Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium
Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Located on the University of Arizona campus, Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium inspires visitors of all ages to explore the wonders of science. Take a journey through the solar system and beyond in Flandrau’s state-of-the-art planetarium theater, featuring a fulldome digital projection system that launches you from the Earth to the planets, moons, and asteroids of our galaxy. Flandrau also offers fun interactive science exhibits that will engage the whole family, and dazzling specimens from the UA Mineral Museum. Current exhibit topics include earth science, sharks, astronomy, math puzzles, and gemstones. Open Tuesday through Sunday, see website for hours, showtimes, and admission prices.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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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
4.0
89 reviews
Excellent
40
Very good
33
Average
13
Poor
2
Terrible
1
R David K
Tucson, AZ6 contributions
Jul 2022
1) Bill the venue as primarily having Insect and Shark displays; not as a Planetarium.
2) Provide the Planetarium Docent with improved sound amplification equipment.
3) Require the Planetarium to record her next presentation and then listen to herself. She speaks too rapidly, fails to clearly enunciate, and has a high timber voice. Very difficult to follow.
2) Provide the Planetarium Docent with improved sound amplification equipment.
3) Require the Planetarium to record her next presentation and then listen to herself. She speaks too rapidly, fails to clearly enunciate, and has a high timber voice. Very difficult to follow.
Written July 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hi David! We're so glad you came by. We are both a science center and planetarium, so we take the opportunity in our exhibit halls to reveal the marvels of our universe from earthly wonders to the farthest reaches of space. Many science centers with planetariums have exhibits that go beyond space. Our planetarium hosts a wide variety of shows. About half of these explore astronomy and space and the other half dive into science and life science topics. We strive to give our guests many options when visiting. We'll hope you'll come give us another try and we welcome your feedback. Thank you!
Written October 10, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Susan H
Tacoma, WA2,513 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
This review is for the planetarium laser show. We saw both the Beatles’ show and the Pink Floyd show. The Beatles show was good but I felt it was a bit short and needed a couple more songs. It lasted about 35 minutes. The Pink Floyd show was a little longer and the lasers were awesome. I enjoyed it a lot. I am in my late 50s and I thought both shows would have been better if the music could have been a bit louder (and I have good hearing). Come on let’s rock a bit!
Written February 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Searchin4Vacays
Sahuarita, AZ314 contributions
Sep 2021 • Family
Excellent displays and great workers who demonstrate a passion for what they are teaching. Plus, they are kind and helpful. The only bummer, it’s small.
Written September 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Robby G C
Toronto, Canada78,235 contributions
Feb 2020
This place named: Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium.
They went after the Critical Zones, as well the Earth's outer skin.
The critical zone lies 3 zones.
I try to see how huge this is.
We saw lots of rocks,gems, dinosaurs
We were also at the planetarium, showing the space. I liked that Wow!
There was well more. It is amazing!
This is a must see!
They went after the Critical Zones, as well the Earth's outer skin.
The critical zone lies 3 zones.
I try to see how huge this is.
We saw lots of rocks,gems, dinosaurs
We were also at the planetarium, showing the space. I liked that Wow!
There was well more. It is amazing!
This is a must see!
Written September 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sue B A
Sintra, Lisboa, Portugal16 contributions
Feb 2020
We watched the “Black Hole” show. This theatre is amazing. Didn’t see the exhibit but plan to next time.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Fernanda Diez
13 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We went to this place and really hoped for a better experience. We we’re expecting to see a movie at the planetarium about “black holes” that was advertised and instead we ended up seeing a movie about Christmas. My kids were disappointed. The museum is pretty small and the area where they have the stones and gems is partially empty. It is an interactive museum but they have very few activities. I wouldn’t plan a trip just to go to this place. Maybe for smaller kids it can be a bit more fun. Mine are 15 and 12 (my 8 year old enjoyed it a little more)
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cjkines1
Lenoir, NC742 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
The planetarium movie on Mars was interesting and the moderator was knowledgeable. The moderator could have been more engaging.
The gem and mineral area is being moved and was almost empty - disappointing.
The rest of the center was good. The shark display was very well done.
The gem and mineral area is being moved and was almost empty - disappointing.
The rest of the center was good. The shark display was very well done.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Aviann22
Boise, ID15 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Three adults and two boys, ages 6 & 9 visited 12/27/19 in the morning. The University of Arizona was on break, so campus was empty and easy to navigate. I parked near the Flandrau on Hawthorne Street in the yellow curb zone and obtained a permit from the Center to put on my dash to park free. The others parked in the Cherry Street garage, a block or two away, also free that day, presumably due to the U of A winter break.
We bought exhibit only fares because we didn't have time to see a film too. The exhibits were varied enough to hold everyone's interest. We appreciated the photos of Mars and the planetary exhibit. The kids especially liked being in the simulated deep sea explorer where they manipulated the steering wheel and throttle to navigate their imaginary way underwater searching for life in the deep sea. Several exhibit stations about sharks were informative and fun. We liked playing The Water Cycle game with magnetic pieces on the giant upright game board. Tracks and Scat was interesting, but some of the animal sounds seem in need of repair. Everyone liked the table where we created landforms then watched simulated water runoff and pooling areas. Going downstairs to the mineral exhibit encourages you to read the walls and imagine you are hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Many display cases were empty for cleaning or remodeling, but the large samples on the floor and remaining displays plus the fossil room around the corner were adequate for our exploration and raised many good questions for us to discuss. Our two hours at the Flandrau Science Center was a positive experience for all!
We bought exhibit only fares because we didn't have time to see a film too. The exhibits were varied enough to hold everyone's interest. We appreciated the photos of Mars and the planetary exhibit. The kids especially liked being in the simulated deep sea explorer where they manipulated the steering wheel and throttle to navigate their imaginary way underwater searching for life in the deep sea. Several exhibit stations about sharks were informative and fun. We liked playing The Water Cycle game with magnetic pieces on the giant upright game board. Tracks and Scat was interesting, but some of the animal sounds seem in need of repair. Everyone liked the table where we created landforms then watched simulated water runoff and pooling areas. Going downstairs to the mineral exhibit encourages you to read the walls and imagine you are hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Many display cases were empty for cleaning or remodeling, but the large samples on the floor and remaining displays plus the fossil room around the corner were adequate for our exploration and raised many good questions for us to discuss. Our two hours at the Flandrau Science Center was a positive experience for all!
Written December 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
lenmar2016
Phoenix, AZ32 contributions
Oct 2019
We went mainly to see the planetarium show on the "Night sky of Tucson", but while we waited toured the museum. While we enjoyed the exhibits on Mars and Whales, we discovered the gem and mineral display in the basement and this was excellent. Maybe, because we were the only ones down there and could call out to each other to come see what had been discovered.
Written November 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
docnoel14
Tucson, AZ194 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
We took our 3 year old to see the shark show and exhibits. She loved all of it and we thought it was cool too. Looking forward to the next exhibit.
Written September 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest an editFlandrau Science Center & Planetarium (Tucson) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium
- Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium is open:
- Tue - Sun 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- We recommend booking Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium:
- (0.41 mi) Adobe Rose Inn
- (0.61 mi) Graduate Tucson
- (0.34 mi) Aloft Tucson University
- (0.83 mi) Arizona Inn
- (1.48 mi) The Armory Park Inn
- Restaurants near Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium:
- (0.31 mi) Miss Saigon
- (0.44 mi) Trident Grill
- (0.24 mi) Desert Dream 4x4
- (0.24 mi) Einstein Bros. Bagels
- (0.25 mi) Cactus Grill