Sci-Port Discovery Center — Attraction in Shreveport

Disappointing

I was so disappointed because this place could be spectacular if some work was put into it. So much of this building was completely closed off to the public and not in use. The cafe had been shut down. There was a whole cafe area but it just had a few vending machines in it. There was nowhere to get actual food. I'm surprised a cafe didn't make a pretty good profit in this place. A lot of the exhibits were either cordoned off or just didn't work. My 5 year old loved it (because she doesn't know any better). She was disappointed that she couldn't do a lot of the things she wanted to do because the exhibit was broken or otherwise out of order.

I have to say that the best part was probably the PoP Children's Museum. It's a massive room, taking up most of the second floor, containing small rooms decorated to look like a grocery store, clothing store, dentist office, veterinarian's office, etc... There are also a lot of activities, such as the massive water table and an area for babies, 2 and under. My daughter really enjoyed it. Everything is built on a kid's scale, not an adult's, so it's more interactive and enjoyable for children. It also looked newer and more updated than the rest of the museum. Kids rule in the PoP Children's Museum. One of the best things is that it's a whole separate, closed off area where kids can run around and you don't have to worry about them getting lost because they can't leave. My daughter would have stayed in that section alone for the entire day if we had let her.

The lady running the front desk was pretty unfriendly. We had never been to the Sci-Port Museum before and I had a few questions for her. When I walked up to get tickets, she didn't even acknowledge me until I asked her if this is where we get tickets. Then she just stood there and stared at me like I was speaking gibberish. I asked if there was a particular order to the exhibits or if we just go through the museum at our leisure, however we wanted to, and she stood there and stared at me like I was a moron. I asked her if the tickets were for all day or if they had specific time limits like the aquarium and, again, she just looked at me like I was from outer space. Perhaps the most disturbing incident occurred when a girl (about 10 years old) came up to the counter and said she couldn't find her parents. The lady behind the counter acted like she didn't have a clue what to do. She started asking the kid questions like, "were you with your mom or dad" and "what does your mom look like?". Of course, the kid's description could have described at least 30 different women I had seen walking around in the place. The woman just stood there like she was completely dumbfounded. So I asked her if they had a PA system and could page the kid's parents over the loud speaker. Again, she met me with that blank stare. So I asked the kid if her mom had her cellphone with her. When she said yes, I suggested to the woman behind the counter that she call the kid's mom and let her know the kid was safe and at the front counter. I don't know if there was something wrong with this woman or what, because, again, she just looked at me like I was a complete idiot. Because this woman was so uncooperative, I ended up letting the kid call her mom on my phone. I made sure my daughter didn't leave my sight the entire time we were there because, obviously, the lady in charge didn't have a clue.

All in all, I would not recommend this place and we won't be going back unless there are some updates and renovations to...

We used to go here all the time when my kids were younger, and they still provide an excellent hands-on environment for young scientists and those who just want to have a good time. With modestly price year-long passes and family passes, this is a great way to spend an afternoon or have a party for your little ones! But I was there tonight to see a family member take part in a special event, Prize Fest, an annual event where artists of all kinds are given the incentive to express themselves ina competition for large cash prizes. Music, cooking, even bartending! But I was there for the fashion show. And wow, was it ever good! The designers put together outfits for five to ten models and after a brief filmed introduction by the designer the models would strut their stuff onstage to the beat of an awesome dj. This was professionally managed, with several people assigned to keep the models in order and make sure everyone took their turn on stage, no more but no less either. Hair and makeup were done by local salon, Chemistry, and they really got their advertising in because these people were done UP. Not ridiculous, either -- they looked good, though their looks either exceeded or challenged expectations, if not both. Well done, Chemistry! The judges were an international trio of professional designers and, like the ensemble of designers and their models, they represented American diversity well. I was very pleased at how this was done seamlessly but without calling attention to it -- like it was just a normal and natural part of being here which, duh, it is! If you get a chance to do prize fest next year, don't miss it. It isn't just one event -- there is a music competition going on NOW and I'm missing it because I have to work tomorrow. You get your money's worth and much more and the...

We bought a membership after visiting and loving how devoted and fun the staff was. The facility wasn't too modern and could have used some work but we were ok with that because of that staff. We found out the very next day that they were going to be closing for renovations within a couple of weeks of purchasing our membership. There were multiple reasons that this was upsetting (disappointment over our money that could have been spent elsewhere while these renovations were being done, the fact that the staff that we loved so much would not be guaranteed their jobs back when they reopened, to name a few). We did feel a bit better though when we were assured that our membership would be extended for all of the months that we missed because of renovations that were supposed to be done by December.... Well, today, March 15, we were looking for something fun to do and gave it a shot to call and see if they had opened and got pretty excited when an actual person answered! We were told that only POP (Power of Play for kids under 8) was opened which was enough for us... until we were told that there had been zero renovations to the area and that it was the same as before they closed, only now the water table wasn't working. Unbelievable. I then asked the staff member what she knew about membership extensions for people that had purchased memberships right before the closing and she said that the board had yet to decide and would announce their decision when the full museum opened. Quite the...