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North Carolina (NC)
Greensboro
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Greensboro Science Center
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Greensboro Science Center

See all things to do
See all things to do
Greensboro Science Center
4.5
1,300 reviews
#3 of 72 things to do in Greensboro
Science Museums
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9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
Experience the wonders of an aquarium, science museum, zoological park, and immersive 3D theater all in one attraction! See sharks, penguins, otters, stingrays, a fishing cat and other amazing animals from around the world in the Wiseman Aquarium. Get eye-to-eye with tigers, meerkats, gibbons, lemurs and other unique animals in the Animal Discovery Zoo. Walk among dinosaurs in Prehistoric Passages, experience extreme weather, and have fun in SciPlay Bay in the Museum. Watch amazing 3-D shows that make science come alive in the OmniSphere Theater.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,300 reviews
Excellent
903
Very good
315
Average
62
Poor
17
Terrible
4
Wiley Koyotes (Nia)
Dorothy, NJ21 contributions
A great time for the family
Feb 2023
As a full-time RV family we love visiting local establishments for our homeschooled children. We've visited the science center twice so far while in town. The first time we didn't visit the zoo because it was rainy and cold, but did the second time and it didn't disappoint. We were able to participate in one of their show (with Dinos) and it was really entertaining for my younger children (ages 5 & 6).

I will say that the price to enter is a little on the pricier side. It would be ~$90 for two adults and three children. Fortunately for us because we travel full-time we have a membership that offers reciprocity.

We've also enjoyed the food inside and wasn't disappointed. I feel it was reasonably priced and the staff was pleasant.

Overall, my family would definitely recommend the science center for those who love science. We learned lots while visiting. We'd love to see something online or available at the museum for homeschoolers. That makes the visits more intentional.

We do plan to visit one more time before leaving town.
Written February 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nancy D
High Point, NC914 contributions
A Good Visit to The Greensboro Science Center
Aug 2022
A group of friends toured the Greensboro Science Center. We arrived early in the day to try to escape the rising temperatures later in the day. We toured the outside exhibits. We were impressed with the improvements made to the Science Center. We found that early in the day many of the animals were still sleeping or were hidden inside their enclosures. Perhaps they would be more active later in the day. If you are visiting in the summer, take preventative measures that will protect you in the heat outside. During this visit, most of the group stayed outside. We will have to visit the indoor exhibits on another trip.
Written August 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stephanie S
Fayetteville, NC116 contributions
More than expected
Jul 2021
This place was way more than I expected. We stopped by to allow the kiddos to run around after visiting the civil rights museum. I did not expect it to be nearly as large as it was. At first, I felt that it may have been higher priced than what it would be worth, but there is actually a lot to this attraction. First, there is the aquarium which is fairly on par with the other NC aquariums, maybe just somewhat smaller, but well-done. We absolutely loved the penguins; each had a name band on their wings. There is a small exhibit where you could touch small stingrays; however, this exhibit was closed. Next, there is the science center. While perhaps less interactive than other children's museums there were a number of exhibits and different topics to get small gears going and satisfy the needs to run around and touch things. There are multiple auditoriums to play various educational films, at least 2 of these were closed while we visited. Next, there was the zoo. I really didn't expect the zoo to have as nice enclosures, walk spaces, and interactive areas for the kids as it did. While it is definitely smaller than the North Carolina Zoo, there are many species here that were not at the NC Zoo and it is not nearly as much of a walk. There is a farm exhibit where it appears to be a petting zoo exhibit, however, this appeared to be closed, although you could still see the animals and help feed the goats. There is an animal health station where you can see the veterinarians providing medical care to the animals (or even a necropsy). Throughout the zoo park, there is also a high ropes course ($extra) which looked pretty neat. Last, there was a really nice carousel with unique animals (okapi, hummingbird, fish, t-rex, seahorse...) that you typically don't see on a carousel. Normally this is extra, but we got a free ticket when we purchased science center tickets. There is a cafe area which was rather small for the number of people in attendance, but it was fairly reasonably priced.
Written July 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
GreensboroScienceCtr
Thank you SO much for the thorough review. We hope to see you again!
Written October 8, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TravelingDad
Huntersville, NC10 contributions
Fun Family Time
Mar 2022 • Family
First time to visit and was impressed. Our 2 yr old really enjoyed the aquarium area. The zoo area is really good & nice setups for the animals. Very interactive farm area. Bring a stroller for young kids while not a long walk 3/4 way around the zoo area our kid was super tired after already walking around inside. The skywild area looked like it would be lots of fun although we didn’t try it. The carousel area seemed really nice as well.
Written March 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Taylor N
1 contribution
Do not recommend
Dec 2020 • Family
My family with our 5 year old daughter tried to go to the Christmas lights and we were turned away. Website says that tickets are recommended but not required. We did not purchase tickets ahead of time because it says it is not required (meaning you can get in if you just show up) and my 5 year old was crying in disappointment when the rude employees told us we were not allowed to enter. There was not a bit of empathy for a child from any of these employees including the “manager” behind the desk. Highly disappointed and do not recommend going here for anything if this is how they treat a crying 5 year old after it was not required to get a reservation or ticket online. Would understand if they had other suggestions or thoughts, but they wanted nothing to do with us since we did not purchase tickets online.
Written December 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LHN0320
Greensboro, NC268 contributions
Nice new butterfly exhibit!
Jun 2022 • Family
Took my sons here since we haven’t been since Christmas. I love the rotating / seasonal exhibits. We decided to go check out the new butterfly exhibit which was pretty cool. You can use the app to wait virtually in line and the line moves very fast. The new mini zoo of animals was a nice treat but it gets hot on the paths without much shelter. There’s also a cool Swiss family Robinson type playground that the kids enjoyed and it has some shade too. Will definitely go back.
Written July 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cheryl h
Durham, NC57,490 contributions
has never disappointed
Feb 2020
This center is made up of a museum, small zoo (animals inside and out), reptile house, Omni Sphere Theater, Time Warner Cable's Extreme Weather Gallery, treetop adventure park, dinosaurs, and aquarium. You can see everything in less that 2 hours. They also offer on-hands exhibits for kids of all ages. The walk to the outdoor zoo is about 1/4 mile and is a very easy walk. When you walk past the tiger exhibition please pay attention to the signs. If you stop in certain areas you could be sprayed by the tigers and believe me, that would not be pleasant.

