RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium

We went to see "Mezmerica" on a Sunday afternoon @ 4pm. It was sold out. We did buy tickets in advance. You've read already about the chairs...i won't cover that. This will just be on the content. I attended this with my wife and 3 adult children. It was a very simple show. There were some gentle words spoken by a narrator. Then there were endless kaleidoscope visuals. We thought is was the intro to something related to the country - "Mezmerica" ...but that wasn't the case. I'm not sure how long ago this was produced but it seemed very dated. It felt like a couple decades ago i probably would've been impressed by the visuals. Just kaleidoscope visuals...and when it veered away from those, it was visuals that really didn't relate to anything. More gentle words...over mediocre repetitive background music. Three of us fell asleep - i powered through, with the expectation that something was going to happen. Not the case. If you like screensaver-type visuals that we've all become accustomed to (and then moved away from) and some very middle-of-the-road music, then definitely buy your ticket. Better chairs would've been nice but in looking at the other reviews /responses, sounds like the planetarium has plans to upgrade. Planetarium I love you - I'm glad you're here. Fond memories of field trips from when i was a kid. Will try other shows in the future - this one though - not for me. (*** Thank you for responding Planetarium folks! )

Experience was ok tickets were $13. Chairs are reclining type almost look like lawn chairs. Bought tickets online but had to get in line at the box office to get the actual tickets for someone else to scan and let us in. Additionally, the experience was not a 360 degree view like other planetarium’s we’ve been to.

Our family went in December for one of the Christmas shows and were SO disappointed. The chairs were HORRIBLE and so tacky. They were all mismatched and looked like beach chairs. Not comfortable at all and yes, they recline, but they’re the type of chair where you pull the arms up and slide the back down until it hinges in the spot you want it. My husband and I both grew up in Rochester and one of the things we fondly remember and loved was going to see a show at the planetarium and sitting in the “cool” seats that were cozy and had the sound piped into speakers in the headrest. It’s definitely lost its luster. Sadly, we will not be going back anytime soon because the experience was not anything like it used to be. $13 per ticket to sit in an uncomfortable beach chair for a show that is maybe an hour long is really overpriced. Please bring back the comfy chairs!!

We accidentally purchased tickets to a CC show on Black Holes. The CC was huge and really distracted from the visuals so unless you are hard of hearing avoid those. That was our fault. The show was very good but the seats were terrible esp if you are a shorter person. My wife was extremely uncomfortable and left with a sore lower back and a headache. Not the experience we remember from the days of great seating. We would love to return but not until the seats are replaced.

It was good to visit again--been awhile. Went for the special event Mesmerica, which was fun (a bit pricy, too short, but good), so maybe we'll try just a regular star show again soon.