Discovery Place Nature facts for kids
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Former name | Charlotte Nature Museum |
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Established | 1951 |
Location | 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte, NC, United States |
Type | Children's Museum |
The Charlotte Museum of Nature is a museum in Charlotte, North Carolina. It used to be called Discovery Place Nature and before that, Charlotte Nature Museum. The museum is known for its fun, hands-on exhibits about nature.
It features live animals and many educational programs. The museum is located at 1658 Sterling Road. It is right next to the large Freedom Park and the Little Sugar Creek Greenway.
Contents
What to See at the Museum
The museum has many exciting things to explore. You can see interactive exhibits about nature. There are also displays with live animals.
Live Animal Exhibits
Visitors can see a special butterfly pavilion. Here, butterflies fly freely around you. The museum also has other live animals. These include different kinds of insects. You can also see various animals native to North Carolina.
Educational Programs
The Charlotte Museum of Nature offers many programs. These programs are for schools, parents, and the public. They help people learn more about nature.
- Summer Camp: The museum has a popular summer camp. Kids can spend time learning about nature during their break.
- Daily Activities: Every day, there are special activities. These include puppet shows. There are also hands-on activities. These activities help kids learn in a fun way.
History and Future Plans
The original museum building was closed. It was taken down in March 2024. This was done to make space for a new, modern museum.
Building the New Museum
Construction for the new museum is happening now. It is being built at the same location. The new museum is planned to open in 2026.
New Name Announcement
In early 2025, Discovery Place shared exciting news. They announced the new museum's name. It will be called The Charlotte Museum of Nature.
Part of Discovery Place
The Charlotte Museum of Nature is part of the Discovery Place family. Discovery Place is an organization with several museums in North Carolina.
- Discovery Place Science: This is a hands-on science museum. It is located in uptown Charlotte.
- Discovery Place Kids: These museums are designed for younger children. They are located in Huntersville, NC and Rockingham, NC.