12 Things to Do at the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science

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The Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, which originally opened in 1972 as the Delaware Museum of Natural History, was renovated in 2020-2022 and reopened as the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science in May of 2022. The museum galleries offer dozens of hands-on activities and exhibits that showcase “how nature connected us all through exploring dynamic and diverse ecosystems.” (delmns.org) The museum galleries are inviting with plenty of space to spread out and lots of light, while still being easy for parents to keep a close eye on children. Be sure to leave time to explore the outdoor walking trails and sculptures.

Travel Tips:

  • The museum is open from 10am-4pm seven days a week (but closed on Wednesdays from Labor Day to Memorial Day); up to date information on hours and admission fees here.
  • The museum is part of the Association of Science and Technology Centers, so if you have a membership to your local center, check for reciprocity admissions with the Passport Program.
  • A Gift Shop and the Rest, Relax, and Recharge Cafe (selling drinks, snacks, and prepackaged sandwiches) are located behind the front admissions desk. The cafe has about 10 tables for guests.
  • There is a Respite Room for visitors with sensory overload; more info on accessibility here.
  • Plenty of free parking in front of the museum.
  • Restrooms and a coat check are located near admission and the entire museum is handicap accessible on one floor.
  • Wear sneakers for the outdoor trails; no need for a stroller– toddlers won’t sit still!
  • The museum offers a wide variety of special events and programs– check here for the calendar and here for a list of programs.
  • Be sure to spend time exploring the grounds- there are tons of sculptures, three gardens, and bird feeders. 
  • Plan on 90 minutes to fully explore both indoor exhibits and outdoor trails. This is a good map of exhibits.

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12 Things to Do at the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science:

  1. Walk across the state map of Delaware on the floor (Regional Journey)
  2. View the impact on high tide versus low tide on salt marshes. (Regional Journey)
  3. Read a good science themed book in the Nature Nook. There’s also daily story time, arts and crafts projects, and table games in the Nature Nook.
  4. Solve engineering projects in the Discover Gallery.
  5. Seek and find various insects using puzzle pieces on the Bug Mural Wall.
  6. See various deep sea creatures at their level in the Global Journey exhibit.
  7. Crawl inside THREE domes and get up close to a walrus (in Arctic Tundra), hyenas (in African Savanna) and a dryptosaurus (in PaleoZone) all part of The Global Journey gallery.
  8. Listen to the sounds of a tropical rainforest in the Global Journey gallery.
  9. Sort out various fossils and learn about the three types of fossils (mineralized, imprint, and internal) in the PaleoZone.
  10. Complete the puzzles to solve clues and unlock vaults in the Mindbender Mansion exhibit. **special exhibit on display through May 2024.
  11. Count the number of outdoor sculptures around the property. (We found 16!)
  12. Walk along the two paths on the Larry D. Scott Nature Trail (just under one mile total). Be sure to check out the outdoor classroom. 

Bonus: Make sure kids grab a Scavenger hunt to complete and return to the front desk for a prize.

Looking for other adventures in Wilmington? Check out our features of Winterthur (across the street from the museum!), Hagley Museum and Library, Nemours Estate, and our full Wilmington City Guide. And follow along on our adventures on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and X. 

Disclosure: Our family was given a media pass to explore the museum. All opinions expressed are my own. 

New England based, part high school English teacher, part non profit founder, part road tripper who LOVES hopping in the family SUV to explore America. Our bucket list includes National Parks, MLB stadiums, presidential libraries, and eating wherever the locals eat!

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6 Comments

  2. I always try to visit the local museum of nature and science because they’re normally so much more engaging and interesting to me — thanks for this awesome guide!

    Reply

  4. Delaware Museum of Nature and Science would be a must-stop for my family! My kids would enjoy the Scavenger hunt for sure! Thanks for sharing the details of your visit

    Reply

  5. This was always my favourite kind of museum as a kid (and now as a grown-up kid at heart!) I like that you can learn about the affects of the tides, and those domes to crawl into are really cute.

    Delaware Museum of Nature and Science sounds fab.

    Reply

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