City of Ocala
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Discovery Center
701 NE Sanchez Ave.
Ocala, FL 34470
(352) 401-3900
Discovery@ocalafl.gov
Hours
Tuesday - Saturday: 10 AM - 4 PM
Closed Sundays & Mondays
*Last entry at 3:30 PM
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Plan Your Visit
Admission Details – What’s Included in Your Visit
Your admission includes full access to our first-floor animal exhibits and interactive discovery hallway, as well as entry to the second-floor rotating exhibition space. We feature three unique exhibits each year, offering fresh and engaging experiences for returning visitors.
We recommend setting aside 45 minutes to 1 hour to fully enjoy everything our center has to offer.
Please note: The last admission is 30 minutes before closing, so plan your visit accordingly to make the most of your time.
Admission
| Ages | price |
|---|---|
| Adults (18+) | $8.00 / Person |
| Children (3 - 17) | $8.00 / Person |
| Seniors/Veterans | $7.00 / Person |
| Infants (2 and under) | Free |
| Discovery Center Members | Free |
| Family of Four | $28 / family |
| Museums for All Participants | Free |
|
StarLab planetarium (Saturdays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.) |
$3.00 add-on each |
2026 Closures Schedule
| Closures | Dates | re-open for business |
|---|---|---|
| Exhibit Installation | Jan. 6-16, | Saturday, Jan. 17 |
|
Engineering Day (Closed to Public, must be registered) |
March 7 | Tuesday, March 10 |
| Exhibit Installation |
May 12-22 | Saturday, May 23 |
| Juneteenth | June 19 | Saturday, June 20 |
| Independence Day | July 4 | Tuesday, July 7 |
| Exhibit Installation | Sept. 22 - Oct. 9 | Saturday, Oct. 10 |
| Veteran's Day | Nov. 11 | Thursday, Nov. 12 |
| Light Up Ocala | Nov. 21 | Tuesday, Nov. 26 |
| Thanksgiving | Nov. 26-27 | Saturday, Nov. 28 |
| Christmas Eve & Christmas Day | Dec. 24-25, 2025 | Saturday, Dec. 26 |
| New Year's Day | Jan. 1 | Saturday, Jan. 2, 2027 |
Parking
The main entrance to the Discovery Center is located on Sanchez Avenue up a case of stairs. Behind the building is a parking lot and an accessible entrance.
Annual Membership
Membership includes unlimited visits to the Discovery Center and discounts on classes and camps plus Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) Passport Program.
Membership for a family of four (two adults and two children) is $110.00 and additional members are $25.00 each. Additional fees apply for Star Lab shows, special programming, merchandise, etc. Other membership types/sizes are available and may be purchased online, over the phone, or in person.
Detailed benefits:
- Access to three annual exhibits
- Discounted rates on Discovery Center classes and camps
- Association of Science and Technology Centers Travel Passport Program
- Membership at a science center within the ASTC network grants free or discounted admission to other ASTC Science Centers across Florida, the United States, and even internationally. There are over 20 institutions within the ASTC network in Florida!
- More information on the Passport Program and participation science centers here.
Museums for All
The Discovery Center is excited to announce a partnership with Museums for All. Museums for All is a program that allows those receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to gain free or reduced admission to more than 1,000 museums throughout the United States. The Discovery Center will provide free admission to the exhibits; however, it will not include add-on programming such as Star Lab. Valid cardholders may bring three additional guests for free per visit.