ACCESSIBILITY & AMENITIES

Arizona Science Center wants all guests to enjoy their experience at the Center. We are committed to making our exhibits, films, programs, and services accessible to everyone, including those with special needs. If you have specific questions about the accessibility of our buildings and exhibits, please contact us at 602.716.2000


PARKING

There are 502 total parking spots in the Heritage Square parking garage located on 5th Street and Monroe Street, 24 of which are accessible. There are 12 accessible spots on level 1; 6 next to the North-West elevator and 6 next to the South-East elevator.  There are 2 accessible spots on level 2; both located next to the North-West elevator. There are 4 accessible spots on level 3; 2 next to the North-West elevator and 2 next to the South-East elevator. There are 3 accessible spots on level B1; 1 next to the North-West elevator and 2 next to the South-East elevator. There are 3 accessible spots on level 1; 1 next to the North-West elevator and 2 next to the South-East elevator. Vehicles up to 6 feet 8 inches tall can park in this garage. Arizona Science Center offers parking validation for our guests. The first hour is free, 1-2 hours is $1, 2-3 hours is $3, 3-4 hours is $5, and 4+ is $8. Parking prices are subject to change.


ENTRANCE

The Center’s entrance is facing Monroe Street, located on the North side of the building between 5th and 7th Streets in Heritage & Science Park, on the south end of the park. The entrance has three doors all side-by-side and has no exterior or interior steps. The easternmost door has an activation switch for automatic door function. Once you enter the entrance doors, you must make an immediate left and travel down a low-declined ramp leading to the Science Center’s lobby.

CREATE at Arizona Science Center® is accessible from Heritage & Science Park, adjacent to Heritage Garage on the west side of Heritage & Science Park. The entrance has one double door with button-activated automation and has no exterior or interior steps.


FOOD AND BEVERAGE FACILITIES

Byte Machines are located in the lobby offering salads, sandwiches and more. 


ELEVATORS

Two elevators serving all levels are located throughout the building. Doors stay open 11 seconds. There is an audible floor change signal. One ding means the elevator is traveling up, two dings means the elevator is traveling down.


PUBLIC RESTROOMS

Accessible restrooms are available throughout the first and third floors of the building. Unisex or companion-assisted restrooms are also available near the main lobby near the membership desk. There are 3 restroom locations on the first floor: one between the membership check-in desk and the gift shop, one behind the Daniel Cracchiolo Demonstration Stage and one in the easternmost area of the All About Me gallery. There is one restroom area on the third floor inside the Forces of Nature gallery. 

Water fountains are available throughout the Center, near every restroom.  Additional water fountains are available on floors 3 and 4 outside the easternmost elevator, and on floor 2 near the central stairwell.

CREATE at Arizona Science Center has one main restroom located in the lobby, approximately 20 feet from the CREATE information desk. Water fountains are also located in this area.


PAL PLACE

Arizona Science Center works with PAL Experiences to assist people with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities to better enjoy all that the center has to offer. This includes videos to help you prepare, maps, digital guides and more. Learn more on our PAL Place page


WHEELCHAIRS

Wheelchair rentals are available at the Information Zone desk on Level 1 of Arizona Science Center's main building and at CREATE's front desk. Rentals are provided free of charge but require a current form of identification, such as a driver's license, which will be held at the Information Zone until you return the rental wheelchair.

Guests are welcome to bring their own wheelchairs or mobility scooters.


SERVICE ANIMALS

While pets are not allowed, certified service animals are always welcome to accompany their pet owner into Arizona Science Center and CREATE maker space.


IRENE P. FLINN GIANT SCREEN THEATER

The Irene P. Flinn Theater's main entrance is located on the first floor across from the information desk.

Closed captioning, amplified audio (headsets and neckloops), and descriptive audio is available at no cost for most Giant Screen Films. Interested visitors may inquire at the admissions desk, information desk or when making ticket reservations.

Wheelchair and companion seating is available in the Giant Screen Theater with access from the second floor. Six wheelchair accessible spaces are available. Please ask the information desk or any staff member to assist you with seating.


DORRANCE PLANETARIUM

The Dorrance Planetarium's main entrance is to the east of the information desk and is wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair and companion seating are available in the Dorrance Planetarium.

If your group is bringing your own sign language interpreter, special lighting may be available with a 72-hour notice. Call 602.716.2000.


ACCESS SERVICES

Arizona Science Center has wheelchairs available for loan. Please see Wheelchairs above for more information.

Admission is free for working Personal Care Attendants when they are visiting with a client.

Sign language interpreters can be arranged with one week's notice. Call 602.716.2000.

Many exhibits are hands-on or have hands-on components.

Many exhibits have open or closed captioning.

Sensory Backpacks are available for guests to borrow at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis.  Included in each kit are items to fidget, stress ball, and noise-minimizing headphones.  All you need is a photo ID!

