Have you ever seen a fire tornado, experienced a simulated earthquake, or turned on a light bulb with a stair master?
You can do all that and more at the Copernicus Science Centre (Centrum Nauki Kopernika) in Warsaw, Poland, which opened in 2010, right on the bank of the Vistula river.
We’ve been there twice – once right after it opened, and the second time in January 2013. Both times not only the kids had a lot of fun, but the grown ups as well.
What can you see at the Copernicus Science Centre?
Well, looking at the Centre website I see that several of the exhibits that my kids loved, have been replaced by new, probably just as exciting exhibits, but a few of the old classics remained:
“Roots of Civilization”
The “Roots of Civilization” area, located on the ground floor, explains how some inventions, some quite ancient, changed the world and contributed to the development of the civilization.
At one of the exhibits, you can see what your name would look like when spelled in Egyptian hieroglyphics.
At another, you can change various factors in a trigonometric function and see what kind of shape it creates. My son really loved that one each time we went there!
You can also watch a fire tornado
“On The Move”
In the “On The Move” exhibit, located on the upper floor, you can play inside a giant hamster wheel:
You can make electricity with a “stair master”:
You can experience an earthquake:
And you can learn about ferrofluids – liquids that have a consistency similar to mayonnaise, and which include tiny needles that can be magnetized. If you put a magnet near them, they move and form extraordinary shapes. Ferrofluids are used in shock absorbers, clutches, and brakes, among others.
The Copernicus Science Centre also has the typical science museum staples such as the plasma ball:
and giant bubbles:
Past Exhibit: “Good Vibrations”
I am glad we got to see the “Good Vibrations” exhibit last time we visited.
The exhibit asked “Is it possible to see a sound? To touch it? To step on it?” and taught the visitors about sound and acoustics and its relationship to math and physics.
Both of my the kids really enjoyed banging on sticks for an extended period of time:
playing with the slam organ:
or making with various objects sounds that only they could hear through their headphones:
What else is there?
Take a look at this YouTube video in English for a general overview of what you can see at the Copernicus Science Centre.
Because the exhibits change so often, I’m sure we’ll go to the Copernicus Science Centre next time we’re in Warsaw. I also want to finally make it to the Centre’s garden on the rooftop, and visit the Planetarium – two things which we haven’t seen yet.
And don’t worry if you don’t have kids. The Centre designers thought about you too! The Centre’s website has a section written specifically “For Adults,” highlighting events and exhibits of special interest to grown ups.
Ticket Prices
Unfortunately the online information about tickets is only in Polish, but here are the prices (updated November 19, 2015) if you don’t understand Polish:
Full price tickets are 27 złoty, which is about $7.00 US or €6.15.
If you’re a child, youth, a college student with a proper ID, or are over 65, your ticket will be 18 złoty (about $4).
A family ticket, which admits a family of four, will cost 77 złoty or about $20 US.
The price of the ticket includes a performance in the Robotic Theatre and entrance to the High Voltage Theatre.
The movies in the Planetarium are 23 złoty for a 3D show, and 18 złoty for a 2D (these are full price tickets).
Getting There
Public transportation is the easiest way to get to the Copernicus Science Centre – it is located within brief walking distance from the Centrum Nauki Kopernik subway (metro) station.
Warsaw public transportation offers several different types of tickets: timed, single-fare, one day, weekend, and so on. At today’s exchange rates, you can go all over Warsaw on its extensive subway, tram, and bus network for a mere $4.11 (a single day ticket is only 15 zloty).
I hope you’ll get to see the Copernicus Science Centre some day! It is really fun!
In the meantime, follow them on Instagram, and like them on Facebook.
Where to Stay in Warsaw
Since my family lives in Warsaw, I always stay either at my parents’ or at my sister’s place, but there are plenty of hotels, hostels, and vacation rentals in Warsaw. It’s a capital after all!
Invitation to #WeekendWanderlust Link Up
#WeekendWanderlust, hosted by Chris & Heather from A Brit and a Southerner, Jessi & Tara from Outbound Adventurer, Ashley from A Southern Gypsy, Justin and Lauren from Justin Plus Lauren, and yours truly, is a collaborative effort to share travel blog posts, and to discuss all travel-related things.
The hosts organize each week a link up through which travel bloggers from around the world can promote their posts, in exchange for a promise to give some attention to other travel bloggers. (One of the rules for linking up is to comment on three linked up posts.)
