A state-of-the-art planetarium, interactive children’s museum and art exhibits make this the perfect place for a day of fun and learning for the entire family.
The Museum of Arts & Sciences, or MOAS to Daytona Beach locals, is Central Florida’s largest museum. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the museum features more than 30,000 objects, a planetarium, numerous collections and hands-on exhibits: plenty to delight the whole family.
Sit under the stars of the planetarium, which is housed in a 40-foot (12.2-meter) hemispherical dome, where a state-of-the-art star projector displays the entire night sky. Get comfortable in the planetarium’s stadium seating, and enjoy breathtaking laser shows and animated spectacles. Learn to identify different constellations and hear Greek legends about the stars.
Try interactive exhibits at the Charles and Linda Williams Children’s Museum. Learn about the human body at the I Want to be a Doctor! exhibit. Determine if you have the skills of a forensic investigator at the CSI exhibit. Build your own vehicles and take them for a test drive on the raceway, or send your kids behind the counter of the imitation pizza parlor.
Explore the museum’s other exhibits. Marvel at the complete skeleton of a giant ground sloth. Enjoy the Americana collection, which features vintage automobiles, railroad cars and one of the world’s largest collections of Coca-Cola memorabilia, donated by Coca-Cola bottler Chapman Root.
View the museum’s extensive art collection, including notable works from China and Japan and a large collection of Cuban art. Admire displays of decorative arts, paper, crystals, gems and Spanish colonial items.
Visit the area dedicated to Florida’s history and featuring rotating exhibits. In addition to the permanent displays, the museum hosts guest collections and pop-up exhibits. Head outdoors and enjoy fresh air by exploring the museum’s nature trails and scenic pond. Admire the sculpture garden, where art meets nature.
The Museum of Arts & Science is open Tuesday through Sunday and charges a general admission fee with discounts for children. Entry to the planetarium is included, but seating is subject to availability; arrive early to secure a seat for shows. The museum is a 5-minute drive from downtown Daytona Beach and offers free on-site parking. The museum has its own café and is close to several hotels and restaurants.