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Discovery Cube Orange County

4.3
·4k reviews·Santa Ana, United States

An interactive science museum in Santa Ana with over 100 hands-on STEM exhibits for kids and families.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekdays, after 2 PM

School groups depart, fewer crowds.

CrowdLow
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Dinosaurs

Discovery Cube Orange County

Best Time

Weekdays, after 2 PM

School groups depart, fewer crowds.

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

An interactive science museum in Santa Ana with over 100 hands-on STEM exhibits for kids and families.

4.3
(4k reviews)

"An engaging spot with plenty of hands-on exhibits that keep them curious and active."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Book Tickets Online

Save time and potentially money by purchasing tickets in advance.

👟 Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking and exploring, so wear comfy shoes!

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.4 · 3,954 reviews

Type

Museum

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Dino Quest

Dino Quest

Main exhibit hall

Roar into the past with life-sized dinosaur skeletons and interactive fossil digs. A must-see for young paleontologists!

Ocean Encounter

Ocean Encounter

Aquatic exhibit

Dive deep into marine life with engaging displays and hands-on activities exploring the wonders of the ocean.

Rocket Engine Exhibit

Rocket Engine Exhibit

Interactive science lab

Experience the thrill of space exploration with a massive rocket engine and a virtual blast-off simulation.

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Planning Your Visit

Beat the Crowds: Timing is Everything

Visit on weekdays, especially after 2 PM, to avoid school field trips and weekend crowds. Early mornings right at opening can also be less busy. Consider their sensory-friendly hours if your child has special needs. TikTokReddit+1

Budgeting for Your Visit

Admission can add up, with tickets around $20-$24 per person. Factor in an $8 parking fee. Look for potential discounts through Bank of America's Museums on Us program or resident days. TikTokInstagram+2

Best Times

When
Weekdays, after 2 PM
Why
School groups depart, fewer crowds.
Crowd
Low
When
Weekday mornings
Why
Quieter before field trips arrive.
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekends, early morning
Why
Beat the rush of families.
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Had an amazing time at Discovery Cube in Santa Ana. There’s so much to explore! It was a bit overwhelming for my daughter, but we’re definitely planning to revisit during their sensory friendly hours! 🧠💙 #discoverycube #socal #kidsactivities #familyactivities #summeractivities
@catsandhorror
8.6K likes • 360.5K views

🎯 Book Tickets Online

Save time and potentially money by purchasing tickets in advance. TikTokInstagram

👟 Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking and exploring, so wear comfy shoes! TikTok

ORANGE COUNTY LET’S GO! #discoverycube #oc #santaana #anaheim
@thediscoverycube
31.7K likes • 592.9K views
🚨 Freebie Alert! 🚨 🎟️ Did you know that Discovery Cube offers free days every month for Bank of America Cardholders, LA Sanitation Customers, and Santa Ana Residents? 🧬 The Discovery Cube is an interactive science museum designed to spark curiosity and learning in kids and families! With locations in Los Angeles and Orange County, it offers hands on exhibits and STEM based activities that can m...
lacountyparentguide
6.7K likes • 279K views

🚗 Parking Fee

Factor in the $8 parking fee when budgeting for your visit. TikTok+1

🍎 Nut-Free Cafe

Great for kids with allergies; they use sunflower butter. Reddit

📍DISCOVERY CUBE Orange County @thediscoverycube 🗺 2500 N Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92705 💻www.discoverycube.org ☎️ (714) 542-2823 🕰 OPEN 7 days a week from 10am-5pm; Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. We visited this museum for the first time because it is part of @bankofamerica Museums on Us program. It was also during Bubblefest and on a weekend so it was VERY busy. We still managed to have a gr...
the.allen.adventures
29 likes • 2.3K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Book Tickets Online

Save time and potentially money by purchasing tickets in advance. TikTokInstagram

👟 Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking and exploring, so wear comfy shoes! TikTok

🚗 Parking Fee

Factor in the $8 parking fee when budgeting for your visit. TikTok+1

🍎 Nut-Free Cafe

Great for kids with allergies; they use sunflower butter. Reddit

⏰ Arrive Early

The first hour is often less crowded, making for a more relaxed experience. TikTok

What Travellers Say

4.3
(4k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Discovery Cube Orange County for its engaging, hands-on STEM exhibits that keep children entertained for hours. The variety of attractions, from dinosaurs to ocean life, makes it a hit with families. However, some find the admission prices a bit steep, and weekday visits can be chaotic due to frequent school field trips.

