Sight guide · Asheville · United States
Visiting Asheville Museum of Science
This small, hands-on downtown museum focuses on the science of the Southern Appalachians, with a gem and mineral collection that reflects the region's mining history, dinosaur exhibits and interactive displays on weather and geology.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Asheville Museum of Science is a museum in Downtown Asheville, Asheville. Allow 1 hour; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- Downtown Asheville
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- kids and rainy day
- Best months
- May–July
Plan a trip to Asheville
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
About Asheville Museum of Science
This small, hands-on downtown museum focuses on the science of the Southern Appalachians, with a gem and mineral collection that reflects the region's mining history, dinosaur exhibits and interactive displays on weather and geology.
Tip: It is compact, so pair it with lunch downtown; it works best for children aged about 4 to 12.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1 hour.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Downtown Asheville, art Deco streets of galleries, bookshops, restaurants and rooftop bars.
Best time to visit Asheville Museum of Science
Asheville Museum of Science is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- July: 29°C (84°F) highs, about 13 rainy days, busy crowds.
- May: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- June: 27°C (81°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Asheville has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Asheville Museum of Science is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Biltmore Estate and Blue Ridge Parkway.
- No. 14 of the 14 sights in our Asheville things-to-do list.
- A family favourite in Asheville with kids.
Near Asheville Museum of Science
Also in Downtown Asheville, so you can walk between them:
- Pritchard Park drum circle — 1 hour, free
- Thomas Wolfe Memorial — 1 hour, low cost
- Asheville Art Museum — 1.5–2 hours, mid-priced
Staying near Asheville Museum of Science
Stay in Downtown Asheville ($$$) to walk here: art Deco streets of galleries, bookshops, restaurants and rooftop bars. All areas to stay in Asheville.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Asheville Museum of Science?
Plan 1 hour. With Pritchard Park drum circle nearby, it fits a half-day in Downtown Asheville.
+Is Asheville Museum of Science free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Asheville Museum of Science?
May–July, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. It is compact, so pair it with lunch downtown; it works best for children aged about 4 to 12.
+Do I need to book Asheville Museum of Science in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Asheville Museum of Science good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Asheville. Asheville works for families who like the outdoors, with Biltmore's gardens and farm, the arboretum, the parkway's overlooks and the Great Smoky Mountains nearby.