MOSI Tampa: Museum of Science & Innovation Complete Family Guide
MOSI stands for the Museum of Science and Innovation — the museum's new name as of January 2026, updated from its longtime name, Museum of Science & Industry. It's still MOSI, still on Fowler Avenue, and still Tampa's biggest hands-on science center. Families come for the planetarium, the outdoor exhibits, and a full day of things to touch and try.
Quick Facts: MOSI Tampa
- 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: 3 hours minimum
- Size: Over 50,000 sq ft of exhibits and experiences
- Parking: FREE
Ticket Prices & Discounts
General Admission (includes one planetarium show):
- Adults (18+): $20
- Children (3-17): $15
- MOSI Members: Free
Add-On Experiences:
- SciLinx Mini Golf (Cretaceous Course): $5, or $3 for members
- Ultimate T. Rex Virtual Reality ride: $8
- Extra planetarium shows: $5
Money-Saving Tips:
- Membership: $75 for a party of two, $125 for a party of five, or $175 for a party of eight — good for a full year and often worth it after two or three visits
- Suncoast Credit Union: Buy one ticket with a Suncoast card, get one free at the box office
- Educators: Free admission for Florida K-12 teachers with proof of employment
- Museums for All: $3 per person (up to five guests) with a valid SNAP EBT card
- Blue Star Museums: Free admission for active-duty military and up to five family members, mid-May through Labor Day
- CityPASS: Bundle MOSI with Busch Gardens, ZooTampa, and The Florida Aquarium for up to 55% off
Discounts and offers can only be applied in person at the box office, not online.
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 daily on space, science, and storytelling. One show is included with general admission; extra shows cost $5.
Science LIVE! happens every day at 2 pm in the Raymond James Amphitheatre, with hands-on demonstrations included in admission.
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
- Membership pays for itself in two or three visits if you'll return
- Suncoast Credit Union card gets you a free second ticket
- CityPASS if you're also visiting Busch Gardens, ZooTampa, or the Aquarium
- 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
The Melt Machine: Grilled cheese and melty sandwiches, open daily 11 am - 2 pm, indoors or out in Science Park.
MOSI Marketplace: Quick snacks and drinks throughout the day.
Beakers Bar: Cocktails, beer, and mocktails for guests 21+.
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 to rent
- 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) - Nature trails, boardwalk
- 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
- Buy tickets online to skip the line at the box office
- 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
MOSI Tampa blends education and play, with hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, and outdoor experiences that hold up for a full day out. It's still one of Tampa's best science stops for curious kids.
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
- Valentine's Day activities for kids - includes MOSI's seasonal programming
