Tommy Bartlett Exploratory

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 family next time!

We spent almost 3 hours here, and we didn't even notice how time flew. Absolutely amazing science entertainment center. Frankly, I didn't want to leave. Kids were busy all the time. Three hours of exploration and discoveries. Love it. Thank you so much!

Engaging, timeless fun and learning for us parents and our children ages 5 to 15. We spent about 4 hours there, with experiments to try and challenges to solve at every turn.

Our 1st time here was epic! We love museums & this is by far our favorite interactive museum we have ever been too! We travel so much & we are always looking for interactive. We are so happy we found this. The staff were super sweet. It was very clean inside. My son loved it! You get to lift a truck, learn so much about science and there was so much to do. I'd recommend atleast give yourself 3 hrs in my opinion. You have to go here. It was a blast. My son loved the robots & moving them around.

2nd time visiting in Wisconsin from Oklahoma and drove by this place a couple times checked out the reviews and they are spot on!!! Took my family of 5 kids ages 10, 5, and 7 months!!!! We were never bored and had so much fun!!! We absolutely loved this place!!! We easily spent 3 hours here without even noticing the time!! The kids loved it and the adults loved it!! I never do reviews but I had to on this place!! If you like science museums, optical illusions, or just need your kids to burn off energy this is your place!! Staff was incredibly nice!!!! Love this place and if we ever visit Wisconsin again we will definitely come back here!!! 🥰

Great place to take the kids for fun and learning. My wife and I took our 4 year old and 6 year old and we spent about 2 hours exploring all the exhibits and attractions. There were even cool exhibits for the adults. The place is split up into 4 separate rooms (sectors) and there's a space shuttle exhibit with a stimulator ride (for an additional fee). The price of admission was more than fair and the customer service was excellent. Definitely, check this place out, it's fun for the whole family.

I was very surprised at how nice this experience was. The facilities are clean and the staff very friendly, easy parking. The exhibits are accessible and fun for children and adults with varying levels of challenge and amazement. Well worth the visit just to see the Mir Space Station (only three ever made, and one burned up in space. The other one is in a museum in Russia). You can add a 4 minute simulator ride for $4.00. Yes some of the technology is from the past, but that's the value of history also. A few more grandparent chairs would be a plus.

So much fun! My kids ages 8, 13 & 15 had so much fun. Literally hours of fun. If you stop and read about the things you are doing you can learn and have phone. We told our older girls the “ electricity” would hurt the phone 😂 so we left them in the car. Good old family fun, lots of things that entertain my husband and I in the 80s we would go again in a heart beat. This place if clean fun and a perfect time

What a great experience! I use to come here when I was a kid and it seemed so futuristic but now bringing my kids here they think it’s just as cool because it is all so retro ! Great memories made!!

Shocked! I can’t believe how much my family loved this place. 10 & 7 year old had a blast. Wife too. We got free tickets as part of staying at Kalahari Resort. I’m so glad we did this before leaving town.

Super fun, lot's of science, inventions, space/astronaut and a lot more. Keeps everyone engaged, and we are actually learning something interesting and important. We all loved it, our children enjoyed! 😊

The kids really enjoyed all of the exhibits. My husband and I also really enjoyed all the different activities. I did not feel the moon ride was worth it, but literally everything else was free. It was completely empty and we did not feel rushed through exhibits. Sanitizer was located around every corner and every thing felt really safe.

We got tickets to this place with our stay at Kalahari and I’m glad we did! It’s a fun hands on interactive place for kids and adults. We had a lot of fun doing all the experiments and stations

Awesome Show the performers are excellent. When you leave there will be a leaflet on your vehicle with a coupon for Mt.Olympus Wet Park and Theme park for free admission up to 6 people all you have to do is pay $20 for parking.

If you have kids, this is a place that must be. They sell all the adventure tickets with discounts. Stop by before you go anywhere for your tickets. We did like 1.5 hr.

Great place to kill time while waiting for hotel check-in. Pay attention to the parking lot, if a lot of cars then likely won't be as much fun as the rooms are a little tight. We went when it was so busy so it was great.

Fun place for kids in the Dells. Some cool science stuff to play with and there is nothing else like it in that area. Even the grown ups can appreciate it. We've been to a lot of kids museums and this was unlike any other I've seen. My kids loved it.

Was great fun when i was 12. Nothing changed except I brought my own kids now. Too bad the Tommy Bartlett land, air and water show is no more.

An awesome stop for kids and adults alike! If you like to TOUCH, this place is for you! The last building was my favorite, it was full of interactive puzzles to figure out.

Awesome show! I've seen this a number of times over the past 20 years and it always amazes. Took my own children to it this time around!