Review: Ontario Science Centre

Zoom out. What’s this place all about?
Built into the Don River Valley, this center encourages visitors to “get lost in science” through a series of engaging and interactive exhibits, demos, and programs. The experience begins with the complex itself, which was designed in the Brutalist style by noted Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama in a way that takes into consideration the natural curves of the surrounding ravine. (The raw concrete building was awarded a landmark designation in 2017.)

Ye shall know them by their permanent collection: How was it?
Surrounded by beautiful views and outdoor paths, the center’s six levels house ten exhibit halls (which display over 500 interactive stations and numerous art installations, all conceived, designed, and built in-house), Toronto’s only public planetarium, a 400-seat auditorium, and Ontario’s only domed IMAX theater. Wander through a living rainforest to learn about tropical vegetation, take in the sound of waterfalls, and look out for poison dart frogs; scan topical science-related headlines in the Hot Zone, where you can also pose questions to the live presenters; play educational games in the Science Arcade; learn about 150 years of Canadian natural history, and much more. Of course, the IMAX shows—presented on a giant dome screen, with 44 wrap-around speakers—are a big draw, as is the 50-seat planetarium, which takes you on a journey through space.

What did you make of the crowd?
The center can hold up to 10,000 visitors over its six levels, is popular with families and school groups, and hosts birthday parties, special events, day camps, and sleepovers—so yes, it can get crowded with both visitors and locals. To help cut-down on waiting time, purchase your general admission and IMAX tickets in advance online, and try to visit on Saturdays after 4 p.m., which tends to be less busy.

On the practical tip, how were facilities?
There are benches throughout the building, and seating in the restaurants and brown bag lunch areas. Maps are available, but no tours, as the museum was designed to allow guests to “get lost in science” and follow what attracts them the most. One tip before wandering: Note that the lowest level is Level 6 and the top one is Level 1, which is a bit counter-intuitive.

Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it?
There’s no official gift shop, but souvenirs and science-themed items (like books, gifts, and DIY kits) are available at the Box Office and online.

Is the café worth a stop, or should we just plan on going elsewhere?
There’s a lobby café serving fresh salads, sandwiches, and snacks, as well as Tim Horton coffee and baked goods, and the Maker Bean Café serving tea from local brand Pluck and locally-roasted Propeller coffee. For something more substantial, the Terrace Grill offers tons of kid-friendly fare (think hot dogs, burgers, grilled cheese, pizza, and pasta), as well as salads, chef’s specials, and grab-and-go items. On weekends and holidays there’s also the additional KidSpark Café serving similar fare.

Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged?
Since the Centre was designed to be a personalized experience, you could do a quicker visit and just zero in on what interests you—but you might lose out on the interactive experiences by rushing, and the space is so large that much of your time might be spent just getting around. Just be sure to visit the Cohon Family Nature Escape, where you can spy a giant Baltimore oriole nest, a porous concrete wall that provides a canvas for live moss graffiti, and a tree slide carved from the fallen trunk of a 125-year-old Eastern White Pine.