By Micaela Williamson
David M. Brown Planetarium
426 N. Quincy St.
Arlington, VA 22207
Adjacent to Washington-Lee High School, the David M. Brown Planetarium has been serving the community for over 40 years. Throughout the season, there are public multimedia programs including “Black Holes-The Other Side of Infinity,” “Magic Tree House Space Adventure,” “The Exploding Universe” and a new children’s show called “Perfect Little Planet.” Additionally, “Stars Tonight,” a live sky show that highlights the celestial sights of the coming month, is offered on the first Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The Friends of Arlington’s Planetarium also boasts a monthly schedule of full-dome programs with lectures on topics such as NASA, science fiction, robots and more. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for both children under 12 and seniors.
Hylton Planetarium
14051 Spriggs Road
Woodbridge, VA 22193
Visit this state-of-the-art planetarium located in Hylton High School. Public programs include full-dome shows about astronauts, legends of the night sky, stars and other astronomical features. Music fans will love the wide variety of lyrical laser shows featuring genres such as pop and country and iconic artists like the Beatles and Pink Floyd. Check the calendar for full descriptions and schedules. Tickets for all programs are $10 each and must be purchased in cash with exact change only. Because seating at this intimate venue is limited to only 65 people, it’s highly suggested to purchase tickets early.
Albert Einstein Planetarium
National Air and Space Museum
Independence Ave. at 6th St., SW
Washington, D.C. 20560
Naturally, a great place to learn about the surrounding universe is at the National Air and Space Museum, and the many realistic astronomical programs at its Albert Einstein Planetarium are not to be missed. Small children will love joining their favorite Sesame Street characters as they take an imaginary trip to the moon in “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure,” a program offered daily at 10:30 a.m. Due to the popularity of the museum, at least 14 different planetarium shows are presented throughout the day, and advance tickets are available for purchase online.
- Courtesy of Tiffany Brown, Mamaratzy Photography
Micaela Williamson is a co-author of local travel guide Kid Trips Northern Virginia, an extraordinary resource that provides descriptions, useful information and insider tips for hundreds of local destinations. Micaela is also an award-winning blogger who enjoys supporting area businesses and scouting out family-friendly venues with her two young sons.
