Accessibility

Parking
We have 8 accessible parking spots in the upper parking lot with a ramp leading to the entry doors. Accessible parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Adult-Sized Changing Table
Thanks to a generous donation from Amerigroup and MaxAbility, there is now a safe, private, and hygienic toileting solution for guests located on the first floor in the family restroom across from soundBox. 

Wheelchair Rental
We have a limited number of wheelchairs available for guests to borrow at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis. All you need is a photo ID! Visit our friendly Guest Services staff in the lobby to exchange your ID for a set of wheels.

Exhibitions
In designing and fabricating our permanent exhibitions, we worked closely with the Nashville ADA office to make each experience as accessible as possible. Our building is fully accessible, but some exhibitions (Kinetic Climber in Adventure Galley) and add-on experiences (Max Flight: Full Motion Simulator) require full leg range of motion to experience. Two of the four Adventure Tower levels are accessible by ramp.

Sudekum Planetarium
We have six wheelchair-accessible seating spaces available in the Sudekum Planetarium located at the top and bottom of the theater. Please alert a staff member prior to your showtime if you would like to access the spaces at the top of the theater.

Prior to 2020, our team worked with both TRIAD and a student intern from Belmont University's School of Occupational Therapy to create a collection of resources for people who have developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, or other sensory concerns. Additionally, in 2022, science center staff began annual training with Kulture City on how to recognize guests with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. 

Follow the links below to download the materials:

• Sensory Map»
• EY Sensory Room»
• Social Stories:
  • General Visit»
  • Field Trip Visit»
  • Sudekum Planetarium Visit»
• Trip Planning:
  • Visual Schedule»
  • First-Then Board»
  • Token Board»

Sensory Bags

We have sensory kits available for guests to borrow at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis. Included in each kit are items to fidget, and noise-minimizing headphones. All you need is a photo ID! Visit our friendly Guest Services staff in the lobby to exchange your ID for a bag.

Quieter Times and Spaces

Sundays are often less busy during the weekends than Saturday. Though Saturday afternoon after 3 pm is typically quieter. During the the school year, weekdays around 1 pm are also typically quieter times to visit.

We can’t guarantee any one day will be slower than another will, as crowds vary depending on holidays, school vacations, weather, and a number of other factors.

If at any point during your visit you feel overstimulated and need access to the EY Sensory Room, please visit our Guest Services desk in the lobby and an Adventure Guide will be happy to assist you.

Sudekum Planetarium

Inside the Sudekum Planetarium can be dark, the volume can be loud and the visuals can include a lot of motion. We have noise-minimizing headphones and weighted blankets you can request to borrow at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis from a Planetarium Educator.

Occasionally, we offer Sensory-Friendly Planetarium Shows. Each show features a brighter theater, quieter audio, and smaller crowds. Movement and vocalizations during the show will be allowed. Learn more»

Sudekum Planetarium
We have a limited number of assistive listening devices you can request to borrow at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis from a Planetarium Educator.

We've prepared open captions (subtitles) for nearly all of our shows, with the exception of live shows and laser shows. Just ask a team member as you enter the planetarium.

If your group is arriving with an ASL interpreter, we’re happy to loan our white gloves to improve visibility of the interpreters’ hands in the darkened theater.

Curiosity Membership

For families who participate in SNAP, WIC or TANF, we’re proud to offer subsidized memberships, known as our Curiosity level membership, that cost $45 per year. Learn more»

Museums for All

We're proud to participate in the Museums for All program to make it affordable for all families to experience incredible hands-on science learning. The program supports those receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits by offering a minimal admission fee of $3 per person (for up to four people) with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.

To purchase, please show the Guest Services team your EBT card and photo ID when you arrive. Museums for All tickets are not available for purchase online.

Museums for All is a cooperative initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Association of Children’s Museums.

Adventure Access for Nonprofits

We understand many families do not have the means to visit the science center, so we support our fellow nonprofits (and the families they serve) by offering free general admission tickets annually. Learn more»

Personal Care Assistants

We’re proud to offer free admission to paid Personal Care Assistants (PCA) accompanying a visitor who needs the PCA’s assistance due to a disability covered under the ADA.

Service Animals

Qualified service dogs, as defined by Title II and Title III of the ADA, are welcome to Adventure Science Center. Emotional support dogs are not allowed in the building. We ask that you please leave your pets at home.

Unisex and Family Restroom(s)

Each floor of our building includes family and/or unisex restrooms for our guests. Ask one of our friendly Guest Services staff in the lobby if you need help finding one of these locations.

Nursing Room

Nursing mothers may nurse their babies in any public space at the Adventure Science Center. We also have a dedicated Nursing Room on the first floor across from Destination Exploration.