Macaroni KID Erie was excited to get a sneak peek of the brand new expERIEnce Children's Museum, which is opening June 21!
We were blown away by what an amazing job they've done creating a destination for families to create, explore, imagine and play! The museum's $18 million expansion project truly marks the beginning of a new era for the museum. And this is just phase 1! The original expERIEnce Children's Museum will now begin undergoing a transformation. That work is scheduled to be completed in spring 2024.
Get your tickets to the grand opening now!
During the Grand Opening on June 21, from 11 am to 7 pm, visitors will have the opportunity to explore
the museum's Phase I exhibits.
Here are just a few of the highlights of what you'll find on the three floors of exhibits at the museum when it opens June 21:
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Signage, including an exterior interactive feature featuring the museum's new pinwheel logo, coming soon!
1. A new entrance and lobby experience
The newly located entrance, situated at the corner of 5th and French Streets, leads visitors to the 1st floor, where they will discover a fully renovated lobby and a gift shop. The lobby features an interactive musical wall dedicated to the project's major sponsors, allowing guests to play music while checking in. Additionally, visitors can immerse themselves in a captivating Green Screen Interactive experience upon entering the museum.
2. A new 'town'
On the 2nd floor, visitors can explore the kid-sized town, My Erie! This upgraded version of the town in the current museum brings together different aspects of a community. Kids can engage in imaginative play here for hours and never get bored. I love the openness of the floor plan — it will be easy to keep an eye on kids no matter where they are in MyErie.
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My Erie includes:
- A restaurant called Erie Eats, giving children the hands-on experience of running a restaurant, from seating parties to taking and preparing orders, as well as managing payments.
- A Grocery Store, now with a larger space, builds upon the beloved Wegmans Kid Market concept from the previous museum.
- A farm, where children can milk a cow and sort harvested plants to supply the "Farm Fresh" section of the Grocery Store.
- A theater, where kids can take center stage, reenacting and recording scenes on a green screen from the Philharmonic, Erie Playhouse, Erie Dance Conservatory, and the Warner Theatre.
- The auto center features the Super Service Center and a race track.
- The nursery showcases an updated Operation Game, babies and — a really wonderful inclusive addition — baby songs sung by New American families in Erie, complete with English translations.
- The pet vet station offers a chance to don a white coat and explore stations on Communication and Grooming, Diet, X-ray, and more — much of which is narrated by Erie veterinarians!
Lastly, the Tot Spot on the second floor provides a stimulating environment for the museum's youngest learners, and features the iconic alphabet tree from Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. So cool!
3. The second-largest water table in the country
The basement floor is dedicated to "Lake Life," celebrating the joy of being on Lake Erie. I can't wait to see kids use the amazing water table, but there's so much more on this floor too! Highlights on the lower floor:
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- The replica of the U.S. Brig Niagara, where kids can climb and play and even have fun with air cannons! This beautiful ship is a true showstopper piece.
- An ice table reminiscent of "Erie's Sandbox," where kids can play, build and experiment with ice.
- A bubble exhibit where you can create a bubble around your body — a new and improved design over the old popular exhibit we all remember from the old museum!
- An interactive lake under your feet that moves and responds to your movement, creating a captivating visual
experience kids will love. - And the WATER TABLE! It's the second-largest of its kind in the country and includes great details, like all of our local lighthouses. There's also a whirlpool, a spot for smaller kids, and a building bricks table built in so kids can build dams and other structures. If kids get a little wet? No problem! There are smocks available and a wall of dryers nearby! Seriously amazing.
4. Accessibility and inclusivity
I love what a priority planners have made accessibility and inclusivity. Some highlights:
- The museum is completely accessible by wheelchair, including all bathrooms and water fountains.
- There are three spacious family-sized restrooms on each floor, each with a changing table.
- There is an adult-sized changing table on the lower floor.
- Phase 2 will include nursing stations on each floor, along with sensory-friendly rooms. (Nursing moms are free to nurse wherever they feel comfortable in the museum!)
- You can bring your own food, snacks, and drinks into the museum. There is a dining area on the upper floor. No food will be available for purchase.
Find out more about the new expERIEnce Children's Museum and get your tickets now!
