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MOXI

4.7
·1k reviews·Santa Barbara, United States

MOXI: The Museum of Discovery and Innovation, offers three floors of hands-on STEAM exhibits, a rooftop terrace with stunning views, and a dedicated t...

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more space to explore

CrowdLow
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Rooftop Sky Garden

MOXI

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more space to explore

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

MOXI: The Museum of Discovery and Innovation, offers three floors of hands-on STEAM exhibits, a rooftop terrace with stunning views, and a dedicated toddler area.

4.7
(1k reviews)

"Kids have so much fun they won't even notice the time passing at this interactive museum!"

Vertical photo
TIP

💰 EBT Discount Available

Significant savings with an EBT card! Check their website for details.

🅿️ Parking Tips

Metered parking available; first 75 mins free, then $3/hr. Plan drop-offs for accessibility.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.7 · 1,438 reviews

Type

Museum

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

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Interactive STEAM Exhibits

Interactive STEAM Exhibits

All three floors

Hands-on exploration of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math for all ages.

Rooftop Terrace

Rooftop Terrace

Top floor

Enjoy stunning panoramic views of Santa Barbara, especially beautiful at sunset.

Toddler Play Area

Toddler Play Area

Ground floor

A dedicated safe space for babies and toddlers to crawl, play, and discover.

Water Play on the Roof

Water Play on the Roof

Rooftop terrace

Kids can splash and experiment with water in a fun, supervised outdoor environment.

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Planning Your Visit

Plan Your Visit to MOXI

MOXI, The Museum of Discovery and Innovation, offers three floors of interactive STEAM exhibits. Plan for 2-3 hours to fully explore. Consider visiting during weekdays to avoid larger crowds, especially if you have young children. Parking is available nearby, with a fee after the first 75 minutes.

Tickets & EBT Discount

While MOXI can be pricey, EBT cardholders receive a significant discount, making it more accessible. Check their website for current admission prices and any special event tickets. Booking in advance is recommended, especially for popular times.

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, more space to explore
Crowd
Low
When
Late afternoons
Why
Catch the sunset from the roof
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekends
Why
Lively atmosphere, but busier
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

So you may be wondering whyyyy am I climbing in a washer.. slide??? Meow Wolf was fun 🤩🤩🤩 I really enjoyed this one, tbh!! It is an interactive art museum. It does have a scavenger hunt. so, if you have 3-4 hours why not try the scavenger hunt while exploring this museum ✨
@milanomakayla
51.9K likes • 675.6K views

💰 EBT Discount Available

Significant savings with an EBT card! Check their website for details. Reddit

🅿️ Parking Tips

Metered parking available; first 75 mins free, then $3/hr. Plan drop-offs for accessibility. Reddit

first time at a butterfly exhibit 🥺✨🩵 #museum #santabarbara
@angelicallamas
38.3K likes • 304.2K views
The perfect Santa Barbara day!! I’d also recommend doing the Land Shark tour and walking down State Street if you have the time :) #fyp #california #travel #travel #cali #sb #whattodoinsantabarbara #santabarbara #socal #Summer #vacation #california #funkzone #sunstonewinery #montecito #montecitocalifornia
@adventureswithhales
13.6K likes • 342.3K views

⏱️ Allow Plenty of Time

Plan for 2-3 hours to truly enjoy the interactive exhibits. Reddit

👶 Toddler Zone

Dedicated area for little ones, though some exhibits are for older kids. Reddit

meatbunverse ver. #moran #chuwanning #2ha #erha #thehuskyandhiswhitecatshizun #moxi #gumang #yuwu #remnantsoffilth #heyu #xieqingcheng #bab #binganben #casefilecompendium #fyp
@xliean
9K likes • 34.8K views

Tips

from all over the internet

💰 EBT Discount Available

Significant savings with an EBT card! Check their website for details. Reddit

🅿️ Parking Tips

Metered parking available; first 75 mins free, then $3/hr. Plan drop-offs for accessibility. Reddit

⏱️ Allow Plenty of Time

Plan for 2-3 hours to truly enjoy the interactive exhibits. Reddit

👶 Toddler Zone

Dedicated area for little ones, though some exhibits are for older kids. Reddit

🌅 Rooftop Views

Don't miss the sunset from the rooftop terrace for stunning Santa Barbara vistas. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.7
(1k reviews)

Reviews Summary

MOXI is widely praised as an engaging and educational museum for families, offering a wealth of interactive STEAM exhibits that captivate children. Visitors appreciate the dedicated toddler area and the stunning rooftop views. While some find the regular admission price high, the EBT discount makes it more accessible. A few reviewers noted that some exhibits might be more suited for older children than very young toddlers.

