Discovery Place in Charlotte, NC is Fun Family Fare

Recently named among the Top 10 Most Visited Museums in North Carolina by Carolina Publishing Associates, Discovery Place in Charlotte is a hands-on science museum, located in the uptown area of the city. Known for both its permanent and frequently changing exhibits, the museum profiles a number of different areas of science, including marine biology, life science, natural science, and many other fields. Discovery Place, which includes the onsite Charlotte Nature Museum, attracts nearly three-quarters of a million visitors each year.

The three-level building that houses the museum is currently undergoing a multi-year renovation, but the museum continues to operate successfully despite the fact that some of the galleries are off-limits during the process. Its permanent exhibits include Our Living Planet, a look at the science of weather and the art of meteorology and also featuring an excellent display of gems and explanations as to how and where they were unearthed; the Aquarium, a habitat where visitors can view underwater species from the North Carolina region and around the world; and Once in the Wild, a collection of animals from all over North America. Also part of the permanent exhibits is The Machine Shop, a display area geared to the science behind simple machines, featuring lots of hands-on fun; a Tropical Rainforest, with information about flora and fauna of that ecosystem; and the Geo Center, an exploration of the world's rocks and minerals.

The Kids Place is a special portion of the museum dedicated for the use of children ages 6 and under. Children in this age group can learn about the senses, how to stay healthy, nature, and dinosaurs. The adjacent Wachovia Science Theater presents a variety of live shows daily, with schedules changing quite frequently.

Changing, temporary exhibits are an important part of the museum and why patrons visit again and again, expecting a new experience each time they enter. These exhibits stay anywhere from a few weeks to several months and are included with general admission to Discovery Place.

Also part of Discovery Place is the Charlotte Nature Museum. This portion of the attraction is dedicated to the creatures of the great outdoors and their surroundings. Permanent exhibits at Charlotte Nature Museum include Beginnings, an exploration of the lives of baby animals; the Creature Cavern, a chance to get up close and personal with many animals who are native to North Carolina; Insect Alley, a look at the insect world and a chance for visitors to see what they would look like with the body of a bug; Butterfly Pavilion, a habitat full of a huge variety of these delicate winged creatures; and Our Big Backyard, an opportunity to explore the unseen world of the "underground''. In addition, the nature museum includes a Children's Activity Center, which includes activities like coloring, puppet shows, and games for little ones and their families.

Discovery Place is also home to the Charlotte Observer IMAX Dome Theater, the largest in the state, standing three stories tall and 80 feet wide. The theater shows a variety of IMAX films each day, including both shorter "discovery'' films and full-length features.

Discovery Place museum is open daily except for major holidays. Tickets can be purchased for just the exhibits or may include admission to both the museum and the IMAX Theater. Birthday party packages are also available.