AI-generated illustration. Not a photo of the exhibit.
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2026-10-095 min readXavier Riddle and the Secret Museum Exhibit Opens Oct. 10 at Ocala's Discovery Center
This is a things to do news article published on 2026-10-09 covering local Marion County, Florida news. The PBS KIDS exhibit "Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum" opens Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at the Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave. in Ocala, and runs through Jan. 9, 2027. Regular admission is $8.
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By Only In Ocala Staff
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A new traveling exhibit for young children opens this weekend in downtown Ocala. Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: The Exhibit opens Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at the Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave., and stays through Saturday, Jan. 9, 2027, the City of Ocala announced in an Oct. 5 press release.
The exhibit is based on the PBS KIDS series, in which Xavier Riddle, his sister Yadina and their friend Brad travel back in time to learn from historical figures when they were children. According to the city:
The TV series is inspired by the "Ordinary People Change the World" books by Brad Meltzer and Chris Eliopoulos. The exhibit is made possible by the Crawford Taylor Foundation, the city says.
The Discovery Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed through Oct. 9 while the exhibit is installed. The last admission is 30 minutes before closing.
Regular admission covers the second-floor rotating exhibition space as well as the first-floor animal exhibits and discovery hallway, according to the city. The city's Plan Your Visit page lists these prices:
For more about the museum, including field trips and birthday parties, see our Discovery Center guide. For more ideas for young kids, see things to do with kids in Ocala and Ocala museums.
AI-generated illustration. Not a photo of the exhibit.
What's Inside
The exhibit is based on the PBS KIDS series, in which Xavier Riddle, his sister Yadina and their friend Brad travel back in time to learn from historical figures when they were children. According to the city:
- Visitors enter the Secret Museum through a hidden passageway, where a hologram opens three moments in history.
- Kids can uncover a dinosaur skeleton with paleontologist Mary Anning, explore a secret garden with botanist George Washington Carver and examine X-rays with chemist Marie Curie.
- A Hall of Heroes asks what makes a hero and how visitors can be heroes today.
The TV series is inspired by the "Ordinary People Change the World" books by Brad Meltzer and Chris Eliopoulos. The exhibit is made possible by the Crawford Taylor Foundation, the city says.
Hours and Admission
The Discovery Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed through Oct. 9 while the exhibit is installed. The last admission is 30 minutes before closing.
Regular admission covers the second-floor rotating exhibition space as well as the first-floor animal exhibits and discovery hallway, according to the city. The city's Plan Your Visit page lists these prices:
- Adults and children 3–17: $8
- Seniors and veterans: $7
- Family of four: $28
- Infants 2 and under, Discovery Center members and Museums for All participants: free
- StarLab planetarium shows (Saturdays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.): $3 add-on
For more about the museum, including field trips and birthday parties, see our Discovery Center guide. For more ideas for young kids, see things to do with kids in Ocala and Ocala museums.
Sources: City of Ocala press release, Oct. 5, 2026; City of Ocala Discovery Center "Plan Your Visit" page. Checked Oct. 9, 2026.
Discovery Center
Xavier Riddle
PBS KIDS
Kids
Museums
Things To Do
Ocala
Marion County
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