Large museum with dinosaur fossils, live animal exhibits, and interactive nature displays.
11 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA
Free admission; features dinosaurs, whales, and native animals. Great for kids.
“NC Museum of Natural Science downtown Raleigh (free, dinosaurs, whales, native animals).”
Overheard on r/raleigh · 38 upvotes
Great for babies to look at exhibits and it is free admission.
“lots of cool things to look at and….it’s free!”
Overheard on r/raleigh · 31 upvotes
Free admission and air-conditioned. Features a butterfly garden, live sloths, and glass-walled labs where you can watch scientists work.
“Natural science museum in Raleigh... it’s free and air conditioned.”
Overheard on r/raleigh · 27 upvotes
You can donate to specific museum causes like education, collections, or scientific research directly through their website if you want to support specific areas.
“you can donate to specific causes, like exhibits, education, collections, scientific research”
Overheard on r/raleigh · 17 upvotes
The museum is free, but recent leadership changes have led to issues with gift shop inventory, inaccurate website info, and some neglected exhibits like the saltwater tanks.
“our free museums are the crown jewels of our state government.”
Overheard on r/raleigh · 17 upvotes
Kid-friendly outdoor space to run around. Features innovative playground equipment that makes music. Pair with the nearby Sassafras playground.
“not "for" kids but it's kid-friendly and a great place for them to run around outside on a nice day.”
Overheard on r/raleigh · 13 upvotes
Free admission and free parking on weekends. Excellent for rainy or cold days. Features dinosaurs and an aquarium.
“Free admissions and parking is free on weekends.”
Overheard on r/raleigh · 10 upvotes
If you are unhappy with the museum's direction or gift shop, you can contact leadership directly at denise.young@naturalsciences.org or kim.odell@naturalsciences.org.
“Denise can be reached at denise.young@naturalsciences.org or (919) 707-9801, and Kim at kim.odell@naturalsciences.org”
Overheard on r/raleigh · 5 upvotes
Offers educational summer programs; register early as they fill up fast.
“museums like natural science museum... have great programs”
Overheard on r/raleigh · 3 upvotes
Offers a low-stress birthday program with animal interactions, but be aware of the strict guest count limit.
“The staff is great and the kids get to interact with animals. Very low stress for parents.”
Overheard on r/raleigh · 2 upvotes
The sculpture park is great for kids and the indoor galleries are free to walk through.
“The museum of art has a great sculpture park! Totally free if you walk around inside too”
Overheard on r/raleigh · 1 upvotes
Free admission. Features indoor galleries plus outdoor walking trails and interactive art installations.
“The Museum of Art on Blue Ridge Rd. is also free. In addition to the paintings... there are walking trails”
Overheard on r/raleigh · 1 upvotes
Membership is worth it for the play areas alone; you don't have to see all the animals in one visit.
“I’d also suggest getting a membership to the zoo; it has amazing play areas for kids in addition to the animals.”
Overheard on r/raleigh · 1 upvotes
The museum is free to enter; check their website for recurring free children's programs.
“Also check their website periodically to see if they have started their free children's programs back up. Free.”
Overheard on r/raleigh · -1 upvotes
Excellent free activity for families in Raleigh.
“Kill some time at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, it's free (!)”
Overheard on r/raleigh · -1 upvotes
Offers interactive activities for kids. Great for a day trip.
“Natural sciences museum has some cool interactive activities for kids!”
Overheard on r/raleigh · 8 upvotes
The gift shop currently has limited toddler-sized clothing and lacks the variety of nature-themed apparel (dinosaurs, bugs, animals) it previously carried.
“They don’t even stock any toddler sizes in shirts except 2 that were about like girl power or something instead of anything about nature or science.”
Overheard on r/raleigh · 7 upvotes
Highly recommended venue for a unique and educational birthday experience.
“we had our kids 5th party here and it was awesome”
Overheard on r/raleigh · 6 upvotes
Great for kids, but can be crowded and difficult to supervise toddlers. Check for live animal demonstrations.
“Natural science museum is great but tough chasing kids when it’s crowded.”
Overheard on r/raleigh · 3 upvotes
Hosts dinosaur-themed birthday parties with interactive experiences like holding fossils or meeting live insects.
“They have tons of dinosaur exhibits and they host birthday parties”
Overheard on r/raleigh · 3 upvotes
Features a great kids' room and offers free admission.
“The Museum of Natural Science (downtown Raleigh) also has a great kids room… free admission.”
Overheard on r/raleigh · 1 upvotes
A science-themed play room specifically designed for small children. Admission is free.
“A science themed play room for small kids. Free.”
Overheard on r/raleigh · -1 upvotes
KinClub Family Activities is one doorway into KinClub — the intergenerational home built by a family, for families. Keep exploring the rest.
