It’s time to go on a field trip … because museums are back open! With the start of Phase 2.5 on September 4, North Carolina museums are allowed to open and operate at a 50% capacity. Many Charlotte-area museums have decided to open their doors again starting this weekend (or within the next few weeks).

Here’s a quick rundown of where you can get your arts/science/knowledge/history fix this weekend:

Opening This Weekend

• Mint Museum Uptown and Randolph – Both Mint Museum locations will open their doors today, September 25, for the first time since March. Admission is FREE for opening weekend. You can reserve your ticket here.
• Discovery Place Science – Uptown’s science museum is opening on September 26 and will operate on Saturdays and Sundays for the foreseeable future. Reservations are required.
• Bechtler Museum of Modern Art – The Bechtler is joining the opening festivities as well. Today is their first day back and, similar to the Mint, admission is FREE for guests this weekend. Click here for more information.

Already Opened And Worth The Visit

• Levine Museum of the New South – If you want to use history to build community, click here.
• The Schiele Museum of Natural History – If you want to be able to help your kids with their science homework, click here.
• Carolina Raptor Center – If you want to play with birds of prey, click here. (It’s not technically a museum, but it is technically super cool, so it counts.)
• NASCAR Hall of Fame – If you want to live life in the fast lane and like turning left, click here.

Opening Soon

• Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture – The Gantt Center will reopen on October 1. That day also marks the opening of their new exhibit, Inter | Sectionality: Diaspora Art from the Creole City, featuring 27 artists from 17 different countries. Click here for more information about the reopening.
• Charlotte Museum of History – They will be announcing their reopening plan in the coming weeks. If you are new to Charlotte or just want to brush up on your CLT history, we recommend checking this museum out when it opens. Stay tuned to their website for more information as it is announced.