North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is an exceptional place to visit, especially for families with school-age children. It offers an incredible amount of science and historical information, and the best part is that general admission is free, with only some 3D movies available at a low additional cost. This makes it a fantastic, budget-friendly educational outing for all ages. The overall experience at this museum stands out for its organization and cleanliness. Every floor was spotless, and the exhibits were well presented, making it easy to explore and learn without feeling overwhelmed. With so much to see and absorb, two full days are ideal if you truly want to study the exhibits in detail and get the most out of what the museum offers. Customer service at the museum was excellent throughout the visit. While there are some reviews mentioning a rude front desk staff member, it is easy to see how overcrowding and high visitor volume could lead to exhaustion, and it did not reflect the overall quality of service. Staff members appeared to be working hard to assist guests, and their efforts contributed positively to the overall experience. The restaurant on the ground floor was another highlight. The food was fresh, tasty, and priced reasonably, which is a pleasant surprise for a museum venue. Having a convenient and high-quality dining option on-site makes it much easier to spend a full day or more at the museum without needing to leave for meals. Overall, the museum team is doing a truly commendable job in terms of visitor satisfaction. From the engaging exhibits to the cleanliness, helpful staff, and excellent restaurant, every detail shows real dedication. Kudos as well to the administration and the funding supporters of this museum for maintaining such a high standard and keeping it accessible to the public. Great job to everyone involved—this museum is absolutely worth visiting and highly recommended.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is the best science museum we’ve ever visited! The first thing that impressed me was that the entire main area is free — no tickets are needed to explore all four floors. You only need to buy tickets for special exhibitions or movies. I’ve never seen such a wonderful free science museum before! Out of appreciation, I bought tickets for all three movies and the Blue Whales exhibit for three people — and even with that, it wasn’t expensive at all, just a little over $90. The museum is so diverse and interesting that we spent the whole day there and still didn’t see everything. You definitely need at least two days to explore it fully. There’s a café on the 4th floor that was full of visitors. The menu doesn’t really offer much for healthy eaters, so we skipped it, but it’s a great spot for a quick snack, especially for kids. On the 4th floor there’s also a bridge that connects to another building of the museum — it opens up to a huge laboratory area that was amazing to see. We’re still impressed! The museum has two gift shop areas, but honestly, the museum itself is much more exciting and full of variety than the shops. There are restrooms on every floor, plus escalators and elevators, so it’s accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities. @ksyfate

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh is an absolute gem and a must-visit! When we went, they were hosting a special blue whale exhibition, and it was jaw-dropping. Seeing the enormous skeleton up close for the first time was unforgettable—it really gave us perspective on how massive and magnificent these ocean giants are. The museum has plenty more to explore, too. We loved roaming through the dinosaur exhibit, where life-sized displays and fascinating details bring prehistoric times to life. Standing next to those towering models was both humbling and exciting. One of the best parts is that general admission is donation-based, so you can explore the museum at no set cost, making it accessible for everyone. If you’d like to add something extra, they also offer 3D movies at a very reasonable price: $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, students, and military with ID, $4 for children, and $3 for members. It’s a fun way to dive deeper into science and nature. Overall, our visit was fascinating, family-friendly, and inspiring. We’ll definitely return to see future exhibits and enjoy more of what this incredible museum has to offer. Cheers! 🥂

Love, love, love this place! Unbelievable that it’s free! It has so much to offer and you could easily spend hours here. Even has active laboratories! The dueling dinosaurs are a must see exhibit. Can’t wait to go back!

Okay, I'll try to give my opinion based on everything. The place is nice, it's about four floors, it's free, and there are some live animals. Everything looks good and in good condition, and at first I thought I was going to be there for many hours, but I managed to see everything in an hour and a half, and that's only because we had to wait for the elevator to take the stroller up; otherwise, we would have been there even faster. Despite all that, in my personal opinion, I got bored. I don't know what the museum is missing, but I think it should be more dynamic. I don't know if it's because of my age, because I did see some kids having fun; I'm just giving my personal opinion.

