Smarty Day Trip Series: Discovery Place

By Ashley H, Charlotte Smarty Pants

Looking for a fabulous family activity that everyone can enjoy? Discovery Place in Charlotte is the ticket, Smarties!! Visitors have made this one of the top attractions in the Carolinas and one of our nation’s premier science museums. Discovery Place is conveniently located in the heart of uptown Charlotte (about an hour's drive from the Triad) close to dining, the Light Rail (kids LOVE catching a ride on the Lynx) and so much more. Step into a world where science is brought to life featuring more than 300 interactive exhibits and explosive experiments during daily programs. Experience the past and visit the future through world-class traveling exhibitions, groundbreaking IMAX® Discovery Films and the latest release Full-Length Feature Films.


This Queen City gem is nearing completion on a $31.6 million renovation that should be completely made over as of June 27th with the opening of World Alive and Fantastic Frogs, the final two in a brand series of brand new original exhibitions. Also, see the new aquarium, wander the rainforest or have an eye-popping experience in the 3D theatre. Don’t miss, KidScience, one of Discovery Place’s newly renovated areas that is 3,300 square feet of learning fun! Complete with areas like the water table, color wall, rocket launchers/wind wall, toddler corral and The Tinkertron, KidScience has everything to delight kids ages 0-7.

I took my family to see what KidScience was all about and let me tell you we all LOVED it! They did a great job with the new renovation…the room is so inviting, full of color and light and offers tons to tempt the young scientist in your child! Fallon and Cannon particularly loved the water table, color wall (looks like a giant light bright) and rocket launchers/wind wall back in the air section near the new windows that bring in so much wonderful natural light to that room. For those of you with babies/toddlers under 3 they also offer a gated play area perfect for some explorative tummy time in the soft play area, Adventure Bridge, playhouse and more.


We also spent a little time in the theater next door to KidScience taking in a 15 minute 3D turtle movie that my twins are STILL talking about! It was their first 3D experience and they loved seeing the snake and alligator on the turtle adventure. Plus the fact that it was only 15 minutes was perfect for busy toddlers on the go.

I was also super impressed with the new Community Café that is just across from KidScience, it is a great lunch option for those of us wanting healthy food for our kids while eating out. It’s catered by Something Classic with many organic and NC homegrown options (NC jellies/jams, organic snacks like raisins, crackers and blue corn chips). There’s even a cupcake corner!


No matter your taste, get your fill at Discovery Place. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that this is one of the best Smarty playgrounds in North Carolina! Open daily; be sure to visit our friends at Discovery Place!

Discovery Place
Address: 301 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: 704.372.6261

Summer Hours (beginning Tues, June 1):
Mon-Fri, 9a-5p
Saturday, 10a-6p
Sunday, 12p-5p

Regular Hours:
Mon-Fri, 9a-4p
Saturday, 10a-6p
Sunday, 12p-5p

Discovery Place is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.
Movies at the IMAX® Dome Theatre are presented during museum operation hours. Click here for showtimes.

Have you been? Let us know if you have other smarty tips to share!

Don't forget to register to win a pair of Orthaheel flip flops - a generous offer from Fleet Feet of Winston-Salem. You must be a Triad Smarty Pants newsletter subscriber to be eligible to win. This promotion ends Friday, June 25 and TWO winners will be announced shortly afterwards - just in time for you to sport these sandals at the pool!

Posted by Triad Smarty Pants at 5:00 AM