The Wild Center Selected as Best Science Museum in the Country

The Wild Center in Tupper Lake has been selected as the "Best Science Museum" in the country according to USA TODAY's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards. After four weeks of voting, a panel of travel experts and readers decided on the top 10 best museums nationwide.

The director of marketing at the Wild Center, Nick Gunn, told the paper, "Winning this award is a testament to our community. It's not just about being named the best, it's about showing the world what the Adirondacks are made of. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported us."

In 2023, The Wild Center secured a second-place finish, trailing closely behind another esteemed institution, COSI (Center of Science and Society) in Columbus, Ohio, who claimed the title for its fourth year in a row.

This year, however, The Wild Center has risen to the top, cementing its status as a leader in science education and public engagement surpassing COSI, the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and the Exploratorium in San Francisco.

According to YSA Today, 10 Best Science Museums in the US

No. 10: The Bakken Museum - Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Bakken Museum in Minneapolis has a focus on inspiring a passion for innovation with its interactive exhibits and top-notch STEM education programs. The space also houses a collection that includes 2,500 artifacts and 1,000 pieces of art and ephemera all around science topics. New activities are made available each month in the weekends-only Science Studios.

No. 9: Exploratorium - San Francisco, California

San Francisco's Exploratorium is a public learning lab that invites visitors of all ages to experience over 650 exhibits spread throughout indoor and outdoor galleries. Visitors can listen to a 27-foot-tall harp that's strummed by the wind or go inside and encounter their reflection in a giant mirror.

San Francisco: Exploratorium Daytime Admission Immerse yourself in a world of intrigue as you touch, tinker, and play with hundreds of hands-on exhibits at San Francisco's Exploratorium with this full-day admission ticket.

No. 8: The Franklin Institute - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Franklin Institute is a hands-on science museum that seeks to create a passion for science and tech in everyone. It holds the distinction of being Pennsylvania's most visited museum, featuring many interactive exhibits that explore science - from sports to space - plus top-notch experiences and special exhibitions.

No. 7: Great Lakes Science Center - Cleveland, Ohio

The Great Lakes Science Center offers a community where real scientific challenges provide a learning culture to encourage curiosity, creativity, and innovation. Visitors enjoy exploring hands-on exhibits, as well as the NASA Glenn Visitor Center.

No. 6: Discovery World - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee's Discovery World is a science and technology center that the whole family can enjoy visiting. The 120,000-square-foot space also houses the Reiman Aquarium and includes hands-on exhibits that focus on two main areas: technology and freshwater sciences.

No. 5: Saint Louis Science Center - St. Louis, Missouri

At Saint Louis Science Center, visitors can choose their own adventure, whether it's through full-scale replicas of a Mars rover, observing the creatures in the Pacific Coral Reef Aquarium, or even watching live STEM demonstrations. With 10 galleries featuring hundreds of interactive experiences, movies about aquatic animals and dinosaurs and more playing in their OMNIMAX theater, and an impressive planetarium, you'll never run out of scientific discoveries here.

No. 4: Tellus Science Museum - Cartersville, Georgia

This 120,000-square-foot museum in Georgia comprises four main galleries dedicated to minerals, fossils, science in motion, and backyard science. Visitors to Tellus Science Museum can also explore space in the 120-seat digital planetarium or gaze at the stars through a 20-inch telescope. Other highlights include an 80-foot-long apatosaurus and a replica Wright flyer.

No. 3: Michigan Science Center - Detroit, Michigan

The Michigan Science Center promotes creative and dynamic STEM learning through a series of interactive exhibits. This Detroit cultural district institution features live stage shows, an IMAX Dome, 4D theater, planetarium, and exhibit space with more than 220 hands-on activities and exhibits.

No. 2: Center of Science and Industry (COSI) - Columbus, Ohio

The Center of Science and Industry (COSI) offers a wide array of permanent exhibits and hosts a few traveling ones, too. Check out the American Museum of Natural History Dinosaur Gallery and Ohio's largest Planetarium, or maybe take a tour of the ancient stories of the sea hosted by Poseidon himself. Lift a 2,437-pound car with the help of a lever in the outdoor Big Science Park.

No. 1: The Wild Center - Tupper Lake, New York

Located in the Adirondacks, The Wild Center is situated on a beautiful 115-acre campus that's home to more than 900 live animals. A 54,000-square-foot building houses the center's main exhibits, while trails, a private pond, and river frontage form the outdoor experience. From naturalist-led walks to animal encounters, there's always a special event happening here.

To celebrate, the Wild Center is inviting residents to come for a free Community Day on Saturday, March 9 from 10am to 5pm. For more information about the Community Free Day, visit wildcenter.org/communityfreeday.