 

Heritage Garage to Arizona Science Center Main Entrance

First, go to the first level/ground level of Heritage Garage and find the southeast entrance at the southeast corner of the garage. When you exit into the park, you're going to be traveling south east down a gentle decline for about 10 feet. At the end of the decline, turn south-southeast along the sidewalk. A signage kiosk will be on your left. Follow the sidewalk south for about 150 feet. You may hear sounds of the four-story building, including running water from our Water Spheres and Gears exhibit atrium inside the Center. The entrance is to the left (east) of the water sounds. You’ll know you’re close to the door when you hear the sound of the water atrium above you and to the right.

 

The building entrance has three glass doors all side-b side, and has no exterior or interior steps. The easternmost door has an activation switch for automatic door function. Once you enter the entrance doors, you must make an immediate left and travel down a low-declined carpeted ramp leading to the Science Center’s lobby. The ramp has four sections: it’s sloped down, then level, sloped down again, then level at the lobby. The lobby is bare concrete floor.

  

5th Street Loading Zone to Arizona Science Center's Main Entrance

If you are getting dropped off, ask your driver to drop you off at the 5th street loading zone at the north west corner of the building. When exiting your vehicle, follow the sidewalk east so that the north face of the main building is on the right and 5th street is behind you. You may be able to hear Washington Street traffic to the south of the Science Center also on your right.

 

Walk along the north side of the building until you hear running water from our Water Spheres and Gears exhibit atrium inside the Center. The entrance is to the east of the water sounds. You’ll know you’re close to the door when you hear the sound of the water atrium above you and to the right.

 

The building entrance has three glass doors all side-by-side, and has no exterior or interior steps. The easternmost door has an activation switch for automatic door function. Once you enter the entrance doors, you must make an immediate left and travel down a low-declined carpeted ramp leading to the Science Center’s lobby. The ramp has four sections: it’s sloped down, then level, sloped down again, then level at the lobby. Turn right at the bottom of the ramp to enter the lobby. The lobby is bare concrete floor.

CREATE at Arizona Science Center is located in a separate building adjacent to the Science Center main building. CREATE is just to the northwest of the main building, with the entrance facing east into Heritage and Science Park.

 

Heritage Garage to CREATE Entrance:

First, go to the first level/ground level of Heritage Garage and find the southeast entrance at the southeast corner of the garage. When you exit into the park, you're going to be traveling south east down a gentle decline for about 10 feet. At the end of the decline, turn south-southeast along the sidewalk. A signage kiosk will be on your left. Follow the sidewalk south for about 20 feet and/or hug the right edge of the sidewalk. You may hear the one-story building on your right. As the sidewalk widens, following the sidewalk to the right will lead you to the front entrance of CREATE. The building entrance has glass double-doors, and has no exterior or interior steps. There is a post-style activation switch for automatic door function on the north side of the sidewalk, about four feet before you reach the entry. Once you enter through the entrance doors, the lobby is stone-tiled floor. The information desk is about ten feet beyond the door and slightly to the right.

 

5th Street Loading Zone to CREATE Entrance

If you are getting dropped off, ask your driver to drop you off at the 5th street loading zone at the  north west corner of the main building. When exiting your vehicle, follow the sidewalk east so that the north face of the main building is on the right and 5th street is behind you. You may be able to hear Washington Street traffic to the south of the Science Center, also on your right.

 

Walk along the north side of the building for about 30 feet. You may hear running water from our Water Spheres and Gears exhibit atrium inside the Center and you may hear the one story building on your left, which is CREATE. Next, follow the sidewalk on the north side of this walkway that runs diagonally to the northeast. There is grass on the right side of this walkway and concrete planters for a portion of the walk on the left. There is a low metal fence approximately four feet long around a large windmill at the end of this sidewalk.  Turn left (west) immediately after this fence. Walk straight to the front entrance of CREATE. The building entrance has glass double-doors, and has no exterior or interior steps. There is a post-style activation switch for automatic door function on the north side of the sidewalk, about four feet before you reach the entry. Once you enter through the entrance doors, the lobby is stone-tiled floor. The information desk is about ten feet beyond the door and slightly to the right.

 

 

Entry

At the bottom of the entry ramp, turn right. The Science Center’s lobby is bare concrete floor. Once you hit the cement after the carpeted main entrance ramp, make an immediate right to head towards ticketing. There is a wall to the right that can be followed straight toward ticketing. After about 25 feet, the lobby transitions from concrete to carpet near ticketing. When you hit the carpeting, turn left and follow the edge of the carpet to another wall. When you get to the wall, turn right and the membership desk will be about 5 feet in front of you. A membership associate will be able to direct you from there.

 

Exiting

When exiting the Center, walk towards the lobby until you hit the concrete flooring of the lobby. Start walking diagonally to your left until you reach the wall of the ramp. Then, turn slight right and follow the wall on your left until it ends at the bottom of the ramp. Make a left hairpin turn and go up the carpeted ramp. There will be four different inclines. Once you get to the top, the flooring will be concrete again. The exit/entry glass doors will be on your right.  The Center exits into Heritage and Science Park facing north.