Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium, Grand Rapids

Name: Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium
Address: 272 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, 49504, United States
Telephone: (616) 456-3663

#28 among attractions in Grand Rapids

Observatories and planetariums

Gallery (1)

Map

Facts and practical information

The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium, named for astronaut Roger B. Chaffee, was constructed in the early 1960s as part of the Public Museum of Grand Rapids. The facility initially featured a 30-foot plaster dome and a Goto Optics mechanical star projector. Among the planetarium's first shows was "Star of Wonder", an astronomical attempt at an explanation of the Star of Bethlehem. The show received positive reviews in the Grand Rapids area and remained in the Chaffee's catalogue for several years. ()

Coordinates: 42°57'56"N, 85°40'37"W

Address

272 Pearl St NWDowntown Grand RapidsGrand Rapids 49504 United States

Contact

(616) 456-3663

Website

Social media

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Grand Rapids

Day trips

Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Grand Rapids Art Museum, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids Public Museum.

~1590 ftE
Museum, Art museum
Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids
8 min walk • Nestled in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) stands as a beacon of culture and creativity. This modern art museum, notable for its sleek, contemporary architecture, offers visitors an opportunity to explore a diverse...
~1060 ftN
Interactive exhibits on president's life
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Grand Rapids
6 min walk • The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is the presidential museum and burial place of Gerald Ford, the 38th president of the United States, and his wife Betty Ford.
~1830 ftSE
Convention center, Hockey, Music venue
Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids
9 min walk • Van Andel Arena is a 12,000 plus seat multi-purpose arena, situated in the Heartside district of Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. The arena attracted over five million patrons in its first 5 years, 1995-2001.
~60 ftE
Museum, Observatories and planetariums, Office
Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids
1 min walk • The Grand Rapids Public Museum, located on the bank of the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, is among the oldest history museums in the United States. It was founded in 1854 as the "Grand Rapids Lyceum of Natural History".
0.4 miNE
Monuments and statues
La Grande Vitesse, Grand Rapids
11 min walk • La Grande Vitesse, a public sculpture by American artist Alexander Calder, is located on the large concrete plaza surrounding City Hall and the Kent County Building in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States.
0.5 miE
Church
Fountain Street Church, Grand Rapids
13 min walk • Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was for a time unique in the United States as being large, religiously liberal and non-denominational in a notably conservative city.
~1320 ftE
Park, Music venue
Rosa Parks Circle, Grand Rapids
7 min walk • Rosa Parks Circle is a plaza located in the heart of Grand Rapids, Michigan. During the warmer months it is a multipurpose facility, acting as a venue for events like concerts or dances put on by the Grand Rapids Original Swing Society.
0.5 miE
Memorial
Kent County Civil War Monument, Grand Rapids
13 min walk • The Kent County Civil War Monument is an historic landmark in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The monument is in a small triangular downtown park, bounded by Division Avenue and Monroe Avenue. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
~1530 ftNE
Concert hall, Theater, Convention center
DeVos Place Convention Center, Grand Rapids
8 min walk • DeVos Place Convention Center, erected in 2004 on the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a multi-purpose convention center. It is named for Richard DeVos, who donated $20 million towards its construction.
0.6 miE
Concerts and shows, Theater, Concert hall
St. Cecilia Music Center, Grand Rapids
17 min walk • The St. Cecilia Music Center, built in 1894 as the St. Cecilia Society Building, is a performance space located at 24 Ransom Avenue NE in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
0.6 miNE
Park
Crescent Park, Grand Rapids
15 min walk • Crescent Park is a city park located in the north-east quadrant of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Although small in size, it provides a quiet patch of green space near to the heart of the growing city.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium open?

Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium is open:

Monday 9 am - 5 pm
Tuesday 9 am - 8 pm
Wednesday 9 am - 5 pm
Thursday 9 am - 5 pm
Friday 9 am - 5 pm
Saturday 9 am - 5 pm
Sunday closed

Which popular attractions are close to Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium?

Nearby attractions include Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids (1 min walk), Grand Pearl, Grand Rapids (3 min walk), Plaza Towers, Grand Rapids (5 min walk), Exhibitors Building, Grand Rapids (5 min walk).

How to get to Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium by public transport?

The nearest stations to Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium:

Bus

Fulton west of Monroe • Lines: 12 (5 min walk)
Fulton at Mt Vernon • Lines: 12 (6 min walk)

Train

Grand Rapids (19 min walk)