Planetariums in Atlanta: Where to Experience the Night Sky Indoors

If you’re searching for a planetarium in Atlanta, you actually have a few different options—ranging from a major university facility to museum domes and school-based observatories that host public nights. Atlanta doesn’t have a standalone “city planetarium” like some metro areas, but you can still find high-quality star shows, astronomy programs, and immersive dome experiences across the city and nearby.

Below is a guide to the main places where you can enjoy planetarium-style experiences in and around Atlanta, Georgia, plus tips on planning your visit.

Main Planetarium-Style Experiences in the Atlanta Area

1. Georgia State University Planetarium (Downtown Atlanta)

The Georgia State University (GSU) Planetarium is one of the best-known true planetariums in Atlanta.

• Location: Typically in the Natural Science Center / Langdale Hall area on the Georgia State University campus in downtown Atlanta (near Peachtree Center and Five Points).
• Focus: Astronomy education, public outreach, and university instruction.
• What you’ll see:
  • Live star talks guided by astronomy staff
  • Full-dome shows about the solar system, galaxies, and space exploration
  • Seasonal sky tours explaining which constellations you can see over Atlanta

The planetarium is primarily an educational facility, but it commonly offers free or low-cost public shows, often on select evenings or weekends during the school year. Reservations are sometimes required, especially for popular events.

Good to know:

• Shows often fill up quickly—especially around major celestial events (eclipses, meteor showers, etc.).
• Parking downtown can be tight; many locals prefer MARTA to Five Points or Peachtree Center stations and walking from there.

2. Fernbank Science Center & Planetarium (East Atlanta / Druid Hills Area)

The Fernbank Science Center (run by DeKalb County School District) includes a well-known planetarium that serves both students and the general public.

• Address: 156 Heaton Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
• Area: Druid Hills / East Atlanta, near Emory University
• Type: Large public-access planetarium inside a science education facility

Highlights:

• Regular planetarium shows geared toward different age groups
• Astronomy-focused programming, including evening sky talks and special-topic shows
• School and group programs during weekdays

Fernbank’s planetarium is a classic dome theater with immersive projections of the night sky. It is often a first “real planetarium” experience for many Atlanta kids.

Tips for visiting Fernbank Science Center Planetarium:

• Check show schedules in advance; offerings can differ by day and season.
• Some shows are more child-oriented, while others cater to teens and adults.
• Parking is generally easier here than downtown, making it convenient for families driving in from the suburbs.

3. Museum and Dome Theaters in the Atlanta Area

While not all dome theaters are traditional planetariums with a star projector, several Atlanta-area institutions use dome screens or digital projections for space and science shows that feel similar to a planetarium experience.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History (Giant Screen Theater)

• Address: 767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
• Area: Druid Hills / East Atlanta
• Experience: Large screen theater (not a classic star dome), but regularly shows space-related and astronomy films.

You’ll often find IMAX-style documentaries about the universe, the solar system, and space missions here. It’s not a full dome planetarium with a moving starfield ceiling, but for many visitors, it scratches the same itch—especially if you pair it with museum exhibits on fossils, Earth science, and natural history.

Tellus Science Museum Planetarium (Cartersville – Outside Metro Core)

If you’re willing to take a drive northwest from Atlanta, the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville has a modern digital planetarium and observatory.

• Address: 100 Tellus Dr, Cartersville, GA 30120
• Approx. distance from downtown Atlanta: About 45–60 minutes by car, depending on traffic
• Features:
  • Full-dome shows about space, stars, and Earth science
  • Special astronomy events, often including telescope viewing

This is a popular day trip for families or school groups from Atlanta who want a more extended science and space experience.

School, College, and Community Planetariums Near Atlanta

Beyond the big names, several schools and colleges in the broader Atlanta region maintain smaller planetariums or observatories that occasionally open to the public.

Local College & School-Based Facilities (Examples)

While schedules and access change over time, examples near the metro area often include:

• University and college observatories that host public viewing nights or special events.
• High school planetariums in nearby counties that offer limited public shows, especially during astronomy-related weeks or local STEM events.

