North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

With free admission, the museum invites you to explore the exhibits inside its two interconnected buildings. There are hundreds of species of animals highlighted throughout, primarily fish, reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods. The live animals plus environmental exhibits provide a well-rounded look at the state’s diverse ecosystems, past and present. Special and traveling exhibits are worth catching, too.

• The Dueling Dinosaurs experience requires prior registration for free tickets, as it’s a timed-entry ticket-based exhibit.

• Strollers are not permitted in the Dueling Dinosaurs exhibit.

• The Living Conservatory on the fourth floor is only open seasonally.

• Check the website to view upcoming live animal feeding schedules before you visit.

• Each of the buildings has a café and gift shop.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is a block north of the North Carolina State Capital. In the heart of Raleigh, the free public bus has stops on every block, but most visitors drive there and park in the lot on the east side of the Museum of Natural Sciences.

Closed on Mondays, the museum is otherwise generally open from morning to late afternoon/early evening. Admission ends 15 minutes before closing. To see all the floors of the Nature Exploration Center and the Nature Research Center, allow for at least 2 to 3 hours, potentially more on weekends when the crowds are bigger. You’ll also need extra time if you’d like to see the three films screened in the 3D theater.

The North Carolina Museum of History is a Smithsonian Affiliate located beside the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and also offers free general admission. Its exhibits include the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, North Carolina A to Z, a 1920s replica drug store, and the interactive Tar Heel Junior Historian Association Discovery Gallery for kids. Like the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, the North Carolina Museum of History is closed on Mondays.