Hands On! Discovery Center

Call Directions Website Contact the museum

Hands On! Discovery Center All-ages science center offering interactive programs and exhibits!

- $11 for Adults and Children ages 4+
- Tesla Experience Shows and guided Paleo Tours are $2 each with a general admission ticket
- Art and science programs offered throughout each day
- Ask about annual memberships, birthday parties, and group discounts!
- Free on-site parking

Buzz on over to Hands On! Discovery Center and chat with bee expert, Heiler Meek. Heiler Meek is a student at ETSU who ...
10/15/2026

Buzz on over to Hands On! Discovery Center and chat with bee expert, Heiler Meek. Heiler Meek is a student at ETSU who has been working on a research project involving bees. Find out about her research and other fun facts about bees you may have never known!

FREE with paid general admission.

It’s very important that you consult our HODC acronym translation guide to know what you are saying!Around here, BRB mea...
10/14/2026

It’s very important that you consult our HODC acronym translation guide to know what you are saying!

Around here, BRB means Be Right Back… we have more exploring to do! 👀🔬

Gray Fossil Site & Museum

Stop by between 1:30 and 4:30 (while supplies last) to examine real fossils on National Fossil Day with a “picking” acti...
10/14/2026

Stop by between 1:30 and 4:30 (while supplies last) to examine real fossils on National Fossil Day with a “picking” activity featuring fossil-rich sediment from Aurora, NC*. See and touch fossils that range from 11,000 years old to millions of years old and use plaster to create your own plaster fossil cast replica to take home. Children must be supervised at all times. (*All fossils and sediment must remain on site for scientific research purposes.)



Purchase your ticket for these activities online at least one week prior to the program to receive the early bird discount. Visit the front desk the day of the program for availability of supplies. Supplies are limited and purchasing ahead is highly recommended. To purchase tickets, go to: https://9248.blackbaudhosting.com/9248/National-Fossil-Day-Family-Pop-in-Workshop

Early Bird Pricing (purchase by Tuesday, October 7th)

HODC Members - $5 per participant

Non-members - $7 per participant

After October 7th and Day of Pricing

HODC Members - $7 per participant

Non-members - $9 per participant

HODC Member ONLY entry from 5:30PM - 6:00PMGeneral public entry begins at 6:00PMJoin us for our spook-tacular, but not t...
10/13/2026

HODC Member ONLY entry from 5:30PM - 6:00PM

General public entry begins at 6:00PM

Join us for our spook-tacular, but not too scary, evening of fun and science! Hands On! is hosting its annual Halloween event, BOO!SEUM, which will include experiments, candy, arts and crafts, games, and exploration time in the museum! Stop by anytime between 6:00pm and 8:00pm (members only early entry starts at 5:30pm). The event ends promptly at 8:00pm. Be sure to wear your most festive costume and bring your own trick-or-treat bag!

Be sure to check out our Facebook event and website for updates and reminders!

(***Contains small parts and food allergens. While supplies last.)

Pricing

ALL tickets include general admission, exhibit play, and special event activities and candy

Members (must have current membership card/membership app and photo ID)

FREE

Memberships will not be sold during the event

Non-members

$13 per person ages 4+

Ages 3 and under

FREE

Spark-tacular Tesla Experience Show tickets for members and non-members

$2 per person

Does not count with reciprocal memberships

(discounted admission for homeschool families all day with a special program at 11am) Join us for this special discount ...
10/13/2026

(discounted admission for homeschool families all day with a special program at 11am)

Join us for this special discount day especially for our loyal home school visitors. Come together to network, explore, play, and learn about upcoming homeschool workshops! To receive the discounted Home School Day rate of $8 per person for general admission, please bring your photo ID and one of the accepted forms of home school identification listed on the Visit page of our website.



Additional student programming for Home School Day from 11:00am - 12:30pm with fees noted below in addition to general admission. Adult (18+) supervision required. Purchase your ticket for these activities online at least one week prior to the program to receive the early bird discount. Visit the front desk the day of the program for availability of supplies. Supplies are limited and purchasing ahead is highly recommended. To purchase tickets, go to: https://9248.blackbaudhosting.com/9248/Home-School-Day---National-Fossil-Day-Preview-Experience



National Fossil Day Preview Experience at 11:00 am - Explore fossil “picking” through sediment from Aurora, NC and create your very own plaster fossil cast replica!

Early Bird Pricing (purchase by Tuesday, October 6th)

HODC Members - $5 per participant

Non-members - $7 per participant

After October 6th and Day of Pricing

HODC Members - $7 per participant

Non-members - $9 per participant

It's back!13+ EVENTParental Discretion AdvisedLocal Storyteller, Vianna Isbister, will be thrilling us with tales from 7...
10/12/2026

It's back!

13+ EVENT
Parental Discretion Advised

Local Storyteller, Vianna Isbister, will be thrilling us with tales from 7:30 - 8:30 in our Discovery Garden!

Be sure to dress warm, bring your blankets, chairs and dinner, and settle in while Haunting Tales at Hands On! keeps you on the edge of your seat!

What’s included in your $10 ticket:
Storytelling
S’mores
Water
Hot Chocolate

Schedule of events:
7:00 : Doors open.
7:00 - 7:30 : Check-in, make s'mores, find a spot and get comfy!
7:30 - 8:30 : Storytelling.
8:30 - 9:00 : Chat with the storyteller, Vianna, finish up s'mores, and pack up.

Pre-registering is strongly suggested as there are only a certain number of tickets available

HODC Member ONLY entry from 5:30PM - 6:00PM General public entry begins at 6:00PM Join us for our spook-tacular, but not...
10/11/2026

HODC Member ONLY entry from 5:30PM - 6:00PM

General public entry begins at 6:00PM

Join us for our spook-tacular, but not too scary, evening of fun and science! Hands On! is hosting its annual Halloween event, BOO!SEUM, which will include experiments, candy, arts and crafts, games, and exploration time in the museum! Stop by anytime between 6:00pm and 8:00pm (members only early entry starts at 5:30pm). The event ends promptly at 8:00pm. Be sure to wear your most festive costume and bring your own trick-or-treat bag!

Be sure to check out our Facebook event and website for updates and reminders!
(***Contains small parts and food allergens. While supplies last.)

Pricing

ALL tickets include general admission, exhibit play, and special event activities and candy

Members (must have current membership card/membership app and photo ID)

FREE

Memberships will not be sold during the event

Non-members

$13 per person ages 4+

Ages 3 and under

FREE

Spark-tacular Tesla Experience Show tickets for members and non-members

$2 per person



(not included with reciprocal membership)

Address

1212 Suncrest Drive
Gray, TN
37615

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+14234344263

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Hands On! Discovery Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Hands On! Discovery Center:

Shortcuts

Share

Category