avampato discovery museum

We were severely disappointed. Being closed means no one is being paid and we couldn't spend any money here. Where is the logic- aren't there volunteers or employees that might want to work during the summer at least? And at 7.50 and up for admission, this would seem feasible if not desirable as one may assume you wish to serve in the public's interest.We were especially interested in checking out the works of local native and artist Lee Savage, father of Adam Savage of the Discovery Channel's Mythbusters.We travel over extended weekends in the summer and try to plan accordingly. We could not find the hours of operation for the Clay Center online. For such basic information (its available on another page,under this tab), please include on a home page. Why not have such obvious visitor sights open during the summer? I am pretty sure the taxes collected for hotels are meant to help a city attract and serve those people who are here to visit and spend money here. Viewing the collection online is something we can do from home but leaves alot to be desired.http://www.avampatoart.com/profiles/lee-savage.pdfhttp://www.theclaycenter.org/information/museuminfo.aspx

This is the kid's portion of the new Clay Center and replaced the old Sunrise kid's museum in Charleston. The displays and activities here were all well maintained and nice, but this is a fairly small kid's museum compared to other places. They have 4 separate sections but the sections are very small, 2-3 rooms each. The best section was probably the toddler area for kids under age 5. It took about 2 hours to see everything. Older children will be bored here most likely. They do offer reciprocity through ASTC. They are closed Monday and Tuesday. Parking is $3 in a surface lot next to the building. There is a cafe on the bottom floor that serves food and drinks.

The exhibits for kids are plentiful and educational. My kids had lots of fun and the show at the planetarium is good to see, nice way to relax. Membership is a great value if you live in the tristate area.

I love when kids can have fun and learn without realizing they are learning. The educational exhibits are smart and don't talk down to the kids. The staff are well-trained and knowledgeable about the exhibits. We particularly enjoy the Exploratory area which changes exhibits regularly. There seems to be an themed event at least once a month that provides opportunities for craft workshops.

I was sitting for my sister and took her 3 year old twins we had a blast and it is so kid friendly.

my kids have been here many times and never grow tired of it. there is also a small toddler area that my little one enjoys.

The museum is actually an interactive science display. Great for children. There is also a planetarium.

the associates are extremely helpful and quite knowledgeable.I would like to take a membership and be a frequent visitor. The NASA exhibition was good, I was told they are not putting up something related to forensic investigations. The planetarium show was also good, though not great. The film (on the same screen as the planetarium) was better enjoyed by me and the family.

If you travel down I-77 or I-64 Through Charleston, WV, take time to stop here and let the children play and learn! A planetarium with 360 degree theater and educational films that wow the senses is available for multiple shows during the day.... The 3 story Avampato museum has an Art Gallery on the 3rd floor with excellent mix of eclectic styles and exhibitions that change several times a year. The second floor has a play center for children ages 6 and under together with their parent, and a movie room for the older siblings to wait and rest. There is an excellent exhibit about Water, geology, tornadoes, sinking sand, and a hands on area to dam up the water channel and see how it moves... There is also a human body area with demonstrations, hands on computerized learning, and a Human body version of Hollywood Squares where the children can play the game or participate from the audience... The basement level has a terrific hands on exhibition of sound, light, motion, physics, music, magnets, and a weather station where you can be the weatherman... a perpetual motion machine fascinates kids and adults in the refreshment area. We return several times each year to catch the new planetarium shows and gallery exhibits, and to enjoy interacting with our favorites from past visits. Convientiently located in downtown area, not far from the Capitol and Cultural Centers, which are also worthy of a visit. Paid parking lot next door or metered parking, (frequently checked)

This was my second time to this science center, the first time being with a school group. This time I had my two daughters and my niece...ages 12, 14 & 17. They had so much fun, I had trouble getting them to leave. We went to the art gallery first, then through the science center. The kids loved the weather station the most and kept going back to it. The whole place is very interactive, that the adults are compelled to join in the fun.

The sunrise museum is closed. The Clay Center, a new science museum has opened up in downtown Charleston with many of the same exhibits as Sunrise, but much larger. Great place to visit while in Charleston.

My family had a great time at this small science cente and art museum. Friendly staff and fun-filled exhibits! A very enjoyable time.