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Museum Hours

☀️ Open for Play: Wednesday-Sunday: 10am-4pm
☀️ Members Only: Wednesday-Sunday: 9:30am-10am
🕙 Closed: Monday and Tuesday

Admission

Adults & Children (ages 1 & up): $13
Children under age 1: Free
Explore & More Members: Free
Buy Tickets

Explore & More offers free and discounted admission through multiple programs, including annual memberships.

Become a Member

Welcome to Explore & More!

A world-class children’s museum that celebrates the power of child-led play, Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum features four floors of fun in downtown Buffalo. The 43,000 sq. ft. museum sits at the crossroads of replica canals and bridges that have become year-round community destinations at Canalside.

The museum reflects that sense of place with thoughtfully crafted exhibits to create a welcoming community center that invites all families to play, wonder, discover, learn, and grow together.

Hear what our visitors are saying

  • Kids had a blast. It was free for military which was a blessing. Went on a rainy day and was busy but there was so much to do.

    Joel Sabella Avatar Joel Sabella
    August 23, 2023
  • We were visiting Buffalo and had a group of 9 kids ranging in ages from 1-12. They all had a blast here! There was a great mix of activities: fine motor, gross motor, art, pretend play, experiential. We especially liked the car wash and making parachutes in the tinker room. The treehouse is a fun play area, and the kids had a blast on the merry-go-round and racing through the obstacle lanes. My friend commented that the café was a kid’s dream- they offer pizza, chips, go-gurt, juice boxes, lunchables, fruit snacks, uncrustables, and candy. We sampled it all and enjoyed the fare. Staff was friendly and fun. Several of them stopped their tasks to play with the kids, and it made the kids feel special. If we lived here, we would definitely become members. This place has a lot to offer!

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    Mary King Avatar Mary King
    April 22, 2023
  • We LOVED so many things about this gem located downtown Buffalo located right near the Rink and military museum. First, the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. Everyone takes child safety seriously and the layout of the museum is perfect for small kids who excitedly dart from exhibit to exhibit. Speaking of exhibits, there are so many that I haven't seen elsewhere including the carwash, Erie Canal water play, and more. This museum would be great for ages 11 and under. So much to learn and so much to play with. Also, very clean and new. I highly recommend. We will go back! Edited to add we spent 3 hours here but could spend more!

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    Melissa Macdonald Avatar Melissa Macdonald
    September 23, 2023
  • Very nice place and glad for the sanitizers everywhere

    Carla Heard Avatar Carla Heard
    April 22, 2023
  • This was all of our first times being here and OMG!! This is perfect for kids of all ages and us adults 😀 too! We couldn't believe all the different activities and play stations they had. They honestly have a station that looks just like a doctor's office with X-rays, sheets between the little plastic beds it's so adorable! There's so much more than I can explain. I totally absolutely recommend bringing the whole family here for a nice day down at the water front. You can look out the window of Explore and more and see lake Erie even. Did I mention it is 4 floors of fun, elevator of stairs. I hope this urges someone to grab their family and head down to Ralph Wilson Jr. Explore and more. The first time you're there you'll fall in love with this place!!

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    danielle Riley Avatar danielle Riley
    May 8, 2023
Field trips are back! Please be aware that it will be busier than usual.