Discovery Place Kids: Four Fun-Filled Adventures

Whether planning a family trip to North Carolina or a local looking for fun activities, each Discovery Place museum is a must-visit. Scattered across the Charlotte region, these four educational museums are bursting with interactive exhibits that allow young people to explore various educational topics in real-time.

To help you make the most of your trip, we'll share everything you need to know about these museums, including information on their different exhibits and activities, insider tips for an enjoyable time, and how they compare with other Charlotte museums for kids.

What is Discovery Place?

Discovery Place operates a network of museums in and around Charlotte, North Carolina. These include Discovery Place Science, Discovery Place Nature, and two Discovery Place locations in Rockingham and Huntersville. Each offers unique exhibits and experiences for families to enjoy.

Lindsey Gordon, the director of Discovery Place-Huntersville, emphasizes that despite the different locations, each museum's core message remains the same: fostering a love of learning and helping children develop essential life skills through hands-on, play-based experiences.

"Whether your child loves to explore, create or imagine, there's something for everyone," Gordon explains. "The museum hosts seasonal events and special programs that provide even more opportunities for families to bond and discover new interests together. We encourage families to visit frequently and take advantage of membership options, which offer great value for year-round access to all Discovery Place locations."

Exhibits and activities

While all Discovery Place museums share a common goal of providing interactive learning experiences for children, the exhibits and activities offered at each location differ.

Here's an overview of each of the four Discovery Place museums in the Charlotte area and some of the exhibits and activities families can expect to see at these venues:

Discovery Place Science

Located in Uptown Charlotte, Discovery Place Science is an interactive science museum offering hands-on learning experiences for visitors of all ages.

This museum features exhibits focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Notable attractions include the World Alive exhibit, which features an indoor rainforest, and the Fantastic Frogs exhibit, which showcases frogs from across the globe.

Additionally, the hands-on science labs allow kids to experiment with physics and chemistry concepts, and the museum also houses an IMAX Dome Theatre, which screens both educational films and the latest movie releases.

Discovery Place Nature

The Discovery Place Nature Museum is currently closed for renovations and plans to reopen soon. After reopening, it will offer an interactive, educational experience focused on nature and the environment.

Visitors can expect a North American River Otter habitat, a naturalist lab, an extensive collection of Piedmont native species, and a treetop canopy walk.

Discovery Place Huntersville

Discovery Place-Huntersville, located north of Charlotte, offers a variety of interactive exhibits and activities designed for children.

This museum features several themed areas, including 'I CAN Be Healthy,' which promotes wellness and nutrition, and 'I CAN Grow,' which focuses on early childhood development. The 'Town Center' exhibit allows children to explore various community roles, while 'I CAN Work' introduces them to different career possibilities, such as being a firefighter, veterinarian, or doctor.

Additionally, the museum boasts areas such as 'I CAN Move' and 'I CAN Create,' a water play area with a water table for experimentation, and a rock climbing wall.

Discovery Place Rockingham

Children and families can explore interactive learning experiences at the Discovery Place museum in Rockingham. Notable attractions include four science research stations where young visitors can conduct experiments, focusing on nature, astronomy, weather, and underground exploration.

The museum also features physics-related activities, such as experimenting with air pressure and pulleys, and a Rockingham Quarry exhibit that introduces visitors to one of the city's notable industries. Additionally, the museum offers an "I CAN Be Anything" area for role-playing various professions, and water play areas where children can experiment with concepts like sinking, floating, and water power.

Educational programs and events

Discovery Place Museums offer field trips, workshops, and camps to guests, and special events to its guests. Here is more information about each.

Field trips and workshops

Discovery Place offers various field trip experiences for students (kindergarten to grade two) at each of its museum locations in the North Carolina area. These field trips help children develop STEM skills and enhance their fine and gross motor skills through hands-on learning. Additionally, all field trip curricula are aligned with both North and South Carolina state standards and the Next Generation Science Standards.

Camps

Discovery Place offers age-specific summer camp programs for kids, focusing on various skills, including STEM, art, chemistry, and cooking. For the most current information on camp availability, dates, and registration, visit the official Discovery Place website.

Special events

Discovery Place offers a variety of special events for guests of all ages, including adults. Some highlights include the adult-friendly 'Science on the Rocks' event, live shows and entertainment, and sensory-friendly hours for guests with sensory sensitivities.

The museum regularly updates its event calendar, so visitors are encouraged to check the schedule for the latest information on upcoming activities.

Planning your visit

When planning a visit to any Discovery Place museum, it's important to consider admission prices, location and parking information, as well as accessibility information. Here's more information on each:

Admission prices

Discovery Place museums offer varying admission prices across their locations. However, online tickets are generally cheaper than walk-in options. Pricing is also age-dependent, with children enjoying the lowest rates, followed by seniors and adults.

