CHANGING LIVES AND INSPIRING LEARNING THROUGH SCIENCE AND WONDER.

Plan Your Visit

Business Hours

Monday & Tuesday: Closed to the public
Wednesday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Office Hours

Monday - Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Located on the third floor of the Main Building

Holiday Hours

CSC is closed on the following Holidays:

  • New Year's Day
  • MLK Day
  • Easter Sunday
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Eve
  • Christmas Day

Admission Prices

General Admission includes one full day of admission, including all exhibit areas, the aquarium, and daytime planetarium shows. Special programs and events are excluded from General Admission. Group visits must be scheduled in advance. Call our office to learn more.

CSC Members: FREE**
Portal-to-Science Admission: $2 + tax
Adult (18+): $16 + tax
Youth (3 - 17): $14 + tax
Children (2 & under): FREE
Military, Student, or Senior (62+): $14 + tax
Group Rate (10 or more): $12 + tax

*Planetarium seating 65 people at max capacity
**Does not apply to school field trips or group visits.

Group Guidelines

Available WEDNESDAY - FRIDAY

  • Group visits must be coordinated with CSC’s office at least two weeks prior to visiting.
  • Groups must divide into subgroups no larger than 10, with at least 1 adult per group.
  • Subgroups should try to distance themselves from other subgroups and other visitors.
  • Groups can work together with office staff to decide if they want to plan out subgroup movement in advance.
  • Lunch Space: $25 fee per school, limited capacity of 50 people.

 

Catawba Science Center
On the SALT Block
243 Third Avenue NE
Hickory, NC 28601

Directions

Phone: (828) 322-8169
Fax: (828) 322-1585
info@catawbascience.org

Aquarium

Attractions

Science Shop

Millholland Planetarium

Events

Featured Exhibits

Hands-on Fun

Public and School Programs

Membership

Prepaid General Admission Tickets

General Admission tickets may be purchased at an admission desk on-site or in advance online. An admission ticket purchased online is single-use and may be redeemed during check-in at an admission desk.

How do I Purchase Online Tickets?

1. Begin by clicking the "Purchase Tickets" button below.

2. Type the quantity you wish to purchase for each ticket type. *IMPORTANT NOTE: When purchasing admission tickets online, you MUST select E-Ticket as the delivery option.

3. Once paid for, you may present a printout of your ticket or display the ticket electronically on your mobile device for check-in at the admission desk. Please check your spam folder if you don't see your confirmation email.

Other Admission Discounts

At this time we are unable to apply online admission discounts such as Portal to Science, Reciprocal Admission, etc. Please purchase your tickets in person to receive your discount.

Refunds

All sales are final. We are unable to issue refunds on online ticket sales.

For questions about prepaid General Admission tickets, please email scheduling@catawbascience.org

Our Portal to Science card allows families facing financial challenges to experience Catawba Science Center’s exhibitions during business hours for only $2 per person!
CLICK HERE to find out how!

 

ASTC logo

List of Participating Museums and Science Centers in the ASTC Passport Program

 

 

Discover more things to do in Hickory

Questions? Contact our Office Staff at  or 828.322.8169 x. 0

Larry W.

Took the kiddos and they loved it. Employees were nice and helpful. If your looking for something to do with the kids give this place a shot.

-Larry W.

Meredith C.

What a wonderful place to visit! Great environment to learn and the staff is very helpful! Hickory is lucky to have great family education and entertainment.

– Meredith C.

Sam H.

This place was great. We have kids from 8 to 1 and they all had a great time. What I really liked is most of the exhibits are hands on and that really kept them occupied.

– Sam H.

Denise G.

Fabulous and I don’t often give praise. We took our grandson and were there for hours. He loved it and so did we.

– Denise G.

Tiffany F.

We love the Science Center! I take my 2 and 4 year old boys weekly to play and enjoy the exhibits. The staff are wonderful and the classes offered are excellent! We are so blessed to have such an amazing resource in our area.

– Tiffany F.

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