Free and Cheap Science-themed Fun in Georgia

Georgia-filmed movies like “First Man” and “Hidden Figures” have renewed interest in space exploration. At Fernbank Science Center, guests can see the actual Apollo 6 Command Module, which was the last unmanned flight of Project Apollo. For a few dollars, guests can even take a tour of the stars in Fernbank’s planetarium. The museum itself is free.

Cars, space, dinosaurs and jewels; there’s something for everyone at Tellus Science Museum. This museum also has a planetarium and lots of hands-on fun, including gem panning and a dinosaur dig for the little ones. Even grown-ups will have fun trying the experiments in the Collins Family Big Backyard.

Bonus: Tellus offers free admission for Bank of America cardholders on the first full weekend of the month.

The Tidelands Nature Center has a small but interesting museum with live animals from the area that serves as a front for some fantastic programming. In addition to information-rich classes like the one that uses play dough and songs to learn about fish, they also offer guided kayak tours and canoe and paddleboat rentals. There’s no better way to learn about the ecosystem of Georgia’s coast, and because this is a 4-H facility, fees are modest.

What does art, a zoo and a planetarium all have in common? It’s all at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon. The MAS includes several art galleries with frequently changing exhibitions and features an interactive Discovery House offering fun, hands-on activities for the entire family.