Tremendous museum for families, adults, and kids! The facility is spread over two adjacent buildings (one more like a research center) and a total of four floors. We spent only a couple hours but I want to go back and spend all day. Highly recommended if you're in the area. Right next to the State Capitol (governor's office, old building) and the Legislative Building (NC house and senate).

What a delightful place to visit! We enjoyed ourselves from the moment we entered, until the time we left. There's lots of floors to visit. You can also walk across the bridge and visit the multiple floors at the other part of the museum! You can easily spend a few hours here, learning so many things!

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is an amazing place to visit. There are so many interesting exhibits for both kids and adults, and the best part is that admission is completely free! The museum is clean, well organized, and full of fascinating displays about nature and science. Parking is also free on weekends, which makes it even better. Highly recommend for a family visit or a weekend trip!

I've lived in NC for almost 4 years and this was the first time I visited NCMNS! My friend had won 4 tickets to the whale exhibit and invited my husband and me to join. We met at 10am right when they opened. We easily found street parking and since it was on a Sunday, it was free to park. The museum is huge! I was so surprised by how large and open it was. All of the staff were friendly and knowledgeable here. We interacted with an employee in the whale exhibit and he was fantastic. The museum is incredibly clean and well maintained. There's so much to see and do. You can easily spend over 2 hours here. I especially loved the geology section, taxidermy/skulls room, and my favorite...the dueling dinosaurs!! It was SO incredible watching paleontologists work on this massive fossil. This part of the museum absolutely made it to be a wonderful experience. This is a great museum and it's free! I donated a little to the museum and also made a few purchases, one being a magnet and another being a beautiful $75 sulfite mineral. This was definitely worth our time and I'm so happy we finally visited!

** BUGFEST 2025** Wanted to make a separate review on the Bugfest held annually. As an adult who really loves all the odd insects and invertebrates, I was really excited to come to this event. I do wish that they would portray it more so as a young children's event on advertising. I'm just glad that I went with a friend that had a three-year-old so at least I could see her getting excited for the activities. It's definitely for the age group of like 3 to 8 tops. I also really do think they should expand it past just a single day considering the lines were super long for any of the activities for the actual fest. No little kid is gonna wanna sit in line doing nothing for more than a minute or two let alone 5-10. If they expanded it past one day that may help lessen them long lines. Overall, I can't complain too much because it is a free event and it's open to all of the public, which is really amazing. I really love all the education that they do, but I think I was expecting something more along the lines of Repticon worth of inverts and bugs and so as an adult I was disappointed a bit. Families with kids would love it though.

This place is definitely worth visiting if you're in the area. Admission is free, and the venue is quite large, featuring numerous exhibits to explore. Parking is available on the surrounding streets, and if you're willing to walk a bit, you can find free street parking. I honestly didn't realize how expansive it was until I was inside; I regret not giving myself enough time to fully appreciate everything it had to offer. You could easily spend an entire day here. There are cafes where you can grab a bite to eat if needed. However, I do think they could improve their maps or directions, as I found myself a bit lost a few times. Maybe that's part of the plan--to get you lost so you stay longer! I also enjoyed walking outside to see the large Earth sculpture up close as I moved between the two buildings. It's a great way to spend a few hours when you're in Raleigh.

This place is a must see if your in the area. There was so much to see and do.. They have a donation box but no standard fee to enter.. we did pay a few dollars to see the 3D movie which they also provided the glasses. If I had more time it would have been an easy 3 or more hours there. I was very impressed..

Wow! A great kid friendly museum, ample parking around. Everything from whales to dinosaurs to butterflies!! We spent about 2 hours here and loved every minute! Education in an environment that is also fun!

