Liberty (Science Center) and Justice For All!
/Just on the other side of the Holland Tunnel lies a children’s museum that every kid in the tri-state needs to visit - whether by car, PATH train or Uber. That museum is Jersey City’s Liberty Science Center.
According to its website, Liberty Science Center aims “to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers and excite learners of all ages about the power, promise, and pure fun of science and technology.” Focus on that last “technology” bit because Liberty Science really does offer impressively high tech, modern and interactive exhibits.
A Little Background on LSC
Liberty Science Center opened in 1993 as Jersey’s first major science museum. Per Wikipedia, in Summer 2017, LSC went through a $109 million expansion and renewal project - and that renovation shows. The museum is rather state-of-the-art and most exhibits rely heavily on modern technology.
Last summer we made our first visit to the area’s other major hands-on science museum, New York Hall of Science in Corona, Queens. And while that museum is amazing and “must do” in its own way, LSC might come out just a bit ahead in my book, due to the more up to date feel of its exhibits (NYSci opened in 1964 as part of the World’s Fair and closed for 7 years for renovations before reopening in 1986).
As further proof of the museum’s modernness, Liberty Science is home to the biggest and most technologically advanced planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. We didn’t get to experience the planetarium this time, but we certainly will get there next visit. A diverse roster of shows are offered (additional fes apply).
Location wise, LSC is just 15 minutes from Lower Manhattan via the Holland Tunnel, or about 30 minutes via the PATH train from the World Trade Center Station.
A Few Words About the Permanent Exhibits
Like most museums, much of Liberty Science Center is permanently on view and then several temporary exhibits (more on them later) round out the museum. LSC is sprawling - almost 300,000 square feet - so there is a lot to see and do here. I’ll highlight below a few of our favorite permanent exhibits.
When you go up the stairs from the lobby to the second floor of Liberty Science Center, you are immediately greeted by the massive and beautiful Infinity Crawler that hangs 35 feet from the ground. This was not our first experience with a “Luckey Climber” - our girls have been on one at the Boston Children’s Museum and at an outdoor mall in Summerlin, Nevada - but this was surely the first time they’ve been on one that’s suspended in the air. Infinity Climber is the first of its kind and a very popular exhibit at LSC.
Another MUST DO at Liberty Science is the “Touch Tunnel” on the third floor. Here, guests aged 7+ alone or under 7 with an adult, can crawl their way through a pitch black tunnel using only their right hand against the walls to guide them. The girls and I did this one together, and though my little one was initially scared, we made it out safely in about five minutes. As someone who has experienced bouts of claustrophobia, I loved facing that fear in this exhibit. Plus, you get some really funny pictures at the end from infrared cameras placed inside the tunnel.
If your child likes animals, Eat or Be Eaten features live creatures like naked mole rats and tortoises. Admittedly, the tamarins on view are adorable but in a very small cage, so that made me sad. And if you have younger ones in your family, an exhibit called I Explore on the second floor is geared particularly for ages 2-5.
Lastly, a bit hidden in a corner of the ground floor lobby is Skyscrapers - a great exhibit for anyone with an interest in architecture, engineering, city life or big buildings, generally. The highlight of Skyscrapers for an adventurous adult or child is the steel beam walk that guests can traverse wearing a safety harness a la a ropes course.
There is plenty more to explore besides these exhibits. And Liberty Science also offers many interactive performances and experiments happening at same times throughout each day.
A Smattering on What the Temp Exhibits May Look Like
When you visit, the temporary exhibits may be totally different from what we saw on our visit. Nevertheless, I bet whatever is being offered will be awesome.
Now through April 19th, for an additional fee, guests can visit the premium Angry Birds Universe exhibit on the fourth floor. The exhibit uses the popular video-game-turned-movie-star characters and concepts to entice children to learn, through interactive adventures, about science, technology, engineering, arts and math. It’s a highly adorable and stimulating exhibit and sure to be a crowd favorite in your group.
And on view through May 31st and included in your general admission is the Wild Kratts: Creature Power exhibit on the third floor. This exhibit uses the PBS Kids series, Wild Kratts, to teach kids about wild animals and their powers and personalities. Here, kids get a chance to “slip through underbrush like a jaguar, swing through trees like a monkey, ride a slide like an emperor penguin, and hang on a rope like a sloth in the tropical rainforest.”
A Word About Nearby Pizza
Since you’re already in Jersey City, consider pairing your visit to Liberty Science Center with one of two acclaimed pizza joints in the city. Sit down pizza restaurant, Razza, has been a critical darling since opening in Jersey City years ago. Note Razza does not take reservations, it’s only open for dinner, it’s closed on Sundays and per its website, its largest table seats six people.
If you’re traveling with a larger group or younger kids, or if you are looking for an earlier meal than dinner, consider a visit to Bread and Salt Bakery. This newcomer is making waves for its slices and it opens at noon on weekends.
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Liberty Science Center is located at Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Blvd in Jersey City, NJ. It is open 9am to 5:30pm on Saturday and Sunday and 9:30am to 4pm on Tuesday through Friday. Closed Mondays.