We have been many times and have never been disappointed. They also have plenty of parking so that should never be a problem. You can grab a quick snack or a sit down lunch at the Meerkat Cafe.
Written January 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bttldblndegrl
Knoxville, TN43 contributions
Love this place
Apr 2021 • Family
We went to Greensboro with the sole intention of going to the NC Zoo, but we needed something to do Friday afternoon. Reviews seemed decent. We loved this place!!! How many times in your life do you have the opportunity to see a Great Pacific Octopus??? The adventure course was sold out for the day, but it looked very challenging and a lot of fun. The dinosaur exhibit was fun and the free range chickens cracked me up. We really enjoyed our afternoon there. Very glad we decided to add to our stop.
Written April 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AussieinNC
14 contributions
Overpriced and Underwhelming
Apr 2021
Overpriced and underwhelming. We drove from Charlotte, NC specifically for the Omnisphere shows and it hadn’t been working for two/three weeks. The shows and times were still advertised on the website. Due to COVID and age of exhibits? many experiences were either closed or no longer active. Overall, $33 for one adult and child could have been spent elsewhere. Cannot recommend in its current state.
Written April 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Anthony
Leicester, NC414 contributions
Nice,Enjoyable,and Educational
Aug 2021 • Friends
Very cool place on its own.Enjoyed the small aquarium,some interesting and colorful creatures.Otters were MIA today.Enjoyed the penguins too.

With the zoo,never seen a Komodo before,and the Gibbons were very entertaining.

Very enjoyable,but if you have been to the the Zoo's in San Diego,Philly the Bronx Zoo,and even Asheboro,it pales in comparison.
Same if you been to the classic aquariums in Monterey,Boston,And Baltimore this could be disappointing.
So just enjoy it for what it is a few pleasant hours enjoying some animals and gaining some knowledge.

Written August 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
GreensboroScienceCtr
We appreciate your visit!
Written October 8, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Greensboro Science Center - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Greensboro Science Center
Greensboro Science Center is open:
  • Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM