Discovery Center of Ocala

The Discovery Center of Ocala is Marion County's dedicated children's science museum, located inside the historic Armory building at Tuscawilla Park. Since 1997, the center has provided hands-on, interactive educational experiences for families in the Ocala community. The facility moved to its current location in the Armory in 2009, giving it room to expand its exhibits and programming.

The center is operated by the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department, making it one of the few municipally supported children's science museums in North Central Florida. It serves as both an educational resource and a family destination, drawing visitors from across Marion County and neighboring areas. The Discovery Center's mission centers on sparking curiosity in young learners through direct interaction with science, nature, and technology.

Inside the building, the first floor houses a permanent collection of live animals including reptiles, amphibians, and arachnids, along with a nocturnal room where visitors can observe animals that are active after dark. The interactive discovery hallway on this level features additional hands-on science stations. Upstairs, a 5,000-square-foot exhibit hall hosts three rotating exhibitions each year, bringing fresh content and new learning opportunities with each installation.

Beyond the exhibit halls, the Discovery Center runs weekly STEAM-centered programs, science classes organized by age group for children ages 2 through 12, field trip packages for schools, birthday party events on Saturdays, and special community events throughout the year. The center also operates a StarLab portable planetarium that can be included in field trips and party packages. For families looking for affordable, educational indoor activities in Ocala, the Discovery Center is a reliable option that regularly refreshes its offerings.