Science has a new name in Tampa — and it’s making waves. In January 2026, the institution officially adopted the name Museum of Science & Innovation, reflecting both its recent history and its path forward. Known affectionately as MOSI, this North Tampa landmark has been a cornerstone of curiosity and discovery for generations of Florida families, and its latest evolution signals an exciting new chapter in hands-on learning.
MOSI is a hands-on science center dedicated to interactive learning and playful exploration, with engaging permanent and rotating exhibits and far-reaching programming that makes science and technology accessible to all. Whether you’re 6 or 60, there’s something here that will grab your attention and refuse to let go.
Exhibit Highlights Worth Exploring
One of MOSI’s most ambitious permanent installations is Mission: Moonbase — a simulated lunar base set in the year 2070, built near the south pole of the Moon, complete with food production and mining facilities. The exhibit is funded in part by NASA and gives visitors an immersive, futuristic glimpse into what human life beyond Earth might actually look like. It’s the kind of exhibit that sparks genuine awe in adults and kids alike.
The museum’s former IMAX Dome Theatre was refitted with new digital projection technology and reopened in 2025 as the Saunders Planetarium & Digital Dome Theatre — the second-largest planetarium in the United States. Shows here span everything from deep-space journeys to immersive visual experiences, all delivered on a breathtaking scale that simply can’t be replicated on a screen at home.
You can lie on a bed of nails, build a robot, explore optical illusions, challenge yourself with interactive brain puzzles, and fly a drone — all under the same roof. Visitors can also explore CONNECTUS, an area that showcases the technology behind many modern devices used in everyday life, alongside Mission: Moonbase missions and the exhilarating Sky Trail® Ropes Course.
The Sky Trail Ropes Course features 36 elements on a 12- to 36-foot-high, multilevel structure — a genuinely heart-pumping add-on that turns a museum visit into a physical adventure. It’s one of those unexpected extras that surprises first-time visitors in the best possible way.
The Bio-Works Butterfly Garden, added in 1996, features a butterfly garden and a self-sustaining fish pond. The garden is home to over 30 species of butterflies and several aquatic species, most native to Florida — including the zebra longwing (Florida’s state butterfly) and the giant swallowtail. Several thousand native Florida butterflies are raised each year in a publicly viewable laboratory. It’s a surprisingly peaceful and beautiful experience tucked within an otherwise high-energy venue.
Visitors can also challenge their friends to a round of mini-golf on MOSI’s unique SciLinx course and take a spacewalk on the International Space Station in a virtual reality simulator. These add-on experiences make it easy to spend far more time here than you originally planned.
A Legacy Built Over Six Decades
Since its inception in 1962 as the Museum of Science and Natural History in Sulphur Springs, MOSI has been a beacon of education and innovation. In 1980 it found a new home in North Tampa, fully emerging as the Museum of Science & Industry in 1982, and continued expanding with additions like the Saunders Planetarium in 1988 and a groundbreaking 1993 expansion featuring the state’s only IMAX Dome Theatre. That’s over 60 years of Tampa Bay families discovering the wonders of science within these walls.
MOSI is the 2009 recipient of the National Medal for Museums from the Institute of Museum and Library Services — the highest national award given to museums. That recognition speaks volumes about the institution’s deep commitment to education, community, and excellence.
Atmosphere & Space
MOSI is located in Tampa, Florida’s Uptown Innovation District, connected via pedestrian bridge to the neighboring University of South Florida. The campus setting gives it a refreshingly open, campus-like feel — intellectually charged without feeling stuffy or overly formal. It’s the kind of place where learning feels like the natural thing to do.
Visitors to MOSI can expect to enjoy over 40,000 square feet of hands-on activities and exhibits. Permanent hands-on exhibits, a simulated lunar colony, and areas dedicated to temporary traveling exhibits occupy the museum’s indoor spaces, while outdoor areas include a butterfly garden, science-themed miniature golf course, and a children’s playground. The mix of indoor and outdoor spaces makes the museum feel expansive and varied, keeping the energy fresh as you move from one area to the next.
Good to Know Before You Go
Is it worth it for adults without kids? MOSI is undeniably a family-first destination, and it shines brightest when experienced with younger visitors. The museum is generally considered family-friendly, with many activities suitable for children, but adults may find some areas more engaging than others. That said, the planetarium, Mission: Moonbase, and rotating traveling exhibitions tend to offer plenty of depth for curious adult minds.
How much time should I plan for? To get the full experience, plan to allow three to four hours for your visit. If you’re adding on the ropes course, mini-golf, and a planetarium show, you could easily fill an entire afternoon.
When is the best time to visit? Weekday mornings tend to be less busy, making them ideal if you want more breathing room at the popular hands-on exhibits. Weekends can get lively, especially during school holidays.
What about parking? The museum has an on-site parking lot, and MOSI is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Parking is available on-site, and the campus pedestrian bridge connection to USF makes the broader area easy to navigate on foot.
Are there any extra costs to know about? While general admission covers most of the museum floor, some add-on experiences — like the Sky Trail Ropes Course, mini-golf, and certain planetarium shows — may carry additional fees. It’s worth checking the MOSI website ahead of your visit for current pricing bundles and any available discount packages, including CityPASS options.
Museum of Science & Innovation (MOSI)
📍 4801 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33617
Website: https://mosi.org
