Free Friday afternoon and planetarium show at Schiele Museum (reservation needed)

The Schiele Museum of Natural History, the excellent museum at 1500 E. Garrison Blvd. in Gastonia, is probably familiar to many kids, who visit it for school field trips. If your child hasn’t visited it yet (or if they have!) it’s more than worth the short trek to Gastonia.

The Schiele Museum is presenting a special fall activity, the Pumpkin Patch. Read on to learn about this event, and then keep reading to see some pictures of the outdoor exhibits, and a list of all exhibits, as well as information on the Museum’s weekly free afternoon.

Also, please read on to learn about the free afternoon that takes place at the Schiele Museum once a month.

Please reserve tickets in advance, as there is limited space at the museum.

Free Afternoon

The Schiele Museum is free to visit on Friday, January 22nd, 2021, from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. You must reserve your tickets in advance, and there is reduced capacity, so it might sell out.

The free afternoon also includes a free planetarium program!

Make your reservation here. Make sure to choose “Afternoon” General Admission, and the Planetarium Show for one of the free times.

Outdoors at the Schiele Museum

Double-Check Before You Head Out!

We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.

However, sometimes things change without notice, and it's also possible that we can make a mistake. In addition, we can not guarantee that all events adhere to the safety measures that are necessary at this time, so we encourage you to ask any questions of the organizer, to make your best decision, and to stay safe.

Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.

Admission to The Schiele Museum

Adults (18+): $7
Youth (4-17): $6
Children (3 and under): Free
Schiele members: Free

Permanent Indoor Galleries

Hall of North Carolina Natural History

Have you ever seen a harbor seal, a teal, a heron, an egret or a coot? These artistically crafted dioramas depict the inhabitants and terrain of the North Carolina coastline, coastal plains, hills, Piedmont and mountain regions in their incredible diversity.

Hall of North American Habitats

Experiencing the beauty and detail of the Hall of North American Habitats is like being transported to the middle of the continent’s most dynamic terrain. Your eyes will lead your imagination to the wonders of our ocean floors, the Everglades, the Sonoran Desert and the mighty Alaskan tundra. Children and adults alike will leave with an appreciation for the majesty and diversity of life in our North American homeland.

Robinson Featured Exhibit Gallery

Creepy Nature is designed to share the actual science of weird and unusual plants and animals. This exhibit features horror fiction concepts like vampires, zombies, mummies, and alien invaders! Discover the truth behind these mythologies as you follow the expedition of our hero through undersea perils, mysterious jungles, forbidding swamps, and an abandoned mine. What lurks in these environments is stranger than fiction – it’s Creepy Nature!

Hall of North American Wildlife

Get toe to claw, nose to gill, finger to stinger and eye to shank with wildlife at its finest. These dioramas give you true perspective on the size and scope of North America’s bears, bison, moose and elk along with its other mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians.

Henry Hall of the American Indian

Can you name the five major regions of North America? Do you remember the major tribal groups that so richly affected European settlers in the new world and colonies? Not to worry if you’ve forgotten a few details because The Schiele Museum can bring you an unforgettable collection of artifacts, weapons, ornaments, tools, and housing that will remind you of the beautiful culture of the North American Native American.

Permanent Outdoor Exhibits

Nature Trail

All within a 0.7 mile trek, you’ll experience a pine forest, mixed hardwood forest, and pond and stream communities typical of the North Carolina Piedmont. On the trail for all seasons, every day is a good day for a walk. The PlayScape provides a good play area for kids along the trail.

Memorial Wildlife Garden

In this wildlife oasis, you can take advantage of the contemplative setting by escaping the rat race and settling into an environment authentically designed to provide food and shelter for the Carolina Piedmont’s native species.

Catawba Indian Village

Open seasonally, this interpretation of 400 years of Catawba Indian culture, adaptation, and survival is a must see for visitors interested our region’s rich heritage. Visit a prehistoric bark-covered house, council house and log cabins. Please call 704.866.6908 to verify that the village is open.

Stone Age Heritage Site

Travel back in time when the stone tools our ancestors used were the cutting edge of technology. Walk among the standing stones, stone circles, earthen burial mound, rock cairn and petroglyphs that give insightful glimpses into our past.

The Farm

This outdoor experience for visitors explores the natural, ever-changing relationships between people, plants, and animals on farms across the history of our region. Goats, chickens and piglets all call The Farm home.