Frequently Asked Questions

Purchasing Tickets:

  • Tickets can be purchased right at the front desk, over the phone, or online. If you are redeeming a Library Pass or using a reciprocal membership, reservation aren’t required however if you’d like to reserve your tickets in advance, please call 603-271-7827 for assistance.

  • Planetarium tickets are an add-on purchase to general admission. To see a planetarium show, you need to purchase both general admission and planetarium show tickets.

  • Library Pass: Many New Hampshire libraries participate in our library pass program! This pass gives a participating library’s patron free general admission for up to 4 guests. Each library has two passes that they may issue on a given day. Library passes are available at your library on a first come, first serve basis—please contact your library before trying to reserve tickets at the Discovery Center. The library pass does not apply to planetarium show tickets. You will be asked to present your library pass at the front desk when you check in for your visit.

    Reciprocal Memberships: The Discovery Center is proud to be a member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)! Through the ASTC’s Passport Program, participating museums around the world offer free or reduced admission to each other’s members. We partner with local museums and attractions, too! Through our monthly Partner Exchange Program, we offer free general admission for our partner’s members. For more information on these programs, click here. You will be asked to present your membership card at the front desk when you check in for your visit.

    Museums for All: Through Museums for All, those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to more than 1,000 museums throughout the United States simply by presenting their SNAP EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefit Transfer) card. At the Discovery Center, SNAP EBT cardholders can receive free general admission for up to 5 people during regular admission hours, and $3 admission for up to 6 people on Super Stellar Friday. When reserving tickets online, enter “4ALL” in the discount code box. You will be asked to present your SNAP EBT card at the front desk when you check in for your visit. Click here for more information about Museums for All.

    AAA Discount: AAA members receive $1 off each general admission ticket, up to 4 tickets. While reserving tickets online, enter “AAA” in the discount code box. This discount can also be used when purchasing tickets over the phone or at our front desk. You will be asked present your AAA card at the front desk when you check in for your visit.

    Military Discount: We are happy to offer a discount to military members, veterans, and their families. While reserving tickets online, enter “MIL1” in the discount code box to receive $1 off each general admission ticket. This discount can also be used when purchasing tickets over the phone or at our front desk. You will be asked present your military ID card at the front desk when you check in for your visit.

    In addition to our regular military discount, the Discovery Center is also a Blue Star Museum. The Blue Star Museum program, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, offers free general admission for active-duty military members, including Reservists and National Guard personnel, and up to 5 family members from Armed Forces Day (5/17/25) through Labor Day (9/1/25). While reserving tickets online, enter “BLUE” in the discount code box. This discount can also be used when purchasing tickets over the phone or at our front desk. You will be asked to present your military ID card at the front desk when you check in for your visit. The military member does not need to be present for family members to receive this discount; family members just need to be able to present proper ID. Click here for more information about Blue Star Museums.

    Breathe NH Fun Pass: Click here to learn more about The Breathe New Hampshire Fun Pass 2024 Coupon Book if you’re looking for kid-friendly things to do in New England, buy The Fun Pass coupon book and you will receive incredible savings at family amusement & theme parks, adventure parks, farms & zoos, museums, water parks, scenic railroad tours, whale watches and active fun like rock climbing, zip lines, ropes courses, trampoline parks and more!

Planning a Visit:

  • Yes! We have a large, free lot available for our visitors.

  • We have both an indoor and outdoor dining area to enjoy food you brought from home. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase in the Science Store.

    There are also several restaurants nearby the Discovery Center, and you are welcome to leave the Center and return for more exploring after your meal—just be sure to save your admission sticker!

  • The Science Store is open during the same hours at the Discovery Center, 10:30 AM - 4 PM.

  • The Science Playground is open from May through the 2nd weekend of October on days that the weather permits. Learn more about the Science playground here and give us a call if you’re not sure if the weather will allow for the playground to open or not.

  • Yes! Just don't lose your admission sticker.

  • We have one non-power wheelchair available for public use that can be requested at the front desk. Our exhibit galleries are fully accessible for both strollers and wheelchairs.

  • Yes, we have a coat room! Please keep your valuable items with you. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Museum Health and Safety:

  • We want all of our visitors to learn and have fun in a safe and healthy environment! For that reason, we ask all of our guests, staff, and volunteers to follow our protocols. Feel free to email contact us with specific protocol inquiries!

    If you are feeling sick, please stay home. If you have already reserved your tickets, we are happy to reschedule those so you can visit on a day you are feeling better!

  • We look forward to seeing you at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center! We hope you will thoroughly enjoy your visit. If you or anyone in your party has special needs, and some accommodations on our part can improve your experience, please let us know by contacting us through the website or calling us at (603) 271-7827.

    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. You can find out about your rights under Section 504 by going to the Department of Health and Human Services website.  We do our best to comply with Section 504. If you believe we are falling short, please let us know so that we can do better. This is your Discovery Center, and we want to ensure that you are delighted with your experience here!

    If you are unsatisfied with our compliance under Section 504, please contact Discovery Center Director of Visitor Services Katie Marinoff-Silk or Executive Director Jeanne Gerulskis at (603) 271-7827 or by mail at McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, 2 Institute Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Marinoff-Silk or Gerulskis will respond within 30 days of receipt of your complaint.

    You may also file a complaint directly with a federal agency from which the Discovery Center receives federal financial assistance. The agencies currently providing such assistance include: NASA. NASA contact info: AssistedProgramComplaint@nasa.gov.

    Our vision is one where anyone can participate equally in the excitement and exploration of astronomy, aviation, Earth and space science. Please contact us with any specific needs you may have and we will accommodate with to the best of our abilities.

    Our facility has two floors. Services include:

    • A wheelchair (available on a first come, first served basis)

    • Elevator between floors

    • One-on-one aides accompanying individuals with special needs attend Discovery Center offerings free of charge

    • Space for 5-8 wheelchairs in our theater

    • Braille astronomy materials (available upon request).

  • Visitors leave behind everything from toys and hats to wallets and keys. Often times, lost items are left in the planetarium theater. Upon finding an item left behind, our staff will bring it directly to the lost and found located at the front desk.

    If we’re closed to the public and you’d like us to check the lost and found and/or arrange pick up, call us at (603) 271-7827 and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

  • We understand how scary it can be to lose a child in a public setting. In the event you become separated from your child, please make your way to the front desk and request for help.

    Our staff and volunteers will be notified and do a swift search of the building until the child is found and returned to their adult.