North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
About This Museum
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences feels less like a static repository and more like a vibrant, living portal into the state's wild heart. You can start your journey by gazing up at the towering, 70-foot Acrocanthosaurus skeleton in the dinosaur hall, then wander through a two-story mountain habitat buzzing with native wildlife. It’s a place where you’re just as likely to catch a 3D film about deep-sea vents as you are to watch a naturalist feed a corn snake during a live animal program. This is where North Carolina's ancient past and thriving present collide under one roof.
Collection Highlights
The museum's fossil collection is legendary, anchored by the terrifyingly magnificent Acro canopying the main hall. Don't miss the immersive Coastal North Carolina exhibit, which surrounds you with aquariums and a life-size whale model, or the detailed dioramas that transport you from the Appalachian peaks to the Piedmont forests.
Visitor Information
It’s free to get in, which is fantastic for families, though there might be a small charge for the really popular 3D films and special exhibits. Grab a coffee in their cafe and find a spot by the giant windows overlooking Bicentennial Plaza—it's the perfect pit stop between exploring the prehistoric world and meeting live butterflies.
Architecture & Building
The building itself is a conversation between old and new; the original, stately brick structure now connects via a stunning glass atrium to the modern, four-story Nature Research Center, making the entire complex feel both grand and transparent.
Contact & Location
Address: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11, West Jones Street, Seaboard Station, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, 27601, United States
Phone: +1 919-707-9800
Website: Visit Website