"Amazing place! Your kids will be very happy! The museum has three floors of different educational activities. There is a special place for crawling babies and toddlers. It has an arts and crafts room. Kids can play with water on the top of the roof. There is a parking lot right next to it. First 75 minutes are free and then it’s $3 per hour."

Kate

"Moxie and Santa Barbara was a great experience. I think that it was not really geared towards toddlers under two years old. We did have a great time once we found the water table on the roof and the toddler play area. But a lot of the exhibits were a little bit Geared towards older kids. I’d love to come back when our toddler is a little bit older.
The parking situation is a little bit odd for this location as there’s no parking garage and we took grandparents who were disabled and had to walk all the way around the building and up the ramp to get in. I guess I just make sure that you have a game plan ahead of time for where you’re dropping folks off and how you’re getting disabled people into the place if you happen to bring some"

TONY LA ROSA

"this is an awesome museum. Definitely recommend for kids so many different activities and things they could think about and learn the price is expensive but if you have an EBT card, it brings the price way down but either way definitely should go to this place if you have kids plan on spending one or two hours. I even had a great time as an adult. It’s fun for everybody."

Brian Wangenheim

What People Like

Interactive STEAM exhibits
Rooftop views and water play
Toddler-friendly zone

What People Dislike

Regular admission price
Some exhibits for older kids

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

MOXI is located at 125 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. It's easily accessible by car, and public transportation options are available in the downtown area. Parking is available adjacent to the museum, with metered rates after the initial free period. Reddit

Yes, there is metered parking available right next to MOXI. The first 75 minutes are free, and then it's $3 per hour. Reddit

Driving and parking is convenient, but consider ride-sharing or public transport if you prefer not to deal with parking. For families with strollers or mobility concerns, plan your drop-off point carefully due to the surrounding street layout. Reddit

MOXI is designed to be accessible. There are ramps and elevators to access all floors. However, some visitors have noted that the surrounding parking area might require a longer walk for those with mobility issues. Reddit

If you are staying in the downtown Santa Barbara area, MOXI is within walking distance, especially from Stearns Wharf and the surrounding State Street shops.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Admission prices can vary, but generally, it's a moderate to expensive ticket price. However, MOXI offers a significant discount for EBT cardholders, making it much more affordable. It's always best to check their official website for the most current pricing. Reddit

While not always mandatory, purchasing tickets in advance is recommended, especially for weekends or during peak tourist seasons, to guarantee entry and potentially save time. Reddit

Yes, MOXI offers a substantial discount for visitors with an EBT card. This is a great way to make the museum more accessible. Check their website for details on how to apply this discount. Reddit

MOXI's hours can vary seasonally and for special events. It's crucial to check their official website for the most up-to-date operating hours before your visit. Typically, they are open daily, but closing times might differ. Reddit

Most visitors find that 2 to 3 hours is sufficient to explore all three floors of exhibits and enjoy the rooftop. Some families with very young children might spend a bit longer in the dedicated toddler area. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

MOXI features a wide range of interactive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) exhibits designed for hands-on learning and discovery. These exhibits cater to a broad age range, from toddlers to adults. Reddit

MOXI has a dedicated play area specifically designed for babies and toddlers, offering a safe and engaging space for them to explore. However, some of the exhibits on higher floors might be more geared towards older children. Reddit

The rooftop terrace at MOXI offers fantastic panoramic views of Santa Barbara. It's a great spot to relax, take photos, and there's even a water play area for kids to enjoy during warmer months. Reddit

Absolutely! While MOXI is very family-friendly, the interactive nature of the exhibits and the innovative displays make it engaging and enjoyable for adults too. Many adults report having a great time exploring alongside their children. Reddit

MOXI often hosts special events, workshops, and programs, especially during school breaks or holidays. It's worth checking their events calendar on their website to see if anything aligns with your visit. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Yes, personal photography is generally allowed inside MOXI for non-commercial use. It's a great place to capture fun moments with kids interacting with exhibits. Be mindful of other visitors and avoid flash photography that might disrupt displays or other guests. Reddit

The rooftop terrace offers stunning panoramic views of Santa Barbara, making it a prime spot for photos, especially during sunset. Many of the interactive exhibits themselves provide colorful and dynamic backdrops for unique shots. Reddit

While personal photos are usually fine, professional photography or videography may require special permission. Always check MOXI's specific policies regarding photography, especially if you plan to use a tripod or professional equipment. Reddit

Expect vibrant, engaging photos of children and adults interacting with science and art exhibits. The architecture of the building itself is also quite modern and photogenic. The rooftop views are a highlight for scenic photography. Reddit

Many exhibits are designed to be visually interesting, making it relatively easy to capture engaging photos. The lighting is generally good throughout the museum. Reddit

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