Schiele Museum and the newly renovated planetarium offers family fun this summer
Updated: Jun 27
Whether you choose the exhibit halls, the planetarium, the farm, or all three, the Schiele Museum offers family programming. Here are summer offerings you and your children do not want to miss.
The James H. Lynn Planetarium
Check out the newly refurbished planetarium, which has new seating, carpet, and lighting. Programs are available daily on a rotating basis. Browse the summer schedule and get tickets.
Expedition Reef
Dive into a vibrant undersea adventure! Discover how coral reefs grow, feed, reproduce, and support over 25% of all marine life on Earth—while facing unprecedented threats from climate change, habitat destruction, and overfishing. Narrated by Tony Award® winner Lea Salonga.
One World One Sky
Explore the night sky and learn together about the Big Dipper, the North Star, the Sun, and the Moon with Big Bird and friends at One World, One Sky. This show perfectly introduces space for our youngest astronomers and their adult star guides.
Marte: El Viaje Definitivo
En un viaje de dos años a Marte, los astronautas enfrentarán desafíos extraordinarios: largas distancias, un entorno cerrado, aislamiento, gravedad alterada, radiación. ¿Qué se necesitará para llevar a los astronautas a Marte, y regresar, de manera segura? Esta nueva producción animada en el planetario destaca las iniciativas de investigación y entrenamiento de la NASA que están preparando a la próxima generación de astronautas que se dirigirán a Marte.
The Sky Tonight
Learn the skills to find your way around the seasonal night sky as you discover the stars, planets, and other celestial events. This interactive show is different every time, so come back often to see what's up in The Sky Tonight.
Mars: The Ultimate Voyage
On a two-year journey to Mars, astronauts will face extraordinary challenges—long distances, a closed environment, isolation, altered gravity, and radiation. What will it take to get astronauts to Mars and back safely? Explore NASA research and training initiatives preparing the next generation of astronauts traveling to MARS.
Summer exhibits at Schiele Museum create family fun
Gemstone Mining
Put your skills to the test in the running water sluice on The Schiele's Nature Trail! Find and identify beautiful mineral treasures like garnets, topaz, rubies, emeralds, and rose quartz. Keep what you find!
The Catawba Indian Village
Step back in time as you explore over 400 years of Indigenous history, culture, and survival in our historic Catawba Village! Visit a prehistoric-style bark house, townhouse, and historic 18th and 19th-century cabins to learn about our region's rich cultural heritage.
Snake Saturdays
Slither to the newest exhibit at the Schiele, Friends Not Foes: The Snakes of North Carolina. Uncover the facts about some of the Carolinas' most famous reptiles and meet a few snakes that may be living in your backyard during Snake Saturdays! Purchase tickets at admissions upon arrival.
Innovation Station
Calling creators of all ages! Unleash your creativity in our maker space lab. Use recyclable materials to design, build, make, or craft anything imaginable.
Farm Friends
Animals play an essential role on The Farm at The Schiele. Take a guided tour of The Farm as educated staff talk about their farm friends. Learn about the animals' personalities and daily routines. Talks vary each day, so plan to come often! Included with admission to The Farm.
Block Party
Included with museum admission, Block Party is where kids can enjoy more than 1,000 soft and safe building blocks and connectors of all shapes and sizes and are designed to inspire creativity and hands-on STEAM learning. Bring your imagination to life through block play.
The Schiele Museum offers a wealth of activities and educational experiences for visitors. Whether you're mining for gemstones, exploring historical villages, engaging in creative activities at the Innovation Station, or marveling at the wonders of the universe in the planetarium, many exciting programs and exhibits are planned for this summer. Plan your visit today and make memories that will last a lifetime!
