A Review of Liberty Science Center : What Age is Best for My Child to Visit?

Every kid should have a chance to visit Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, but sometimes it's hard to figure out what age to bring them. What age is right for a science center, after all? Well, that all depends on your child. But hopefully you can read through my description and some of the reader comments below to help you make your decision. There's a lot of information here, but my post is designed for easy reading, so scroll through to find the headlines you're looking for.

Disclosure: this was not written as a sponsored post. I paid for my admission and typed up a little review to help others enjoy their visit, too.  I have since been invited back by LSC and received tickets for my family in exchange for honest updates to this post. 

What is the Liberty Science Center?

On their Twitter page, LSC (I'm just going to abbreviate from now on- you get it, right?) refers to themselves as a 'wonder factory,' and I swear that's the best way to describe them!  They are open year round. And one of the coolest things you see when you arrive is the Hoberman Sphere, which slowly expands and contracts before your eyes.

The Jersey Momma's Boy was excited to begin his journey through the LSC!

*Note: When you arrive, be sure to grab a 'Today at LSC' paper guide/pamphlet. They are available in the lobby or throughout the center (I found mine at the desk by the Infinity Climber).There are live demos and shows throughout the day and this will help you navigate. Also good to know is that you can use the LSC Wifi while visiting! Save your data! 

Liberty Science Center is like a giant hands-on learning experience.  There are four floors with exhibits that range from animals to communication, infections to energy - you name it, there's learning going on.  There are tunnels, rock walls, animals, movies, and just about anything you can think of.  You MUST visit their website for a complete list of current exhibits, because they're always changing.  We were fortunate enough to be there for their Rubix Cube exhibit, but in the past we've seen Curious George, Avatar, Thomas the Train, The Lion King, New York City exhibits, and more.

The Infinity Climber

Before you begin your journey at the center, you'll be greeted by the Infinity Climber. It hangs in the middle of the science center, between all of the floors. Here's a little blurb about the Infinity Climber from the LSC website:

"The Infinity Climber is the world’s first suspended climbing play space of its kind. The structure itself measures 26 feet wide, 24 feet deep, and 19 feet tall. It is surrounded by 19 miles of hand-threaded wire that forms a protective mesh to prevent climbers from falling to the ground below."

It's pretty awesome, isn't it? The kids all seemed to love it, and even if you're not climbing inside of it, it's incredible to look at! It's free to climb in with your paid admission.

What Else Will I See at Liberty Science Center?

There's literally too much to name. You can check out their entire list of live shows, films, and exhibitions here.  Each floor holds different experiences.  The Jersey Momma's Boy (and most of the kids there) was fascinated by the giant sneezing nose in the Contagion Station.

Energy Quest has some fun ways to create power, like water, solar and wind. You can pedal a bicycle to create power, or race cars with solar energy.

Try your hand at solar power racing!

We adore the Eat and Be Eaten exhibit, where you can see a variety of different animals and insects (the tamarin monkeys and naked mole rats were my favorites).

And I love the 'Our Hudson Home,' where you can see some of the beauty that the Hudson River offers. The fish of the Hudson were particularly fascinating!  Who knew they could get so big?? There's even a touch tank here for the kids, too (check the schedule when you arrive to see when the tank will be open). .

I also liked the observation deck, where you could walk outside and see the New York City skyline.

Another exhibit that The Jersey Momma's Boy loves is the Wonder Why area.  Here he was able to climb a mini rock wall, make giant bubbles, test his arm strength, and more.

Skyscraper was a beautiful and touching exhibit, with artifacts from 9/11 on display.  Although The Jersey Momma's Boy was too young yet, older children can 'walk the steel' beams high above the displays. This is free with paid admission but there is a height requirement.

They can experience a 'hurricane in a box' (which is actually pretty funny to watch from the outside!), build with colorful blocks and more.

Liberty Science Center also boasts beautiful views of the New York City Skyline and the Statue of Liberty. The photo below is old but I wanted to include it in the post because it shows the construction of the Freedom Tower in the skyline.

