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Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

Chapel Hill, NC

Historical
4 (5 reviews)

Where are we going?

Address: 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA How do we get there? Number: 919 962 1236
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About this activity

Science education is a family adventure at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center! Your day at Morehead may include exciting planetarium shows, hands-on exhibit activities, a co-starring role in "Science LIVE!" and photos on a giant sundial. Begin your adventure in Morehead's Star Theater, where you'll experience any of eight different planetarium shows, including "Magic Tree House Space Mission" (featuring characters from the popular children's book series). Morehead's Star Theater is the only planetarium in the United States that trained astronauts in celestial navigation - the men who walked on the Moon came here to learn about the stars! You'll see memorabilia from Morehead's days as a hub for astronaut training in the History Hallway. Nearby, you'll find hands-on activities in the "Zoom In: Science at the Extremes" exhibit. Continue your adventure in the NASA Digital Theater, with "Science LIVE!" demonstration shows (with audience participation) and "Science 360" presentations. Throughout the year, Morehead offers free and low-cost family-friendly events, ranging from Family Science Days to LEGO-palooza to monthly skywatching sessions. Programs for adults include monthly "Current Science Forums" (offering a sneak peek at cutting-edge science research), classes, and guest lecturers (including Nobel and Pulitzer prize winners!). Check Morehead's schedule online and plan a visit soon. Enjoy other attractions at UNC-Chapel Hill while you're here!

Activity location

Directions

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is in downtown Chapel Hill, on the University of North Carolina campus. From I-40, exit onto U.S. 15-501 South. Go about two miles; take the right fork to Franklin Street. Continue on Franklin Street for about three miles. Morehead is on the left side as you enter the downtown business district. Street and lot parking is available but limited.

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How much does it cost?

Hilton

Adults

$7.25

Hilton

Children

$6

Hilton

Last Updates

2022

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center FAQ’s

Morehead is adjacent to Coker Arboretum and McCorkle Place on the UNC campus, providing green areas for outdoor play and discovery. (These are also beautiful picnic spots!)

A wall-mounted changing table is available in the rest room facilities. Because Morehead is an older building with many stairs, you may prefer to leave your stroller at home.

A dozen restaurants are within a one-block walk - sandwiches, pizza and pasta, waffles, Mexican, Asian, ice cream and desserts.

Check the online schedule before you visit! During the school year, most planetarium shows, programs and activities are available only on weekends. (This is because Morehead provides field trip programs to many schools during the week, and these are not usually open to the public.)
If you're planning to visit Morehead several times, consider a household membership: it offers free admission to shows, gift shop discounts, parking vouchers and other benefits!

Morehead's gift shop is full of science-related toys and books, as well as jewelry, apparel, electronic gadgets and home items.

Morehead offers field trip programs to nearly 85,000 students and their teachers every year! Check the Field Trip Planner section of Morehead's Web site for information on shows, Discovery Classes and more activities for your class.

A wall-mounted changing table is available in the rest room facilities. Because Morehead is an older building with many stairs, you may prefer to leave your stroller at home.

Morehead's Star Theater/gift shop, NASA Digital Theater and "Zoom In!" exhibit are accessible by ramp and elevator. However, to travel from the Star Theater/gift shop area to the other areas of the building, it's necessary to go outside and enter through a different door -- Morehead was built in 1949 and has many staircases. The History Hallway is not accessible by wheelchair.

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