However, all museums provide several discount opportunities to make visits more affordable. For example, seniors receive a $2 discount, while military personnel are also eligible for reduced rates. Families can save money by becoming museum members, which offers various benefits and cost savings over multiple visits.

Hours of operation

While the Discovery Place Nature location is closed for renovations, all other Discovery Place Museums are open; however, hours can vary for each museum, so it's important to check the website for each museum carefully before your visit.

Location and parking information

Discovery Place museums are located in various parts of the Charlotte area, each with its own unique location and parking arrangements. To ensure a smooth visit, check the specific website of the museum you plan to visit for accurate directions and parking information before your trip.

Accessibility information

Discovery museums provide ADA-compliant restrooms, elevators, and parking spaces to ensure ease of access for individuals with mobility challenges. The museum also offers noise-cancelling headphones and designated quiet spaces for visitors with sensory sensitivities.

Insider tips for making the most of your visit

To make the most of your visit to any of Discovery Place's museums, Gordon suggests keeping these insider tips in mind before you arrive:

Arrive early

Discovery Place museum hours vary by location, but arriving early is recommended regardless of which site you choose to visit. "To make the most of your experience, plan to arrive when the museum opens. This allows you to explore the exhibits before crowds build up," suggests Gordon.

Check the schedule

Discovery Place regularly hosts unique events and programs throughout the month, so it's a good idea to review its calendar before your visit. Gordon advises, "Checking the schedule in advance for live demonstrations or featured activities that day is important."

Dress comfortably

Given the museum's numerous hands-on activities, Gordon also emphasizes the importance of dressing comfortably for Discovery Place visits. She recommends "Dressing children in comfortable, easy-to-move-in clothing, as they'll be actively engaged in many interactive exhibits."

Take your time

Gordon's final piece of advice is to make the most of your visit by thoroughly exploring Discovery Place museums. "Take your time to experience all the themed areas, such as the grocery store, fire station, and transportation exhibits," she recommends.

Discovery Place vs. other Charlotte museums

According to Gordon, Discovery Place stands out among museums in the Charlotte area.

"Unlike other Charlotte museums that cover a broader range of topics and cater to diverse audiences, Discovery Place uniquely focuses on imaginative play in a 'town within a town' setting," she explains. "The museum's exhibits encourage children to explore various community roles, from firefighters and doctors to chefs and mechanics. Its emphasis on character-building, creative thinking  and social-emotional learning also makes it particularly valuable for young families."

Discovery Place jobs and volunteering

Discovery Place in North Carolina offers various involvement opportunities, including paid positions and volunteer programs. For those seeking employment, the Discovery Place website's careers page lists a range of job openings, such as technicians, facilitators, and presenters.

Volunteer programs are also available, catering to different age groups and experience levels. For example, The STEM Corp Apprenticeship program, designed for students aged 14-18, allows participants to work alongside museum professionals. This opportunity enables young volunteers to learn about daily operations, build professional skills, and gain customer service experience through STEM activities. Similarly, the Museum Operations Apprentice program offers teens the chance to work shifts during museum hours, assisting the operations team and gaining valuable hands-on experience.

Impact on the community

Gordon says that Discovery Place is deeply involved in the local community through its partnerships with schools and educational institutions.

She states, "Discovery Place is proud to partner with local organizations, such as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, to provide enriching field trip opportunities and educational resources. Our museum collaborates with teachers and community members to develop programs that align with school curriculums and state standards, helping students explore topics like science, social studies, and the arts in an engaging, interactive environment."

Gordon suggests that Discovery Place extend its reach to teachers and community partners beyond serving students, providing them with tools and resources to incorporate creative, hands-on learning experiences into their classrooms and community spaces.

Future plans and developments

Discovery Place has several plans for future developments. The Discovery Place Nature Museum is currently undergoing renovations and is scheduled to reopen soon. The renovated museum will feature new exhibits, including a North American River Otter habitat, a naturalist lab, and an expanded animal collection.

Despite these new additions, Gordon emphasizes that the museum's core mission remains unchanged. She states, "Our long-term goals continue to focus on serving the community with engaging programs and events that inspire young learners. As we look to the future, we aim to maintain and enhance our educational offerings, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of innovative children's programming."

For those of you who call North Carolina home or are considering a family vacation there, don't overlook visiting Discovery Place museums. Each of these educational museums offers a space for families to engage in exploration, play, and development through hands-on exhibits and programs.

While ticket prices, operating hours, and exhibits vary by location, all Discovery Place museums share a common mission: providing a safe and exciting environment for children to discover, have fun, and expand their knowledge. Have you had the chance to visit Discovery Place? We'd love to hear about your adventures!

Experts

• Lindsey Gordon is the director of Discovery Place-Huntersville.