Update: Reopening plans of 18 Charlotte area museums

Museums in North Carolina are now permitted to reopen, at 50% capacity. Here’s a rundown of museums in the Charlotte region, and what their reopening plans are.

Some museums will continue to provide online programs that you can enjoy from home, even if they do reopen in person.

We also have a list of free days at Charlotte area museums. As the museums re-open, they might resume these free days, but you should check.

As more museums announce their plans, we’ll update here. In all cases, please follow the links to the museums’ websites, for updates and more information.

The museums have worked diligently to develop a safe reopening plan, which you should be able to find on their websites. You can expect to be required to wear masks inside buildings, and you might need to consent to a temperature check before entering.

Please note that this list was created on September 14th, 2020, and may not reflect changes made after that date.

Discovery Place

Discovery Place Science
301 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202

Members are invited to a special preview on September 19th and 20th, and the museum will open to the public September 26th.The museum will be open on Saturdays and Sundays.

Discovery Place Nature
1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte, NC 28209

Members are invited to a special preview on September 19th and 20th, and the museum will open to the public September 26th. The museum will be open on Saturdays and Sundays.

Discovery Place Kids
105 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC 28078

Members are invited to a special preview September 19th and 20th, and the museum will open to the public on September 23rd. The museum will be open Wednesday through Sunday.

All Discovery Place museums will require advance tickets, which will be for a certain hour. You’ll need to arrive within that hour, but once you’re there you can stay as long as you want. There will be no re-entry. Full re-opening procedures and protocols.

The Mint Museum

Mint Museum Uptown
500 S Tryon Street

Mint Museum Randolph
2730 Randolph Road

The Mint Museums reopen to the public on September 25th. They will celebrate with a free weekend September 25th to 27th. Members will be able to return starting September 22nd. Timed tickets will be required. The following weekend is Bank of America’s “Weekend on Us,” where Bank of America customers can attend for free. Groupon discount available.

The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
420 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202

The museum reopens on September 25th. They will celebrate with a free weekend September 25th to 27th. Timed tickets will be required. The following weekend is Bank of America’s “Weekend on Us,” where Bank of America customers can attend for free. Groupon discount available.

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture

Harvey B. Gantt Center
551 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202

The Gantt Center is reopening on Thursday, October 1st.

Levine Museum of the New South

Levine Museum of the New South
200 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202

Levine Museum of the New South reopened to the public on September 19th, on Fridays through Mondays. Timed tickets will be required. Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. will be a special hour for seniors and at-risk guests.

Charlotte Museum of History

Charlotte Museum of History
3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215

Charlotte Museum of History will be sharing more about its phased reopening soon, but it has announced that it’s hosting an Afternoon on the Grounds outdoor experience on October 24th. Tickets to this event will be just $10 per vehicle and will include a digital guidebook that tells the story of the people who lived and worked at the Rock House. The buildings will not be open.

NASCAR Hall of Fame

NASCAR Hall of Fame
400 E M.L.K. Jr. Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28202

The Hall reopened on September 16th. Advance ticket purchase and mobile ticketing are encouraged. They’ll provide a complimentary individual stylus pen so that you interact with the interactive exhibits, with no contact. Read about their safety measures.

McColl Center for Art + Innovation

McColl Center for Art + Innovation
721 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202

McColl Center hasn’t announced their plans to reopen to the public yet, but they are hosting artists-in-residence this fall.

The Schiele Museum of Natural History

The Schiele Museum of Natural History
1500 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28054

The Schiele Museum of Natural History reopened on September 11th. Timed tickets are required.

President James. P. Polk State Historic Site

President James K. Polk State Historic Site
12031 Lancaster Highway, Pineville, NC 28134

The Polk Historic Site has reopened to the public, including the buildings. Interactive exhibit features have been paused or modified.

North Carolina Music Hall of Fame

North Carolina Music Hall of Fame
600 Dale Earnhardt Boulevard, Kannapolis, NC 28081

The N.C. Music Hall of Fame has reopened and is free to visit. Timed tickets are required.

Matthews Heritage Museum

Matthews Heritage Museum
232 N Trade Street, Matthews, NC 28105

Matthews Heritage Museum has reopened. It’s a small museum and only 5 visitors can enter at a time. Please call 704-708-4996 to make a reservation. Drop in guests will be permitted if there are no other visitors in the museum.

Gaston County Museum

Gaston County Museum
131 W Main Street, Dallas, NC 28034

Gaston County Museum opened to the public on September 15th. You’ll need to reserve your time slot in advance. Walk-ups will be accepted if there is space available at that time. The museum will be open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Museum of the Alphabet

Museum of the Alphabet
6409 Davis Road, Waxhaw, NC 28173

Reopening plans have not yet been announced.

Kings Mountain Historical Museum

Kings Mountain Historical Museum
100 E Mountain Street, Kings Mountain, NC 28086

Kings Mountain Historical Museum reopened September 15th, 2020.