Don Harrington Discovery Center
The Don Harrington Discovery Center, a nonprofit hands-on science center with a planetarium, sits in Amarillo, TX, less than a mile off the old road. It dates from 1976 and carries the name of philanthropist Don Harrington. Out front stands a monument to the helium centennial, and inside, a domed theater shows video across the whole ceiling. For families, or anyone ready for a break from the car, it is an easy detour from Sixth Street.
What is Don Harrington Discovery Center?
The center is built around interactive exhibits, the kind meant to be tried rather than simply read. Its planetarium is the big draw. In 2003 the dome was refitted with a Digistar 3 system, which projects video across the entire curved screen overhead, so the show surrounds the audience instead of sitting on a flat screen in front of it.
The building sits in the city's hospital district. Before heading in, take a look at the tall monument by the entrance, officially named Helium Centennial Time Columns Monument.
History of Don Harrington Discovery Center
The Discovery Center dates from 1976 and is named for Don Harrington, a philanthropist. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and depends a great deal on its home community. Ticket sales, memberships, special events and programs bring in most of its money. The rest comes from exhibit sponsors and from grants given by charities, among them the Harrington Foundation and the Amarillo Area Foundation.
Visiting Don Harrington Discovery Center: tips
Plan on at least an hour, and more if you catch a planetarium show. The building is wheelchair accessible. The center belongs to two national reciprocal programs, one run by the Association of Science-Technology Centers and one by the Association of Children's Museums, so a membership at a participating museum back home may bring free or cheaper entry.
The U.S. Route 66–Sixth Street Historic District is about 2 miles away, the Ranchotel about 3 miles, and the Amarillo Museum of Art about 4 miles.
Practical info
- Address
- 1200 Streit Drive, Amarillo, TX 79106
- Phone
- +1 806-355-9547
- Website
- dhdc.org
- Hours
- Tue–Sat 9:30–4:30 · Sun 12–4:30
- On site & nearby
Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix
Where to eat near Don Harrington Discovery Center
All diners on Route 66 →
On the map
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Stops near Don Harrington Discovery Center
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2.2 mi from Don Harrington Discovery Center
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2.8 mi from Don Harrington Discovery Center
3.9 mi from Don Harrington Discovery Center
4.3 mi from Don Harrington Discovery Center
5.9 mi from Don Harrington Discovery Center
12.1 mi from Don Harrington Discovery Center
Questions about Don Harrington Discovery Center
Where is the Don Harrington Discovery Center?
It is in Amarillo, TX, in the city's hospital district, less than a mile off the old Route 66 line and a short drive from the Sixth Street historic district.
Does the Don Harrington Discovery Center have a planetarium?
Yes. The dome got a makeover in 2003 and now uses a Digistar 3 full-dome video system.
Is the Discovery Center wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the building is listed as wheelchair accessible.
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