The Touch Tunnel - is it scary?

LSC is home to another cool exhibit called The Touch Tunnel.  Designed to show you what it's like to rely on all of your senses (not just your sight!) for navigation, the touch tunnel is a dark (and I mean dark) crawlspace type of tunnel.  Adults must accompany children under 7 (and this is a low tunnel, so adults must crouch/crawl if they follow their little ones in).  If you have a bad back, bad knees or are particularly tall, this is not the exhibit for you.  If your child is afraid of the dark, of confined spaces or narrow tunnels, this is not the exhibit for you!  I journeyed through with The Jersey Momma's Boy on more than one occasion.  The tunnel is pitch black, and you pretty much use your hands to navigate through, touching the carpeted walls for guidance (it only takes a few minutes to navigate through, but seems much longer.  Their site says ten minutes, but I would say it took us five. I suppose it depends on how crowded it gets)).  One year we cheated a bit because The Jersey Momma's Boy had light up shoes, so they helped guide our way.  I also saw someone using the light from their cell phone to help (but that does kind of defeat the purpose!). There are employees monitoring what's going on inside the tunnel at all times, and they can help anyone who might be in distress or get upset during the exploration (I think they have an emergency 'light on' switch if needed).  If you make it to the other side you can see a photo of yourself in the tunnel on their computer screens, and even have it emailed to yourself!  I'm quite proud of these pictures, believe it or not.Bystanders can watch a real-time video of the people climbing through the tunnel, which is projected on a big screen.

Jack Horner Dino Dig (summers only)

The Jack Horner Dino Dig is included with your paid admission and only open during their summer season because it is outdoors. Here's a blurb about it from their website: At this outdoor adventure, you're invited to become a paleontologist by digging through 35 tons of sand to uncover more than 60 fossils – many of them replicas of those discovered in Montana by Jack Horner, the famed paleontologist who inspired Jurassic Park.

In your journey, you might uncover T-rex bones and teeth, an egg nest with a baby Maiasaura, a 6-foot-long Triceratops skull, and even a dragonfly fossil!  Also look for a zone with Jurassic marine reptiles!

So...Is My Child the Right Age for Liberty Science Center?

I feel like LSC is right for any age.  Honestly, there's really something for everyone.  The I Explore area is designed specifically for ages 2-5 and contains mini animal exhibits, hands-on learning and fun climbing opportunities for little learners.

Older children can learn a lot from every exhibit.  The Energy Quest exhibit specifically has a lot of opportunities for higher level thinking.  Some of the exhibits were over my little one's head.  By that I mean that he was too little to understand them yet (he was 4 during our first visit and 6 during our second visit. He got the most out of his visits when we visited at ages 10 and 11). But he still enjoyed experimenting and playing, so I think it kind of balances out.

Laser Shows and Science Films 

For added fees you can view LSC's current films and shows.  They have an amazing, domed theater with a wrap around screen and tiered seating. Infants under 2 are not permitted in the theater.  The theater is situated inside the dome that you see from the outside of the building.  It's one of the first things you notice about LSC! There are 3D films, standard films and the Weston Family Lab where you can learn about the earth and space.

If you choose to skip the shows, you might be missing out on some incredible science magic, but there is still so much to see and do in the center, so don't fret.

Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium

The Planetarium is stunning and truly worth visiting if you are interested in the universe and our beautiful night sky. Attending a show is an added fee, but there are shows for various ages and it's really an incredible experience. The planetarium is the largest in the western hemisphere and truly state of the art. You can see a list of their shows here. I am not usually one to splurge for the add-ons when buying an admission ticket someplace, but I really think it's worth it to see one of these planetarium shows. We were all really amazed by it, and the shows were just the right length of time (around 30 minutes). If you're bringing younger children, check the show titles- they do offer some geared specifically towards little kids and they will get much more out of it if the show is geared to their level (there was a Big Bird show available when we visited!).

Where Can I Eat at Liberty Science Center?

