The Liberty Science Center is a case where one of New York City’s most fascinating places isn’t in Manhattan, but rather somewhere off-limits to casual tourists. It’s a massive interactive planetarium where, in addition to stars and planets, you can see real animals, crawl through a tunnel in complete darkness, and even observe a real surgery. And all this with a view of the Statue of Liberty…
Interesting facts about the Liberty Science Center
- The largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere, Liberty, is located not in New York City, but in Jersey City, a fact that even many locals don’t know.
- The Hoberman Ball in the atrium is an original piece, designed specifically for LSC by engineer and artist Chuck Hoberman. It opens and closes automatically on a schedule.
- This is where David Blaine performed his magic tricks for Jeff Bezos at the 2015 Genius Gala.
- At the Liberty Science Center, you can watch real operations via a live stream.
- The naked mole rats at the Liberty Science Center are among the smartest rodents on the planet, and their babies are often called “pups.”
What to see at the Liberty Science Center: main exhibits
Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium
This is the largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere and the main attraction at the Liberty Science Center. It features a variety of shows, from laser concerts to full-length films about space. Popular shows sell out quickly, so buy tickets online in advance.
Dino Dig Adventure
An outdoor area with 60 tons of sand, hidden in real replicas of dinosaur bones. Both children and adults can try their hand at paleontology and dig up fossils.
Wild About Animals
Here you can see cotton-top tamarins (those little monkeys with white manes), mole rats, leafcutter ants, and even piranhas in an aquarium. You can also touch sea urchins and snails.
Microbes Rule!
This isn’t just a boring exhibit about microbes; there’s a giant microscope you can look through. There are also interactive programs for kids, like drawing your own imaginary microbe. It’s called microbial art. Surprisingly, this is one of the most popular rooms.
Energy Quest
An interactive exhibit about energy in its various forms. Here you can learn about plasma, oil, nuclear energy, solar panels, and windmills. You can also try creating your own energy by pressing the buttons and levers on the exhibits.
Science on a Sphere
This is a huge globe with a projection that displays ocean currents, weather patterns, and satellite movements in real time. It looks like something out of science fiction.
Touch Tunnel
An 80-foot tunnel you crawl through in complete darkness. Kids love it, but adults are nervous at first, and then so are they. One of the most memorable attractions.
Infinity Climber
A suspended climbing structure measuring 8 x 7 x 6 meters. Up to 50 people can climb at a time. A safety net is located below.
The Great Train Set
A 1:32 scale model of the Lackawanna Railroad, recreating scenes from the 1950s. Cameras are installed on the miniature trains, and the footage is broadcast to screens — you literally ride along with the train. A small, yet incredibly detailed world.
Bees to Bots
An exhibit about bees — a real beehive, scientific experiments, and the connection between bee behavior and robotics. An unexpectedly profound topic.
Universe Revealed
An exhibit dedicated to the James Webb Space Telescope. Images, data, and explanations—for those who want to understand what exactly we see in these incredible photographs from space.
LSC After Dark: Adult Parties
On certain Thursdays, LSC transforms into a completely different place. LSC After Dark is a themed party for adults (18+): live music, a bar, exhibits, and astronomy lectures from visiting scientists. A great date idea: a cocktail and stargazing.
How to get to the Liberty Planetarium
Liberty Science Center is located in Liberty State Park in Jersey City, directly across from the Statue of Liberty. There are several ways to get there:
- The ferry from Lower Manhattan (Pier 11 / Wall Street) is convenient and offers views of the Statue of Liberty.
- Take the PATH subway to Exchange Place, then a taxi or Uber (approximately 10 minutes).
- Take the NJ Transit bus from the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
- By car, parking is available right at the entrance and costs about $7. Tickets purchased online provide a $5 discount.
Liberty Science Center Architecture
The LSC building itself is part of the exhibition. Situated directly in Liberty State Park on the banks of the Hudson River, it was designed to maximize the natural surroundings. The grounds offer unobstructed views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Four floors of exhibition halls, 12 thematic sections, and a huge atrium with the signature Hoberman Sphere — a silver computer-generated sculpture that expands and contracts before your eyes. Designed by engineer and artist Chuck Hoberman, it is an original piece and one of only a few of its size in the world.
History of the Liberty Planetarium
The idea of creating a major science museum in New Jersey dates back to the early 1970s, but it wasn’t until 1993 that it was realized. The Liberty Planetarium opened as New Jersey’s first major public science museum and immediately became one of the region’s top attractions.
Initially, the center occupied modest space, but in 2007, a massive $109 million expansion project was completed, adding 100,000 square feet to the complex. Currently, the Liberty Planetarium occupies nearly 300,000 square feet — the equivalent of several football fields.
In December 2017, the center’s crown jewel, the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium, opened. A philanthropist donated $5 million for its construction. The dome is 30 meters in diameter, the screen is almost 27 meters in diameter, and seats 400. At its opening, it was the largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere, and it remains so today.
In November 2025, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority awarded LSC up to $39.8 million in tax incentives, so the center clearly has no plans to stop there.
David Blaine and Jeff Bezos at Liberty
On May 1, 2015, Liberty Science Center hosted the Genius Gala 4.0 — an annual gathering for people who have transformed science and technology. That year’s honorees included Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the father of the internet, Vint Cerf, and astronomer Jill Tarter.
David Blaine performed on stage, performing card tricks in front of a small group of Bezos, Cerf, and MIT mathematician John Urschel. Blaine picked up Bezos’s wine glass, bit off a piece of it, and began chewing. According to eyewitnesses, there was a dead silence in the hall; even Bezos looked genuinely stunned.
Visitor Information
📍222 Jersey City Blvd #284, Jersey City, NJ 07305
Hours: Wednesday–Friday 10AM–4PM, Saturday–Sunday 10AM–5PM
Tickets: Adults $36, Children $31
Website: lsc.org
