With about 60,000 square feet inside the museum and a nature trail that’s nearly three-quarters of a mile long, there’s so much to see and do! We have made general estimates for visitation time, but these can vary greatly based on age and interest level.

Museum Exhibit Galleries: 90 minutes
Most Programs: 45 minutes
Nature Trail: 30-45 minutes
The Farm: 20-30 minutes
Catawba Indian Village: 30 minutes (open seasonally)

We do not have a restaurant, but we do have several outdoor picnic areas. There are also vending machines in the lobby full of snacks and drinks. On special event days, we often have local food trucks on site. 

There are many great local restaurants in Gastonia, and your ticket is good for a full day. Re-entry is welcome.

The Nature Trail is free and open to the public* from dawn to dusk. Leashed dogs are welcome on the Trail.

*The Trail may be restricted to admission-paying visitors during special events.

Museum Membership
Members receive free regular admission every day! They also get discounts on special events and workshops. Get information about membership HERE.

Blue Star Museum for Active Military & Veterans

Active military, veterans, and up to 5 family members get free admission to museum exhibits in the summer months through the Blue Star program. GET DETAILS HERE.

Group Visits

Groups of 15 or more may be eligible for discounted admission. Find out more about group visits HERE.

Free Tuesdays

Visit The Schiele on the second Tuesday of each month from 4 – 8 PM during FREE TUESDAYS, sponsored by Duke Energy. Get more information HERE.

Unfortunately, we do not offer EBT discounts.

See current planetarium show schedule HERE

Yes! If you haven’t already, please look at the information on this webpage. It will provide field trip details and costs. Once you’re ready to move forward with a reservation, submit your dates and details through the online form and our group scheduling coordinator will be in touch to confirm. 

Yes! You can have a special birthday party at The Schiele.

You can submit a request HERE for your preferred dates and our special events team will be in touch.

Yes! Get married under the stars of the planetarium or host a meeting with the dinosaurs overhead. HERE is some general information about rentals. You can submit a request for more details and our special events team will be in touch. 

The Schiele Museum welcomes all visitors and strives to make its exhibitions, programs, and services accessible to everyone. All of the museum’s indoor exhibits are accessible by wheelchair, and all public floors of the museum can be reached by using an accessibility ramp.

The James H. Lynn Planetarium includes wheelchair locations and companion seats. All restroom locations are accessible to those in wheelchairs or with mobility impairments.

Wheelchairs are available for visitors on a first-come, first-served basis at the front desk. Due to inclines and gravel footing of the Nature Trail, all areas may not be easily accessible by those with mobility impairments.

The museum exhibit spaces offer opportunities for standing and moving around at will. There are also a variety of sitting areas – indoors and out – that provide quiet places for breaks from groups or crowds. Some families bring noise-canceling headphones for the planetarium and sit near the exit door for a quick departure if necessary. Tickets are good for a full day too, so re-entry is fine if you need a break away from the museum. 

The Schiele Museum is part of the ASTC Travel Passport Program. You can use your ASTC membership card to access free admission at any participating museum, including The Schiele. Check to see what museums and organizations are a part of the ASTC program HERE.

Please be sure to read through the Family Admittance Policy, check for exclusions, and bring your membership card with you when traveling to another museum.