Sudekum Planetarium

Sudekum Planetarium at Nashville's Adventure Science Center is one of those experiences that reminds parents why non-screen entertainment still matters. The full-dome theater projects a 360-degree immersive space experience overhead — stars, planets, nebulae, and cosmic events rendered at a scale that creates genuine awe in kids and adults alike.

For children who are starting to understand that the universe is incomprehensibly large — typically somewhere in the 6-12 age range — a planetarium show can be a formative moment. The combination of physical reclining in the dome theater, the surround-sound audio, and the full overhead projection creates an atmosphere that a home screen or museum exhibit simply can't replicate.

The Sudekum Planetarium is part of the Adventure Science Center at 800 Fort Negley Blvd in South Nashville. A combo ticket covering the planetarium show and the broader Science Center is typically the better value for families. The Science Center itself has hands-on science exhibits worth exploring before or after your show.

Shows run at specific scheduled times — this is not a continuous experience you can drop into at any moment. Check adventuresci.org for the current show schedule and book tickets in advance, especially for weekend shows which can fill.

Operating hours: Monday, Thursday, Friday: 9am-3pm; Saturday-Sunday: 9am-5pm. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The shorter weekday hours mean weekend visits allow more flexibility in show selection.

For families with a mix of ages, the youngest recommended starting age is around 5 — very young children can find the dome disorienting. Older kids and teens often engage with the more scientifically detailed programming offered on weekends.