TUPPER LAKE — After four weeks of voting, The Wild Center has been selected as this year’s “Best Science Museum” in USA TODAY’s 2024 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

To celebrate the recognition, The Wild Center is holding a Community Free Day on Saturday, March 9 and inviting area residents to join.

Handpicked by a panel of esteemed travel experts and voted on by readers, the list of top 10 recipients showcased the finest museums across the nation.

The Wild Center stood out among its peers, surpassing competition like The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and Exploratorium in San Francisco.

“Winning this award is a testament to our community. It’s not just about being named the best, it’s about showing the world what the Adirondacks are made of,” said Nick Gunn, marketing director at The Wild Center. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported us.”

In 2023, The Wild Center secured a second-place finish, trailing closely behind another esteemed institution, COSI (Center of Science and Society) in Columbus, Ohio, who claimed the title for its fourth year in a row.

This year, however, The Wild Center has risen to the top, cementing its status as a leader in science education and public engagement.

For more information about the Community Free Day, visit wildcenter.org/communityfreeday.