PacSci Campus Updates & Temporary Closure

Science is always evolving—and so is your science center. To bring you new exhibits, improved spaces, and a more welcoming experience, PacSci will be temporarily closed from September 2 through October 10. During the closure, our IMAX theaters and Laser Dome remain open for evening shows.

Major Updates

What’s Changing

  • Exhibit Retiring: After Labor Day, our iconic dinosaur exhibit will retire.
  • Courtyard Opens: Our courtyard opens to the public on October 11, providing a welcoming outdoor space for relaxation, learning, and community gatherings.
  • New & Updated Entrances: By opening the courtyard to the public and adding a new entrance to our buildings inside the courtyard, we are making it easier and more convenient for all guests to enter.
  • Membership Extension: All memberships will be automatically extended by two months to ensure you enjoy the full value of your PacSci experience.

What’s New

Building 4 will reopen with a new exhibit, “Spiders: From Fear to Fascination,” featuring live spiders from around the world, interactive displays, and hands-on activities. Visitors will discover the science, beauty, and importance of spiders, and even have the chance to face their fears in a safe, engaging environment.

Why now?

PacSci is taking steps on a journey of continuous renewal in order to better serve our community. These updates will make the center more accessible, welcoming, and engaging for all. We are also making thoughtful decisions in response to financial constraints, ensuring that PacSci remains sustainable and vibrant for years to come. By focusing our resources, we can continue to deliver high-quality science experiences and invest in what matters most—our mission and our community.

Stay Connected

  • Sign up for updates on reopening events, new exhibits, and behind-the-scenes progress
  • Share your PacSci memories—especially your favorite dinosaur moments—on social media with #PacSciEvolves
  • Contact us with questions

FAQs

Why is Pacific Science Center closing temporarily?

Pacific Science Center is a living symbol of Seattle’s resilience and vision, and we’re now entering a period of renewal, with improvements designed to enhance the visitor experience, honor our legacy, and ensure our campus is sustainable for the future. While most of our facility will be temporarily closed for maintenance, our IMAX theaters and Laser Dome will remain fully open, continuing to provide world-class film and laser experiences for our community.

Will anything remain open during the closure?

Yes! Our IMAX theaters and Laser Dome will be open during the closure so guests can continue to enjoy films and laser shows throughout September and early October.

What’s happening to the dinosaurs in Building 1?

Our dinosaurs have delighted and educated generations of visitors. After decades of service, they are ready for a well-earned retirement. PacSci will honor their legacy with special digital content, a retirement party, opportunities for the community to share memories, and by exploring ways to keep their spirit alive in future PacSci experiences. Additionally, one of the dinosaurs will remain at PacSci in a new exhibit dedicated to our history.

Why are the dinosaurs being retired?

After nearly 40 years of incredible service, our beloved dinosaur exhibits have reached the end of their usable lifespan. Originally built in 1986 with materials like foam latex and silicone designed to last about 15 years, these dinosaurs have far exceeded expectations thanks to the tireless, heroic efforts of our Pacific Science Center staff.

Over the decades, they performed countless repairs—from patching tears to sewing damaged skins—to keep the dinosaurs moving and engaging visitors. However, the core materials have naturally degraded beyond repair and maintaining them now requires increasingly costly and extensive work. For this reason, we’ve made the difficult decision to retire them, honoring both their legacy and the extraordinary care that kept them alive for so long.

Can I say goodbye to the dinosaurs?

Yes! Visitors can see the dinosaurs through Labor Day plus we will be hosting a goodbye dinosaur party in late August.

What will replace the dinosaurs?

The space formerly occupied by the dinosaurs will reopen at a date to be determined with immersive and interactive experiences and programming that complement PacSci’s mission of curiosity, discovery, experimentation, and critical thinking.

What is the “Spiders: From Fear to Fascination” exhibit?

This new exhibit in Building 4 will feature live spiders from around the world, interactive displays, and hands-on activities. It’s designed to help visitors of all ages discover the science, beauty, and importance of spiders, and to overcome common fears in a safe, engaging environment.

What happens to my membership during the closure?

All active memberships will be automatically extended by two months to ensure you receive the full value of your PacSci experience.

Will there be reopening events?

Absolutely! We are planning special events and previews to celebrate our reopening. Details will be announced on our website and through our newsletters.