"We’ve had an annual pass to Discovery Cube and really enjoyed bringing the kids there to explore. It’s an engaging spot with plenty of hands-on exhibits that keep them curious and active. It does get crowded, so timing your visit is key. Overall, a fun, educational space for kids to play and learn."

Ray Lin

"The personal dessert pizzas are really elaborate cookies 🍪 and they are 😋 yummy. The cafe is nut free so they have sunflower butter instead of peanut butter. If you have a child with allergies this is a good place to visit. There are two locations, the other is in LA. If you get a membership it's 180 annually for two adults and up to four children. (This might be good for play dates.) Also, you can get discounted tickets for companions if you have adult friends who are bringing their children. Parking is 10$. All in all I think it's a good value."

Samantha Colon

"Me and my family went here over the weekend and had quite a bit of fun. There's multiple floors and many different exhibits that my little sister had a blast doing the ocean and sea themed exhibits. The only problem we had was that it was a little pricey with tickets being $20+, but other than that it was a great experience all around that thought everyone new things."

NamesJustA (A)

What People Like

Engaging hands-on exhibits
Variety of STEM topics
Dinosaur and ocean themes

What People Dislike

Can be pricey
Crowded with field trips

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Discovery Cube Orange County is located at 2500 N Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92705. It's conveniently situated just off the 5 freeway. TikTok+1 Many visitors drive, and there is a paid parking lot available on-site. TikTokInstagram

While specific public transport routes aren't detailed in the provided content, Santa Ana is served by various bus lines. Checking local transit schedules for routes near Main Street would be advisable. TikTok

From the I-5 Freeway, take the Main Street exit and head north. The museum will be on your right. TikTok

Yes, there is a paid parking lot available at the museum. The fee is typically $8 per day. TikTokInstagram+1

Yes, you can be dropped off at the entrance. The parking lot is adjacent to the museum for easy access. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

General admission for adults (ages 15+) is around $23-$24, and for children (ages 3-14) it's about $18-$20. Seniors (62+) also pay around $20. TikTokInstagram+2

Look into programs like Bank of America's Museums on Us for free days if you have a cardholder. Resident days and potential online promotions might also offer discounts. Instagram+1

The museum is generally open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. It's always a good idea to check their official website for any holiday closures or special event hours. TikTokInstagram+1

It is highly recommended to buy tickets online in advance, especially for special events like Bubblefest, to secure your spot and potentially save time. TikTokInstagram

Yes, an annual membership is available and can be a good value for frequent visitors, often covering two adults and multiple children. Reddit

🎫 🔬 Onsite Experience

Key attractions include Dino Quest, Ocean Encounter, and a fascinating rocket engine exhibit with a virtual blast-off. There are over 100 hands-on STEM exhibits. TikTokInstagram+1

Yes, it's a great place for toddlers with many interactive exhibits. Visiting during sensory-friendly hours can enhance the experience for children with special needs. TikTok+2

While geared towards children, adults can still appreciate the engaging science exhibits and the educational value. Some adults have reported enjoying it even without children. Reddit

Yes, they host special events like Bubblefest, which offers bubble-themed activities and shows. Instagram+3

Most visitors spend around 3-4 hours exploring the exhibits, but you could easily spend longer if you engage with all the hands-on activities. TikTok+1

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, there is a cafe or restaurant inside the museum that offers food options, including personal dessert pizzas which are elaborate cookies. TikTokReddit

The cafe is nut-free and uses sunflower butter instead of peanut butter, making it a good option for children with allergies. Reddit

Outside food policies are not explicitly mentioned, but it's common for museums to allow small snacks or baby food. It's best to check their official policy. TikTok

The cafe offers various items, including cookies that resemble personal dessert pizzas, and other kid-friendly meals. Reddit

Being in Santa Ana, there are numerous restaurants and fast-food options within a short driving distance if you prefer to dine outside the museum. TikTok

📸 📸 Photography

Generally, personal photography is allowed for non-commercial use. However, flash photography might be restricted in certain exhibits to protect artifacts or for the comfort of other visitors. TikTok

The Dino Quest exhibit with its large skeletons, the rocket engine, and interactive displays offer great photo opportunities. Special events like Bubblefest also provide unique backdrops. TikTokInstagram+1

Similar to photography, personal video recording is usually permitted for non-commercial purposes. Be mindful of others and any specific exhibit restrictions. TikTok

While personal use is fine, commercial photography or filming without prior permission is typically not allowed. Always check the museum's specific guidelines. TikTok

A smartphone camera is perfectly adequate for capturing memories. If you have a DSLR or mirrorless camera, consider bringing a versatile lens, but be mindful of space and crowds. TikTok

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