So much to see and visiting is definitely a must if you are even close to being in the area. The dinosaur exhibit is epic. The library room with taxidermied critters is useful and highly educational. There are so many hands-on exhibits that are just incredible to examine up close and personal. Plan to spend a few hours and you can even grab lunch in the cafe.

I was in Raleigh this weekend and wasn't sure where I wanted to spend my day. I knew I wanted to go somewhere that would stimulate my mind but not cost an arm and a leg; I searched museums and the NC Museum of Natural Sciences came up so I planned to go. I was only about a 12 min drive from the museum so I left the house a little before 10am to get there right after it opened. I parked in the parking deck connected to the museum (it was free to get in and out on Saturday). I got a map (for memories), scanned the QR code for the map, and inquired about the movie options. The movies had a cost, but it was only $6 per adult for a 3D movie. I didn't end up seeing a movie because I wanted to spend my time strolling & exploring. Though there was a TON to see and do (especially for the kiddos) there were 3 things that were highlights for me: 1. Skeletons - there were skeletons EVERYWHERE. Some where huge, others were in labs decomposing, and some where small. But what I appreciated was the fact that many of the skeletons were not just replicas but preserved, REAL bones with background discovery stories. 2. Labs - there were live labs throughout where visitors could see and interact with real scientists doing real research, real work, on real things. The engagement and education through this is a wonderful offering. 3. Naturalist Center - this was my FAVORITE. After watching a short 3-min long video about the rule and history of the center, visitors could walk around a room packed full of preserved specimens and interact with many of them and even touch the items. There was a place where you could place different specimens and the technology would tell you more information about that specific specimen; it was awesome. Plus you could ask any of the staff members in the Center about the pieces and they were loaded with great information. Though it is free to enter, donations are appreciated and, in my opinion, if you can give, you should. Knowledge of science - our world and what's in it - is more valuable than a price tag and feeds adults and children alike with tasty information.

This was by far the most terrifying and hard to navigate museum I've ever been to. I love dinosaur museums, but I won't come back.

An excellent science museum with a ton of interactive things to do and it's free?? Yes. This immersive center was a real star on our last visit to the area. They have a ton of exhibits on multiple floors, and workshop areas where you can do even more. We spent a few hours in here and could easily have been there even longer if we had more time. We honestly didn't expect it to be as solid as it was for a museum. Staff was incredibly friendly and helpful throughout our visit. You are invited to give a donation to the center on the way in or way out. I highly recommend it as they do an excellent job here. Well worth a donation! Overall: A++ Well worth the time and a donation for a super fun experience.

The NC Museum of Natural Sciences and the Nature Research Center are great places for both adults and children. They both offer free admission and Downtown Raleigh parking is free on the weekends. The buildings are connected by walkways on the 2nd and 3rd floors so you can easily get from one to the other without going outside. Escalators and elevators are in the science museum and the Nature Research Center has stairs and elevators to get to the floors you'd like. A cafe is located in the science museum and a restaurant is connected to the research center. Gift shops are in both buildings too. The science museum currently has a hands on exhibit about pollinators that is an extra fee if you are not a member. The Living Conservatory is on the 4th floor. There are plants; butterflies; a turtle; a snake and a tarantula in the exhibit. The Nature Research Center had its first floor strengthened and expanded so that it could support the Dueling Dinosaur Lab where you can witness paleontology in person as they work on getting the fossils. The globe is what you see outside but inside is a 42 ft screen that shows videos. Give yourself plenty of time to see all the exhibits as each building is four floors. There is a lot to see and do.

An educational and fun way to spend the afternoon in Raleigh. Interesting exhibits that focus on North Carolina wildlife both past and present.

Everything I wrote in 2014 still holds - just things have been updated - dueling dinosaurs and build your own dinosaur. In addition, 3-D movies on the ocean and on dinosaurs.

