Magic City Discovery Center
Play and learn at the Magic City Discovery Center, featuring interactive STEAM activities for all ages.
1 Center - 3 Levels of Fun
With 150 interactive exhibits across 28,000 sq. ft., the Magic City Discovery Center in Minot is where curiosity meets education. This hybrid children’s museum and science center invites visitors of all ages to explore, create, and play through hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics).
37-Foot Climber
Climb up the Magic Climber, a two-story structure in the center of the museum that winds through tunnels, ramps, a prairie dog crawl, an oil derrick and the interactive cockpit of a B-52 bomber at the top – complete with a 360 degree view of Minot!
First Floor Activities
Inventing & Engineering
Unleash your inner inventor at Spark!Lab, 1 of only 11 Smithsonian-affiliated sites in the country. Solve hands-on challenges, grab real tools, and create something totally original—or tackle guided building projects. This interactive makerspace fuels imagination, problem-solving, and big ideas for all ages.
Outside My Window
Explore 1,000 square feet of North Dakota-inspired adventure—great for kids seven and under. This nature-themed play space features three interactive zones: My Backyard, Outdoor Adventures, and Fields and Farms. Little explorers can learn about how bees pollinate flowers to make honey, build an igloo, and go fishing.
Second Floor Activities
Light Lab
Enter the glow of the Light Lab, where science meets creativity in every color. Experiment with shadows, reflections, and glowing designs as you explore the properties of light through hands-on stations. From life-size lite brite to colorful light rays, this interactive space lets kids play and light up their imagination.
Building Zone
Let your imagination take shape in the Building Zone. Designed for hands-on exploration, this space invites kids to become builders, engineers, and architects. Stack, design, and construct using oversized blocks, real tools, and creative challenges that bring big ideas to life—no hard hat required!
Lower Level Activities
Water Flow
Splash around in the Water Flow exhibit, where kids dive into the science of moving water. Build dams, reroute streams, and spin water wheels as you explore cause and effect through hands-on play. It’s all about curiosity; don’t worry about getting a little wet!
Creativity Zone
Make art come alive in the Creativity Studio. Kids can make their own art at the paint window and design using everything from collage to print-making and more. With rotating activities and plenty of materials, there’s always something new to create and explore.
Plan Your Visit
The Magic City Discovery Center offers exceptional value, with admission priced at $15 for adults and children aged 1 and above, $14 for seniors, $12 for active military personnel, and free for infants under 12 months. Pay once and enjoy unlimited re-entry throughout the day—perfect for families who want to explore at their own pace.
Hours:
Open Year-Round
Tuesday & Wednesday: 9am – 4pm
Thursday – Sunday: 10am – 6pm
