Great Valley Museum and Planetarium - Modesto, California

Discover the Wonders of Great Valley Museum and Planetarium

Located at 2201 Blue Gum Ave, Modesto, CA 95358, the Great Valley Museum and Planetarium is a treasure trove of natural history, astronomy, and interactive science experiences. Perfect for families and individuals alike, this institution stands out for its comprehensive offerings and welcoming atmosphere.

Facilities and Services

The museum caters to a wide audience with its Natural History Museum, Planetarium, and Science Museum. Visitors can explore the vast tapestry of Earth's history, marvel at the cosmos through its advanced projection technology, and engage in hands-on scientific experiments. A highlight is the gift shop, which offers a variety of items that make for great souvenirs or educational gifts.

Key amenities include

• Onsite services
• Discounts for Active Military
• Accessibility features like a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, and restroom
• A restaurant on-site

What to Expect

Visitors often praise the museum for its affordable prices and the high quality of exhibits. Highlights include:
- An interactive chemistry exhibit
- An archaeology exhibit focusing on Southern Africa
- Numerous dioramas showcasing various natural environments

The campus itself is also worth exploring, making it an ideal spot for a family outing or a day of learning.

Opinions and Average Rating

With 144 reviews on Google My Business, the Great Valley Museum and Planetarium boasts an impressive average rating of 4.7/5. Many reviewers commend the museum for being "fun for kids" and for its "affordable gift shop," indicating a place where visitors of all ages can enjoy and learn.

Getting There and Visiting Tips

For those planning a visit, the museum is easily accessible by car, with a wheelchair accessible parking lot. For potential visitors, it's recommended to check the planetarium's viewing schedule, as it's only open twice a month. Given the positive feedback, consider stopping by to take advantage of the "learn and have fun" atmosphere.

Recommandation

Whether you're a science enthusiast, a history lover, or just looking for a family-friendly outing, the Great Valley Museum and Planetarium is a must-visit. To plan your visit, head to their website at mjc.edu. Here, you can find detailed information about exhibits, schedules, and how to get discounted rates as an active military member. Don't miss out on the opportunity to immerse yourself in the wonders of nature and the universe—book your visit today

Remember, the key to a memorable experience is to arrive with an open mind and a willingness to explore. The Great Valley Museum and Planetarium promises to deliver just that, making it a highlight of any trip to Modesto.

👍 Reviews of Great Valley Museum and Planetarium

Gabriela C.

5/5

Great little museums and affordable gift shop--bought more than i thought i would. My favorites was the chemistry interactive exhibit and the archeology exhibit about S. Africa. Lots of dioramas about nature. Great campus as well. Will return to see the planetarium which is currently only open 2 Saturdays a month.

Monica

5/5

Great little museum not known by many people. Took some out of town family for a little day trip & we all ended up learning a few things about our region & the critters within it. Very affordable & if you take your time & look @ everything you could very well spend a couple hours entertaining little ones. Don't forget to check out the gift shop on the way out.....you may find a little project to continue your learning!

But T. W.

5/5

We basically had the whole place to ourselves, as it was a weekday and the museum most likely is less busy due to covid. It was very nice, and there was a lot to see and read. All the taxidermy there is very good quality, and the scenes that the taxidermy are placed into are all very realistic (down to fake animal droppings haha).
You can tell that a lot of time went into creating the scenes and into research for the information. It was very enjoyable.
I loved the gift shop as well, lots of very interesting and cool items. we got crystal bracelets, soap, and a little plastic frog.
I would definitely go again, especially since they show different exhibits and do different things like that sometimes.
Go pirates! 🙂

Penny D.

5/5

My family and I went to the Dinosaur exhibit this evening, the kids had a lot of fun, they had face painting and kind of like a scavenger hunt, raffle and we got to see a lot of the animal exhibits as well. We plan on going back sometime to go to the planetarium. Had a lot of fun.

O A.

5/5

Nice museum for young kids full of local animals displayed in natural habitats. The gift shop has cool, well priced science activities for kids. The entire museum can be enjoyed in 30-45 minutes but introduces kids to science nature very well. Support our local museum.

Ana D. L. R.

5/5

First Time and we Loved every second of it. So much information for kids and adults. 💜 My children enjoy themselves and learn at the same time.

Kenneth R.

5/5

Great experience for the family. Lot of learning about our habitats and the animal species that live there in. They have great sceneries presented with great detail from the rodents all the way up to the big animals. Different species of bird types with all taxidermied animals. Great price for a good experience. Highly recommend for a small family outing about 45 minutes spent walking around looking at different things. With the telescope Up on the Roof we were able to observe the moon very close up.

Dal J.

5/5

$8 for adults, $5 for kids, and Free for MJC students. Impressive taxidermy displays showcasing the Valley’s native species, definitely worth the visit. (Parking can be tough—only non-permit area I found was Lot 209 south of the Cafeteria)