Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium

Tucked inside Liberty Science Center on the Jersey City waterfront, the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium holds the distinction of being the largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere — a fact that impresses even the most seen-it-all middle schoolers. The dome measures 88 feet across, and when the house lights drop and the show begins, 627 projectors work together to render a sky so accurate and detailed that astronomers use the same technology for research.

For families, the key draw is accessibility. Unlike some planetariums that skew toward adult science-buffs, the Chalsty programs their shows to span different age groups. There are shows geared toward young children with familiar characters exploring space concepts, and more sophisticated programs about black holes and exoplanets for older kids and teens.

The reclining seats are genuinely comfortable — a huge plus when you have a wiggly 7-year-old who needs to stay engaged for 45 minutes.

Practically speaking, the planetarium is included with Liberty Science Center admission, so you're not paying extra on top of general museum entry. Budget about $26 per adult and $22 per child, which gets your entire family access to the planetarium shows plus four floors of interactive exhibits, including the 100-foot live insect zoo, infection connection hall, and the Touch Tunnel (a pitch-dark sensory crawl tunnel that kids absolutely love).

Parking is available on-site for around $15, or you can take the NJ Transit 80 bus or the ferry from Lower Manhattan (about 10 minutes). The ferry is a genuinely fun experience for kids before you even walk through the doors.

Bring a light layer — the dome theater runs cold year-round. And if you visit on a Saturday morning, arrive early to grab seats for the first show of the day before it sells out.