Frommer's Review
Possibly the best thing about growing up in Toronto was the frequent visits to the OSC. Science was never my favorite subject, but the hands-on approach here was -- and is -- thrilling. Wherever you look, there are things to touch, push, pull, or crank. Test your reflexes, balance, heart rate, and grip strength; surf the Internet; watch frozen-solid liquid nitrogen shatter into thousands of icy shards; study slides of butterfly wings, bedbugs, fish scales, or feathers under a microscope; tease your brain with a variety of optical illusions; land a spaceship on the moon; watch bees making honey; learn how many lights you can light or how high you can elevate a balloon with your own pedal power. The fun goes on and on through the 10 exhibit halls and more than 800 interactive exhibits.
But that's not all: Small theaters show film and slide shows, and you can see regular 20-minute demonstrations of lasers, metal casting, and high-voltage electricity (which will, literally, make your hair stand on end). Another draw is the IMAX Dome theater, with a 24m (79-ft.) domed screen that creates spectacular effects. There are two eateries on-site: Galileo's Bistro, a buffet-style restaurant that serves alcohol, and Valley Marketplace, a cafeteria. The Mastermind shop has a vast collection of educational toys and games. More than a million people visit the OSC every year, so it's best to arrive promptly at 10am to see everything. Make no mistake: The OSC provides a full day's entertainment. Like the ROM, the OSC recently completed a major renovation which added some new hands-on galleries inside and created a new outdoor exhibition space. The highlight is the new KidSpark gallery, designed for kids eight and under.
A Tropical Oasis -- While most of the Ontario Science Centre's offerings are fun for the small fry, one area that adults will appreciate is the re-creation of a rainforest environment. On the bottom level of the building, it's large enough that you can wander a bit and forget the noise and blinking lights just beyond. There are also poison dart frogs and a few other creatures behind glass. One caveat: Stay in here for long, and you'll feel as though you've hit a sauna.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
