Getting ready forthe North Museum of Nature and Science.
A nature and science museum on College Avenue in Lancaster with dinosaur fossils, a Live Animal Room, a hands-on Nature Gallery and the largest planetarium in South Central Pennsylvania. Planetarium shows are on weekends and can run 30 to 40 minutes; the museum will remove seats so families can sit together.
Know before you go. The North Museum doesn't list sensory hours or a quiet room. Here's what it does say about the planetarium, the animals, time and tickets.
Hours
Wednesday and Thursday, 10 am to 3 pm; Friday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm; closed Monday and Tuesday. Planetarium shows: Saturday and Sunday at 11 am and 2 pm, plus extra shows on some dates listed on the planetarium page.
400 College Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603 (corner of College and Buchanan Avenues)
“Removable seats in the Planetarium for families to sit together.”
“Give yourself extra time to watch a fantastic planetarium show, which can run 30 to 40 minutes.” northmuseum.org (FAQ)
“Audiences can travel the universe in extreme definition. Get the sensation of flying over Earth or cruising through the cosmos.” northmuseum.org (Planetarium)
“Do you have food for sale at the Museum? No. Ask our helpful front desk staff for a recommendation if you’re in the mood for something to eat.” northmuseum.org (FAQ)
“Parking is available around the Museum or just a short walk away. Pay attention to signs for permit only parking and street cleaning on Mondays and Tuesdays.”
“Full time companion discount. Those who work as a nurse or one-on-one aide to those who are not mobile on their own, are admitted for free.”
The planetarium shows change on a rotating schedule. The weekend shows listed now are Accidental Astronauts at 11 am (grades Pre-K through 3rd) and The Sun, Our Living Star at 2 pm, which shows images of the Sun's surface in fulldome format. The 11 am show has a trailer on the planetarium page that you can watch at home first. Extra shows listed: Night Sky Tour, a live astronomy show suggested for 5th grade to adults, at 1 pm and 3 pm Sat Nov 21 2026; One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure, suggested for ages 3 and up, at 11 am and 4 pm Wed Nov 25 2026 and Sat Nov 28 2026. The posted Wednesday hours end at 3 pm, so call (717) 358-3941 to confirm the 4 pm show that Wednesday.
The museum doesn't sell food. The front desk staff can recommend somewhere to eat nearby.
Tickets can be bought online or reserved by phone Wednesday to Sunday at the front desk, (717) 358-3941.
Planetarium shows are on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 am and 2 pm and can run 30 to 40 minutes. The museum will remove seats so families can sit together.
The Live Animal Room's animals stay in their enclosures and come out only for special occasions; ask the visitor service staff for more information.
The museum suggests at least two hours plus time for a show. Hours are shorter midweek (10 am to 3 pm Wednesday and Thursday), and it's closed Monday and Tuesday.
Tickets: Museum and Planetarium $20 for adults, youth 3 to 17 and seniors 65 and up; Museum only $13; planetarium show only $10; children under 3 free; members free (log in before checkout online).
Free and reduced: show an EBT, ACCESS or SNAP card at the front desk for free admission to the museum, planetarium and most onsite special events (Museums for All). People who work full time as a nurse or one-on-one aide to someone who is not mobile on their own are admitted free with that visitor. Active, Reserve and Retired Military get 20% off per person with ID. Lancaster County Public Library members can borrow North Museum passes, up to four at a time, which don't include planetarium shows. Blue Star Museums gives free admission from Memorial Day through Labor Day to serving military and up to five family members.
Parking: on the streets around the museum or a short walk away; watch for permit-only parking signs and street cleaning on Mondays and Tuesdays. Limited lot parking is available on weekends. Accessible parking for cars, vans and trucks is in the parking lot.
Levels and access: the main floor and lower level are fully accessible for wheelchairs, with accessible bathrooms on both. The planetarium is fully accessible for wheelchairs.
