Explore Store: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Explore Store located?
The Science Museum’s Explore Store is located in the lobby of the Science Museum of Minnesota at: 120 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Explore Store hours are:
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Thursday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Is In-store pickup available?
Yes, orders can be placed online and in-store pickup is available. You will receive an email when your items are ready for pickup. Please ask for your items at the Explore Store counter.
How much does parking cost if I'm just picking up an order?
Parking is free for the first 15 minutes when you drop by to pick up an order or need to quickly snag a STEM-style item from the Explore Store! If you run into any delays — like longer lines or distractions from all the unique store items — just ask an Explore Store team member for a voucher to cover those extra few minutes.
Who do I contact?
Please email store@smm.org or call 651-221-9414 with any questions about our products, exchanges, and returns.
Can I use a museum gift certificate to make a purchase?
Gift certificates can be used in person, online, and over the phone for exhibit and Omnitheater admission, memberships, and summer camps, as well as in person in the Explore Store.
Gift certificates cannot be used for parking, online Explore Store purchases, or at the museum cafe.
Have questions about past or present gift cards or Gift Memberships to the museum? Call our Contact Center at (651) 221-9444.
Do Members get a discount?
Yes! Check your member emails for any promotional codes or sales. And don’t forget, members receive a 10% discount on Explore Store purchases year-round.
If you have misplaced the member promotional code, email store@smm.org and we will be happy to provide you with the discount code to apply to your purchase.
Shipping
Orders are packaged and shipped weekly, with most orders being processed within 3-5 business days of placement. Shipments may take 7-10 business days to arrive after the order has been processed.
International shipping is available. Shipping costs are determined by our carriers.
Additional duty tax, VAT taxes, and other fees may apply that are not calculated in your purchase total. Customers are responsible for paying for any additional fees associated with their purchase in order to receive their purchase. Failure to do so may result in the return of the package to our store. A second deployment of a package due to unpaid fees will be the responsibility of the customer.
Pre-Order Policy
Items that are purchased as a pre-order are fulfilled as soon as merchandise is available. You will be informed of the status and shipping of your pre-order via email. If you purchase additional items alongside a pre-order, your order will be fulfilled when all merchandise is available.
Return Policy
All web and in-store purchases, returns, and exchanges will be handled by the Science Museum’s Explore Store. Proof of purchase is required for a full refund. Returns without a proof of purchase will receive a store credit in the amount of the item's sale price. Gift certificates and sale items are final sale.
Returns are accepted via mail. All merchandise returns must be sent postpaid to the Explore Store at the address below:
A packing list or a copy of your receipt must be enclosed.
If you have additional questions about our return policies, please contact store@smm.org or (651) 221-9414.
How do I submit product information to your buyer?
Please email store@smm.org including pricing, quantities, and any other details about the item. Unfortunately, we cannot respond to every inquiry, but will contact you if your product aligns with our store buying strategy.