Best Science Museums In India

Visiting a science museum is a highly underrated leisure activity. Everyone believes that museums are where you go to see the relics of dinosaurs and replicas of an ancient man building a fire or working with stone tools. While not exactly wrong, this is merely the tip of the iceberg. Science museums offer so much more in the way of educational, fun-filled activities.

Bookmark this list for your junior Einsteins! How many from this list have you been to with your kids? Tell us. 

Mumbai

Nehru Science Centre

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Nehru Science Centre has more than 500 hands-on and interactive science exhibits on energy, sound, kinematics, mechanics, transport, etc. installed in the science park & different galleries. The NSC building with its unique architecture houses several permanent science expositions on various themes.  Nehru Science Centre is visited by over 700,000 people every year who experience and enjoy the basic principles and marvels of science & technology. Nehru Science Centre incorporates innovative ways to communicate science to enthuse, entertain, initiate, excite and bring the developments of science & technology to the doorstep of common people for prosperity, awareness, and improving the quality of life. The centre attempts to enhance public understanding of science and spread scientific literacy.
Address: Dr. E. Moses Road, Worli, Mumbai
Time: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Website: Nehru Science Centre

Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum

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This one is easily our favourite. The oldest museum in the city and third oldest in the country, Dr. Bhau Ji Lad Museum is home to the rich treasures of the bygone era. The infrastructure of this museum is one of the highlights of this museum. Watch out for the museum’s events and activities in our weekly “Events and Activities” section. The museum is closed on all Wednesdays.

Address: 91 A, Rani Baug, Veer Mata Jijbai Bhonsle Udyan, Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Road, Mazgaon, Byculla East, Mumbai
Time: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Contact: 022 2373 1234
Website: Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum

Delhi

National Science Centre

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National Science Centre, Delhi is one of the largest Science Centre in Asia. The iconic structure of the centre is an exemplary landmark in the arena of modern architecture which is strategically located in the vicinity of the commercial exhibition hub of India i.e Pragati Maidan Complex. The primary objective of the centre is to engage, educate and entertain the visitors through thematic exhibitions, interactive educational activities and outreach programmes.
Address: Ministry of Culture, Near Gate No. 1, Pragati Maidan, Bhairon Road, New Delhi 
Time: 9:30 AM – 06:00 PM
Website: National Science Centre

Nehru Planetarium

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The Nehru Planetarium in New Delhi is situated in the green surroundings of the Teen Murti House, earlier the official residence of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru and now a museum in his memory. The Planetarium is always active with programs for school and college students and for amateur astronomers. Throughout the year, there are a number of workshops or observing activities. There are also Astronomy Quiz and Art competitions in the months of February and August.
Address: Nehru Planetarium, Teen Murti House, New Delhi
Time: 08:45 AM – 4:00 PM
Contact: 011-23014504, 011-23012994
Email: [email protected]
Website: Nehru Planetarium
 

Bengaluru

Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum

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Situated near the famous Cubbon Park, this museum is one of the best in the country and has been attracting visitors young and old for many years now! From 3D, mechanised Spinosaurus , to a replica of the Wright Brothers Flyer, this place houses them all.
Address: Near Chinna Swamy Stadium, Kasturba Road, Ambedkar Veedhi, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Time: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM

Government Museum

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Government Museum (Bengaluru) second oldest museum in South India and one of the oldest museums in India. The museum is also home to the Halmidi inscription, the earliest Kannada inscription. 
Address: 3, Kasturba Road, Ambedkar Veedhi, Sampangi Rama Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Time: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Bengaluru

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Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium was established by the Bengaluru City Corporation. Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium has everything from a sky-theatre, monthly space movies program, exhibition halls with interactive displays, a science park, travelling space exhibition for schools, planetarium clubs, special lectures, and workshops for children.
Address: Sri T, Sankey Road, High Grounds, Bengaluru, Karnataka 
Time: 10:30 AM–5:30 PM

NIMHANS Brain Museum

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This museum in Bengaluru houses over 400 human brains collected over the past 35 years. In addition to exploring the displays, visitors can also touch and feel a real brain! Now, that promises to be an interesting outing with the kids. 
Address: Hosur Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Time: 10:00 AM–3:00 PM

HAL Aerospace Museum

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This museum displays the growth of aviation since 1940. It also displays various types of aircraft models along with a flight motion simulator for visitors to realistically experience flying fighter jets and commercial aircrafts.
Address: Near HAL Police Station, HAL Old Airport Road, Marathahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Time: 09:00 AM–4:30 PM

Chennai 

The Government Museum

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This is one of the oldest museums in India and is more than 160 years old. The science gallery, the technology gallery the transportation gallery are some of the highlights of this museum Also outside the children’s museum is a science park that kids will enjoy playing in. 
Address: Beside Government Maternity Hospital, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Time: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM / Friday Closed

