Smithsonian Starstruck is a 40-minute VR astronomy walkthrough that debuted in Washington, DC in May 2026. Solo adult tickets run $29 to $35, group tickets for four or more start at $18 each, and all are currently discounted 15 percent. Denver, Orlando, and San Antonio locations open later this year.
The experience takes visitors to the Sun's vicinity, the supermassive black hole at the Milky Way's center, and an exoplanet 41 light-years out. The reviewer wore a headset for the full 40 minutes and came out sweating. That reaction, plus an unprompted 'Oh my God' from a fellow attendee, tells you something about the fidelity.
The full piece goes beyond the ticket price and logistics. It details what each VR stop actually shows you, how the science holds up, and whether the Smithsonian brand adds anything beyond a logo. Worth reading if you want to know what $30 buys you in immersive science communication right now.
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