Free admission (donation based) along with some other activities that cost $$. Was a huge place with plenty of exhibits to look at & engage with. Definitely perfect trip for the family & especially if you have kids The staff that I engaged with were so friendly!!! Overall, I really loved it here and had a great time taking in everything this museum had to offer 10/10.

The NC Museum of Natural Sciences is a standout destination, offering timeless exhibits that have delighted visitors for generations. Its paleontology section is particularly impressive, featuring detailed fossil displays and interactive exhibits that provide an immersive and educational experience. The museum masterfully blends science with engagement, making it enjoyable for all ages. One highlight not to be missed is the gift shop, which is among the best of any museum, offering a diverse selection with something for everyone. Without a doubt, this is one of North Carolina's premier museums, consistently delivering a rich, memorable experience. *my only note .... some of the displays could use a serious dusting. *

Staff is friendly and educated. They have a few labs upstairs that you can watch them work through glass and ask questions! I would absolutely visit here again. My favorite was the Dueling Dino's exhibit where you can touch real fossils! Admission is free but donations are appreciated. I would say it would take you about six hours to walk through, but plan ahead and get there early! Most events start after opening time.

Went here as we were camping at a resort nearby. What a gem this place is. I hope this area realizes how well invested this place is. This place has exhibits and attractions that put it on par of some of the more expensive museums within our area. It was very, very surprising of what they have to offer and how clean, relevant, and polished it is. I enjoyed how amazing and friendly the staff were while providing an exceptional learning experience. What a win - if you're in the area, you must stop by! Food Taste: n/a Overall Service: 5 Value of food to cost: n/a Facility: 5 Ambiance: Science museum that is the complete package! Repeat customer: yes if I'm in town Dog Friendly: no

Free admission! (with a suggested donation - special exhibits are an extra cost). We visited the museum on a Sunday at around 1:45. Seems like museums are not a popular weekend activity around here, because it wasn't too crowded. Or maybe I'm just used to NYC crowds every where I go. But I am definitely not complaining about a crowd-free museum. We went through the exhibits pretty quickly (maybe about an hour and a half) since we've visited before, but it was just an activity to do with our nieces and nephew (they've also been here numerous times). There were some things that we skipped or breezed through, so you could easily spend 2-3 hours here. The museum is bigger than it looks. There is plenty of seating/restrooms everywhere, which was very convenient because you won't really need to double back. Great family activity!

It was free! Which is a plus and the staff were helpful and friendly keeping th exhibits nice and clean. There are additional shows you can pay money to view but we didn't. There is a cafe upstairs and down stairs (down has a smoothie bar I LOVE). The live aquatic creatures, bugs, reptiles, and sloths are fan favorites but I also love how related to the state of NC the exhibits are. I especially loved the women of STEM exhibit but some of the natural science exhibits could use some sprusing up. During weekdays there is even real lab work you can view.

This is a must visit! The museum is free, it occupies two buildings connected by bridges, four floors in each building, so an allow a full day to explore. The exhibitions include the usual stuffed animals and skeletons but also, uniquely live animal exhibits and magnificent dioramas. There are laboratories that visitors can look into and watch scientists, researchers and paleontologists at work on real and breakthrough projects. The museum is suited I would say for ages 3 through to seniors. There are two restaurants/cafes both surprisingly good! Parking is easy on the street and an adjacent parking deck. Only negative - the dioramas could do with a dusting

This was my first time here, and I didn't know what to expect. The entrance is completely free; but please leave a donation; only if you are interested in seeing any of their movies in 3D, there you do pay. I think this would be one of the best experiences someone could have in one of these museums. There is so much to see, read, and learn. There are five floors to look at. The staff was so friendly when we walked in. We will return again when we visit the city again.

