St. Louis Science Center makes the top ten nationally
Another one of our local attractions had made a national top ten list. Previously, it was The Magic House in Kirkwood that rivaled Disneyworld in kid-friendly attractions, and now our Science Center has been deemed one of the nation’s best.
The Science Center released this statement today:
The Saint Louis Science Center announced today it has been named one of the 10 Best Science Centers for Families by Parents, a national parenting magazine, ranking ahead of similar institutions in Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia. The Science Center is fifth on the list.
“We are honored, not only to receive this distinction, but especially to be included in the top half of a very impressive list of our counterparts,” said Doug King, President and CEO of the Saint Louis Science Center.
This is the second major acknowledgment for the Science Center in a national publication. Recently, Forbes Traveler Magazine named the Science Center one of America’s most visited museums—the only museum in Missouri to be named to that list.
Parents narrowed its list from the more than 150 science centers in the United States. To determine which science centers are the most exciting and educational, Parents administered and analyzed an extensive survey, requesting details about exhibits as well as science demonstrations, special events, camps and classes. The magazine also considered the stroller-friendliness of the facility; dining options; the quality of the staff; conveniences like family restrooms; and whether the center was a good value based on the admission price in relation to the number of exhibits.
According to the Parents survey, the 10 Best Science Centers for Families in order of their ranking are:
- Center of Science and Industry (COSI), Columbus, Ohio
- Exploratorium, San Francisco, California
- Museum of Science, Boston, Massachusetts
- Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, New Jersey
- Saint Louis Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri
- New York Hall of Science, Flushing, New York
- California Science Center, Los Angeles
- Sci-Port Discovery Center, Shreveport, Louisiana
- The Franklin (formerly The Franklin Institute), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Maryland Science Center, Baltimore
Do you agree with the rankings?
Aisha covered education and breaking news for nearly ten years before joining the Lifestyle staff where she writes a "Dirty Laundry" parenting column. She is the home and family editor and wastes too much time on Facebook and political blogs. 
People underestimate Saint Louis, including too many of our own. This is a long overdue recognition of a great local institution. The only thing I disagree with the list is that Chicago’s Science and Industry Museum should not only be on it, but close to the top.
I agree. St. Louisans are their own worst critics. Having never visited St. Louis as a kid–even though I’ve been a life-long MO resident–I was amazed at the quality of our public institutions once I moved here as an adult. And to top it all off, the museums and public institutions are for the most part FREE! No other city can boast that. And they’re not just free for residents, but for anyone who visits our city. Top THAT, top 4 on the list!
St Louis has way mor problems to start fixing, before they brag about the Science Center. Lets start with Schools, Police, Fire Depts, EMS, roads, poor people, Housing, crime, and on and on and on
JC, it’s not an article about what’s wrong in the city, it’s an article about what’s right. There are problems it’s true, but this is not one of them. We haven’t made it yet this year, but plan to, just like every other year. The kids love it and so do I.
St. Louis was once the largest city west of the Mississippi river but where is it ranked today? St. Louis once had two major league baseball teams how many does it have now? What does this have to do with the Science Center ranking? The city has had its opportunities to rank high in many areas but for some reason fails to get the little things done. There seems to be too many groups each pulling in the opposite directions on most things. Once they do agree on something the issue has long pasted.
To second what Matt has said, this is about a POSITIVE thing for St. Louis. Yes, there are many things that need improvement, but why can we not enjoy a moment of PRIDE now and then? I am a lifelong St. Louis resident and I visit the SLSC with my daughter several times a year. I also have some of my model creations on display there. To know that this place that I have personally contributed to ranks so high in a NATIONAL PUBLICATION is a real nice feeling.