Discovery Museum

About the museum

The museum opened in 1998 as “Industrion” and took over the collection of the closed Rolduc mining museum. After initial success, visitor numbers fell sharply until the museum made a fresh start with new exhibitions. Because the name no longer matched the content, it reopened on 15 June 2009 as “Continium discovery center”.

In 2015, after a year of closure, a major renovation followed; King Willem-Alexander reopened the museum. Since then it has shared a central entrance hall with two other institutions, the Cube design museum and the Columbus Earth Centre. Since 2021 it has been called the Discovery Museum and is one of the three provincial museums of Limburg. It is run by the Stichting Discovery Museum with support from the Province of Limburg.

The themes are science and technology in the everyday life of society, from coal mining and ceramics to nanotechnology and sustainability. The “Expeditie” leads through five worlds of living, the “Schatkamer” shows key objects of modernisation, and there are also science labs, a theatre, a time travel experience and an escape game.

Highlights

• Expeditie through five worlds: health, food, housing, work, talents
• Schatkamer with steam engines, household appliances and ceramics
• Revolutie Aarde as an immersive tour (ages 6 and up)
• Science labs, science theatre and escape game
• Kerkrade Centrum station just a few metres away

Permanent exhibitions

• Expeditie – Interactive journey through five worlds of living – health, food, housing, work and talents – and the influence of science and technology on everyday life.
• Schatkamer – Key objects of modernisation: steam engines, vacuum cleaners, Maastricht ceramics, mining equipment and glass from the region.
• Revolutie Aarde – Immersive tour with moving images and effects about the Earth and the role of humans in its future, recommended for ages 6 and up.

Founded

1998

Operated by

Stichting Discovery Museum

Admission & discounts

Free with Museumkaart, VIP-KAART of the Vriendenloterij and ICOM card. No timed tickets; online reservation recommended only when it is very busy. Group bookings at boekingen@discoverymuseum.nl or +31 45 567 60 50 (Tuesday–Friday).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: not available
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: not available

Step-free building with lifts, handrails on the stairs and wheelchair hire; wheelchair entrance with lift on the green side of the building. The museum is stimulating (lots of images, sound and movement): there is a sensory kit with ear defenders and fidget toys, and occasional low-stimulation openings with dimmed light and sound. Disabled parking spaces at the park-and-ride lot at the station.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Hands-on stations, science labs and escape game. Children's birthday parties from age 5 (discovery tour, Science Box or special party; price from €13.75 per child, excluding menu). Baby bottles and baby food can be warmed up.

Getting there & parking

By car, follow the “Discovery Museum” signs.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Discovery Café with fresh food and drinks; museum shop. Large backpacks belong in the free lockers; you may bring your own food, and there is a picnic area.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Several multipurpose rooms for business clients (meetings, conferences, presentations); 2026 brochure on the website.

Plan your visit