As North Carolina moves into Phase 2.5 of its reopening plan, museums can reopen at 50% capacity.
Here’s a list of area museums and attractions that are planning to reopen and the safety protocols that will be implemented.
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
The Bechtler Museum will reopen Sept. 25. On opening weekend, Sept. 25-27, admission will be free and the museum will debut its newest exhibition, “1 Cent Life.”
Safety protocols include:
All visitors will be required to wear face masks or coverings.
Museum and gallery capacities have been reduced to allow for social distancing.
Free upcoming virtual programs include Modernism + Film: Miracle on 42nd Street on Sept. 24 from 7 - 8 p.m.
Click here for more information.
Charlotte Museum of History
The Charlotte Museum of History will open its grounds one Saturday per month for a self-guided, outdoor tour of Charlotte’s oldest home site. Visitors can explore the museum’s park-like setting, walk through the garden and view the historic buildings. Tickets cost $10 per vehicle and include a digital guidebook that tells the story of the people who lived and worked at the historic Rock House and includes videos and resources for a deeper dive into Charlotte’s past.
Safety protocols include:
A limited amount of tickets will be sold, and preregistration is required.
All visitors age 5 and older are required to wear a face covering when social distancing isn’t possible.
The museum buildings, including restrooms, will remain closed.
Click here for more information.
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Discovery Place Science, Discovery Place Kids, Discovery Place Nature
Discovery Place Kids will reopen to the public Sept. 23. New hours are from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Discovery Place Science and Discovery Place Nature will reopen to the public Sept. 26. New hours are from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Safety protocols include:
Tickets must be purchased online in advance. All tickets are timed-entry and are good for an hour-long entry window. Once you arrive, you may stay as long as you like, up until closing.
All visitors age 2 and older will be required to wear face masks or coverings.
Contactless temperature checks and health screenings will be performed when you arrive.
Hand sanitizer stations have been set up around the museum.
One-way paths have been set up inside the museum to help visitors keep a safe distance from each other.
Some exhibits will be hands-off for now.
Click here for more information.
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Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture will reopen Oct. 1. The museum will be open Thursday through Sunday.
Safety protocols include:
All visitors will be required to wear face masks or coverings.
Hand sanitizer stations have been set up around the museum.
Signs will be placed throughout the museums to help with social distancing.
Click here for more information.
The Mint Museums
Both Mint Museum locations will reopen to the public Sept. 25. Admission will be free at both locations opening weekend, Sept. 25-27.
Safety protocols include:
All visitors will be required to wear face masks or coverings.
Tickets will be sold by timed entry with two available slots from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to closing Tuesday through Sunday.
Signs will be placed throughout the museums to help with social distancing.
Opening weekend festivities include live music and a cash bar at Mint Museum Uptown from 5 - 9 p.m. Sept. 25 and 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sept. 26. Live music and a food truck will be at Mint Museum Randolph from 1 - 5 p.m. Sept. 27. All live music will be outside at each location.
Click here for more information.
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Museums and attractions currently open:
Billy Graham Library
The Billy Graham Library is open from 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Safety protocols include:
Hand sanitizing stations have been added throughout the facility.
Signs have been added to help with social distancing.
Tables in the dairy bar have been spaced out to allow for better social distancing.
Click here for more information.
Carolina Raptor Center
The Carolina Raptor Center is open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday through Saturday.
Safety protocols include:
All visitors are required to wear face masks or coverings while inside and outside when social distancing isn’t possible.
Kids must be supervised and remain with their parent or guardian at all times.
One-way paths are being used.
Picnics tables are not being used at this time.
Click here for more information.
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Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
The garden is open to the public from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
Safety protocols include:
Timed-entry tickets must be purchased in advance, and members must reserve tickets online as well.
Visitors are required to wear face masks indoors and outdoors when social distancing isn’t possible.
Employees are required to wear face masks.
Click here for more information.
Earl Scruggs Center
The Earl Scruggs Center is open from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Safety protocols include:
All visitors and employees are required to wear face masks or coverings.
Hand sanitizing stations have been added throughout the facility.
There is a set flow of traffic for each gallery.
Exhibits will be disinfected after each visit and some areas will be closed.
Click here for more information.
Gaston County Museum of Art & History
The Gaston County Museum of Art and History is open to the public on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Safety protocols include:
All visitors will be required to wear face masks or coverings.
Signage has been placed throughout the building to help guide visitors through the galleries.
Tickets will be sold by timed entry.
Click here for more information.
Historic Latta
Historic Latta is open from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 1 - 4:30 p.m. Sunday. In lieu of regular house tours historic interpreters in period-appropriate attire will be stationed at the entrance of the house to share information and answer questions.
Click here for more information.
Historic Rosedale
Historic Rosedale is open for guided house tours by reservation. The garden and grounds are also open 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Safety protocols include:
All visitors and employees will be required to wear face masks or coverings.
Ticket availability will be limited to help with social distancing between visitors.
Hand sanitizer stations have been placed throughout the site.
Click here for more information.
Levine Museum of the New South
Levine Museum of the New South is open to the public Friday through Monday.
Safety protocols include:
All visitors will be required to wear face masks or coverings.
Signs will be placed throughout the museums to help with social distancing.
Hand sanitizer stations have been placed throughout the museum.
Timed-ticket sessions are available and visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance.
Each session will have limited tickets available for purchase.
Guests will be directed to alternately start their tour either downstairs or upstairs to allow for staggered start times and social distancing.
There will be cleaning sessions throughout the day that will be used for cleaning high-touch surfaces.
Click here for more information.
NASCAR Hall of Fame
The NASCAR Hall of Fame is open to the public 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday through Monday, with Tuesdays reserved for private groups and special events.
Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets online and use the print-at-home/mobile ticket option when checking out. Cashless transactions are also preferred for any purchases made while visiting the Hall.
Safety protocols include:
All visitors and employees will be required to wear face masks or coverings.
Guests will be provided with a complimentary individual stylus to accommodate no-touch interactions with the Hall’s many touch-screen exhibits. In addition, interactive displays will be sanitized multiple times per day.
Hand sanitizer stations have been placed throughout the building.
Foot claws have been installed on all restroom doors for hands-free use.
All team members have completed mandatory training sessions to understand and implement the modified procedures and sanitation practices to provide for the health of both guests and employees.
Click here for more information.
North Carolina Transportation Museum
The North Carolina Transportation Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon - 5 p.m.
Since May, the museum grounds have been open for an outdoor-only walking tour. Recently, many of the exhibits buildings reopened. Train and turntable rides are not being offered at this time and the museum’s outdoor play area and theater remain closed.
Safety protocols include:
The buildings that are open are limited to no more than 50% capacity.
Face masks are required for all employees and visitors when social distancing isn’t possible.
Online contact-free ticketing is available.
Click here for more information.
President James K. Polk State Historic Site
The President James K. Polk State Historic Site is open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Safety protocols include:
All visitors will be required to wear face masks or coverings.
Hand sanitizer stations have been placed throughout the site.
Protective barriers have been installed at sales counters and information desks.
Interactive exhibit features will be paused or modified.
Click here for more information.
Schiele Museum of Natural History
The Schiele Museum of Natural History is open from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 - 4 p.m. Sunday.
The planetarium remains closed at this time.
Safety protocols include:
All visitors will be required to wear face masks or coverings.
Tickets will be sold by timed entry and must be purchased in advance.