If the link up is still open, feel free to add a link to one of your posts below, then comment on three linked up posts. And I welcome comments as well, of course!
That looks like so much fun! And you can experience an earthquake? That dovetails nicely with my post!
Fairlie recently posted…Travelling to an earthquake prone region?
Thank you for reading, Fairlie! There’s a platform at the museum that lets you experience what it feels like during an earthquake, with a video of a room showing what it would look like at various strengths. It was quite interesting.
Would it be weird if I went without kids? Boyfriend and I would have a blast!
Connecting through #WeekendWanderlust 🙂
You absolutely CAN go there without kids. I think they welcome adults as well, that’s why they have a separate “For Adults” page, showcasing events that focus on more advanced or in depth science.
This is EXACTLY the type of place my family enjoys. I need to keep it in mind if we head over to Warsaw. It looks like so much fun.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} recently posted…Searching the World for Tomorrowland
Thank you for reading, Michele! I do hope you’ll end up in Poland eventually. There’s plenty to see!
This museum is exactly the type I like to visit with my family. It’s so might more enjoyable for all because it captures all age groups and we all learn something. Your name in Hieroglyphics looks beautiful.
Brenda recently posted…Style Inspirations
Thank you for reading, Brenda! Yes, it’s a great place, and definitely worth visiting. I hope you’ll see it some day.
This Museum does look amazing. And something tells me your kids are partial to science:)
Victoria @celebratetheweekend recently posted…Boston (Memorial Day) Weekend
Thank you for reading, Victoria! And yes, my son has always loved science, but I do too, so we always try to visit the local science museum wherever we are. My daughter, on the other hand, is into zoos and aquariums.
This place looks awesome!
Thank you, Sarah! Glad you liked the post.
What a great museum! I need to add this part of the world to my bucket list!
Amy Whitley recently posted…Where to eat with kids on Kauai North Shore
Thank you for reading, Amy! Yes, you do need to go to Central East Europe and Poland some time! I think you’d be pleasantly surprised.
We had hoped to visit Poland this year but didn’t make it. Hopefully it will be on our 2016 list. I’ll be back for more suggestions. This is a great family-friendly addition.
Lesley recently posted…40 Family-Fun Things to Do in Southern California
Thank you for reading, Lesley! I do hope you’ll make it to Poland in 2016, and I hope I’ll make it to California next year too!
We are always looking for ways to educate our kids on the road – this looks like a fun adventure!
The Adventure Ahead recently posted…Family Road Trip Survival Kit
Thank you for reading, The Adventure Ahead! Yes, the Copernicus Science Centre IS a fun place!
My kids would love this place! My husband, too. 😉
Thank you for reading, Beth! I hope you’ll get to see it some day.
This sounds awesome! There’s a Children’s Museum here in Mexico City that is a little similar (they have the giant bubbles and the ferrofluids for example) but I would love to see the fire tornado! Sounds like a great day out.
Katja – globetotting recently posted…Favourite Instagram Photos – A Week in Review #5
Thank you for reading, Katja! I hope you and your family will get to see this place some day.
I have to be honest, we went to Warsaw 15 years ago and I thought we would never go back. This place looks so cool, we might have to reconsider. My kids would love this science centre and the hands on exhibits look really exciting! Thanks for sharing!
Kirsten recently posted…15 Great Books for Summer Vacation
What an excellent science museum. So many different interactive exhibits!
Robin recently posted…Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda
Looks like a fabulous museum. Never been to Poland, but have been to many science centers in the US and they have always been so much fun.
How fun!! My kids would LOVE this! Great way to work a little education into a trip.
Sarah @ A Family Travel Blog recently posted…Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti
My girls love science centers! Love all the hands on activities!
Kimberly @ Stuffed Suitcase recently posted…A-Z Travel Packing Tips : Alcohol Packed in Checked Luggage
We love this type of hands-on science center. Fun and educational for children and adults!
Allison recently posted…7 Tips for Riding the Bolt Bus
This looks like such a fun museum to visit for everyone. There looks like so much great and educational things to do. I especially like the fire tornado and spelling your name in hieroglyphics.
Mary {The World Is A Book} recently posted…50 Things to Do In San Diego With Kids
I loved this place! spent over half a morning there and regretted I couldn’t do more. I went alone though and thought it would be more fun going with someone…because there were many times I wanted to nudge someone and exclaim how awesome science was!
Cheers