DISCOVERY Children’s Museum in Las Vegas

Three stories of hands-on play at Symphony Park — where my favorite little visitors climb a 70-foot tower and never want to leave.

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A three-story museum built for curiosity

Housed in the Donald W. Reynolds Discovery Center, the museum celebrated its grand opening at Symphony Park on March 9, 2013. Its mission is to ignite a lifelong love of learning through a welcoming, inclusive space where everyone is invited to play and explore. Inside you’ll find nine hands-on exhibit halls spread across three floors, with plenty of natural light and elevators and stairs connecting every level.

The Summit

This is the one everyone talks about — a 70-foot climbing tower made up of 12 levels and 2,200 square feet that ascend all three floors of the museum. At the base, kids can lift an actual car using a giant lever, and at the very top they’re rewarded with panoramic views of downtown Las Vegas. Every level mixes climbing challenges with interactive science. Keep a close eye on little ones here, since the tubes and slides make it easy to wander between levels.

DISCOVERY Lab

An innovative makerspace — a first of its kind in Nevada — where kids get to invent, build, and experiment. If your child is the type who likes to take things apart and put them back together, this is their happy place.

Fantasy Festival

A dramatic-play wonderland with a life-size pirate ship, a medieval castle, and a theater stage. Kids can dress up, act out stories, and let their imaginations run the show. It’s a great spot to slow down and play alongside your child.

Eco City

A miniature, environmentally minded city where kids run errands and try on grown-up roles. There are recognizable buildings and businesses to explore, so children learn a little about community, sustainability, and how a city works while they play.

Patents Pending

A zone devoted to experimentation, curiosity, invention, problem-solving, and tinkering. Kids test ideas and put their creations to work, learning that a “mistake” is just part of figuring it out.

Toddler Town

A desert-themed area designed specifically for the youngest learners. If you’re bringing a toddler along, this is the gentle, safe corner where they can explore at their own pace without the big kids zooming by.

Water World

Hands-on water play that teaches conservation, sustainability, and the science behind Southern Nevada’s water resources. Kids get to make a splash while learning why water matters so much in our desert. Tip: bring a spare shirt — sleeves have a way of getting wet here.

Energy / Energía

Interactive exhibits that explore how energy is generated, stored, and moved around. It’s a hands-on way for kids to connect big ideas about power to the everyday world they live in.

Young at Art

A creative space inspired by storybook worlds, where kids paint, draw, and make. It’s the kind of open-ended art play that lets a child’s imagination lead the way.

Before You Go

Where: DISCOVERY Children’s Museum, 360 Promenade Place, Las Vegas, NV 89106 — in Symphony Park in downtown Las Vegas, near The Smith Center. There’s a parking garage on the side of the building, and the whole museum is connected by elevators and stairs.

What to expect: Plan for at least a couple of hours — there’s a lot to see across three floors and nine exhibit halls. Restrooms are on every level, and the natural light throughout makes it a bright, easy place to spend a morning or afternoon with kids of all ages.

Hours & pricing: These can change seasonally and around holidays, so check the official DISCOVERY Children’s Museum website for current hours, ticket prices, and any timed-entry details before you head out.

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