MOSI Tampa: From Museum of Science & Industry to Museum of Science & Innovation
If you grew up here, you probably know it as the Museum of Science and Industry. Since January 2026, MOSI stands for the Museum of Science & Innovation. Same acronym, same building on Fowler Avenue across from USF, same planetarium. Road signs, school forms, and older maps may still say "Industry," and that's fine. It's the same place.
Families come for hands-on science and the Saunders Planetarium. Most exhibits suit grades K–8, while younger children can try shorter hands-on stops. The museum is at 4801 E. Fowler Avenue, across from USF.
This is an independent family guide, not the museum's ticket seller. Ticket prices, hours, parking, inclusions, add-ons and discounts below were checked November 8, 2026 against MOSI's pages or the discount program's own site.
MOSI Tickets and Prices 2026
General admission, members, parking and hours
- Adults ages 18+: $20
- Children ages 3–17: $15
- Children under 3: Not published on MOSI's ticket page. Ask the box office before visiting.
- MOSI members: Free admission. One planetarium show per guest is included with each visit.
- Parking: Free. Guest parking is in front of the museum, with overflow parking nearby.
- Hours: 10 am to 5 pm daily. MOSI closes on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Campus gates normally lock at 5:30 pm unless an after-hours event is scheduled.
Buy from MOSI's official admission page or at the museum box office. MOSI's ticket FAQ says discounts and special offers can only be applied in person.
What your MOSI ticket includes
General admission covers MOSI's hands-on exhibits and one Saunders Planetarium show, selected when you arrive and subject to availability. The planetarium is inside the Holloway Digital Dome Theatre. MOSI calls it an immersive dome cinema, not an IMAX theater, and does not publish a separate IMAX ticket.
MOSI says it has regular and rotating exhibits. It does not publish a standard surcharge for rotating exhibits, but separately ticketed special events may have their own prices. Check the MOSI calendar for the date you plan to visit.
What costs extra
- Additional Saunders Planetarium shows: $5 at the box office
- SciLinx Mini Golf: $5 with general admission or $3 for members
- Ultimate T. Rex Virtual Reality: $8 with general admission
- Special events or limited programs: Price not published as one standard rate. Check the individual event listing.
MOSI discounts and free-admission programs
- Suncoast Credit Union: Buy one adult or child general-admission ticket with a Suncoast debit or credit card and get a second ticket free. MOSI allows up to two free tickets per member per visit. Redeem at the box office; add-ons and special events are excluded.
- Museums for All: $3 per person for up to five guests with a SNAP EBT card and photo ID. Add-ons are excluded.
- Florida K–12 educators and school staff: Free exhibit admission with proof of active employment and photo ID. Homeschool educators need current homeschool documentation and photo ID. MOSI says this educator admission excludes the planetarium, VR, mini golf and special events.
- Tampa Bay CityPASS: MOSI says the bundle can save up to 55% across MOSI and four other Tampa Bay attractions.
- Military discount: Not published on MOSI's current ticket or special-offers pages.
- Florida resident discount: No general resident rate is published. The educator offer above is limited to eligible Florida educators and school staff.
- Bank of America Museums on Us: MOSI is not on the program's current Florida partner list. The Tampa Museum of Art is listed instead.
- Library passes: MOSI is not on the current Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative Discovery Pass attraction list.
Verify offer terms before traveling. See MOSI's special offers, the Bank of America Museums on Us partner list, and the HCPLC Discovery Pass page.
MOSI Tampa Hours & Quick Facts
- Location: North Tampa, across from USF
- Hours: Open daily, 10 am - 5 pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Best For: Ages 5-14 (grades K-8), homeschool families, science fans
- Time Needed: About 3 hours, longer with add-ons
- Size: More than 50,000 sq ft of exhibits and experiences
- Parking: Free
Must-See Exhibits & Experiences
1. Holloway Digital Dome Theatre
MOSI's reopened dome venue hosts the Saunders Planetarium, immersive films, and laser light shows on a wraparound screen. Your general admission ticket includes one show; check the schedule when you arrive since shows rotate.
