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Discovery Place Science, Charlotte, NC

Photo: Ken Thomas, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

MuseumsFamily FavoriteRainy-Day Pick

Discovery Place Science

168 W 6th St · Charlotte, NC

Why you should go…

Discovery Place Science is a hands-on science museum in Uptown Charlotte that opened in 1981 and spreads across three levels. You can see aquariums, reptiles and amphibians in World Alive, try physics demos like a bed of nails in Cool Stuff, build things in the Thinker Space maker studio and catch live experiments at Science at the Stage. KidScience is a play lab for ages 0 to 7, and the IMAX Dome Theatre bills itself as the largest screen in the Carolinas.

  • #science museum
  • #imax dome
  • #hands-on exhibits
  • #kids activities
  • #aquarium

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Discovery Place Science, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

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    Billy Graham Library

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    Follow the Journey of Faith tour through the evangelist's life in a barn-shaped building, then visit the prayer garden.

    4.7 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Carowinds

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    10 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Attractions
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    Charlotte Motor Speedway

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    Watch NASCAR races on a 1.5-mile quad-oval, or take a guided van tour of the banking, garage and pit road.

    12 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sightseeing
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    Kings Mountain National Military Park

    Free

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  • Sightseeing
    Quirky Fun

    Peachoid

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    Spot a 135-foot water tower painted as a giant peach, a roadside landmark beside I-85 in Gaffney.

    49 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing