Fascinated by the cosmos? These planetariums offer immersive sky shows, interactive exhibits, and a front-row seat to the universe—perfect for families, students, and stargazers alike.
If you are in a hurry, I recommend:
Unique Planetariums:
1. Travel Through the Cosmos at the Burke Baker Planetarium, Houston
The Burke Baker Planetarium at The Houston Museum of Natural Science first opened back in 1964 and has since presented a variety of astronomical programs to visitors from both the general public and school groups. The dome of the planetarium was also used for training NASA Space Shuttle astronauts on how to identify starfields. Home to a SkySkan Digital Sky projector, the most advanced of its kind in the world, the Burke Baker Planetarium offers the latest in technology, including a Digistar 6 system that helps guests discover the universe, navigate asteroids, roam on the surface of planets, and much more.
5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, Phone: 713-639-4629
2. Explore the Skies in Jacksonville at the Alexander Brest Planetarium
The Bryan-Gooding Planetarium, which is one of the country’s largest single-lens planetariums, is located in the Alexander Brest Planetarium, Museum of Science & History , or also known as MOSH, in Jacksonville, Florida. This expansive planetarium utilizes cutting edge planetarium technology to entertain guests of all ages and to bring the wondrous night sky to life. The Alexander Brest Planetarium presents several immersive productions focused around the dynamic planet of Earth, deep space exploration, and “the human experience” that connects it all. The live presentations hosted daily at the planetarium are presented by knowledgeable planetarium educators.
1025 Museum Cir, Jacksonville, FL 32207, Phone: 904-396-6674
3. Star-Gaze in Style at the Bishop Planetarium, Bradenton
The Bishop Planetarium can be found at the South Florida Museum, providing guests with a state-of-the-art system that offers sharper, brighter images within its full-dome digital planetarium theater. The planetarium is also considered to be the “premier astronomy facility” along the west coast of Florida. Through latest-generation software and the Digistar 6 projection system, the Bishop Planetarium offers stunning views for guests and can update constantly as new astronomical wonders are discovered. This technology also allows for recreating a “dark sky natural environment” and live on-air events. Admission to the planetarium is included with admission to the museum.
201 10th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205, Phone: 941-746-4131
4. Discover Dark Skies at the Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory, Kentucky
Located in the town of Golden Pond in Kentucky, the Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory provides an array of educational and entertaining programs for guests of all ages with its digital projection system and a forty-foot dome theater. The surround-sound, 360-degree theater features temperature control and high-back, comfortable seats to provide comfort to visitors. The majority of the shows presented at the Golden Pond Planetarium are around forty minutes in length and are designed to recreate celestial effects as they explore subjects related to astronomy. Along with offering presentations, the planetarium also acts as an Educator Resource Center for NASA.
238 Visitor Center Dr, Golden Pond, KY 42211, Phone: 270-924-2233
5. See the Universe Up Close at Mark Smith Planetarium, Macon
The Mark Smith Planetarium at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in the city of Macon, Georgia has been rebuilt and expanded to feature a full-dome, 44-foot, planetarium that is home to state-of-the-art digital technology. The planetarium is now home to one of the highest contrast, highest resolution, and brightest single projectors available, making the Mark Smith Planetarium one of the country’s finest planetariums.
4182 Forsyth Rd, Macon, GA 31210, Phone: 478-477-3232
6. If You’re in the Bay Area, Don’t Miss the Morrison Planetarium in San Francisco
The Morrison Planetarium in San Francisco, California presents a variety of planetarium shows for guests ages four and up, utilizing cutting-edge technology and scientific data that results in amazing visualizations of the theories, discoveries, and latest findings of the universe. Each galaxy or star encountered at the Morrison Planetarium precisely mirrors a counterpart in the real world. The 75-foot dome is situated at the California Academy of Sciences and is one of the world’s largest all-digital planetariums, as well as one of the world’s most accurate digital Universes. Showpasses for the planetarium are included with the cost of admission.
55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118, Phone: 415-379-8000
Family-friendly Planetariums:
7. Learn Beyond the Moon at Boyd E. Christenberry Planetarium, Birmingham
The Boyd E. Christenberry Planetarium in the town of Homewood, Alabama offers guests a unique chance to explore the universe. The goal of the planetarium is to bring visitors knowledge about science and space through an engaging and interactive way, aiming to make science fun. Public presentations are offered at the Boyd E. Christenberry Planetarium on a scheduled basis about an array of topics related to astronomy, providing interactive, live, family-friendly shows. Admission to these shows are typically free and available on a first-come, first-serve basis, unless otherwise noted. Private presentations at the Boyd E. Christenberry Planetarium are also possible.
800 Lakeshore Dr, Homewood, AL 35229, Phone: 205-726-4139
8. Blast Off with Visual Science at W. A. Gayle Planetarium, Montgomery
The W. A. Gayle Planetarium in Montgomery, Alabama is the premier astronomy education facility in the region and a multimedia theater for digital art performances, live music, lectures, and films. Operated by the Troy University, the planetarium embodies a motto of educating the “mind to think, the body to act, and the heart to feel.” The auditorium of the W. A. Gayle Planetarium was specifically designed for simulating the natural night sky and projects images of stars, planets, the moon, and several other celestial objects across its fifty-foot dome. Realistic and natural scenes are created to inspire and immerse guests during shows.
1010 Forest Ave, Montgomery, AL 36106, Phone: 334-625-4799
9. Get Cosmic in the Desert at Dorrance Planetarium, Phoenix
Located in Phoenix, the Dorrance Planetarium at the Arizona Science Center is one of the nation’s most technologically advanced and largest planetariums. Since it opened in 1997, the planetarium has welcomed over two millions visitors to its unique shows and events. The Dorrance Planetarium features a NanoSeam design and its dome is the first of its kind in the world at a museum or science center. One of the most unique shows the planetarium presents is Art 360, an immersive, 360-degree cinema and art experience showcasing interesting artistic images combined with sound that’s only heard in the full-dome planetarium.
600 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, Phone: 602-716-2000
10. If You Want Sky-Watching with a Telescope Twist, Visit Chabot Space & Science Center, Oakland
The Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland, California consists of a planetarium, telescopes, exhibits, and much more within the scenic Redwoods Regional Park. The center’s Ask Jeeves Planetarium uses three different visualization systems to transport guests on an exploration of both the planet Earth and the universe beyond.
The fiber-optic Zeiss Universarium star projector, which is one of just four in the country, allows visitors to see the night sky without the glare from city lights by revealing a deep-field, precise night sky featuring as many as six thousand celestial objects. The Digital Sky system transports audiences to the galaxy beyond. Watch video
10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619, Phone: 510-336-7300
📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
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Why visit a planetarium?
- Heading to a planetarium to explore the wonders of space and the night sky is a great way to spend a cold or rainy day no matter where people are.
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What makes planetariums special?
- These interesting astronomical theaters are much more than simply buildings; they transport visitors away from the hustle and bustle of cities into the far reaches of the universe to learn about planets, stars, meteors, black holes, and much more.
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