2. Mission: Moonbase
Developed in part with NASA, this exhibit puts kids in the role of astronaut, scientist, or engineer running a lunar base. They test how power, food, and life support would work on the Moon. Best for kids who like space and problem-solving.
3. Aviation Evolution
Walk through an interactive maze that traces the history of flight, from early gliders to modern aircraft. Kids fold paper planes, solve touch-wall puzzles, and stand under a real aircraft suspended overhead.
4. IDEAZone
MOSI's maker space, right on the museum floor. Kids try rotating hands-on activities, watch the 3D printers at work, and catch live science demos throughout the day. Good for all ages, including younger kids.
5. LIVECycles Butterfly Garden
An outdoor enclosure filled with native plants and free-flying butterflies, plus a station where you can watch caterpillars emerge from their chrysalis. It's a calm, shaded stop, good for a break between busier exhibits. It's outdoors, so it can close during lightning or severe weather.
6. Flight Club Drone Zone
Fly drones through an obstacle course. A staff favorite with tweens and teens who want something more active than a typical exhibit.
Planetarium & Live Shows
Saunders Planetarium, inside the Holloway Digital Dome Theatre, runs shows on space, science, and storytelling. One show is included with general admission when available; additional shows cost $5 at the box office. MOSI recommends the 45-minute experience for ages 4+, though it sets no minimum age. Check MOSI's schedule and closure notices before booking.
Science LIVE! is listed daily at 2 pm in IDEAZone. The roughly 15-minute demonstration is included with admission; times may change for special events.
Laser light shows run on the same dome screen for older kids and families who want something louder and more visual.
Outdoor & Add-On Experiences
SciLinx Mini Golf ⭐ Popular with Every Age
Nine holes with a dinosaur theme on the new Cretaceous Course. $5 per person with admission, $3 for members. Ages 4 and up. No set tee times; play whenever you like. It's weather-dependent, since it's outdoors.
Ultimate T. Rex Virtual Reality
A 6-minute VR ride through the world of dinosaurs, using 3D goggles and a motion chair. $8 per person. Riders need to fit comfortably in the headset and support themselves in the seat; there's no height requirement.
MOSI Explorers
Included with admission, Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 4 pm at the Art Factory. Kids design and collect custom button pins, one per visit. All ages welcome, with help from a grown-up or a MOSI team member.
Scavenger Hunts
Self-guided hunts run daily and are included with admission. A good way to keep younger kids engaged as you move through the museum.
Special Experiences & Programs
Birthday Parties
Four themes: Slimy Science, Dinomite Dinos, Birthday Blast Off, and Energetic Engineers. Parties run Saturday or Sunday at 10:30 am or 2 pm, last 90 minutes, and fit up to 30 people.
- Standard package: $400 (non-members) or $300 (members)
- Premium package: $450 (non-members) or $350 (members)
- Add-ons: party favor bags, planetarium show ($5/person), or VR ($8/person)
- Book at least 15 days ahead; ages 4+
Field Trips & Camps
MOSI runs field trip programs on chemistry, engineering, robotics, and space, aligned with Florida standards. School break camps and homeschool programs run throughout the year. Check the MOSI calendar for current dates.
Adult Nights
Science After Dark is MOSI's 21+ event series, with access to Beakers Bar. Check the MOSI events calendar for dates.
