PHÄNOMENTA Lüdenscheid
Science center at Lüdenscheid station with around 200 experiment stations in ten thematic areas and a 75-meter-high tower.
About the museum
The Lüdenscheid Phänomenta goes back to a citizens' initiative of the 1990s: teachers, engineers, architects, and educators founded an association modeled on the Phänomenta in Flensburg. After a small traveling exhibition with six stations, the project moved into premises in a former factory in 1996 and thereby became the first science center in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Most of the experiment stations were built in its own workshop. Little by little the exhibition took over the whole factory building; since 2000 the Stiftung Phänomenta Lüdenscheid (foundation) has run the house. As part of Regionale 2013, the station area was redesigned, and the Phänomenta received a new building with a 75-meter-high tower housing a Foucault pendulum and a large kaleidoscope, as well as a pedestrian bridge to the station. The expanded complex opened in 2015.
The principle has stayed the same to this day: instead of collection pieces behind glass, there are around 200 interactive stations on light, electricity, magnetism, motion, and perception, where visitors try things out themselves and discover phenomena. The exhibition is supplemented by a large ball run in the foyer, the Phänorama with a city panorama, as well as workshops and themed evening events.
Highlights
- Around 200 hands-on stations in ten thematic areas
- 75-meter-high tower with a Foucault pendulum
- Large kaleidoscope in the Phänorama
- Ball run across two floors in the foyer
- Late Nights with changing themes
Permanent exhibitions
- Mitmach-Ausstellung – Around 200 experiment stations in ten thematic areas, from "Magische Magnete" to "Unter Strom und Spannung," invite you to try things out.
- Phänorama – 360-degree panorama of Lüdenscheid with short films about the region; above it, a view into the large kaleidoscope and of the Foucault pendulum.
- Kugelbahn – Large open ball run across two floors in the foyer, combining everyday objects with pinball and chain-reaction elements.
- Founded
- 1996
- Operated by
- Stiftung PHÄNOMENTA Lüdenscheid
- Director
- Torsten Schulze
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €14.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €12.50Students, trainees, seniors, people with a degree of disability (GdB) of 20 or higher |
| Children & teens | €9.50Children aged 6 to 16 €9.50, children aged 3 to 5 €4. |
| Seniors | €12.50Reduced rate. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €12.50Reduced rate from a degree of disability (GdB) of 20. |
| Students & apprentices | €12.50Students and trainees. |
| Groups (20+ people) | €12 per personAdults in groups of 20 or more €12, children €9; not bookable online. Daycare groups and school classes have their own prices. |
| Families | €39.502 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children. |
| Family ticket for 5 people (2 adults + 3 children or 1 adult + 4 children) | €46.50 |
| Happy Hour evening ticket (16:30–18:00) | €7.25"From" price in the online shop. |
Date-specific tickets can be booked online; Late Nights at regular admission.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Exhibition and most of the building accessible; elevators in the old and new buildings to all exhibition levels. Accessible parking spaces at Phänomenta-Weg 1. Note: some stations have strobe effects; the "Magische Magnete" area is problematic for people with pacemakers. Dogs are not allowed.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 3 hrs |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €39.50 · 2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
- Kids’ birthday parties
Children under 12 only with adult supervision, from age 12 also alone. Children's birthday packages, KUMASTA workshops, and rallies with an explorer bag; baby changing room in the basement.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Lüdenscheid Bahnhof · 2-min walk
By regional train R52 (e.g., from Hagen or Dortmund) to Lüdenscheid Hbf – not Lüdenscheid-Brügge – then about 2 minutes across the pedestrian bridge. Buses 134, 42, and 61 from the ZOB Sauerfeld to "Lüdenscheid Bahnhof," then about 160 m along Bahnhofsallee to the bridge.
By car
Paid parking · 100 m to the entrance
Parking lot at Bahnhofsallee 16, approx. 100 m to the main entrance; paid Mon–Fri 9:00–18:30 and Sat 9:00–16:00 (€0.50 per 30 minutes, daily rate €4), otherwise free.
- Accessible parking
GPS address: Bahnhofsallee 16, 58507 Lüdenscheid. From the A45, exit Lüdenscheid-Nord or Lüdenscheid. The Phänomenta is at the start and end point of the Drahthandelsweg.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Lockers
In-house café with snacks, tarte flambée, and pizza; outside food is not allowed (except baby food, daycare and school groups). Lockers in the basement (€1 deposit). Shop with experiments and games.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | no |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Allowed for private purposes; press please register by phone beforehand. |
| Good to know | No traditional tours – you try out the stations yourself. Groups of 20 or more can book accompaniment by a guide ("Pate") for a €80 surcharge; school classes are always accompanied by a guide. Rallies for groups available. |
