Admission Fee
Members: FREE!
Infants 12 months and younger: FREE!
Nonmembers: $8.50 per person plus tax
Museums for ALL National Access Program: $3 per person discounted ddmission for EBT/SNAP/WIC recipients living in the same household (must show current card).
Our operating cost comes out to $13.50 per person per visit, but because we are a non-profit, your admission fee is offered “below cost” and is supplemented by donations, grants, and fundraisers.
Additionally, The Children’s Playhouse offers free or reduced-price memberships to qualifying low-income families who live in Watauga, Ashe, Avery, Wilkes, and Caldwell counties.. Click here to apply for a scholarship membership and here to donate.
HOURS
Tuesday - Friday 9:30-5:00 pm
Saturday 9:30-3:30
Closed Sunday and Monday
Tip: With nine play areas, including an upper and lower playground, we have lots to explore, but we can sometimes be more crowded on rainy days. But you’ll never have to compete with fieldtrips or day camps. If you prefer being around fewer people, our quietest times are between noon and 2 pm daily and on sunny days.
Holiday Hours & Inclement Weather Policy
The Children’s Playhouse is closed on Thanksgiving Day, December 24th — 26th, December 31st — January 1st, and The 4th of July. We strive to be open on snowy days, but will make the decision on a case-by-case basis and reserve the right to close or close early if needed to protect the safety of our staff. If we have to close or adjust our hours due to weather, we will announce our status on Ray’s Weather and on Facebook.
No Outside Food Allowed
We do not allow outside food inside The Playhouse and we are a peanut-free and nut-free zone inside and outside. If your child needs a snack, you are welcome to eat outside on our covered porch or on the playground as long as you do not serve peanuts or tree nuts.
We do provide free coffee and tea for grown-ups. Our coffee is donated by Espresso News.
How to Find Us
The Playhouse is located behind the Boone Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on King Street and near the intersection of King Street and the 105 Extension. We share our parking lot with the Boone Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (381 E. King Street), which looks like a small gray house from King Street, but once you pull into the parking lot, you will see our sign marking us at the 3rd building at the back of the lot. Please note that there is parking on either side of the building but the parking lot is one way and is marked by signs. If our parking lot is full it is a good sign that our building will also be busy.
From E. 421 or Hwy 105: Although our address is 400 Tracy Circle, The Children’s Playhouse is easy to access from King Street if you are approaching Boone from the east on 421 (i.e. Winston Salem) or from the South on 105. Visitors using gps systems may wish to set the gps for 381 E. King Street, which will bring you to our parking lot.
From W. 421/King Steet: If you are on West King Street/421 heading East, you can either access us from Tracy Circle or from King Street. To get to Tracy Circle: After you pass Earth Fare on your left, turn left at the light unto Councill Street, veer right onto Edgewood which will take you behind Grace Lutheran Church, stay straight and you will now be on Tracy Circle. You may set gps to 400 Tracy Circle. From Tracy Circle, we are located on the right after Mac Street and before Buena Vista Drive.
If you would rather stay on 421/King Street: Take the U-turn lane at the intersection of King Street and the 105 Extension. Our driveway is the very first right turn you can make after completing U-turn.
Reach The Children's Playhouse by Bus
The Orange and Green East Appalcart bus lines pass by The Playhouse on King Street. For more information on Appalcart routes, visit https://www.appalcart.com/bus-routes or download the NextBus app.