Age-Specific Guide
Toddlers & Preschoolers (Ages 1-5)
- Best Areas: LIVECycles Butterfly Garden, IDEAZone's hands-on stations
- Note: MOSI no longer has a dedicated toddler play zone, so plan for shorter stretches and more breaks
- Bring: Stroller, snacks, a change of clothes
Elementary (Ages 6-11)
- Best Areas: Mission: Moonbase, Aviation Evolution, Science LIVE!, planetarium
- Activities: Scavenger hunts, MOSI Explorers pin-making, mini golf
Tweens & Teens (Ages 12+)
- Best Experiences: Flight Club Drone Zone, Virtual Reality ride, Aviation Evolution
- Programs: Camps, field trips, and volunteer opportunities
Insider Tips for Families
Best Times to Visit
Least Crowded:
- Weekday mornings, right after opening
- During the school year, outside of field trip season (call ahead to check)
Avoid:
- Weekends, which get busy
- Rainy days, since everyone heads indoors
Money-Saving Strategies
- Compare membership plans with the number of visits your household actually expects
- Suncoast Credit Union card gets you a free second ticket
- Compare Tampa Bay CityPASS only if you're also visiting its other included attractions
- Skip add-ons: Mini golf and VR are extra, and general admission alone fills a few hours
- Homeschool programs often include discounted admission
What to Bring
Essentials:
- Refillable water bottle (fill stations are on-site)
- Camera for the butterfly garden and Aviation Evolution
- Light layer (the museum runs cool inside)
- Cash or card for add-ons at the box office
Optional:
- Notebook for older kids to record what they discover
- Sunscreen for outdoor exhibits and mini golf
Food & Dining
Beakers Bar & Bites: MOSI's dining page lists food and drinks Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 1 pm. It is card-only, and alcohol service requires guests to be 21+ with valid ID.
MOSI Marketplace: Quick snacks, cold drinks, treats, and retail items.
Outside Food: Allowed in the lobby and outdoors, including Science Park picnic tables. Not allowed along the exhibit path or in the planetarium.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair and stroller accessible throughout, with wheelchairs available at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis; a photo ID is required
- Same-day re-entry allowed; check in at the ticket counter before you leave
Sample Itinerary: A Day at MOSI
10:00 AM - Arrive at opening
10:15 AM - IDEAZone and Mission: Moonbase
11:00 AM - Aviation Evolution
11:45 AM - Planetarium show (check the schedule)
12:30 PM - Lunch at The Melt Machine or a picnic in Science Park
1:15 PM - LIVECycles Butterfly Garden
1:45 PM - MOSI Explorers pin-making (Tuesday-Saturday)
2:00 PM - Science LIVE! demonstration
2:30 PM - SciLinx Mini Golf or the VR ride
3:30 PM - Gift shop and head home
Nearby Attractions
Combine your visit with:
- Busch Gardens (5 min) - Theme park and zoo
- Adventure Island (5 min) - Water park
- Lettuce Lake Park (10 min) - Boardwalk, observation tower, playground
- ZooTampa at Lowry Park (15-20 min) - Tampa's zoo
- University Mall (5 min) - Shopping and dining
Getting There & Parking
Address: 4801 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33617
Parking:
- FREE parking lot in front of the main entrance, with overflow parking nearby
- Gates lock at 5:30 pm unless an after-hours event is scheduled
From Major Areas:
- Downtown Tampa: 20 minutes
- South Tampa: 25 minutes
- Brandon: 20 minutes
- Clearwater: 45 minutes
- St. Petersburg: 40 minutes
Final Tips for Success
- Check official tickets and show availability before you go; discounts are applied at the box office, not online
- Arrive early for the best experience
- Check the schedule for planetarium showtimes and Science LIVE!
- Plan 3 hours minimum to see the main exhibits
- Save mini golf and VR for later so kids aren't tired out before the museum floor
- Check the MOSI calendar for special events before you visit
- Consider a membership if you'll visit more than twice a year
Pro Tip: Visit on a weekday morning during the school year. You'll beat the crowds and have more time with each exhibit.
Related Resources
Explore more Tampa family content:
- Tampa activities
- things to do in Tampa
- indoor playgrounds in Tampa
- best museums for kids in Tampa - how MOSI compares with Glazer, the History Center, and more
- Valentine's Day activities for kids - includes MOSI's seasonal programming