This is, hands down, the coolest Science Museum I've ever been to! Dinosaur bones, rocks and minerals, fish, foliage! Pretty much anything you could think of was there, and even the things you'd never think of were there. One of the most incredible parts was the Research side! You definitely don't want to skip going across the bridge to the Research Center. You're able to be there for different animal checkups and observe the vets talking care of the animals. We actually had the chance to see a live snake surgery! The staff was awesome. Everyone was so positive and you could tell they all loved their jobs. Especially those giving demonstrations and helping the kids learn something new! And the most shocking part of it all? It's completely FREE! Doesn't get any better than that.

We went because it was on our ASTC passport and it was a rainy day but admission is free regardless. There are movies that are extra but you can't beat free! Great museum with interesting nature exhibits. The dueling dinosaurs exhibit is very interesting and the butterfly room was great too. Not too crowded and lots of room to roam.

Huge museum and completely free! If this is the only museum of natural science that is closest to you then yes I would highly recommend this one. It's four floors and two different buildings as well. The other building has a lot of labs in it for students which I thought was cool. You could see them researching through the glass. There's a lot of information in this museum. If you read everything it will take you all day. I do like the snakes that they have. I was surprised to see an actual animal alive in this museum because majority of the museum is obviously from stuff that's not alive, like the extinct dinosaurs, really cool and a really awesome giant sloth skeleton. I don't know if I've seen that anywhere! And I travel a lot. If you have kids, this is a must. They do also have a café in here in case anyone gets hungry.

11/5/22: It was my first time here so I didn't know what to expect. We went on a busy Saturday afternoon & the exhibits were amazing. We went on both sides of the museum & took in all it had to offer. We didn't even take the kids. Lol. It was just us 2 grown ups having a blast. I learned a lot. I was freaked out by the snake exhibit because I do NOT like snakes or creepy crawly things. They make my skin crawl...literally. Barely anyone wore masks. COVID social distancing definitely wasn't in effect. We wore ours though, so no big deal I guess. I will definitely go back & take the kiddos next time. We really enjoyed ourselves.

Another stop while broke down and out walking. I haven't been to a museum in many years so I found it very interesting. 4 floors of various exhibits that were very well done. Live snakes and aquarium with various dish. Gift shops and cafe.

We ended up coming to the NC Museum of Natural Sciences on a weekend and enjoyed it! First, parking was free in the nearby garage, which was awesome, and then admission was also free. In my book, you're already in a winning position if everything is free :) There were quite a few cool exhibits and a lot of labs actively conducting research, which was pretty interesting to me but not as fun for my toddler :) They had a really large screen with various snippets of videos showing natural phenomena related to restoration in North Carolina (increasing the population of red wolves, explaining how forest fires are an important part of the natural cycle, etc.). I wouldn't say it was the biggest, most awesome museum ever, but it was free, so it's hard to rate it lower than 4 stars. I'd definitely recommend coming here if you're interested in science, particularly in the context of NC!

If I can give 6 stars, I would! Raleigh's museum of natural life and science blew us away! Price? FREE and all 4 floors of super interesting things to explore and learn! My son had a blast and it took us over 3 hours just to walk around and explore the museum

I think that this would be a better visit if you had never gone to any natural history museums anywhere else. However I have gone to a number of different museums and this was lacking on content. Some of the things were "cute", but for the most part it was okay. Also the air conditioner didn't seem to be working well.

The museum was small and interesting. I'm used to the one in LA so this one seemed like a miniature version. Granted it was warm out, but their AC was struggling and we were a little uncomfortable. Exhibits we're good but just seemed to be lacking.

Great place with interactive exhibits. Live animals with multi levels of interesting information along with great hands on stuff for the kids. I was pleasantly surprised to see they have a cafe on the top floor too. Parking on the street was free and easy.

