North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences | Raleigh

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, located in downtown Raleigh, is the largest natural history museum in the Southeastern United States and one of North Carolina’s most visited attractions. It provides a deep, immersive educational experience through its scientific exhibits, live animals, research facilities, and public engagement initiatives. The museum spans multiple interconnected buildings and campuses, each with a specific focus, combining to form a comprehensive exploration of natural sciences.

1. Nature Exploration Center (NEC)

This is the original museum building and offers a classic natural history experience across four floors of permanent exhibits that highlight the rich biodiversity, geology, and ecosystems of North Carolina and beyond.

Key Exhibits in the NEC:

Mountains to the Sea Exhibit:
A detailed journey through North Carolina's diverse ecosystems, from the Appalachian Mountains to the coastal estuaries. The exhibit features lifelike dioramas with taxidermied animals and real specimens in naturalistic settings.

Prehistoric North Carolina:
This area highlights the state's ancient past, with real fossils, a full-sized Acrocanthosaurus skeleton (a dinosaur once native to the area), and reconstructions of prehistoric creatures like the giant ground sloth.

Coastal North Carolina:
Features skeletons of whales and dolphins, live marine animals in aquariums, and interactive exhibits explaining tides, estuaries, and coastal habitats.

Terror of the South:
Houses the aforementioned Acrocanthosaurus in a dramatic display, alongside fossilized footprints and other remains from the Cretaceous period.

Living Conservatory:
A walk-through indoor habitat simulating a Central/South American dry tropical forest. Visitors can encounter live butterflies, a two-toed sloth, turtles, and tropical plants in an immersive greenhouse-like setting.

Underground North Carolina:
A geology-focused exhibit where visitors can explore the state's natural resources, minerals, and the inner structure of Earth through interactive displays and mining artifacts.

2. Nature Research Center (NRC)

Connected to the NEC by a second-story pedestrian bridge called the "Bridge Across Time," the NRC emphasizes cutting-edge research and scientific inquiry. It functions as both a museum and an active scientific laboratory.

Features of the NRC:

SECU Daily Planet Theater:
A three-story globe structure with a high-definition video screen used for live science presentations, film screenings, and educational lectures. It forms a visual centerpiece for the museum.

Visible Research Labs:
Behind glass walls, visitors can observe real scientists conducting research in genomics, paleontology, astronomy, and microbiology. These labs provide opportunities for the public to interact directly with researchers.

Investigate Labs:
Hands-on learning environments where visitors, especially students, can participate in experiments and explore scientific equipment. There are dedicated labs for chemistry, biology, and natural sciences.

Dueling Dinosaurs Exhibit:
One of the most important paleontological finds in recent history — the fossilized remains of a Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops entombed together. This exhibit explores the mystery of their preservation and potential combat scenario, along with insights into fossil dating and analysis.

Micro World iLab:
Visitors can use high-tech microscopes and imaging technology to explore microbes, DNA, and cells. It focuses on biological research in a way that's accessible to all ages.

Windows on Research:
These mini-exhibits highlight ongoing projects and discoveries from North Carolina and around the world, updated frequently to reflect new research.

3. Special Installations and Attractions

Patterned by Nature:
An artistic and scientific installation that runs through the NRC lobby. It consists of a 90-foot long display made of programmable LCD tiles that show patterns found in nature, such as fractals, waveforms, and spiral galaxies.

Arthropod Zoo:
A fascinating space dedicated to insects, spiders, millipedes, and crustaceans. Live creatures are on display, often rotated with new specimens. It’s a popular stop for children and entomology enthusiasts.

Snakes of North Carolina Exhibit:
A live display featuring venomous and non-venomous snakes native to the region, accompanied by detailed information on their habitats and behavior.

4. Public Programs and Educational Outreach

Field Trips and School Programs:
Tailored for all age groups, these programs are curriculum-aligned and cover topics such as ecosystems, evolution, geology, and conservation.

Science Cafés and Lectures:
Evening presentations for adults and teens that blend science with culture, often featuring guest speakers including leading scientists and researchers.

Summer Camps and Workshops:
Hands-on experiences for children aged 5–16, covering subjects from robotics and coding to paleontology and environmental science.

Dino Dig Live and Virtual Expeditions:
Programs that allow visitors to observe paleontological digs in real-time, either via livestreams from dig sites or through interactive exhibits.

5. Satellite and Partner Campuses

Prairie Ridge Ecostation (Raleigh):
An outdoor extension of the museum where visitors can hike, birdwatch, and explore various habitats including prairie, forest, and wetland ecosystems. It hosts outdoor classrooms and citizen science events.

Whiteville Branch:
Focuses on the natural heritage of southeastern North Carolina with exhibits relevant to the local environment and community programs.

Greenville Branch:
Offers a mix of natural and cultural exhibits, with an emphasis on regional biodiversity and conservation issues.

Contentnea Creek (Hookerton, NC):
A 400-acre outdoor learning site with hiking trails, astronomy observatory, planetarium, and canoe trails. It provides space for immersive educational retreats and environmental science programs.

Visitor Essentials

Location:
11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, North Carolina

Hours of Operation:
Open seven days a week, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Admission:
General admission is free for all visitors. Some special exhibits or events may charge a fee.

Accessibility:
The museum is wheelchair-accessible and provides accommodations for visitors with disabilities. Elevators, ramps, and assistive listening devices are available.

Dining and Shopping:
There is an on-site café offering snacks and light meals, and a gift shop that sells educational toys, books, and science-themed merchandise.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is a remarkable institution that integrates public education, scientific research, and natural history into one seamless experience. Whether you're interested in prehistoric life, living ecosystems, active research, or simply a family-friendly adventure, the museum offers an unparalleled journey into the wonders of the natural world.