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North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

2,192 Reviews

#1 of 130 things to do in Raleigh

Features Animals

Museums, Science Museums, Natural History Museums

Closed Now: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

11 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601-1029

Open today: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Review Highlights

“Best museum ”

We really enjoyed this museum, loved the science experiments the teens got to do. The butterfly... read more

Reviewed 4 days ago

929tinaz

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

via mobile

“Amazing Museum”

This museum is wonderful, it is 3 levels of information and great exhibits, and it is Free! The... read more

Reviewed 1 week ago

Lovesfood66

via mobile

Read all 2,192 reviews

All photos (1,124)

Full view

Certificate of Excellence

Traveler Overview

4.5 2,192 reviews

Excellent77%
Very good19%
Average2%
Poor1%
Terrible1%

Travelers talk about

“all ages”(221 reviews)

“butterfly room”(57 reviews)

“butterfly exhibit”(40 reviews)

About

The Southeast's largest natural history museum features dinosaurs, whale skeletons, live animals, walk-through dioramas, special exhibits, hands-on science education and accessible scientists. IMLS National Medal Finalist, 2014.

Closed Now

Hours Today: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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11 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601-1029

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1 - 10 of 2,127 reviews

929tinaz

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

6317

Reviewed 4 days ago via mobile

Best museum

We really enjoyed this museum, loved the science experiments the teens got to do. The butterfly 🦋 exhibit was beautiful. Loved all the bones of prehistoric animals. This is a must stop for families.

Date of experience: June 2019

Thank 929tinaz

Lovesfood66

Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

Amazing Museum

This museum is wonderful, it is 3 levels of information and great exhibits, and it is Free! The exhibits include fish, whales, dinosaurs, solar system, too much to name. We spent 3 hours there, and barely made it through before closing. North Carolina should be...More

Date of experience: June 2019

Thank Lovesfood66

COTraveller33

Silver Spring, Maryland

628211

Reviewed 2 weeks ago

Amazing museum!

Stopped in to check it out one Sunday morning before we catching a show at PNC. This is a 4.7 on Google, and #1 thing to do in Raleigh for a reason. First off – it’s massive. Second – it’s VERY interactive. Third – it’s...More

Date of experience: May 2019

Thank COTraveller33

anacT7803MG

Raleigh, North Carolina

128

Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile

Quick stop

My son does not like Museums. He did like the activities on this one and the room with the taxedermized animals. People here were great taking time to explain things and engage the children. They have a good small collection and lots of explanations on...More

Date of experience: June 2019

Thank anacT7803MG

Margie P

Goldsboro, North Carolina

10343

Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile

Incredible exhibits and theatre all under 1 roof

This museum has FREE ADMISSION and a small fee for parking of no more than $2.00 for a maximum of 2 hours. We took advantage of the charge station right in front of the museum for our electric car which was awesome. I believe there...More

Date of experience: May 2019

Thank Margie P

LindaM173

Corry

7220

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Husband enjoyed it.

I was visiting a friend in Raleigh so my husband took a Lyft do downtown to visit the science museum. He loved it and wants to go back.

Date of experience: May 2019

Thank LindaM173

Maps151342

Paradise Valley, Arizona

Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile

Great museum!

Easy to navigate, great exhibits, very informative and FREE! Highly recommend for adults and families with children.

Date of experience: May 2019

Thank Maps151342

GG12014

Aiea, Hawaii

7422

Reviewed 4 weeks ago via mobile

Huge, wonderful museum!

This was the largest and most creative science museum we have ever seen. And admission is free! The museum is housed in 2 buildings connected by open bridges on floors 2 and 3. It is visually exciting, using large displays, colors, TV monitors, and lights....More

Date of experience: May 2019

Thank GG12014

Roam44033282824

Reviewed 5 weeks ago via mobile

Fun

Has a lot to see, bring your walking shoes. We thought the staff was very friendly and helpful. Love that it is free.

Date of experience: May 2019

Thank Roam44033282824

Inspiration630047

Reviewed 5 weeks ago

Creat Museum

I just moved here since jan and Ive already been there 2 times. Great museum Very informative easy walking

Date of experience: May 2019

Thank Inspiration630047

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Questions & Answers

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See all 16 questions

degayle

Can you bring a lunch and eat it in the cafeteria?

March 18, 2019|

AnswerShow all 4 answers

You are not allowed to eat your home-brought food in the museum. However, you are allowed to bring your food and eat it on the outdoor Bicentennial Plaza. They have a cafe where you can purchase meals.