The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh (not to be confused with the Museum of Life and Science in Durham) is a wonderful FREE indoor option for young tots, as well as older children and adults. This museum is one of our go to options when we have family in town and need something that can entertain all ages.
The museum houses some fresh water and salt water animals – including several types of turtles, fish, sea horses and shrimp. You can find frogs, bugs and snakes, and see gemstones and life-size dinosaur models. There are models of ecosystems and a butterfly house that contains a two-toed sloth. Look up above your head and you will see giant whale skeletons. There is also a 3D movie theater with educational shows and special exhibits that have an extra cost. But the rest of the museum? Completely FREE (although you will have to pay for parking)!
The museum is actually two buildings called the Nature Research Center (NRC) and the Nature Exploration Center (NEC). Both buildings are connected by a sky bridge so you can work your way up the floors in one building, then cross over and work your way down in the other building.
Pandemic Policies
Check the most up to date policies on the website here.
Nature Research Center Exhibits
The Nature Research Center (NRC) is where you will see the scientists at work. The bottom floor contains exhibits like a giant whale skeleton, human body diagram, and an interactive submarine you can sit in. You can also get a great view of the Daily Planet, which shows nature videos inside of the large globe. You can see this movie screen from each floor of the building via the balcony, but in my opinion the best view is from the ground.
The upper floor contains labs that students from NC State actually work in. You may see them performing experiments, and sometimes they even do demonstrations.
Downstairs in the NRC is a café if you need a snack. Some days you will find food trucks or vendors just outside the museum as well.
Nature Exploration Center Exhibits
The Nature Exploration Center (NEC) is the building that my young toddlers enjoy the most. Here you can see dinosaur replicas and live animals like frogs, snakes, and fish. Not all of the exhibits are real animals, although some of the fake aquariums are very believable!
Café and Butterfly Room
Outside food is not allowed in the museum, but up on the 4th floor of the NEC, right next to the butterfly exhibit, is a café that includes healthy options and treats. It’s a good place to take a snack break for the little ones!
The butterfly room is an awesome interactive space where you can see butterflies up close and personal. It’s very similar to the Landing Zone at Sylvan Heights Bird Park, except with butterflies instead of birds! Staff limits the number of guests that enter the space, and you must enter a waiting room before entry so no butterflies escape.
Discovery Room for Toddlers
The Nature Exploration Center also houses a limited hours play area for children called the Discovery Room. It has dinosaur toys, wooden blocks, puzzles, and books. Find a microscope, dress up as an animal, use a magnifying glass, and observe beetles. Our favorite activity is the sand table with colored lights that shows topography and elevation. This area is an awesome hands-on experience for your child, and is especially great for the younger ones, so you won’t want to miss it!
The discovery room has limited hours, so check out the schedule shown below.
The butterfly room and the discovery room are both closed on Mondays, so that might not be the best time for a visit. Although there is plenty to do without those.
Story Time with the Animals
One of our favorite things to do at the museum is story time with the animals! They have it several times a day on the 3rd floor of the NEC. The instructor brings 2-3 animals, some you get to touch, and you get a close up view with all of them. We’ve seen rabbits, turtles, a hedgehog, lizards, a dove and more. It’s a unique experience and definitely worth going to.
Birthday Parties at the Museum
If you decide to have a birthday party here, your group gets their very own “meet the animals” experience. You can read more on birthday parties here.
The science museum can be a good bit of walking, so for younger tots a stroller is really helpful. We go here quite a bit since my kids LOVE it here. Since there are no local aquariums, this is a nice alternative.
While you’re downtown, find more tot spots to visit here. Swing by the NC Museum of History right next door to extend your visit!
The science museum is one of our favorite places in Raleigh!! Educational and fun! Definitely check it out 🙂