Orpheum Children's Science Museum
Orpheum Children's Science Museum
Orpheum Children's Science Museum
3.5
This location was reported permanently closed
About
The mission of the Orpheum Children's Science Museum is to inspire, engage and educate diverse children of all ages through the exploration of the sciences and arts. With humble beginnings, the OCSM was established was in 1994 to protect the historic, 100-year-old "New Orpheum Theatre." Today, the OCSM attracts 30,000+ annual visitors across Champaign County and the region through STEAM camp/clubs, exhibits, special events, and more.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
32 reviews
Excellent
4
Very good
12
Average
11
Poor
2
Terrible
3
BarefootArkansas10
Mena, AR2 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
We visited with our two children and niece. It was okay. This was a couple of years ago, so they may have changed some things.
There just really wasn't much there, and what was there wasn't in the best condition. It was lacking a lot of finish details. There was exposed plywood in some of the exhibits. Everything was kind of grimy. It was basically like visiting a large daycare, and in fact had many daycare-type toys- right down to the dirty stuffed animals in the "vet" exhibit.
In addition, the older lady working at the font desk was very rude. She had a short manner, and didn't respond to conversation. She also refused to accept my membership card from another museum, even though it said right on the card that the Orpheum was part of their membership network. I know it's only $5 to get in, but that adds up, and we didn't have the cash. I had to ask my MIL to pay our admission fee. It was very embarrassing.
The kids seemed to enjoy themselves for an hour or so. I wouldn't go back, though.
There just really wasn't much there, and what was there wasn't in the best condition. It was lacking a lot of finish details. There was exposed plywood in some of the exhibits. Everything was kind of grimy. It was basically like visiting a large daycare, and in fact had many daycare-type toys- right down to the dirty stuffed animals in the "vet" exhibit.
In addition, the older lady working at the font desk was very rude. She had a short manner, and didn't respond to conversation. She also refused to accept my membership card from another museum, even though it said right on the card that the Orpheum was part of their membership network. I know it's only $5 to get in, but that adds up, and we didn't have the cash. I had to ask my MIL to pay our admission fee. It was very embarrassing.
The kids seemed to enjoy themselves for an hour or so. I wouldn't go back, though.
Written 13 May 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.
Jocelyn W
Lisbon, Portugal148 contributions
Sept 2013 • Family
This museum is filled with fun stuff in a really great space. It is small but they have packed as much as possible into the space without overcrowding it. My 7yr old and 2 yr old are both content to spend a couple hours there...and I love that there are age appropriate exhibits for both of them! Neither is ever bored.
The best part of the museum is not in the exhibits but in its programming. I've been to children's museums on 3 continents, huge museums, flashy ones, artful ones, many over-the-top-ADD-inducing museums and none had the range of programming this little homegrown children's museum has! The staff obviously cares a whole lot about children's education and tries hard to bring it to all their programs.
The best part of the museum is not in the exhibits but in its programming. I've been to children's museums on 3 continents, huge museums, flashy ones, artful ones, many over-the-top-ADD-inducing museums and none had the range of programming this little homegrown children's museum has! The staff obviously cares a whole lot about children's education and tries hard to bring it to all their programs.
Written 16 September 2013
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.
kellilynnhann
Kissimmee, FL18 contributions
Feb 2013 • Family
My 5-year-old, husband and I had a nice time at the Orpheum. It's small and not very science-oriented (though they're trying), but there was plenty to do. There's a water table where you can move the paddles and learn about flow. We (my husband and I included) spent most of the time upstairs playing with the magnetic shapes and leggos. There was a broken exhibit and the outdoor area was closed.
I agree with the other reviews in that older kids (7+) would probably get bored quickly. I would take her again.
I agree with the other reviews in that older kids (7+) would probably get bored quickly. I would take her again.
Written 12 June 2013
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.
Heather J
Champaign, IL182 contributions
Sept 2012 • Solo
A lot of the "exhibits" were broken. Not very educational at all.
My biggest problem with the Orpheum is that it is DIRTY. You can literally see the dirt and grime.
They really are being generous by calling themselves a 'children's museum.'
My biggest problem with the Orpheum is that it is DIRTY. You can literally see the dirt and grime.
They really are being generous by calling themselves a 'children's museum.'
Written 19 June 2013
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.
Jane S
Urbana, IL2 contributions
May 2012 • Family
Great place for kids. Lots of learning for the children of all ages. Highly recommend it...
Written 29 May 2012
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.
cyclonesdan
Champaign-Urbana, IL156 contributions
Jul 2018
We took our niece to the museum for a different type of experience. Wow it was a pleasure and fun place. There are so many interactive events and activities for kids of all ages. She didn’t want to stop for lunch. So after lunch we were back. There is plenty of parking available. The museum is located in the Neil St parking lot. There could be a little updated done. Your kids will enjoy and will want to return. Try it anytime.
Written 14 March 2019
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.
Elisa L
Saint Louis, MO165 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
This museum is not worth a visit. The exhibits are broken and worn out. My daughter was very disappointed, not even the magnets worked! There was a lone sad tarantula in the animal area and an empty aquarium, the stuffed animals were in no better shape in the vet area. Not even the gift shop was good, the merchandise was dusty. we’ve been to our share of modest children museums or science museums, you don’t need a big budget but at least you owe it to the kids to have clean and working exhibits. Don’t waste your $5.
Written 14 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.
ILrelax
Illinois60 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
I took my 2 & 3 year old's to the museum & they loved it! Plenty of activities to keep them interested and busy. We stayed for around 2 hours but they would have liked to stay & play longer. Glad we found this little museum! Perfect for the 2-3 year olds!
Written 28 April 2017
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.
MichellesCharmWorld
Rockford, IL88 contributions
May 2015 • Family
My kids had a blast but my wallet did not like the price we paid for this miniature version of a museum. Many of their exhibits were out of order or broken, but the staff was friendly and what little they had was pretty cool.
Written 23 May 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.
Julz90
11 contributions
Came here with my 4 year old son. Wasn't expecting much based on the size of the building and the admission. I have to say, my son was very happy to be there. He mostly wanted to do larger exhibits such as the water table and boat/castle. He didn't want to do the science stations that much. But once he was shown how to do the activities, he wanted to know how and why they work that way.
All in all, it's not a bad place to go.There is more stuff outside but it is seasonal. If you want to introduce your child to basic science, in addition to letting them play around, this is a good place to go.
All in all, it's not a bad place to go.There is more stuff outside but it is seasonal. If you want to introduce your child to basic science, in addition to letting them play around, this is a good place to go.
Written 9 January 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.
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