exhibits are either tired and broken or completely out of commission (and have been for quite some time). In summer months, expect multiple outside facility summer camps utilizing the museum as an escape from the oppressive heat making the building seem like a poorly supervised daycare. Teens would not find this place enjoyable at all. It would definitely leave me disappointed as a visitor who dropped serious cash for a family outing. 100% do not recommend.
Written 28 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CaribeJane
Chicago, IL218 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
I am sorry to say that this "hands on" science failed miserably! Almost all of the interactive exhibits in the "human body" area (which was half of the science center, if you don't count the 5 and under play area) did not work or you were directed to go to the gift shop and PURCHASE an additional card to make the exhibit function. This is after you already paid the admission fee. The other hands-on areas were out of supplies, so we could not participate. Still more exhibits were broken or did not function. Lastly, all of their special exhibits (CUBA, at the moment) are an additional charge. We have visited many science centers over the years with the kids and we were never SO disappointed in a science center!
Written 19 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hales
Bellingham, WA3 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
I was really excited to take my kids here when we were visiting Mobile. We paid for the tickets that allow you into the exhibits and not the videos so I can’t speak for those. The body exhibit was cool, and informative, but the other ones were very underwhelming. There were multiple activities that were broken, missing pieces or had frozen screens. It is not cheap to visit here and I would definitely not go here again.
Written 26 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben T
Dhahran52 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
My one star really has more to do with their management problems than the facility or events themselves. I'm just upset that I drove across town and arrived an hour early (9:00 am) because of their website only to find that they open at 10:00. I mentioned this to them and it really didn't matter to them. I'm posting this just to be helpful to others who don't make the same mistake. Arrive at 10:00 am or later.
Written 24 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FloridaSenior2010
Pensacola, FL1 contribution
I visited the Exploreum recently with a group of seniors especially to see the reptile exhibit. Unfortunately there were very few reptiles on display. The rest of the exhibits were fairly interesting, that is those that were not broken. Overall I was very disappointed, especially considering the extremely high admission charge. I rate this facility POOR, NOT RECOMMENDED.
Written 5 October 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grammylulubelle
Warsaw, IN25 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
We had heard good things about this museum but was it was disappointment. The Healthy Living was fascinating but so many things were broken. Sorry to say as we went to other parts of Museum we found the same thing. This place has so much potential but needs a lot of polishing up ....also, could be cleaner.
Written 22 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex K
42 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
So we were in Mobile for only 1 day on our trip around the USA. And we stumbled across the Exploreum along the waterfront as we walked along.
After a quick look in, we thought it looked good and made our way inside. The price you pay for tickets, is superb considering how much you get out of this building. It was about $12 each I think which was very good
Included in the ticket price was tickets to both IMAX shows (Morgan Freeman narrating Lemurs in Madagascar & Another show that we didn't get to see unfortunately)
After viewing the Lemur IMAX show, which was incredible, we made our way into the dinosaur half of the Exploreum. A superb and huge room, full of interactive displays, funny facts and educational experiences. This alone would of been worth the $12.
But then we moved into the other half of the building, all about the human body. This was by far my favourite part. Im 23 but this was amazing. 3D hearts, tons of interaction from blood pressure, to strength, exercise bikes to practicing exploration surgery. Absolutely incredible. If I was here on a school trip, id be so very appreciative to my school for bring me here.
Also nice was the small restaurant on the side, which offered meals and drinks for extremely low prices. We had lunch in there and 2 meals and 2 drinks came to about $12 again.
All in all we spent about 4 hours in there, and it was such a well spent part of our day.
Can't recommend it enough
After a quick look in, we thought it looked good and made our way inside. The price you pay for tickets, is superb considering how much you get out of this building. It was about $12 each I think which was very good
Included in the ticket price was tickets to both IMAX shows (Morgan Freeman narrating Lemurs in Madagascar & Another show that we didn't get to see unfortunately)
After viewing the Lemur IMAX show, which was incredible, we made our way into the dinosaur half of the Exploreum. A superb and huge room, full of interactive displays, funny facts and educational experiences. This alone would of been worth the $12.
But then we moved into the other half of the building, all about the human body. This was by far my favourite part. Im 23 but this was amazing. 3D hearts, tons of interaction from blood pressure, to strength, exercise bikes to practicing exploration surgery. Absolutely incredible. If I was here on a school trip, id be so very appreciative to my school for bring me here.
Also nice was the small restaurant on the side, which offered meals and drinks for extremely low prices. We had lunch in there and 2 meals and 2 drinks came to about $12 again.
All in all we spent about 4 hours in there, and it was such a well spent part of our day.
Can't recommend it enough
Written 30 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are u handicap accessible? Do u have wheelchairs available for use?
Written 15 June 2016
Hi! We apologize for the delayed response. Our account got hacked and we were locked out for a while.
To answer your question, we have two wheelchair/stroller lifts at our front entrance. We do also a couple of basic wheelchairs here as well. They are not motorized but are available for our guests.
Feel free to call our box office if you have any additional questions. 1-251-208-6893
Written 8 July 2016
EddieandJennife... N
DeFuniak Springs, Florida
What is the cost per person? Are you stroller friendly?
Written 1 April 2015
Hi! Our apologies for the delayed response. Sometimes the TripAdvisor emails land in our Spam folder but it has been corrected now.
The information listed is correct as far as current admission prices and we do have stroller/wheelchair lifts at our front entrance.
Please feel free to call 1-251-208-6893 for more information. Our box office staff is always happy to help and can let you know about any special events, exhibits and other family friendly activities to do in the area while you are here!
We look forward to seeing you and your family soon!
Written 6 April 2015
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