Accessibility, Amenities, and Museum Navigation
Science Museum of Minnesota staff and volunteers strive to make our programs, exhibitions, and facilities accessible for everyone by removing barriers, delivering a welcoming and relevant experience, and providing opportunities for meaningful engagement. While the information here provides a general overview of accessibility features, we encourage you to contact us in advance of your visit with any questions or specific needs at accessibility@smm.org or by calling us at 651-221-9444
Getting to the Museum
The Science Museum is located in downtown St. Paul at 120 W. Kellogg Boulevard. The museum’s parking ramp is located at 100 N. Chestnut Street. Visit our Parking & Directions page for additional information.
Public Transportation
The Science Museum is just a few blocks from the Green Line light rail and is near several bus routes. Use the Metro Transit Trip Planner to find the best route for you.
Parking
There are 16 designated accessible parking spaces located in the museum’s parking ramp. Vehicles up to 8’ tall can park in the ramp.
Electric Vehicle Charging
Electric vehicle charging is available for free in the parking ramp on level P6. To use the charging station, please use the Chargepoint app.
Bike Racks & Storage
Bike racks are available in front of the museum off of Kellogg Boulevard for daily use, and in front of the Education entrance off of Chestnut Street. Bike lockers are available to rent for $75 a year by contacting parking@smm.org.
Entrance
Groups with mobility considerations may contact us to arrange for drop-off at our Education Entrance to streamline the arrival experience.
The museum’s entrance is located on Kellogg Boulevard and may be reached from the street or from our parking ramp with elevators. The entrance has automatic doors and has no exterior or interior steps. It is approximately 100 feet from Kellogg Boulevard to the entry doors.
Wheelchair Entrance
If you are dropping off someone in a wheelchair, we recommend doing so in our parking ramp on whatever level is most convenient. If you are in the ramp for under 15 minutes, you will not be charged when you leave. Visitors are able to borrow wheelchairs at no cost at the lobby desk.
At the museum
Indoor Map
Food and Beverage
Comfortable dining is part of the museum experience! You’ll find tables, chairs, and water fountains throughout the galleries to sit and sip. Learn more about our current food and beverage options.
Elevators
Elevators serving all levels are located throughout the building. Doors stay open 11 seconds. There is an audible floor change signal.
Restrooms
Accessible restrooms are available throughout the building, and there is a restroom with changing stations for infants or children on every exhibit level. All Gender and Family restrooms are located on level four behind the We Move and We Stay exhibition. An adult changing facility is also available on level four on request.
Photography
Taking photos is allowed and encouraged at the Science Museum! However, there are certain objects and artifacts that state “no photography” on their plaques due to their sensitive physical or cultural characteristics, and we ask that you honor that request.
Lockers
Lockers are located in our lobby and vary in cost from $3 to $2. Lockers are electronic and accept a code for access—payment by credit card only at a nearby kiosk.
Language
Several exhibits are in English and Spanish.
Strollers
Strollers and wheelchairs are available for all visitors to rent at the Membership desk in the lobby. Bringing your own stroller is also allowed, and the exhibits are stroller accessible.
Tickets
Tickets are available online and over the phone at (651) 221-9444. Income-based discounted tickets and Memberships are also available through our Great Tix program.
If you want to leave and re-enter the museum on the same day, make sure to keep a copy of your tickets with you to present at the exhibit entrance.
Omnitheater
Amplified Audio Units and written scripts are available for the Omnitheater.
Audio Description or DVS Theatrical® is available for most Omnitheater films. Inquire at the lobby desk or call (651) 221-9444.
Wheelchair and companion seating are available in the Omnitheater. Most seats are 17 inches wide by 18.5 inches deep, with a weight limit of 488 lbs (220 kgs). There are 12 seats in the accessible aisle, two of which are 21 inches wide by 18.5 inches deep with movable armrests. Armless chairs are available upon request.
The Omnitheater is accessible by elevator upon request. The entry to the first row of seats includes 18 seven-inch stairs of varying depth.
If low-light is a barrier, please see staff for assistance in using an accessible entrance.
If your group is bringing your own sign language interpreter, special lighting is available with one week notice—call (651) 221-9444 for more information.
Sensory-Friendly Resources
We have a variety of tools available to help our visitors with sensory issues have a fun and fulfilling visit. At the exhibit entrance, ask our staff for sound-dampening headphones, a timer, or a kit containing headphones, fidgets, gloves, and sunglasses.
Omnitheater Social Narrative
Quiet spaces: The back hallway of the RACE exhibit on level four (near the all-gender and family restrooms) has seating and is quieter and away from the gallery floor. Restrooms and drinking fountains are located nearby. There is also quiet seating on level three in the hallway behind the Experiment Gallery (past the brown bear).
Wellness Room
Located on level four near the RACE exhibit, the Wellness Room is a quiet, private space for visitors to nurse a child, pray, or simply take a break from a busy museum. It is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and is equipped with a baby changing station. An adult changing facility is also available. Please speak to staff for assistance.
Access Services
Admission is free for working Personal Care Attendants when they’re visiting with a client.
Sign language interpreters can be arranged with one week notice—call (651) 221-9444.
Many exhibits are hands-on or have hands-on components.
Many exhibits have open or closed captioning.
Service Animals
The Science Museum allows service animals to accompany people with disabilities. Service animals in the museum must be housebroken, as well as harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain the animal through effective controls.
Misbehaving or out of control service animals may be asked to leave the premises.
Please reference the MN Council on Disability's Reference Guide for additional information.
Public Safety Services
A certified on-site support team is readily available to directly assess and treat general illnesses, injuries, and provide advanced medical care.
This same dedicated team is responsible for visitor safety monitoring, protective services, building emergencies, and safeguarding the museum parking ramp.