35,000 Square Feet of Wonder at the Catawba Science Center
Hickory has a world-class science museum. Most people outside of Western NC have no idea.
You'll probably leave talking about touching a stingray, watching a planetarium show, climbing through hands-on science exhibits, and spending far longer here than you expected.
- Full-year Dinosaurs! in Carpenter Hall: 16 animatronics, a show-stopping T-Rex, David Digs fossil pit, and IMMOTION VR.
- Hands-on exhibits, live animals, saltwater and freshwater aquarium galleries, and a state-of-the-art digital planetarium spark curiosity for all ages.
- Plan your visit to Catawba Science Center: check catawbascience.org for hours; VR add-ons are member $5, nonmember $7.
The Catawba Science Center isn't just hosting one of North Carolina's biggest dinosaur exhibits. It's a 35,000-square-foot science museum where kids—and plenty of adults—can easily spend half a day exploring everything from sharks to space.
Start downstairs where interactive exhibits invite kids to build, experiment, race, touch, and discover how science works through play.
Wander into the aquarium galleries where sharks, stingrays, turtles, colorful reef fish, and freshwater species from the Amazon create one of the museum's biggest surprises. Don't skip the touch pools—they're usually a favorite stop for younger visitors.
Before you leave, catch a show in the Millholland Planetarium. Depending on the day, you might journey across the night sky, dive into a full-dome science film, or experience one of the center's special presentations. General admission includes public planetarium shows.
The Dinosaurs Have Arrived
If giant prehistoric predators are what brought you here, you won't be disappointed.
Sixteen life-sized animatronic dinosaurs fill the featured exhibition hall through December 6, 2026, complete with realistic movement, sound, and opportunities for some unforgettable family photos.
If you're ready for something even more immersive, add the Virtual Reality Experience. Motion chairs and VR headsets transport riders into adventures that place them face-to-face with dinosaurs—or beneath the ocean alongside sharks.
Should You Go?
Location: Hickory, NC
Address: 243 3rd Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28603
Ages: All ages
Best For: Families, curious travelers, rainy day plans
Vibe: Interactive · Prehistoric · Genuinely Surprising
Thrill-o-Meter: 5 / 10
Plan It
Catawba Science Center
Address: 243 3rd Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28603
Site: catawbascience.org
Phone: (828) 322-8169
Hours: Wed to Thu 10am to 4pm, Fri 10am to 5:30pm, Sat 10am to 4pm, Sun 1pm to 4pm. Closed Mon and Tue.
VR Experience: Members $5 · Non-Members $7 (not included with admission)
