COSI named Best Science Museum in the country by national magazine

Credit: Robb McCormick Photography

Credit: Robb McCormick Photography

A poll conducted by USA Today has unearthed the country's favorite science museum — and it happens to be right in our backyard.

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In early February, USA Today opened up its voting polls for its annual 10 Best Readers’ Choice awards. A panel of experts determined the initial nominees, and then the 10 best were chosen by popular vote. In one of these categories, Columbus’ museum COSI came out on top.

This is an especially astounding feat, considering that COSI’s competition included contenders like Chicago’s Field Museum, the National Air and Space Museum and the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

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Since 1964, COSI has welcomed people of all ages to revel in the most interesting and interactive science projects. Since the year it opened, the museum has welcomed more than 33 million visitors from all 50 states and many foreign countries.

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The win was announced last Friday.

COSI was described by USA Today like this:

“Visitors can turn into astronauts with the snap of the finger at this Columbus, Ohio museum by riding in a mock space shuttle. COSI offers a wide array of permanent exhibits and hosts a few traveling ones, too. If space isn’t of interest, check out the American Museum of Natural History Dinosaur Gallery and Ohio’s largest Planetarium, or maybe take a tour of the ancient stories of the sea hosted by Poseidon himself. Lift a 2,437-pound car with the help of a lever in the outdoor Big Science park.”

COSI is located at 333 W. Broad St. in downtown Columbus and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

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