inspire

Visit
Group Visits
Choose the IMAG History & Science Center for your next outing. Sure to inspire creativity and wonder in your group, the IMAG is a family-friendly destination featuring interactive exhibits, activities, aquariums, and history displays for all ages. Through the lenses of history and science, we help guests understand and explore the rich culture and habitat of Southwest Florida focusing on science, technology, engineering, mathematics, history, humanities, and the arts.
Experience the excitement of Science on a Sphere and the IMAG Google Earth Wall; take a walk through Southwest Florida History; and star in a weather forecast in the IMAG TV Studio. Visit the Living Lab to see a bearded dragon, ball python, lizards, turtles, frogs, snakes, and more and enjoy the native and exotic fish in the 3,200-gallon aquarium built by Animal Planet’s Tanked TV Show. Be sure to also catch and IMAG LIVE! animal or science show. Play in the interactive, augmented-reality sandbox feed a stingray in the Sea-to-See Touch Tank; and more!
Group Rate
December – July
Admission
General Admission: $12
Student Admission: $10
August – November
Admission
General Admission: $10
Student Admission: $8
Group Rate Requirements
Admission per person (General, Student) depending on season shown above
Minimum 15 attendees, capped at 100 (theater capacity)
- Includes all-day admission to the museum
- Must be paid in one transaction
- Must all arrive together (will be wristbanded)
- Does not have to be a school or have a FEIN # to qualify for the rate
- Must be scheduled 2 weeks in advance
Add on a History Presentation or Science Show to your Group Visit! These special presentations by IMAG Staff will make your visit extra memorable.
Science Shows are about 30 minutes in length; History Presentations are about an hour. These add-ons are $200.
History Presentation Themes
Early Settlers of Fort Myers: Presentation dealing with the first settlers of the fort after the Civil War up and those that followed into the 1880s
Forts Along the Caloosahatchee [including Fort Myers and the Battle of Fort Myers]
Abraham C. Myers: the Namesake of Fort Myers
The Alternative History Mural: The who, what, why, when and where of this outdoor mural and why was it so controversial
The Calusa
Photographic Tour of Fort Myers
The Caloosahatchee As it Was
Draining the Everglades and the Aftermath of Drainage - Our Legacy
Flossie Hill: Fort Myers' First Woman Entrepreneur
Franklin Miles: Agricultural Scientist
George Shultz: The Telegraph and Growth of Fort Myers
The Gettysburg Address
The Groveland 4
Harvie Heitman, “Father of First Street”
James Hendry Jr. & Helen Johnson Hendry: Pioneers in Horticulture
Lords of Chaos: “The Day Fort Myers Lost Its Innocence"
Ambrose & “Tootie” McGregor & Dr. Marshall Orlando Terry: Fort Myers' Greatest Benefactor
Plume Harvesting in SW Florida & the Near-Extinction of Our Wading Birds
The Pepper Hearst Expedition
Hugh O’Neill & Albertus A. “Bertie" Gardner: the Story of Two Men
Lee Memorial Hospital
Science Show Themes
- Fire and Ice: Chill out with cool dry ice and liquid nitrogen demonstrations and then heat things up with fire tornadoes, Whoosh tubes, and a rainbow assortment of fireballs as you learn about the chemistry behind some of our most chilling and fiery demonstrations! (recommended for grades 3-6)
- The Wright Stuff: Take flight with us as we explore the forces of motion, principles of flight, and history of flight! We will slingshot gliders and make them float in mid-air. We’ll use leaf blowers to make beach balls hover over our heads and giant vortex cannons to shoot massive smoke rings! Be sure to duck as rockets zip towards the ceiling, drones swoop over your heads, and rolls of toilet paper are unraveled and launched into the audience! (recommended for grades K-6)
- The Glow Show: We’re turning out the lights and turning up the glow! Learn about bioluminescence, fluorescence, phosphorescence, and chemiluminescence through glow-in-the-dark experiments and demonstrations! Discover what makes glow sticks light up! Watch glowing Mentos fountains erupt! (recommended for grades 2-6)
- Blockbuster Science: Discover the science behind some of Hollywood’s special effects, explosions, and magical moments and be amazed by science demonstrations inspired by some of your favorite films! From making fireballs to shattering props with liquid nitrogen to creating creepy fog with dry ice, learn some of Hollywood’s movie tips and tricks in this fun show! (recommended for grades 3-6)
- Wheel of STEAM: Spin the Wheel of STEAM to determine what we do! The Wheel will be filled with all kinds of big, fun science, technology, engineering, art, and math experiments and demonstrations! This is an interactive show that focuses on the importance of STEAM! (recommended for grades K-6)
- Don’t Try This At Home: Get ready for a messy, hair-raising, explosive, freezing and dangerous show! Watch us create colorful fireballs, ignite giant Whoosh Tubes, light bubbles on fire in our hands, erupt a giant bubbling Nitrogen cloud, make paint cans explode, create arcs of lightning with our Van de Graff Machine and more! Each show will be a unique mix of some of our craziest demonstrations! Just remember: Don’t try this at home! Try it with us at The IMAG instead! (recommended for grades 3-6)
DAILY SCHEDULE & MAP
*Daily Schedule is subject to change depending on weather and special events.
