Type of visit: Weekend trip, one day excursion, family picnic, children entertainment, science education for your child
Time required/recommended: 3 to 4 Hrs
I visited: 12th March 2017
Tips: Wear comfortable footwear and light cloths as much of walking is involved to cover the exhibits. More tips in review:
Review:
It was a long weekend from office for Holi festival, as it involved Saturday, Sunday, and Monday as well. We could have made a small trip to north India, to have some snowy tour, but we decided to give some time to ourselves and to our parents. We came down to Ahmedabad from Baroda to spend this mini-vacation. We decided to visit some nearby place in Ahmedabad and to return early by evening, for celebration of "Holi-Fire".
After completion of my graduation from Ahmedabad in 2007, I moved out to Baroda for my professional career. I did not get chance to visit the Science City during my stay in Ahmedabad. Anyway, a long halt came to an end, when we decided to visit Science City as a family picnic.
It was a Sunday, and we had made the plan already on Saturday to visit this place. Usually I read as much as possible, about the place before I go there, specially when small kids and parents are also involved. So I did the same for this place too. I did read the reviews at various websites. I also visited the website of the Science City itself to know about the places and timings, just to get the idea for making my plan for this trip.
https://scity.gujarat.gov.in/ is the website for the establishment, where all the details are given in simple navigations. You can create your account on this website and can book tickets online. There is an Android app too, for this establishment. I downloaded the app for convinience.
I booked online entry ticket and parking ticket for my Dzire, through the app, believe me, its too simple and easy. This is a good idea for a cash-less India.
Opening time of Science City is 10:00AM daily. I recommend to visit this place from 11:00AM onwards, by first going to “hall of Science and Hall of Space” section. This is why, because, Imax shows start at 12:00PM onwards, which can be enjoyed.
We reached at 11:00AM and showed the pre-booked entry ticket on mobile screen. There is ample space of parking available inside the campus, so do not worry to carry your vehicle. Rather, better to go in own vehicle and carry some snacks to make a mood of picnic. There is a cafeteria and restaurant also available indie campus, so no need to carry ample food or snacks.
Toilet and drinking water is available at multiple points throughout the walking path.
Finish the Hall of Science and Hall of Space from 11:00AM to 12:00PM. Many models and visual screens are arranged inside Hall of Science to explain different science and space explorations. Good place for enhancing imagination and interest of a child for the science and space. There is a small show on our solar system at 12:00PM arranged inside the hall, which is free. But its little boring.
Imax screen is huge and clear, for enjoying 3D shows of 30 to 40 mins of each. There are 4 to 5 shows of different movies in Imax starting from 12:00PM. Imax is at a walkable distance from Hall of Science, so make it convenient to reach there by 11:50AM to buy entry ticket. Details of Entry fee for Imax is described on website. Its 125/- INR for each head, per show.
Direction to go to various points are indicated throughout the walkway. So easy navigation for your foot.
Entry of Imax is not well maintained though. Escalators are installed but were not operational. Entrance Ambience is also not much appealing. While entering the dome, you pass through the Electrodrome, where electricity and its distribution is explained through visuals, images, miniature models etc. Going straight you get to the entrance of Imax theatre.
We selected “Walk on the Moon” show to give it a try. We enjoyed it lot with 3D glasses.
Better to enjoy these shows in afternoon to avoid summer heat, and save some energy for evening fountain show. Also other attractions, like “Energy Park” and “Life Science Park” can be enjoyed in evening.
Enjoy evening fountain show and return to home after this magnificent one day picnic. If you are with older parents, please note that much of walking is involved and so, have ample of time in between for rest.