Cook Museum of Natural Science
About This Museum
The Cook Museum of Natural Science in Decatur, Alabama, feels like a contemporary reboot of the classic natural history museum. It’s not a dusty archive but a vibrant, immersive journey into the living world. You move from the deep hum of a saltwater aquarium, past a towering tornado simulation, to the quiet awe of fossilized giants. It masterfully blends scientific inquiry with a palpable sense of wonder.
Collection Highlights
The immense Great Reef Aquarium is a showstopper, teeming with colorful fish and gliding rays. Equally compelling is the severe weather gallery where you can safely step into the swirling winds of a simulated tornado. Don't miss the extensive gem and mineral hall, sparkling with raw geological beauty.
Visitor Information
It's right downtown on 4th Avenue NE, so parking is straightforward and you can easily make a day of it. Be sure to check their website for timed tickets for the more popular live animal demonstrations—they're worth planning for.
Architecture & Building
Housed in a strikingly modern building of glass and steel, its clean lines and large windows deliberately blur the line between the curated exhibits inside and the natural world just outside.
Contact & Location
Address: Cook Museum of Natural Science, 133, 4th Avenue Northeast, Decatur, Morgan County, Alabama, 35601, United States
Phone: +1 256-351-4505
Website: Visit Website