Plan Ahead
Please check our daily schedule for any changes to the day. Or call us at 239.243.0043
Parking
Parking is free at the IMAG.
Snack House Cafe
The Snack House is open Monday – Sunday from 12pm – 3pm (closed Tuesdays). IMAG Admission must be purchased in order to eat at the Snack House.
Menu subject to availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q What can my young child do here?
We have a range of family-friendly activities suited for all ages: the interactive Weather Hall and 3D movies as well as the aquariums and reptiles in the Living Lab are all especially suitable for younger children.
Older children who like to build will have endless fun in the creative expanse of the Hands-On Hall, while animal lovers will be amazed at the chance to touch and feed stingrays in the SEA-to-SEE Touch Tank. There’s something for everyone at the IMAG.
Q Do I need reservations?
No reservations needed! You can purchase tickets online or at the door.
Q What does membership get me?
Not only does your IMAG Membership cover your family admission for the whole year on a rolling basis (if you join on October 4th, 2022, you’ll be set through October 4th, 2023), it also gets you reciprocal admission at 300 other locations around the country as part of the ASTC Passport program. You can find the whole list here.
As a bonus, you get 10% off in our gift store, as well as discounts on IMAG camps, classes, workshops, and group events you choose to attend.
And, of course, you get the joy of knowing you’re supporting IMAG’s efforts to foster the love of science and history in our local community.
Q Do I have to pay for both admission and membership?
If you’re excited about the IMAG community and decide to purchase membership before the end of your visit, we will refund your admission for the day. We’re thrilled to have you!
Q Can I donate an animal?
Please email our Director of Awesome at sara@theimag.org or Assistant Director of Education at christian@theimag.org to discuss animal donation.
Q How do I volunteer?
Simply fill out the volunteer form on this website and our Volunteer Coordinator will reach out to you!
Q Do you have discounted admission for SNAP beneficiaries?
Yes! As members of Museums for All, we offer discounted admission for SNAP beneficiaries. Simply present your EBT card while purchasing tickets.
Q Can I smoke on the campus?
The IMAG History and Science Center is a fully tobacco-free campus. This includes vaping. We appreciate your cooperation!
Q What can I feed?
You can feed the koi and turtles in the Fisheye Lagoon anytime by purchasing fish food from the front desk for $1.
Stingray feedings occur at 11:45 AM and 2:45 PM, and limited tickets for these feedings can also be purchased at the front desk. These are first-come, first-serve.
Menu

PLEASE ASK THE FRONT DESK HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DONATION TODAY TO SUPPORT THE IMAG.
*Stingray Feeding
**3D Movie: 23 Minutes
TIME | PROGRAMS | LOCATION |
---|---|---|
10:45 AM | SEA-to-SEE Encounters | Touch Tank |
11:00 AM | IMAG Live! Animal Show | Theater-in-the-Tank |
11:45 AM | SEA-to-SEE Encounters* | Touch Tank |
12:15 PM | Science on a Sphere | Second Floor |
12:15 PM | Dinosaurs of the Antarctic** | Theater-in-the-Tank |
12:45 PM | SEA-to-SEE Encounters | Touch Tank |
12:45 PM | Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs** | Theater-in-the-Tank |
1:15 PM | Tornado Alley** | Theater-in-the-Tank |
1:45 PM | SEA-to-SEE Encounters | Touch Tank |
2:00 PM | IMAG Live! Science Show | Theater-in-the-Tank |
2:30 PM | Science on a Sphere | Second Floor |
2:45 PM | SEA-to-SEE Encounters* | Touch Tank |
3:00 PM | Dinosaurs of the Antarctic* | Theater-in-the-Tank |
3:30 PM | Meet-the-Keeper | Featured Habitat |
3:30 | Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs** | Theater-in-the-Tank |
3:45 PM | SEA-to-SEE Encounters | Touch Tank |
4:00 PM | Tornado Alley** | Theater-in-the-Tank |
Looking for Field Trips?
Field Trips are reserved for School Groups or Child Care providers with a FEIN # to show they are registered school or child care providers.