Gheens Science Hall & Rauch Planetarium

I took my 2 year old to see Moles: What is out there? It was cute and he enjoyed it, but he would have preferred more about planets. He is all about the solar system and knows all his planets. Price was $8 for myself he was free. Seating was comfortable. Cons:One would assume the gift shop would be open so after a show you can shop, but that was not the case. I promised my son we would get something after the show and sure enough it was closed while the lady sat in there behind the register. I was a bit confused as to why would you close when people would probably shop after. It was a bit upsetting for myself and son who wanted something with the planets on it as I promised. We may go back to see and different show called Perfect Little Planet

A fantastic, unique venue to visit in Louisville. I especially love to take my boys here because it is fun and an opportunity to learn something new. This past weekend we went to Astronomy Day. Outside, the Louisville Astronomy members filtered a telescope for safe viewing of the sun. For non-members, every show was only $5/per person. We watched Supervolcanos. (If you enjoy visiting Yellowstone Park, you may want to avoid this show. Wow ...) Later in the day, they offered a free discussion about Pluto and its new classification as a dwarf planet. We learned about their mission and length of time it will take to transmit pictures back to us. The event ended with a reveal of a personal collection of meteorites from a local family. The afternoon was so inspiring! It's obvious those that work and volunteer here are so passionate.The Planetarium offers a variety of shows - from educational pieces about the planets and stars to music laser shows. They will do special music features near the holidays as well. Periodically they offer themed days and have activities in the lobby for children (i.e. games, crafts). The gift shop is small but fun for kids to visit and has items cheap enough that you don't have to say "no" to everything. Birthday parties are also available and rentals of their portable planetarium. The main negative is finding the Planetarium, if you aren't familiar with the UL college campus. It's tucked in and parking is confusing. However, it also sits near the now-opened Speed Museum and this sounds like a great family day to combine the two.

This is a great learning experience for the family. Admission is affordable, staff is nice and well-educated. The presentations are interesting--everyone can learn something. The videos can be dated but are still appropriate. Basically, its not a "high-tech" experience but still a good one and nice for something different. They put the schedule of shows online and offer shows at all times of the day-could be a fun date night as well! Parking was easy and free when we went.

Ooooh, look at all the pretty stars!!!Huge fan of the night sky. Love it. I could spend an evening just staring at that incredible vastness. And I miss it living within Louisville. You lose all the details living in the city: the occasional satellite as it crosses the vault of heaven, the multitude of stars that make up the bands in the Milky Way, all diminished by the buzzing, yellow incandescence of city lights.You can almost get some of that back visiting Rauch Planetarium. It's not the same as lying down on a blanket in an open field out in the country, but the nearly immersive experience does give you an idea of how beautiful and vast the night sky is. This particular visit involved chaperoning a group of about 100 middle schoolers to the planetarium for a lesson on gravity and the sheer scale of the universe. While the chaperoning part was similar to herding squirrels, the planetarium portion was enjoyable and even restful (can't deny that I may have dozed off for a bit, it was dark.) And from the chorus of 'oohs' and 'ahhhs' that emanated from the younger set, I would say that they enjoyed it, too, aside from the couple that I could hear snoring behind me.

"Does this come in 3D?"Unfortunately no, but who needs 3D in a planetarium. I always try to come up with great activities for my under age cousin and I to participate in and this placed nailed it. The Planetarium will have late shows of themed events, this September was Pink Floyd's The Wall. Shows run all day and were very reasonably priced. BONUS!! Educational! I took my cousin to see the night stars and planets and we got a great history lesson with actual satellite images. Very cool, of course I am a bit of a nerd.Just so you know the parking lot is on the right as soon as you enter and the entrance is facing the street. This will save you from walking around the building like we did.

This a fantastic place! It's a learning experience and a great time. I have a four year old nephew who loves the shows!

This is the kind of place that everyone will love. Kids, teens, grandparents, and more! The educational shows are always put together so well that they are very entertaining. The laser light shows are a great idea for a spin on your Friday date night. Admission prices are reasonable enough you won't break the bank and you'll find yourself coming back over and over again.

We've been here twice now, once on one of our first dates and again for a Yelp event. We had a good time both occasions. Their shows about space, etc. are really wonderful. I particularly liked the one called "Dynamic Earth" or something similar to that. They also have a lot of laser light shows with different types of music. The one we attended a while ago was with Radiohead. While we both liked the idea, it ended up not being our kind of thing. I would be careful about going to the laser shows if you are a migraine sufferer or anything like that. The staff members we've met are all very helpful and knowledgeable. We are so lucky to have a planetarium input city and I'd take advantage of it if I were you!

The visit itself was fine. The people seemed mostly friendly, though some were somewhat uncaring. Overall, though, the visit was fine. The problem that I had was that the planetarium videos took a completely atheistic approach. I have no issues with people believing in what they believe, even if it isn't what I believe. However, the points of the videos could have easily been expressed without expressing their opinions one way or the other. Science is not atheistic, people are. Seems like for a public venue, you would want to stay neutral and unopinionated.

This is the best field trip for students! I have been on several class field trips and this by far is the best. The kids learned so much and they all enjoyed it! My sons first grade class took this field trip at the end of a two week study of patterns in the sky focusing on moon phases. This reinforced everything they had learned and so much more! The presentation is absolutely amazing!! I would highly recommend this as a field trip or as a family outing as. It is so enjoyable and educational !