Each year, TripAdvisor pulls together all the reviews, ratings, and saves that travelers share from across the globe — and use the info to spotlight the very best. The Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best awards is a big deal because it’s based not on what a venue has to say about itself (which we know is 9/10ths fluff), but what the people visiting have to say about it. Downtown’s  Sci-Port Discovery Center has just been notified that they have been awarded a 2020 Traveler’s Choice Award, which puts them in the top 10% of venues across the nation. TripAdvisor is an online travel and booking site known more for being a place to get no-nonsense reviews and information; in fact it has become the world’s largest travel platform. To be honored in this way by them definitely means something.

See TripAdvisor’s Fun Things to Do in Shreveport

Sci-Port Executive Director Dianne Clark was thrilled with the news that they had been named a Traveler’s Choice. “Sci-Port Discovery Center is excited about celebrating our Tripadvisor success! Sci-Port’s Top Traveler’s Choice Award is the result of consistently great reviews from the people that matter most — our patrons. Travelers highly value the feedback of other travelers, so spreading the word about this award and recognition has been key to our continued success. Sci-Port has seen a steady increase in traffic in the last few months, and we don’t see any signs of slowing down.  Sci-Port would like to take a moment to thank our local and out-of-town guests for our great reviews and feedback.”  Clark goes on to say that Sci-Port members helped make this all possible. “Sci-Port Discovery Center members deserve so much credit for this recognition.  Their compassion for and commitment to providing high quality, innovative and enjoyable educational activities provide the ultimate experiences for our guests.”

Sci-Port has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic like all other tourist venues and museums in the state and spent a good part of the spring shuttered to visitors. Reopening was difficult, confusing and expensive. Safety protocols and requirements were restrictive, occupancy was limited, PPE’s had to be added to already-slim budgets, and people were leery of leaving the safety of their homes to go grocery shopping, much less to a children’s science museum. Over time, Clark and her hard-working crew have figured out how to up the comfort level of patrons while providing a fun learning experience for children and adults alike. At present, they offer a one-price $15 ticket that includes an IMAX film, unlimited time in the Power of Play area and an adventure in the new Museum of Intrigue. In November, the popular SnoPort interactive exhibit will be opening, bringing some much-needed holiday cheer.

Clark says the discovery center is seeing slow but steady increases in attendance and all indications are pointing up. That’s good news to hear. We’re proud of Sci-Port, those who work there and those who visit and look forward to better times ahead.