FAQs
How long does it take to look around the museum? The length of a visit varies, depending on individual interests, but we generally recommend allotting one hour to view the Museum and its exhibits. We also recommend children participate in one of the Museum's Scavenger Hunts. Scavenger Hunt sheets are located in the Museum Lobby.
Is this Museum good for toddlers? The Museum is open to visitors of all ages. Whereas some exhibit content may not be accessible to the youngest of our audience members, we do provide a craft activity table which families with younger children can enjoy.
Does my RWP Zoo membership get me a discount? No, it does not. Familiarize yourself with list of available discounts posted at discount. Discounts are only given if they are specifically asked for. We do not notify visitors of discounts.
When do you offer Planetarium Shows? Planetarium Shows are offered Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00pm, as well as daily during RI Winter and Spring School Vacations, and Daily in July and August. Refer to Calendar of Events for show schedule.
How long is the show? Planetarium shows are approximately 30-35 minutes long.
How early should I get there to get planetarium tickets? There is no general rule, as our attendance varies from day to day, but tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis until sold out, and are available for purchase as soon as the Museum opens at 10:00am.
Why aren't children under age 4 not permitted in the planetarium? Minimum age requirements for Planetarium programs have been established based on a number of factors, including visitor/child safety and the Museum's years of observed visitor experience.
Do you accept credit or debit cards? No, the Museum cannot currently process credit or debit cards.
Is the Museum handicapped accessible? Yes, the Museum is equipped with an elevette, which can be used to access all public areas of the Museum
Can we register for programs on the same day? There are a number of programs offered at the Museum which require pre-registration. Please refer to the desired program's information page for additional details.
Was it always a Museum? Yes, it was always a Museum.
When did the Museum open? The Museum opened in 1896. The North Wing (Natural Selections and Planetarium area) was added in the early 1900s.
When did the Planetarium open? The original Planetarium opened in 1953, and the original projector can still be seen in the upstairs back hallway. The Planetarium as it exists today was opened in 1993, and has added a number of multimedia enhancements over the past few years.
Are the animals in the Museum real? YES! All the animals in the Museum are real, just no longer alive.