Tommy Bartlett Exploratory — Attraction in Lake Delton

I have driven past this place so many times without much interest - I didn't know what it was - but the Kalahari gave my family complementary passes to check it out, so we did.

My kids, age 5 through 10, universally said this hands-on science museum was their favorite part of our Dells trip! (They said they wish they had spent more time here and less at the waterpark!) We could have easily spent an entire day here, checking out the various interactive exhibits on light, sound, illusions, center of mass, electricity, simple machines, robotics, space exploration, and so much more.

My favorite part was that it had a gigantic variety of fundamental lessons that were engaging and got my kids excited to learn. (I had fun too!) It reminded me of classical museums from my childhood where the focus was to teach a love of learning and fundamental truths. It's a bit of an older style of museum, but I loved that about it - the focus is on showing how cool, fun, and mind-bending science fundamentals can be... and in so doing, it sparks an interest in the visitors to learn even more.

Many modern museums have largely pivoted away from teaching a love of science and foundational concepts in favor of focusing on political agendas to grab federal funding. For example, while THIS museum teaches the power of a lever and how cool levers are. In contrast, a more modern museum might focus on the fact that people of all genders, pronouns, and colors can use levers while displaying pictures of various underrepresented users of levers next to the exhibit. This museum doesn't dwell on those tangential distractions but simply focuses on how cool science can be.

Last but not least, the workers were knowledgeable, kind, and engaging with my kids - The staff even stayed open after hours because, as they explained to me, "your kids really seemed to be enjoying themselves and we [the staff] weren't in a rush to kick you out and go home". That act did wonders to restore my faith in humanity.

I loved every part of this gem of a museum and hope to be back again - Hopefully, with even more...

Tommy Bartlett Exploratory – A Nostalgic Relic in Need of Revival

I recently visited the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory, and while it holds a certain nostalgic charm, it’s clear that the facility is long overdue for some serious updates. Many of the exhibits and interactive activities were either broken, malfunctioning, or simply too outdated to be engaging by today’s standards.

Maintenance & Functionality A large portion of the hands-on displays didn’t work properly, which was disappointing—especially for kids who were excited to explore. It felt like walking through a time capsule from the early 2000s, and not in a good way. The lack of upkeep really detracts from what could be a fun and educational experience.

Overall Atmosphere The entire place feels dated, both in design and content. From the faded signage to the worn-out flooring, it’s obvious that the Exploratory hasn’t seen a major renovation in decades. It’s unfortunate, because the concept is great and the location has potential.

Final Thoughts If you’re looking for a quick indoor activity and don’t mind a bit of retro wear-and-tear, it might still be worth a short visit. But if you're expecting a modern science center experience, this one falls short. With some investment and care, Tommy Bartlett Exploratory could absolutely shine again but for now, it’s more of a nostalgic throwback than a...

We enjoyed this experience, but mainly because we got free tickets from the hotel we were staying at, and because we went in April during the off-season. It would not be enjoyable if it was crowded.

They had a ton of science experiments to try out. It was very hands on and interactive and there was something for everyone. Some of the information and technology is severely outdated, but it has a mom-n-pop feel to it. A few things were broken, not working, or missing pieces. Every exhibit has something to read that explains how to use it and what it all means. You can get through the place in an hour skimming through a lot or spend a few hours doing every single thing.

It is a little difficult but not impossible to maneuver through with a stroller. I imagine it would be a nightmare if the place was crowded.

The only staff we saw the entire visit was the person working the register in the gift shop.

The gift shop was kind of disappointing. It has some souvenirs that advertised their summer attractions, but not much else. A lot of unbranded stuff you might buy with tickets at an arcade--the stuff kids desperately want you to buy for them. You go through it to get out, but you also go through there to pay at the beginning so I imagine it gets a little crowded at times.

Overall, we had a good time and would recommend going if you can keep your...