At Praça Mauá in Rio’s Centro, the Museu do Amanhã explores science, the environment and possible futures through interactive displays and art. Santiago Calatrava designed the long, white building, which extends toward Guanabara Bay; walk around the reflecting pools and waterfront terrace to see how its roofline meets the water. Inside, exhibits consider the cosmos, Earth and humanity’s impact on the planet. Families can explore at their own pace, and the museum’s restaurant serves food from Pará. Set aside at least two hours for the galleries and architecture.
The building and its waterfront setting
The Museu do Amanhã opened in 2015 at Praça Mauá, in Rio’s port district. Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava designed the white structure, whose long roof projects toward Guanabara Bay. Its form is part of the visit: look at the building from the plaza, then circle the reflecting pools and continue to the rear terrace and waterfront. These changing viewpoints show the structure against both the city and the bay.
The museum is on a human-made peninsula beside the water. It was built as part of the redevelopment of the port area ahead of the 2016 Olympics. Praça Mauá is connected to parts of central Rio by the VLT tram. The surrounding waterfront also makes it possible to pair a museum visit with a walk along Olympic Boulevard.
What the exhibitions explore
The museum brings science and art together to examine the planet and the choices that shape its future. Its central themes include the cosmos, Earth, the Anthropocene, tomorrow and humanity. Exhibits consider subjects such as biodiversity, climate change, technology, population growth and environmental damage, using audiovisual installations, interactive displays, games and touchscreens to present information.
Rather than focusing on a collection of objects, the museum uses ideas, data and participation to draw visitors into its questions. Some installations invite you to interact directly; others use visual effects and multimedia to make complex subjects easier to explore. One exhibition described in the supplied material used screens to create the impression of walking over the ocean. The approach can feel abstract in places, so allow time to engage with the displays instead of rushing through them.
A visit with children
The exhibits address topics ranging from the origins of the cosmos to the development of human society. Interactive elements let children explore at their own pace, and the museum is designed to accommodate more than one language. The displays combine science and technology with questions about sustainability, giving families a way to approach environmental themes together.
The building itself adds another part to the visit. Its open spaces and unusual roofline give children plenty to notice between galleries, while the exhibits offer hands-on ways to encounter the subject matter. The museum has a restaurant and a café, so you can pause on site. The restaurant is noted for food from Pará; restaurant prices have been described as high by Brazilian standards.
Planning your visit
The museum is at Praça Mauá, 1, in Centro. Advance ticket purchase is recommended. The entrance arrangements described in the supplied material distinguish between areas: the lobby and ground-floor corridors can be entered without a ticket, while access to the exhibitions and upper floor requires one. Ticket prices and admission conditions can change, so check the museum’s official website before setting out.
Wheelchair-accessible entrances, elevators and restrooms are listed among the facilities, along with assisted-listening devices and tours for visitors with visual impairments. The museum also has a coat check and family facilities. If you have more time in the area, you can continue on foot along the waterfront boulevard or explore nearby central Rio.
FAQ
How long should I spend at the Museu do Amanhã?
Allow at least two hours for the exhibits and the building. You may want more time if you plan to stop at the restaurant or explore the waterfront.
Do you need a ticket to enter the museum?
The lobby and ground-floor corridors are described as accessible without a ticket, but the exhibition areas and upper floor require one. Check the official website for current admission details.
Is the Museu do Amanhã suitable for children?
Yes. Its interactive exhibits cover subjects from the cosmos to human society, and children can explore at their own pace.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair-accessible entrances, elevators and restrooms are listed among the museum’s facilities.
