Matthews to gain new Discovery Place Kids location

The town and Discovery Place will soon hold public input sessions to help mold the future museum.

Children getting excited about an exploding beaker by two educators in rainbow lab coats.

A guest favorite experiment at all Discovery Place museums is the “Elephant Toothpaste” — exploding foam that shoots from a beaker.

Photo by Patrick Schneider via Discovery Place Science

Wonder is building in the Town of Matthews. The town and Discovery Place recently announced plans to build a new Discovery Place Kids museum.

“Discovery Place Kids is renowned for its engaging experiences that are both fun and educational for children and their families. While the museum opening is still a few years away, we are excited to welcome them to Matthews and look forward to the many ways they will enrich our community,” said Mayor John Higdon.

This will be Discovery Place’s third kids museum in the region, joining Huntersville and a recently-renovated spot in Rockingham. Each museum highlights regional history while creating interactive experiences to fuel creativity, hands-on learning, and lifelong memories for children and families.

“The future Discovery Place Kids in Matthews will be a destination for families to enjoy a fun-filled learning environment that inspires young minds through curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking,” Discovery Place President and CEO Catherine Horne told CLTtoday.

Two children in firefighter outfits in a red firetruck inside a children's museum.

Most young visitors race to take a ride in the firetruck at Discovery Place Kids in Huntersville.

Photo by Patrick Schneider via Discovery Place

The museum’s building space will be provided by the Town and funded through its Tourism Fund + the museum will cover operating costs. An exact location has not been announced.

“From interactive exhibits to dynamic STEM programs, every aspect of the museum will reflect the voices and needs of Matthews families,” said Dr. Nikole (Nikki) L. Hill, Chief Learning Officer at Discovery Place. “This spring, we’re excited to launch a series of community input sessions to hear directly from residents and shape a museum experience that truly belongs to Matthews.”

Editor’s note: Those dates have not yet been set. Keep an eye on our newsletter for details.

Discovery Place is no stranger to construction. The museum, which has been in Charlotte for 70+ years, is constructing a new Charlotte Museum of Nature — expected to open near Freedom Park in 2026.

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