North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is absolutely fantastic for all ages. From towering dinosaurs and mammoths to exhibits on rocks, whales, and North Carolina’s plants and animals, there’s truly something for everyone. Many of the displays are interactive, making it both educational and fun. The museum is huge—you could easily spend several hours exploring everything. Best of all, admission is completely free, which makes it an incredible value. A must-visit if you’re in Raleigh!

The Raleigh Science Center is an amazing place for all ages! It’s packed with interactive exhibits that make learning fun and hands on. Right now, they have an incredible Blue Whale exhibit that’s definitely worth seeing. Whether you’re into space, biology, or technology, there’s something exciting to explore. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to help or answer questions. I especially loved the planetarium shows truly out of this world! Highly recommend visitors to Raleigh to stop by and boost their experience while you’re in town. Perfect for family trips or a fun day out with friends!

Such an amazing place! It’s still a great time as an adult visiting with no kids so don’t shy away! Make sure you grab a map though, because this is a whole experience. There is loads to see and do here, so set aside 3-4 hours to fully go through the museum. It’s four stories, and two sides as well so work your way up one side and come down the other so as to not dart back and forth. Overall, I think you end up walking close to two miles so comfortable shoes are a must. There is so much care put into the exhibits and the science and working labs are just amazing to see. The gem and mineral section can’t be missed, the stones are GORGEOUS. This is a must if you’re interested at all in natural science. Loads of fossils, great explanations, and best of all it’s free!

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is seriously one of my favorite spots in Raleigh. It’s an awesome mix of fun, learning, and just pure wonder—and the best part? General admission is free! The exhibits are super well done and cover a ton of different topics. You can check out towering dinosaur skeletons, see the gigantic skeleton of a blue whale, wander through realistic habitat displays, and even watch live scientists do their thing in the research labs upstairs. The butterfly conservatory feels like stepping into another world—it's warm and tropical, and there are so many colorful butterflies that sometimes one will land right on you! You can tell the staff and volunteers really love what they do. Everyone I talked to was friendly, super knowledgeable, and excited to share cool info. There’s a lot for kids to do, but it’s just as fun for adults. You can take your time exploring without feeling rushed, and there are plenty of quiet spots to just chill and soak it all in. If you’re in Raleigh or nearby, this museum is a must-visit. Whether you’re into science, looking for a fun family day, or just curious about nature, you’ll leave amazed—and probably already thinking about your next trip back!

This museum is a fantastic experience for everyone, especially kids! It offers an engaging and educational environment where children can explore and learn about natural science in a fun and interactive way. From dinosaurs to space, wildlife to gems and minerals, there’s something here to spark curiosity in visitors of all ages. To fully enjoy everything the museum has to offer, plan to spend at least 4 hours. The exhibits are extensive and well-designed, encouraging hands-on learning and exploration. Make sure to check the schedule for the 3D cinema, as showings are held at specific times throughout the day and are definitely worth attending. One of our favorite parts was the live butterfly habitat. it's a magical experience to walk among so many beautiful, free-flying butterflies. The staff was friendly and helpful, and the facility was clean and well-maintained. No ticket is needed. Overall, it's a must-visit destination for families and anyone interested in science and the natural world!

I really enjoyed my visit to this museum. The place is huge and super clean, which made walking around really nice. The staff were all friendly and professional, and there was a ton to see and do. One of the highlights for me was the dinosaur areas, they're really well put together, with some awesome skeletons and tons of interesting info for both kids and adults. The pictures are just a little bit of the areas, you've gotta check out all the floors Whether you're into science, history, or just want something fun to explore, this place has something for everyone. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is a wonderful place for all ages. The exhibits are beautifully organized, interactive, and educational. I especially enjoyed the dinosaur section and the live animals. The museum is spacious, clean, and free to visit, which makes it even better. A perfect destination for families, students, and anyone curious about science and nature

Most is free and relative good information. The confusing aspect, from a visitor's point of view, is the fact that everything is inclusive in this large building. It has four floors and two sections. You only need to enter to see everything. You don't have to go out and back in to any of these museums. They are all inside this big building. Worth the time. Learned a lot. Saw a lot. The best part, for me, was the clear windows to look in at all the fossils they were actively cleaning. So cool.