Fort Lauderdale has a plethora of things to do, from beaches to fine dining to watersports. However, the Museum of Discovery and Science (MoDS) is an often overlooked attraction. With tons of fun for kids and adults alike, it’s a trip you’ll remember for years to come. If you’ve never been or don’t know where to start, here’s a quick guide to take you through the museum.
1. The IMAX
Although you’ve probably only been to the IMAX in your local theater to see the latest Tom Cruise flick, the IMAX at MoDS takes it up a notch. Standing six stories high with a 52,000 watt digital sound system and Florida’s only 4K Laser IMAX Projector, this 4,800-square-foot screen is something you have to see to believe. The theater currently seats 300 people, and regularly screens some of the biggest action blockbusters. “Transformers: The Last Knight” and “Spiderman: Homecoming” are due to hit the IMAX theater this July, and once you go, you’ll find it hard to go back to the normal theater.
2. Minerals Rock Exhibit
If you’ve ever wondered what’s beneath the surface, the Minerals Rock Exhibit shows you. This immersive experience goes through every type of mineral and other rock, describing how they’re the building blocks of the Earth, and what use they have in everyday life. You can even touch a lava rock and make your own “volcano” to see how land masses are formed over time.
3. Living in the Everglades
Far from the hordes of tourists and sandy beaches of Florida’s towns and cities lies the World Heritage Site of the Everglades. One of only 20 such sites in the United States, the Everglades is an ecosystem unlike any other in the world, full of exotic wildlife, aquatic life, and plants. At the Living in the Everglades exhibit, kids can learn about this fragile ecosystem and what the government is doing to help preserve the park from disappearing forever. You’ll also have a close-up look at exhibits that detail each of the 300 species that call the park home.
4. Gizmo City
Gizmo City is the most hands-on exhibit at MoDS, explaining to kids and adults how stuff works. By providing an interactive experience, MoDS provides you with a better understanding of the gadgets that make life easier. While you’re here, you can program a robot, lift 400-pound blocks of concrete, and do other tasks that give you a better grasp of modern technology.
5. EcoDiscovery Center
The EcoDiscovery Center is an immersive part of the museum that gives you the chance to learn about the weather, wildlife, and natural history of Florida. It starts off with a display of live otters that play before your eyes. Next, you’ll head over to see how the weather affects Florida throughout the year. It’s topped off with a look at prehistoric Florida, full of lifelike recreations of extinct animals.
With so much to do at MoDS, there’s no chance you’ll end up bored. It’s open seven days a week. Admission is $16 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $13 for children 12 and under.
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