Choose the museum for the most flexible stop
The Herrett Center museum galleries and art exhibits are free. Regular museum hours run Tuesday through Saturday, with later closing on Tuesday and Friday and a 1 p.m. opening on Saturday. The center is closed Sunday, Monday, and federal holidays.
That makes the museum the easiest choice when you do not want to commit to a showtime. Check the visit page before a holiday or special event, and remember that the museum schedule does not tell you when a planetarium show begins.
Treat the planetarium like a ticketed performance
Faulkner Planetarium shows have fixed start times and a per-seat charge. The current standard prices are $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors, and $5.50 for ages 2–17; children under 2 are free. Programs rotate, so the title and age fit matter as much as the building hours.
Buy or confirm tickets from the planetarium schedule rather than assuming a show is available whenever the museum is open. The domed theater operates indoors and independently of the observatory, so a cloudy night can cancel telescope viewing without canceling the planetarium program.
Give the observatory a backup plan
Centennial Observatory events depend on clear skies. Monthly star parties are generally held on the second Saturday, begin around an hour after sunset, and are free. Other telescope sessions can have different dates, times, and admission, so use the dated observatory calendar for the final decision.
The August 8 star party, for example, is listed from 9:45 to 11:45 p.m. A museum or planetarium visit can still work when telescope viewing cannot, but do not assume an indoor substitute is included. Check the official event status near departure time.
What the venue says about access
The Herrett Center lists open captioning for most planetarium shows when requested at the front desk. It also describes elevator access to the observatory and equipment designed to make the public telescope usable from a wheelchair.
Those are useful starting points, not a promise about every program. Call the front desk before buying tickets when seating, captions, lighting, mobility, or another accommodation will determine whether the visit works.
Check the details
Dates and rules can change. These are the organizer and venue pages used for the practical details in this guide.
- Herrett Center visitor information
Museum admission, hours, address, and published accessibility information
- Faulkner Planetarium
Planetarium pricing, rotating shows, and indoor operation
- Centennial Observatory events
Dated telescope events, admission, times, and weather dependency