Since the dawn of time, the stars have helped mankind predict weather patterns and Winter Olympics gold medalists. Today's deal maintains the tradition by treating you to starscapes as awe-inspiring as they are starry. For $10, you get a ticket to 10000: A Skyline Party Among the Stars (a $20 value) at the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland. You can redeem your Groupon on either February 19, April 16, or June 18. The event lasts from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on those Fridays.
Your ticket includes a mind-expanding movie about the cosmos, some live music you can dance to, and access to the observatory and all of Chabot's exhibits. Current exhibits delve into the scientific achievements and cosmology of the Maya, give you a most likely dehydrated taste of the life of an astronaut, and take you on a journey to the farthest reaches of the cosmos, among other things. And—weather permitting—you'll get to spy on other planets from either Nellie, the 36" reflector telescope that allows access to 180 degrees of night sky, or Rachel, the largest refractor in the western U.S. You'll have four hours to amble through the science center with a celestial concoction in one hand (drinks are $3–$5 at the cash bar) and your date in the other. After staring into the depths of distant galaxies, you can stare into the depths of each other's eyes over dinner at the Starlight Bistro or Celestial Café (not included in Groupon; reservations required).
Besides providing an unexpected twist on a mundane date option, 10000 also makes for a fun family night. Young children will be so excited to be up past their bedtimes that they won't even notice they're being educated. Go to the box office on your chosen evening to redeem your Groupon and select your shows.
Reviews
Yelpers give the Chabot Space & Science Center a near-perfect 4.5 stars, LilaGuides rate it four, Insider Pagers give it a solid three, and TripAdvisors award the planetarium four owl eyes:
- It is a beautiful and amazing facility that features a domed theatre that shows really cool space and science movies and a world-class planetarium with stars so real you feel like you're actually outside looking at the stars. They have three large telescopes that the public can use for viewing. Truly an amazing place that is fun for adults and kids alike. – Arlene S., Insider Pages
- If you like space and science then you definitely should visit the Chabot Space & Science Center. It is a great place for kids too to learn more about space and science in a fun and interesting environment. – Mark N., Insider Pages
- The staff are largely volunteers, but they are knowledgeable and very friendly. We love visiting here, especially when we need an indoor activity. – jennseeg, LilaGuide
Chabot Space & Science Center
From the spectacular and grandiose—such as far-reaching telescopes that penetrate the cosmos and bring back crystal-clear views of the stars—to the most curious minutiae—think "space toilets" like those used by astronauts on the International Space Station—Chabot Space & Science Center captures the science, mystery, and grandeur of outer space in an interactive and educational setting.
The big picture comes courtesy of the observatory's three high-powered telescopes, which grants Chabot its domed silhouette and provides visitors a privileged view of the stars during daytime and evening viewings. Things narrow in scope once you enter the museum, where interactive exhibits zero in on the smaller curiosities of space and Earth's relationship to it. The aforementioned space toilet is a part of the Beyond Blastoff exhibit, where spacesuits, space gear, and space food paint a picture of an astronaut's day-to-day life. One Giant Leap: A Moon Odyssey gives visitors another taste of space exploration, this time by putting them behind the controls of the original Mercury space capsule, then puts them face to face with a 3.3-billion-year-old moon rock collected during the Apollo 15 mission.
Chabot Space & Science Center also features shows such as ElectroLaze, a classic-rock-fueled spectacle where light and sound—a 360-degree cocoon of cutting-edge laser lights set to music by The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and U2, specifically—team up for an explosive sensory experience.