A big change is coming to the Discovery Children’s Museum.
Come April 2028, the central exhibit, which is currently a 70-foot, 12-level climbing tower, will transform into “Desert to the Stars,” an immersive, multisensory journey through Southern Nevada’s natural world.
The experience will span 3,500 square feet across the 12 levels, taking guests from the desert to the forest, mountains and sky with immersive tech, hands-on experiences and physical challenges inspired by the Mojave Desert.
In a media release, interim CEO Laura Christian said the new exhibit will help children see Las Vegas beyond its urban landscape.
“By bringing the region’s environment into the Museum, young visitors will be encouraged to discover, appreciate and help protect the places that surround them,” she said.
In “Desert to the Stars,” visitors will meet the plants and wildlife that call the Mojave home, including Joshua trees, Mojave yucca, desert bighorn sheep and desert tortoises. The experience will highlight neighboring parks and wilderness areas including Valley of Fire State Park, Lake Mead and Avi Kwa Ame National Monument.
The exhibit is designed to promote diversity, exploration and conservation, while strengthening gross-motor skills and physical activity, the announcement said, for all ages and abilities. It will include nature-based learning and literacy, helping children understand ecosystems and environmental stewardship.
The museum plans to announce complementary programming when the exhibit opens.
During the transition, the area’s second and third levels will remain open.