by Sherry Law

Created on: April 15, 2009   Last Updated: May 26, 2009

Whether you're visiting Charlotte, NC for the first time or are a long-time resident looking for something to do with the kids, don't forget about Discovery Place. Opened in 1981, this fun, hand-on museum quickly became a favorite of the area's children and was recently voted one of the top ten attractions in Charlotte. Located downtown at 301 N. Tryon Street, Discovery Place is open daily except for Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Though parking is available behind the museum, it is limited and many people prefer to use the city's local bus system (CATS) or LYNX, Charlotte's light rail system.

The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9:30AM til 4PM, Saturday from 10AM to 6PM and Sunday from noon to 5PM. With so much for the kids to see and do, plan on spending most of the day there. Admission to Discovery Hall is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors (over 60) and children (2-13yrs). IMAX tickets are extra and depending on the length of the film run $8 to $11 for adults and $7 to $9 for seniors and kids.

If this is your first visit to Discovery Place, forget everything you thought you knew about museums. Instead of dark corridors filled with dusty exhibits, Discovery Place offers multiple themed exhibit areas in a bright, kid-friendly setting. Children (and grown-ups) can learn about everything from the aquatic life off of North Carolina's Outer Bank to how machines work. You can even take some time out to watch rats play a game of basketball. No matter where your child's interest lies, there is bound to be something that will draw them to Discovery Place.

Some of the permanent areas of the museum include ONCE IN THE WILD, THE MACHINE SHOP, THE AQUARIUM and THE TIDE POOL, THE KNIGHT RAINFOREST, the PUPPET THEATER, OUR LIVING PLANET, the GEO CENTER and EINSTEIN'S CORNER.

At the ONCE IN THE WILD exhibit, a stuffed grizzly bear seems to be the favorite attraction. In addition to this big furry beast, children can see other North American wildlife, including raccoons and a moose.

An extremely interactive area of the museum is THE MACHINE SHOP. Let your kids find out how machines work - who knows, maybe they'll be the one to invent a better mousetrap ...

At the Aquarium and the neighboring Tide Pool, children can see sea-life from around the world, with an emphasis being placed on the aquatic life found off of North Carolina's Outer Bank. The hands-on Tide Pool lets children look at the creatures found in the area's tidal pools.

The three

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