Cox Science Center and Aquarium: Hours, Tickets and Visit Tips

The center brings together hands-on science exhibits and The Aquariums of the Atlantic, a 3,000-square-foot gallery of freshwater and saltwater aquaria. Its animals include Florida-native and other species, from sharks and stingrays to fish, invertebrates and reptiles.

Aquarium areas include Shipwreck Cove, Seahorse Corral, Stingray Shallows, Mangroves, Turtles, Alligators and Coral Matters. The center’s Hall of Discovery has 100 hands-on exhibits. A major renovation also included an upgraded planetarium, a modernized theater, a science laboratory and improved amenities.

For a close-up activity, the aquarium schedules an Invertebrate Touch Experience daily at 10:45 a.m. Conservation Conversations take place at 11:45 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Baby Alligator Interactions are scheduled at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, and at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

General admission costs $26 for adults, $22 for children ages 3–12, $24 for teens ages 13–17 and $24 for seniors ages 60 and older. Members enter free. The center says discounts cannot be combined with one another or used with other offers.

In-person tickets are valid for the full day, and you can leave and return with the appropriate admission wristband or a valid receipt. Online tickets are valid for up to 180 days or until redeemed. All visitors under age 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

Before you go, check the official site before you go for current ticket details, hours and activity schedules. For questions, call the center at (561) 832-1988.

The center’s regular hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

For planetarium showtimes, contact the center before planning around a show. The center also lists NASA+ screenings and telescope viewings at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, weather permitting. Ask the admissions box office about tickets and access.

Live Science Show times can change because of weather or special events; check with Guest Services for updates. The center also holds Sensory Saturdays on the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. for guests who benefit from a sensory-friendly environment.

Drivers coming from I-95 or Florida’s Turnpike can take Southern Boulevard east to Dreher Park, turn onto Dreher Trail North and continue to the center. Parking is free anywhere within Dreher Park.

If you use Tri-Rail, its West Palm Beach destination information points to Palm Tran Route 60 westbound to Summit Boulevard and Dreher Trail North.

From there, walk north about one-half mile on Dreher Trail to the entrance. Route 60 does not run on Sundays; the West Palm Beach transportation guide is relevant when planning how to get around without a car.

The center has wheelchair accessibility, an entrance ramp and an accessible restroom, and complimentary wheelchairs are available. Non-service animals are not permitted anywhere on campus.

Allow around 2 hours to interact with all the center’s exhibits, then add time if you want to fit in one of the scheduled aquarium activities or a NASA+ screening. Since activities run at specific times, check the day’s program and ask the admissions box office about screening and telescope-viewing access.

If you are planning a wider day out, the Palm Beach Zoo visitor guide covers another West Palm Beach attraction. Keeping the science center’s activity times in mind can help you decide how to arrange the day.