I've really been impressed with this natural science museum. First off, the price is right (mostly free and ticketed special exhibits). It's large, with three stories, North Carolina centric! From oceans to forests and geology, the museum has an excellent array of material on display. Another highlight for me is the number of live animals that live there- in a way it's a museum with an aquarium side hustle. A highlight for the little ones is their Discovery Room, hosting a plethora of hands on items with things suitable for real young to older kiddos. Did I mention their live bee hive?? It's in plexiglass for awesome viewing, with the bees coming and going as they please through their access way to the outside. NCMNS also have a great deal of events and programming throughout the year, with a number of special exhibits per year as well. I must also mention the Prairie Ridge Ecostation, which is an educational and informative accessory location of the museum on the edge of town (near NCMA) focused on native vegetation. Great for walks and an awesome nature play space for kids! NC Museum of Natural Science is doing awesome things. Love it.

Haiku: NC Museum of Natural Sciences There's free admission Taxidermy animals Lots of research labs. --- I was thoroughly impressed with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. The museum is free admission and is for all ages. No tickets are required, just walk right in! As a top NC family destination, there's innovative natural science education and learning with ancient fossils, astronomy, changing climates, North Carolina seascapes, a butterfly exhibit (it was closed when we visited), and lots of research labs to see scientists and paleontologists at work (some are interactive!). There's a new Dueling Dinosaurs exhibit that will be finished in 2023 (which sounds exciting!). Plan to visit for a few hours because the natural science center comprises of two buildings: Nature Exploration Center and Natural Research Center (with bridges connecting both buildings on floors 2 & 3). There is a lot to see and explore! My child and my favorite room is the Discovery Room on the 2nd floor of the Nature Exploration Center. It's an interactive nature room where you can touch taxidermy animals and fossils, smell tropical scents, build using kinetic sand, guess animal tracks, try on costumes, play with puppets, and find hidden animals in their dead tree critter hotel. This is an ideal area for intergenerational learning. Also, The Daily Planet Cafe is a must-try if you want to break for lunch or a snack. It's located on the 1st floor of the Nature Research Center building. This museum has so much to offer and is a must-visit when you're in the area!

Would 100% this museum to anyone in the area! Perfect for children and families, or anyone looking for something fun to do. There are about 3 floors of exhibits to walk around and look at, and best of all- it's FREE! The only thing I wish we could have done was walk through the butterfly room, which was closed.

This museum was nothing short of amazing. We went here to celebrate my child's birthday with his grandparents. He was wowed and awed by everything he saw especially the fossils on every level. He loved the interactive exhibits, the variety of living creatures to the displays where we could play "I spy". We expected his attention span to be about 1-1 and half hours. It easily held his attention and excitement for upwards of 2. My parents compared this museum to the National Natural History Museum in DC and said it was just as great if not better. It's an absolutely beautiful building and the exhibits are well thought out and planned and cared for. We will be returning soon!

A must visit. It is free and offers so much between the models of dinosaurs and the butterfly exhibit and everything in-between. Easily spend a few hours here just soaking it all in. Since it is in downtown you can enjoy a nice lunch aftwards around the area. For more recommendations follow @raleighunlocked on Instagram.

Such a gem to have in Raleigh! First off this museum is FREE! Of course it's encouraged to make a donation, but you don't have to break the bank to have a day of family fun. The only thing they charge for is if you want to see one of their 3D movies. The place is huge, between the two building you could easily spend the full day there. They have all sorts of programs and special events (most of them also free) to check out as well. My son is 15 months and loved their story time with live animals. They read a book and then try to bring in animals relevant to the book. Such a cute program! I've also been to one of their afterhours adult events and I had quite a fun time there as well. Walking around the museum they have so much to look at. Definitely have stuff for kids/adults at any age. We tried to get into the butterfly room, but there was quite a line and the room is fairly small. I'd definitely give that a go on more of an off day. My son loved all the live fish they have throughout the museum. The dinosaur exhibits are also quite impressive. It's downtown so parking can be a bit hit or miss. Just be sure to plan accordingly and give yourself some extra time if you are trying to be there for an event.

