Discover ocean state adventures at the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in Roger Williams Park! Spend the summer exploring Rhode Island’s rich natural history and night skies! Families can enjoy hands-on activities, museum quests, daily planetarium shows and MORE. Inspired by America’s 250th anniversary, this summer celebration highlights the stories, science and natural wonders that make the Ocean State unique – with fun and discovery for visitors of all ages. Summer Shellabration begins Monday, June 29. Museum is closed July 3 and 4.
Daily Activities | Monday, June 29 – Sunday, September 6
9:30am–3:30pm | Ocean State Family Fun
Explore a variety of family-friendly, hands-on activities highlighting the natural wonders of Rhode Island.
Cost: Free with Museum admission. Museum admission is $2 | Free for Museum Members and children under age 4.
Daily Planetarium Shows | Monday, June 29 – Sunday, September 6
Monday through Friday | 1pm | Summer Sky Views Planetarium Show
Explore our night sky. Take a tour of the skies and discover the constellations, planets, nebulae and other stunning night sky objects that can be seen in the night sky. Video imagery will bring viewers up close to black holes, star-forming nebulae and more, showing discoveries in astrophysics while instilling a sense of wonder about our universe. (General Audience)
Saturday and Sunday | 1pm | Journey to the Stars Planetarium Show
Featuring images from telescopes on the ground and in space and stunning visualizations of physics-based simulations, this show launches visitors through space and time to experience the life and death of the stars in our night sky, including our own nurturing Sun. Tour familiar stellar formations, explore celestial mysteries and discover the fascinating, unfolding story that connects us all to the stars. (General Audience)
Special Planetarium Show for National Moon Day
Monday, July 20 | 1pm | Forward! To the Moon Fulldome Planetarium Show
Experience the story of lunar exploration, from the Apollo Moon landings to NASA’s Artemis program. Discover the science, technology, and determination that have made Moon exploration possible—and learn what’s next as humans prepare to return to the lunar surface. (General Audience)
Planetarium Show Audience: General (children must be age 4+)
Cost: Planetarium show ticket (includes museum admission) is $5/ Museum Members Free.