Chabot Space and Science Center
add photosRegular Hours (Sept. 15 - July 4) Closed Monday and Tuesdays
Summer Hours (July 8 - Sept. 1) Only closed on Monday.
10 Reviews for Chabot Space and Science Center
79
125
'10, '12
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"Terrific for older kids and adults"
The Chabot Space center is in a beautiful forested part of the Oakland hills and is worth visiting just for the scenery. The museum itself has a lot of wonderful stuff...space exhibits, including spacecraft, workshops, science movies, planetarium shows, and at night telescope viewing. To get the most out of your visit, your kids need to be able to read and have the patience to read. Although seeing stuff like real space suits might be fun for some toddlers, the museum is not focused on the under five crowd. I recommend it, but only for older kids and adults.
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"When you have a science buff"
The building is tucked away in the Oakland Hills but worth finding if you have a budding scientist in your midst. We visited with a preschool group on a weekday. Our group of 3-4yo were obviously the youngest of the attendees and not every exhibit was well suited to the age. But they weren't left out in the cold either.
The center has two planetarium style theaters with one show more well suited to a younger set. There are a few permanent exhibits. One includes interactive exhibits on stars and planets, including a fun "black hole" (a dark tunnel that comes out a few paces away). Another is all about space travel, with a spacesuit set up for photo-ops (a chaperone had to lift the little kids up to reach it but they LOVED having their picture taken in what appears to be a real spacesuit).
There is a cafeteria which serves a moderate array of food that isn't horribly overpriced, with a lot of seating. But on a nice day (or if you have jackets -- it gets cold in the hills even on a sunny day), picnic in the large Greek amphitheater style area just outside.
For the older kids, you'll get your moneys worth (admission is somewhat pricey). There's a lot more to do.
Besides the various exhibits, Chabot is a working observatory. If you land there at the right time, you can watch the astronomers move the very large telescope. At other times, you can visit the telescope, but it isn't well protected from little curious hands.
All of the staff people were very nice and obviously love their jobs, but keep track of your stuff. I lost a favorite scarf there and they never did find it :(
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"Chabot Space and Science Center"
We first attended Chabot Space and Science Center as the setting for a birthday party, and all the kids (ages four through eight) had a blast, and learned something along the way. Chabot is a comprehensive space exploration center, which features hands-on exhibits, an excellent planetarium, IMAX theater that shows entertaining but educational features, and state of the art telescopes.
Depending on the age and inclinations of your child, you may spend the day climbing in and out of simulated spacecraft, or calculating measurements between the stars with the help of the young but talented docents. But one thing is for sure, you will have a memorable experience that will whet your child's curiosity about space ventures to come. And, as we found out on that first visit, this is also a very, very good place for a birthday party.
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"Great for older children"
This place is great for older children but not so much for the little ones. My nephew (age4) & niece (age 6) had a blast looking at everything and being able to touch things. My son (age2) on the other hand was board and didn't like being there. They had a lot to see and experance. We even found out that ever Friday & Saturday nigh till about 10:30 for free you can go look at the stars through there telescopes which my husband & I are planning on doing for a date night after dinner.
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"Very informative"
Our family really likes the Chabot Space and Science Center. It is informative, the planetarium show was good and on Friday and Saturdays, you can peek at the sky trough their telescope. However, if you want only to do the telescope, there is no charge. I believe you need to drive by the side of the museum and enter there.
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"Good if You are Interested in Space or Astronomy"
The highlight of this spot is the telescopes. On certain nights you can view the skies and have expert astronomers explain to you what you are seeing. There are several exhibits inside as well. For example you can attempt a simulated lunar landing (or at least there was when I went, not sure if it is still there) and all kinds of historical space pieces.
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"Fun with the Family"
Plan most of a day for the huge, new educational center with one of the largest pub-lic telescopes in the U.S.; the most advanced planetarium in the world; and an IMAX theater showing fabulous films of outer space, the ocean floor, volcanoes, and more. Explore planetary landscapes, meteorites, the sun and the solar system; build a telscope; see a lunar lander. The amazing telescopes are free for viewing on weekend nights, and on nights of meteor showers, lunar eclipses, and other astronomical events. Be an astronaut or an engineer on a simulated space mission at the Chal-lenger Learning Center. Take a break on six acres of nature trails and at the Celestial Cafe, an indoor/outdoor cafe serving simple, hearty American food, and slurpees! Call ahead for special events. Back home, kids can interact with the center online at the Virtual Science Center.
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"Way up there in the hills!"
It seems to take forever to get to Chabot, but it's worth the drive! My kids love to see the IMAX movies, the space exhibits and to get in the vehicles that have been in space. The food is lacking, however, so I would recommend eating first, and there is some connection with the Smithsonian so I believe we got a discount last time with our Smithsonian membership.
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"Exploring Our Solar System"
My three years old daughter loved it so much that she wants to go back again soon! Last week her pre-school is talking about our solar system. She is lost of what is going on so I decided to bring her to Chabot Museum last weekend. I am glad I did because after one visit she now knows which planets are the gas giants and rocky midgets.Not to mention other details on each planet. This week her school is still talking about the solar system and she can abosolutely relate and participate! Its is so amazing and great for all ages. It can not only capture the attentions of our young pre schoolers but also adults and those who do not even like science. It is so hands on and fun! It is a great family activity. telescope viewing is free on fridays and saturdays. It is a great deal! Check out the site!
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"Stars, planets and space"
Observatory and hands-on exploration of the universe. Lots of educational activities for interested kids about space, telescopes, movies and presentations for children and adults alike. Although there is a charge for activities in the Center, you can also hike around the 13 trail laced East Bay Parklands for free.
http://www.chabotspace.org/visit/
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