Free museum with a good amount of live animals in addition to all the other displays. Great place to visit and spend an hour or two

I just love this museum. I can go to this museum over and over and never get bored. I love the effort put into the museum to show the different regions of NC. The dinosaur section is never a disappointment. The butterfly room (when open) is such a fun experience! The rotating special exhibits are always worth a visit too! I recently went to the Exquist Creatures exhibit and it's absolutely beautiful. The perfect place to go for a fun and educational experience!

Amazing place for children and adults. Nothing to say but all good things. I will always come back here when I visit again and will always donate since the entry door is opened to public with no entrance fee.

Beautiful, clean Free museum, very interesting exhibits and lots to see. I wandered around and read quite a bit. Parking was reasonable priced on the side of street. This is a very large 2 part museum, I would go early and take your time. You have 4 floors to get thru packed with a lot of info. They do have learning activities for the children, sign up early. This is one of the best museums that I have every been to for sure. Something for all to learn at this museum. Great option if you have some time to spare in the area. Hopefully I can get back to Raleigh to spend more time.

I am going to keep this review brief. If you are ever in Raleigh, this museum is a must-do, especially if you have children. Kids go crazy here. It's incredibly educational; I think it is one of the best museums I have visited. There are four levels of all kinds of plant and animal specimens, 1.7 million to be exact. The museum is free; however, it is supported by donations. The museum is connected to the Nature Research Center (NRC) by a breezeway. The NRC exhibits the tools and techniques used by scientists in their research. Pretty neat. 5 stars.

Such a wonderful place to take the family no matter their age. We came to chaperone a school field trip for our daughter several years ago but thought it would be a great revisit after so many years. It is a learning experience each time you come. Bring family visiting from out of state as well. Learn about our great state and our WORLD. This a free place but please do give a donation. Donations are what keeps this museum active. We will go back as soon as the rest of the museum areas are opened back up (covid). Enjoy and happy learning!

I learned so much about local history - you could spend hours in this place and not get bored. I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

The staff was so friendly when we walked in. They're very cautious with Covid and I love it. The museum was so fun and interesting, def kid friendly. My favorite part was seeing inside the fossil lab!

The museum is wonderful for young kids to explore My niece loves the interaction with science and art and carpentry. Lots for her to build and paint and play while learning

This is a five star museum and free (unless you purchase the IMAX theater experience films). So much to say. So much. Right in the heart of downtown Raleigh, it is within walking distance of all the museums and the government buildings including the state capital. Make sure you set time to see all the things around you. The giant Earth around the back of the museum is a must see from the outside. Trust me, you will know it when you see it. Learn about the history of the state from the dinosaurs to today. This museum educates you on rocks, sentiment, waterways, all living things and provides scenes of various parts of the state and different parts of history. The 3 story Ampitheater is so relaxing. Sit back and just see how little we really are in the universe. The structure of the museum and exhibits alone will show you tremendous time and money was put into this museum. It is one of the best, if not the best non-food thing Raleigh has. You need to see it if you are in town. Make it a part of your trip. If you live there and haven't been there yet...shame on you. Go Not today, it is Christmas. But, go.

If you want to see the oldest, biggest, over the top bones the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is a one stop extravaganza. Drop what you are doing and go there right now. You won't be disappointed.

My family had a great time at the museum. It is great for all ages. My toddler loved storytime and the dinosaurs. My husband enjoyed the new part of the museum. The exhibits are well done and the best part, it is free. We went on a state holiday so parking on the street was free. The onsite restaurant is reasonably priced with good food: so you don't have to leave. It is worth the drive to Raleigh to come to the museum.

My sister and I had an hour to kill and didn't want to spend more money eating, drinking, or shopping so we walked through town to this museum. The whale skeletons were the highlight of our visit! It sounds spooky and crazy and it sure is, but stunning in size and amazing to take a photo underneath. Go upstairs to see the skeletons from above. The shark jaw was awesome too. Lots of taxidermy animals and exhibits to see but they were all just ok. The gift shop and bathrooms are nice. Kids would love this!