The museum (formerly known as @Bristol) debuted in 2000 and was built around the exhibits from the old Exploratory Science Museum, which had closed a year before. The museum used to have an IMAX theatre and a Wildwalk area with nature-related exhibits such as two artificial rainforests and an aquarium; however, both of these areas closed in March 2007, and the Wildwalk building is now home to Bristol Aquarium. We The Curious was rebranded @Bristol in September 2017.
We the Curious, like many science museums, caters to families with children, and most of the complex is not suited for adult visitors without children. The ground floor of the museum was completely re-fitted with new exhibits in 2020, and it is known for its interactive science exhibits that explain various aspects of science and how it relates to the world we live in.
All About Us, the Tinkering Space, Animate It!, the Curiosity Zone, Our World, the Space Gallery, and a 3D planetarium are among the museum’s exhibition areas. All About Us is an interactive exhibit space that demonstrates how the human body works. The Real Brain exhibit, which investigates the human brain, is located in this section. The Tinkering Space, located on the first level, is a place where people may create and make items, including robots and 3D printers.
Animate It! is a collaboration between Bristol-based Aardman Animations and the Wallace & Gromit film A Matter of Loaf and Death, which includes a set from the film. The Curiosity Zone, which occupies a large portion of the top floor, features interactive displays that investigate force, magnetism, light, and sound.
Our World is a gallery with exhibits that explain phenomena in the world around us, while the Space Gallery has exhibits about space travel. This gallery is extended by the planetarium, which is housed inside the iconic stainless steel sphere that dominates the museum’s Millenium Square entrance. It is the UK’s first 3D planetarium with a seasonal show schedule.