I actually really like the food at LSC.  It's basically a cafeteria but I really like their wood fired pizza. They also have sandwiches, chicken fingers, burgers, and other hot meals available, as well as desserts, drinks and snacks. Plenty of choices for picky eaters!  There's a lot to choose from and the eating area can get kind of crowded, so arrive before or after the lunch rush for best seating (11:30am on a weekday was perfect for us).  Prices were reasonable for a type of place such as this.

*You can read more about their food options and allergen information here. 

Souvenir Shop

This is one of my favorite souvenir shops to visit.  But if you've read my entries before, then you know The Jersey Momma's Boy and Mr. Jersey Momma are not big fans of souvenir shops.  So I always leave them in the Skyscraper! exhibit when I want to shop here (the shop is across from it). The Jersey Momma's Boy builds his super structures out of blocks with Mr. Jersey Momma and I run off to look at all of the shirts, rocks, science books, jewelry, stuffed animals, astronaut food, exotic candy, LEGO sets, STEM toys, and other fun things that this funky shop has to offer.

Prices range here- there are small items to buy for kids, but the coolest items are a bit pricey (stuffed animals, t-shirts, etc. are usually $20 and up). They also have some snacks, but again...$$$

How Much Does Liberty Science Center Cost?

As always, be sure to check the LSC website for the latest ticket prices and cost (as of the publication date of this entry, prices for children 2-12 begin at $19.99 each and adults started at $24.99 each - additional fees are applied for theater shows and combo tickets).  If you need a chart of the current prices, you'll find it here. I think the combo tickets are worth it if there is a premium exhibit that you really want to see (premium are those "special exhibits" that run for limited times, such as the LEGO exhibit we just visited). Plus, the planetarium shows are really incredible.

We tend to visit places like this during the week in the morning, so crowds are at their lowest.  But if you come during a busier time or on the weekends, the line for ticket purchase can be super long. You might want to order tickets online in advance for that reason. You might be able to find coupons online or in the KidStuff coupon books that are sold in some schools. Groupon and Living Social also have deals at times, so always search around on the internet for your best price. Sign up for Liberty Science Centers emails and follow them on social media for up to date coupons and special events.

If you visit in summer be prepared for TONS of visiting day camps. There's not much you can do to avoid summer camps, except arrive early and start on the upper floors and work your way down.

Parking

There is ample parking at LSC and an overflow lot if necessary.  It states on their website that they charge a $7.00 parking fee, but the last time we went (during the week) there was no parking cost. I'm not sure why that was.  Their website also offers extensive directions from all areas.

Jersey Momma Tips

*I found the Liberty Science Center website a bit hard to navigate and I wished they had a clear map of their whole establishment online (if they did, I couldn't find it). Here's a picture of the map provided during our visit. Perhaps it will help you in planning your visit, too. Zoom in to see the floors! (*just know that some of the exhibits change, so what is listed on my map might not be what is available to see during your visit)

*strollers are permitted and there is a lot of walking, since this is a large place, so be sure to take along what you need for your little ones! There are elevators but my kiddo always runs straight for the stairs, so I feel like we do a lot of walking up and down between floors.

*LSC also hosts birthday parties, camps and special events, so keep that in mind if you're looking for a fun place to party!

*if you visit often, you can become an LSC member and receive special offers and discounts, as well as unlimited visits! Find out more here. Membership also makes a great gift for someone!

*LSC is a popular place for camps, schools and various groups to visit.  Arrive early and pre-purchase tickets online if you can.  I recommend weekdays over weekends (pretty much anywhere, actually).  If you arrive at the same time as large groups, consider starting on a different floor than them (go from the top to the bottom)

*the bathrooms we visited were clean and family friendly, also plenty of them located on each floor, as well as water fountains.  There is even a nursing room available if you inquire at the front desk.

*the entire building is handicapped accessible and has elevators throughout

*LSC offers Teacher Appreciation Days and Special Needs Days, among other things.  Check out their website for more info!

*also to note here, the fabulous Liberty Humane Society is located right beyond the parking lot of the LSC.  Why not bring them a donation (here's a link to their wishlist) or stop in to find a furry friend after visiting the science center?