Science City at Union Station is Kansas City’s interactive science-and-STEM family attraction, housed inside the historic Union Station building. Hands-on exhibits cover physics, biology, engineering, and geology, along with rotating special-topic galleries and the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium. For families visiting KC with kids, it’s one of the core destinations — a full-day experience on its own or an anchor for a Union Station / Crown Center family day. A mobility scooter rental makes it comfortable for grandparents, parents, or anyone who wants to keep pace with the kids without wearing out.
How We Serve Science City Visitors
We deliver to your Crown Center-area hotel (Westin, Sheraton Crown Center, Hotel Kansas City) or downtown KCMO hotel ahead of your check-in. From Crown Center hotels, the indoor Link skywalk connects directly to Union Station — you roll from your room to Science City without going outdoors. From downtown hotels, a short rideshare or streetcar ride reaches Union Station.
For Westin and Sheraton guests specifically, the Link-connected access is a major advantage in cold or rainy weather.
About Science City
The attraction occupies a dedicated wing inside Union Station’s larger complex. Exhibits include:
- Hands-on physics, engineering, biology, and geology galleries — wheelchair/scooter-accessible heights throughout
- Rotating special-topic exhibits — typically refreshed every few months
- Energy Lab, Wonder Grove, and DinoLab — younger-kids-focused areas
- The Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium — accessible seating with companion spots, shows throughout the day
- Regal Extreme Screen — large-format film theater in the Union Station complex (separate ticket)
- Model Railroad Experience — also in the complex (separate ticket)
Plan 2-4 hours for Science City specifically. A full family day covering Science City + the Extreme Screen + the Model Railroad Experience runs 5-7 hours.
Accessibility
Union Station was comprehensively renovated in the 1990s with current ADA compliance, and Science City inherited the same:
- Accessible parking in the main Union Station lot
- Accessible entries throughout the station complex
- Elevator access to all levels of Science City
- Accessible interactive exhibits at appropriate heights (many exhibits have seating-level and standing-level options, accommodating scooter users)
- Accessible Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium seating with companion-and-scooter spots (advance reservation recommended)
- Accessible restrooms throughout
- Accessible dining at Union Station restaurants
- The Link skywalk connects to Crown Center — fully accessible, indoor
Pairing the Visit
With Crown Center — indoor-connected via the Link. Kids pair Science City (STEM) with Crown Center Shops (dining, shopping, Kaleidoscope, Legoland Discovery Center, Sea Life Aquarium) for a true all-day family experience.
With the WWI Museum — the National WWI Museum and Memorial is directly south of Union Station, walkable/rollable for older kids.
With a Westin Crown Center stay — the Link-connected indoor-access experience is a meaningful family-stay improvement for scooter users. See the Westin’s hotel page for specifics.