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Location
Accessibility
Enhanced security procedures in place; personal items and bags subject to search; magnetometers and wanding procedures at entry; video surveillance throughout
Visitor tip
The planetarium shows are the highlight attraction and worth the nominal $10 fee. Choose weekday shows or early Saturday afternoon slots to enjoy a less crowded experience with more personalized attention from the knowledgeable planetarium staff.
Best time
Visit on weekday afternoons to experience the museum with minimal crowds. Reviews mention the venue is noticeably emptier than comparable Philadelphia attractions, allowing more time to explore exhibits without feeling rushed.
About New Jersey State Museum
Planetarium, art & historic exhibits. Museum with a planetarium & areas dedicated to fine art, cultural & natural history & archeology.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Natural History Museum
- Highlights
- Planetarium shows, Fine Art Gallery, rotating science and history exhibitions, Simpson Observatory sky viewing
- Special Programs
- Homeschool Day, Small Explorers, Science Under the Stars lectures, Spanish-language shows
What visitors say
One of our favorite spots in and around Trenton. Had so much fun going through all the different exhibits and exercise/activity areas. Being FREE doesn't hurt, and the planetarium show is worth the nominal fee for the show.
Went to visit here since it was a free museum and saw everything except the planetarium. It’s not bad at all, very reasonable experience given that it’s free of charge. You get to see a ton of NJ history, paintings, art, old…
I hadn't been to a planetarium since I was a kid and wanted to bring my husband and daughter for their first time and WOW! We had such a wonderful time. We chose the show "The Great Solar System Adventure" and it was the perfect balance…
From 1,015 Google reviews Read all reviews
Did You Know?
- The museum offers free admission to all exhibits, with only the planetarium shows requiring a nominal fee of approximately $10 per person, making it one of the most accessible cultural institutions in the region
- The planetarium features specialized Spanish-language shows, making it one of the few planetariums in New Jersey offering multilingual programming for broader community accessibility
- The museum operates the Simpson Observatory for live sky observing nights, providing visitors with hands-on astronomical observation opportunities beyond typical planetarium experiences
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