Birla Planetarium

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This one has been one of the popular choices for a holiday outing ever since our childhood days. The 3D shows, the Energy Gallery, Innovation Gallery, Transport Gallery, Ocean Galleryetc are popular among kids of all ages. 
Address: Gandhi Mandapam Rd, Duraisamy Nagar, Kotturpuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Time: 10:00 AM–5:45 PM

The Chennai Lighthouse at Marina

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Who doesn’t love Marina beach?! The lighthouse has been a favourite for every Chennaiite. Did you know the lighthouse houses one of the smallest museums in the city? There is a tiny little heritage museum at the base of the building. It has oil-bearing large wicks, petroleum vapour lamps, kerosene lights and electrical lamps that were used in the past.
Address: Marina Beach Road, Marina Beach, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Time: 10:00 AM–1:00 PM / 3:00 PM–6:00 PM

Periyar Science and Technology Centre

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Situated at Kotturpuram in Chennai and part of the Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Centres, Periyar Science Technology Centre is one of the leading science centres of South India. With more than 8 galleries for fields such as physics, electrical, communication, invention and transportation, kids will love to learn the various concepts of science at this famous museum in the city. 
Address: No, 6, Gandhi Mandapam Road, Surya Nagar, Kotturpuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Time: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Website: Tamilnadu Science and Technology Centre

Hyderabad

B M Birla Science Centre

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The B M Birla Science Centre is one of the most popular museums in the country. The Science Museum has designed hands-on exhibits based on simple laws of physics, perception, mechanics, optical illusions through mathematical puzzles, optics, electricity and magnetism, vibrations and sound, energy and motors, electronics and Hi-tech to topics like Environment. 
Address: Near Birla Mandir, Saifabad, Adarsh Nagar, Hyderabad
Time: 10:30 AM – 08:00 PM
Contact: 040 23241067, 040 23235081
Email: [email protected]
Website: B M Birla Science Centre

Jaipur

Jantar Mantar

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The Jantar Mantar is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located near City Palace and Hawa Mahal, the monument expresses architectural innovations, as well as the coming together of ideas from different religious and social beliefs in 18th-century India. The observatory is an example of the Ptolemaic positional astronomy which was shared by many civilizations.
Address: Gangori Bazaar, J.D.A. Market, Kanwar Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Time: 9:00 AM–4:30 PM 

Regional Science Centre And Science Park

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Established in 1998, Science Park Jaipur was the brainchild of the Department of Science & Technology of the Rajasthan Government. The place offers many interesting attractions including the state-of-the-art 4000 sq mtrs Regional Science Center. 
Address: Behind T.B Hospital, Shastri Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Time: 9:00 AM–1:00 PM / 4:30 AM–8:00 PM 

B M Birla Auditorium

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Birla Auditorium “B.M. Birla Science & Technology Center” is located in the heart of the Pink City. It offers unique audio-visual education entertainment, and the auditorium is the best location for cultural programs, festivals, art drama performances and trade showplace.
Address: Statue Circle, C Scheme, Rambagh, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Time: 11:00 AM–7:00 PM 

Pune

Pimpri Chinchwad Science Park

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Pimpri Chinchwad Science Park is one of the latest tourist attractions and activity-based Science Centre in Pune. The Centre also conducts many Science shows such as 3D Shows, Taramandal Shows and Live Demonstrations for visiting people and student groups. It also organises activity-based programmes and workshops for students and teachers. 

Address: Near Auto Cluster, Chinchwad, Pune
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Website: Pimpri Chinchwad Science Park

Ahmedabad

Baroda Health Museum, Vadodara

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Housed in a beautiful colonial house built in 1878, the collection at Baroda Health Museum comprises health exhibits related to body functions, diet, and health sustainers. It is known for its life-size model of a toddler fitted with a working mechanism to show body and eye movements.
Address: Sayani Baugh, University Road, Vadodara, Gujarat

Gujarat Science City

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Gujarat Science City, located in Hebatpur, Ahmedabad, is part of a government initiative to draw more students towards education in science. The centre hosts an IMAX 3D theatre, an energy park, a hall of science, Planet Earth, an amphitheatre, Life Science Park and dancing musical fountains among others. 
Address: Science City Road, Off S. G. Highway, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 
Time: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM 
Website: Gujarat Science City

Vikram Sarabhai Space Exhibition 

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The Vikram Sarabhai Space Exhibition (VSSE) is a “Mini ISRO” open to everyone free of cost. It gives knowledge to its visitors on the significant advancements and achievements made by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Here visitors learn through a series of entertaining, interactive and educational experiences. The exhibits are divided into 15 different themes which are arranged in a specific sequence so as to help the visitors gain a better understanding of ISRO activities.
Address: Space Application Center, Pandurang Shastri Athavale Marg, Jodhpur Tekra, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 
Time: 10:00 AM–5:30 PM