Address: 1478 Midway Road, Menasha, WI 54952
Phone: (920) 832-2848
Box Office Hours: Wed-Fri 2–4:00 p.m., Sat 12:30-4:00 p.m. and 1/2 hour prior to evening shows
Experience the wonders of the universe FREE for a full year!
We welcome birthdays, parties, fundraisers and more!
Sharing the Wonders of the Universe!
We are now open and operating again!
Check out the Show Schedule page for a listing of all the current shows.
Family Astronomy Nights will resume in 2026!
Bring a K-12 class to the Barlow for an interactive and educational planetarium experience.
Participate in one of our interactive astronomical demo experiences without leaving your school!
Earn merit badges in Astronomy or Space Exploration through one of our unique program offerings.
Build a rocket or discover celestial objects at our Wisconsin Astronomy and Space Academy.
The Barlow Planetarium, the first major planetarium in the
state of Wisconsin, opened to the public on March 20, 1998.
The 48-foot diameter projection dome with seating for 98
(in addition to 4 wheelchair accessible spaces) is powered
by an Evans and Sutherland Digistar II®, video projection
and automation technology. In addition, it has a Skylase FX
full-dome laser projector, the only 360 x 180 degree
solid-state laser projection system. In August 2024, the Barlow
was awarded an IMLS grant to purchase a portable planetarium
using Digistar-Lite software, making it possible to take the
planetarium experience to those who can't come to the Barlow.
The Barlow, at the time of its opening, was considered among
the most state-of-the-art planetariums in the United States.
Today, the Barlow is the second largest and second most
attended planetarium in Wisconsin. The Barlow serves
approximately 35,000 visitors annually from Northeast
Wisconsin. Visitors come from across the state, the Upper
Peninsula and across the country.
The Barlow offers opportunities for school field trips,
Scouting programs, birthdays, private events as well as
weekly public star and laser shows.
