The Catawba Science Center in Hickory, NC has so much to explore! See animals, build, learn about physics, space, gardens and more! We checked it out and have all the information you need to enjoy a fun day here as a day trip from Greenville, SC, or Charlotte, NC, or anywhere in between!
Ever since I got my Roper Mountain Science Center membership, I’ve started planning day trips and homeschool field trips according to where my family can get in for free or half-price using the reciprocal membership benefits. The Catawba Science Center in Hickory, NC was on the list so that’s where we went.
Are you looking for more educational things to do near the Upstate? Check out our educational adventures post!
About the Catawba Science Center
The Catawba Science Center is a huge, 35,000 square feet science center with two buildings, one that houses the marine and space science exhibits and the other houses the majority of the energy, geology, anatomy, and physical science exhibits, as well as the traveling exhibit in rtle Hall.
They have a planetarium also (we didn’t go to a show there when we visited) plus homeschool classes, summer camps, field trips, science programs, scout camps, and even a technology club. My kids are 11 and 7 and we saw kids of all ages there enjoying the exhibits.
Exhibits at the Catawba Science Center
Hands-On Construction
Behind the front desk is a huge, open room that has all sorts of hands-on exhibits. When we went, they had building blocks and pool noodles where kids (and, ahem, adults) could let their imaginations run wild and build whatever they wanted. In the same room were a couple of tables where kids (and, ahem, adults) could construct little purses, rings, and whatever else they wanted out of duct tape.
Next to the duct tape were more tables that held small little wheels, blocks, and connector hickory sticks (they have these same things at the Roper Mountain Science Center) where guests can build small cars, buildings, or invent their own construction projects.
Gross Labs
Moving on from the construction room and down the opposite hall is a fun exhibit called the Gross Labs. Kids of all ages will get a kick out of these exhibits that use kid-friendly language to demonstrate the actual work of scientists.
For example, the “Poop Analyzer” exhibit actually demonstrates what a gastroenterologist would do for his or her work. There’s also a Snot Surveyor, which demonstrates the job of an allergist. I don’t remember what the Fart Scientist does but it was an interesting display.
Energy Avenue
This was a favorite exhibit since you had the chance to launch rockets indoors. They also had a pulley chair system where kids sat in a chair and used ropes to pull themselves up (The Children’s Museum of the Upstate in Greenville also has this particular exhibit). There are also all kinds of hands-on energy exhibits in this hall for kids to learn about conduction and static electricity.
Velo-City
This is a room dedicated to physics but in a kid-friendly way. Kids can race balls down a track, build superhighways on the wall and see how fast the balls can go down them.
This room is hands-on and includes activities demonstrating force, friction, and kinetic and potential energy.
Naturalist Center
This exhibit has an extensive collection of fossils, arachnids, shells, and animal hides. They even have a huge python skin to touch and feel.
Inside this same exhibit are dozens of rocks, gems, and minerals. This was super cool since my kids and I are currently studying Geology so it was neat to see all the neat gems and minerals that have been pictured in our books.
Little Kids Treehouse
My kids were too old for this exhibit but it looked so fun! They have an area for kids under 5 years old to play in a little treehouse, climb through tunnels, and explore the garden and hide-and-seek panels.
Marine Science and Aquarium at the NEW Land to Sea exhibits
Next to the main building is the marine lab and astronomy center. The Land to Sea galleries are gorgeous and definitely worth stopping by.
The land area of the exhibit has a herpetology lab with lots of different lizards, as well as several beautiful tortoise habitats, an alligator and an iguana.
The aquarium has both fresh and saltwater fish plus an 8,000 gallon shark and stingray exhibit with a touch tank. We got to see the sharks and rays fed shrimp, and the helpful staff member who was feeding them shared some interesting facts and answered guests’ questions.
You’ll also see a gorgeous turtle habitat and a freshwater ray. These rooms were beautiful, peaceful, and staffed with a museum employee who had lots of information to share.
We spent a lot of time in the Land to Sea gallery and I think it was one of our favorite spots!
The Planetarium and Outdoor Courtyard
These were the two things we didn’t do so I can’t say exactly what they were like. It was raining so we didn’t go to the outdoor courtyard play area but it looked really fun and had a climbing wall!
The planetarium has a 30-foot dome and your admission ticket includes a show there.
New In 2025
The Catawba Science Center will offer two new exhibits during the spring of 2025. You can enjoy the Flutterby Butterfly Habitat and the Turtle Travels exhibit.
Flutterby Butterfly Habitat Exhibit
This exhibit will open on Mother’s Day weekend 2025. You can learn about the life cycle of a butterfly and watch North Carolina’s native butterflies flit around. This is a local favorite exhibit and only comes every 3 years.
Turtle Travels Exhibit
This exhibit will open in the spring of 2025. You can learn about the migration habits of turtles, track a hidden turtle using telemetry, play a giant turtle board game, and so much more!
Visiting the Catawba Science Center
The science center is open Wednesday – Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm and Sunday 1 pm – 4 pm. Tickets are $14/adults and $12/ages 3 and up. If you have a Roper Mountain Science Center membership, admission is free.
We spent about two hours there but you could certainly stay longer if you went to a planetarium show or took your time going through all the exhibits.
Day Trip
The science center is about two hours from Greenville, an hour and a half from Charlotte, NC, an hour from the Biltmore, and an hour to Kings Mountain State Park. We went to the Schiele Museum of Natural History after visiting the science center. It was only about 40 minutes away and was a great add-on for the day trip.
Catawba Science Center Website
243 Third Avenue NE, Hickory, NC
828.332.8169
Are you looking for more fun day trips? Check out our Kidding Around Guide to Day Trips!
