ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The brand new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion will look to the past to celebrate the future when it officially opens its doors to the public.
The brand-new building is set to open May 22, with the exhibit Dinos Alive!, a release said Wednesday.
The immersive experience is a traveling exhibit that aims at sending visitors back millions of years to a land ruled by giants.
It will put guests face-to-face with dinosaurs that once roamed the Earth, extending from 201.3 million to 145 million years ago.
Tickets go on sale in mid-April.
The new Da Vinci Science Center
The new state-of-the-art, 67,000-square-foot facility will include interactive experiences well beyond dinosaurs.
They will include exploring the inner workings of the human body in the LVHN My Body exhibit, and an up-close visit with North American River Otters in the Pocono Ravine presented by Alvin H. Butz, in the Lehigh River Watershed exhibit.
“We have been looking forward to announcing our opening date for a very long time," Fowler Center Executive Director Lin Erickson said.
"I am thrilled to welcome the community to the Lehigh Valley’s new premier science center. Our vision for a world-class science center would not have come to fruition without strong support from everyone in the Lehigh Valley and beyond.
"Our mission is to bring science to life and lives to science. Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s insatiable curiosity, this new science center will immerse visitors in experiences unlike any elsewhere. We look forward to welcoming visitors of all ages to explore, learn, and discover with us."
The Da Vinci Science Center’s longtime home at Cedar Crest College is set to become a private elementary school once the new facility opens in downtown Allentown.
The last chance to visit the old building will be April 1.
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
Lin Erickson, Executive Director and CEO of Da Vinci Science Center, left, and Dr. Carol D. Birks, Superintendent of the Allentown School District tour the new Da Vinci Science Center Tuesday. Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
A Mack Truck greets guests in the Welcome Center in the main lobby. Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
Andrene Nowell, President of Allentown School Board, center, and others learn about Da Vinci Science Center. Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
Guests walk by the Court Street entrance to the Da Vinci Science Center. Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
This rooftop area that features a view of the PPL Center will be covered with a pergola. Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
Visitors learn about the Lehigh Valley Health Network "My Body' section, a gallery focused on the human body. Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
The new Da Vinci Science Center is at right with the orange trim. Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
Classrooms in the making are filled with construction materials Tuesday. Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
Guests tour the Science in the Making area where Lehigh Valley manufacturing and industry science is applied. Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
Dr. Morcease Beasley looks at progress on the new center. Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
Members of the Allentown School District team peer into an office that they will be using. Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
Dr. Carol D. Birks, Superintendent of the Allentown School District, left, and Lin Erickson, Executive Director and CEO of Da Vinci Science Center tour the new Da Vinci Science Center Tuesday. Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
Lin Erickson of Da Vinci Science Center, left, talks about the Lehigh River Watershed Area display. Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
Guests tour the Science in the Making area where Lehigh Valley manufacturing and industry science is applied. Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
Visitors learn about Curiosity Hall and the Science Theater. Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
The Science Theater is under construction. Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
Visitors learn about Curiosity Hall and the Science Theater. Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
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— Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion
The new Da Vinci Science Center is at right with the orange trim. Representatives of the Da Vinci Science Center lead members of the Allentown School District Partnership on a tour of the new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The new downtown center is at at 815 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.
Donna S. Fisher
Dinos Alive!
The Dinos Alive! exhibit will be the first to welcome visitors downtown. It will include 30 life-size animated dinosaurs — including the Velociraptors and T-rex — taking a virtual journey into the Mesozoic era.
“We are excited and proud to help bring world-class exhibits to downtown Allentown at Da Vinci Science Center," said J.B. Reilly, president of City Center Group, title sponsor of the traveling exhibit space.
“The science center will be a major draw for both visitors and residents, adding to the downtown’s rich variety of cultural and educational venues, from the Allentown Art Museum and Miller Symphony Hall to The Browne Center for Education and Health and the soon-to-be-opened Archer Music Hall.”
Exhibit details, ticket and membership information can be found at davincisciencecenter.org.