These facilities can be harder to find because they’re not always heavily advertised and may focus primarily on students. However, they can provide excellent, low-cost astronomy outreach when they do open to the public.

How to find them:

• Check websites and event calendars for nearby school districts and colleges.
• Search for “public observatory night” or “public planetarium show” paired with your specific county (e.g., Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett).
• Local astronomy clubs often list partner locations where they host stargazing or joint programs.

Quick Comparison: Planetarium Options for Atlanta Visitors & Residents

Planning Your Visit: Practical Tips for Planetariums in Atlanta

1. Check Schedules Before You Go

Showtimes vary by day, season, and school calendar. Many Atlanta planetariums:

• Run reduced schedules during school breaks or exam periods.
• Offer most public shows on specific evenings or weekends.

Always check the latest schedule so you don’t arrive during a school-only time block or a dark day.

2. Understand Ticketing and Costs

Policies differ by facility, but you’ll typically encounter:

• Free or low-cost admission at school-district or university planetariums (like GSU or Fernbank Science Center).
• Paid tickets per show at museums (like Fernbank Museum or Tellus).
• Group reservations options for schools, scouts, or large groups.

Because seats are limited, many places recommend or require advance reservations for popular shows.

3. Consider Age-Appropriateness

Planetarium content can range from very simple to quite technical:

• Younger children (under 7):
  • Look for shows labeled as “family” or “children’s” shows.
  • Shorter show lengths and more visuals tend to work better.
• Older children, teens, and adults:
  • Enjoy more in-depth astronomy content, seasonal sky tours, and space mission programs.

Show descriptions usually indicate whether the content is ideal for younger children or more advanced audiences.

4. Transportation & Parking

Because planetarium-type venues are scattered across the city and suburbs, how you get there matters:

• Downtown (GSU Planetarium):
  • MARTA rail is often simpler than driving.
  • Paid parking decks are available but can be expensive and busy on weekdays.
• Fernbank Science Center & Fernbank Museum:
  • Easier for those driving from in-town neighborhoods or east-side suburbs.
  • Typically provide on-site or nearby parking.
• Tellus Science Museum:
  • Best reached by car via major highways.
  • Designed for drivers, with on-site parking.

How Planetarium Programs Work in Atlanta

Public Shows vs. School Programs

Most Atlanta-area planetariums serve dual roles:

• Public shows:
  • Scheduled at convenient times for families and local residents.
  • Often feature broad-interest topics like constellations, the solar system, or space exploration.
• School programs:
  • Run during the school day and aligned with Georgia’s science curriculum.
  • Reserved for classes and not open to walk-in visitors.

If you’re visiting from out of town or planning a family outing, focus on the public show schedule rather than school-only programming.

Special Events and Star Parties

Atlanta’s astronomy community regularly organizes special events, often partnering with planetariums and science centers. These can include:

• Eclipse viewing events (partial or total, depending on path).
• Meteor shower nights, where staff explain what to expect and how to watch.
• “Star parties” combining a short planetarium program with outdoor telescope viewing, weather permitting.

Local astronomical societies, science educators, and museum staff commonly help run these events, making them a great entry point if you’re just getting into stargazing in Atlanta.

Finding the Right Planetarium Experience for You

If you’re…

• Living in Atlanta and want regular science outings:
  • Explore recurring shows at Fernbank Science Center and GSU Planetarium, and keep an eye on their calendars.
• Visiting Atlanta with family:
  • Consider pairing a Fernbank Museum visit with a space-themed film, or checking Fernbank Science Center’s planetarium schedule.
• A serious space enthusiast or planning a full science day trip:
  • Look into Tellus Science Museum north of the city for a modern planetarium plus extensive exhibits.
• A teacher or group leader in metro Atlanta:
  • Contact nearby planetariums about curriculum-aligned school programs and group reservations.

By combining these options, Atlanta residents and visitors can enjoy a robust mix of planetarium shows, space movies, and real-night-sky observing, all within a reasonable drive of the city.

Whether you’re downtown, in Druid Hills, or willing to make a short road trip, you’ll find a place to sit under a simulated night sky and explore the universe—without leaving metro Atlanta.