Planning Your Visit
Admission/Hours/Directions
| Hours and Admission | Directions | Parking |
Hours and Admission
McWane Science Center is open seven days a week, 360 days a year, and now offers new extended hours. See below for information about admission prices to both the museum and the IMAX® Dome Theater.
Hours and admission are subject to change without notice and are subject to a 10% sales tax. Note: McWane Science Center is a weapons-free facility.
General Admission Prices
| Adults (13-64) |
Kids (2-12) |
Seniors (65+) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Adventure Hall Only | $15 | $12 | $14 |
| IMAX Only | $9 | $8 | $8 |
| Combo Ticket | $20 | $15 | $18 |
*Under 2 years old: Free
Current McWane Science Center Hours
- Weekday Hours . . . . . . . . 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday Hours . . . . . . . . 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sunday Hours . . . . . . . . . 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Special Hours and Closings
- Closed New Year’ s Day
- Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
- Closed Easter Sunday
- Closed Thanksgiving Day
Directions
McWane Science Center is located in the heart of downtown Birmingham. McWane Science Center is easily accessible from Interstate 65, *Interstate 59/20, Highway 31, and Highway 280.
*Your route may be affected due to ongoing construction on I 20/59 . Please check 5920bridge.com for updated detours and directions.
- From Montgomery/ Hoover: Take I-65 North to exit 260-B. Follow 3rd Avenue North to 19th Street North. Turn right. McWane Science Center is located on the corner of 2nd Avenue North and 19th Street North.
- From Huntsville/ Gardendale: Take I-65 South to exit 260. Turn left at 4th traffic signal. Follow 3rd Avenue North to 19th Street North. Turn right, McWane Science Center is located at the corner of 2nd Avenue North and 19th Street North.
- *From Chattanooga/Gadsden: Take I-59/20 South/West to exit 125-B. Turn left. Follow 22nd Street North to 2nd Avenue North. Turn right, McWane Science Center is located at the corner of 2nd Avenue North and 19th Street North.
- *From Tuscaloosa/Bessemer: Take 1-59/20 North/East to exit 125-B. Follow 22nd Street North to 2nd Avenue North. Turn right, McWane Science Center is located at the corner of 2nd Avenue North and 19th Street North.
- From Auburn/Inverness: Take Hwy 31/280 to the 2nd Ave. North exit. Follow 2nd Ave. North. McWane Science Center is located at the corner of 2nd Avenue North and 19th Street North
Parking
Parking Deck: McWane Science Center’s parking deck offers safe and convenient parking on 2nd Avenue North. The height limit for the deck is 6’8”.
Cost:
6:30am – 6:30pm: $5.00 required to exit deck. The exit gate accepts $1, $5, $10, $20 bills as well as debit and credit cards. You can also purchase a token at the ticketing counter inside the center. Members receive free parking in the deck. For after hours parking from 6:30 PM-10:00 PM, the cost to exit is $8.
Street Parking:
Additional parking is available on the streets surrounding the center. On Monday – Friday there is a 2-hour limit on the street parking. The meter charges $0.25/hour. Street parking is free on Saturday, Sunday and on Holidays.
Bus Parking:
Buses should unload on 2nd Avenue North if space is available, if not then park on 19th Street North. Once buses are unloaded, McWane Science Center will direct bus drivers to remote parking and provide shuttle service for drivers to and from the center.
