Scobee Education Center & Planetarium

Scobee Education Center & Planetarium at San Antonio College offers an authentic full-dome planetarium experience that stands apart from commercial entertainment venues. Named for Challenger astronaut Francis Scobee (a San Antonio native), the facility operates as both an educational resource for the college and a public venue for evening astronomy programming.

The practical reality that parents need to know upfront: Scobee Planetarium is open to the public exclusively on Friday evenings. Six days a week it's not available for public visits. This limitation requires specific scheduling, but it also means visits have a clear event quality rather than the anytime drop-in feel of a commercial attraction.

The full-dome digital format immerses visitors in a panoramic recreation of the night sky and astronomical phenomena. For children with any interest in space, planets, stars, or science, the sensory experience of watching the cosmos projected above and around you in a dedicated dome creates a qualitatively different impression than any screen-based alternative.

Pricing is modest compared to commercial attractions — this is a college facility, not a theme park. Show availability and specific programming are managed on a schedule. Check the website and book in advance as seating is limited.

The Tobin Hill campus location puts it within reasonable driving distance from most San Antonio neighborhoods. Combine with a dinner in the adjacent urban area for a Friday evening family outing.