National Vote Rewards St. Louis Institution for Connection with Community, Unique Experiences
ST. LOUIS, MO – February 19, 2026
USA Today announced that the Saint Louis Science Center finished among the Top Five in three categories of the publication’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for 2026 — including the #2 ranking for Best Planetarium, #4 for Best Free Museum and #5 as Best Science Museum. This marks the fifth consecutive year that the Science Center has placed among the Top Five in these awards, having finished as #1 for Best Planetarium, #2 as Best Free Museum and #5 as Best Science Museum in 2025.

The 10Best Awards nominate 20 entities in every category. These nominees are chosen by a panel of expert contributors (USA Today editors, relevant contributors and sources for Gannet properties). After nominations are announced, voting is completed through an online system by readers and other contributors.
A vital part of St. Louis’ Zoo Museum District, the Saint Louis Science Center offers guests of all ages and backgrounds a free place to discover their Wonder of Why. With ten galleries ranging from life sciences, paleontology and agriculture to space travel, engineering and gaming, hundreds of hands-on, interactive experiences are available with no admission charge. Through these galleries and a broad range of programs, the Science Center accomplishes its mission “to inspire everyone to be curious and engaged in science.”
To learn more about the Saint Louis Science Center, visit slsc.org.
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