north carolina museum of natural sciences

renovation complete, amazing whale skeleton on display parking is tough downtown as the underground lot is closed apparently for security.

If you haven't visited in a while, don't miss the new sections. They have added some high tech displays and many new things in the last couple of years.

One of the best museums it is! My kid loved the all the floors. The first floor came straight from the "Melt Down" of Ice age. Big, really big fish - the skeletons of which is in the second photo, the second floor - I think contained exhibits of the live species - a wide spread of butterflies, snakes, spiders and insects. The third floor (don't recall now whether it was third or the top floor) had the dinosaurs section. Just Wow! We were not able to visit the space exihibtion for it was already late in the day. Overall, an outstanding museum. There was no entry fee; the adjacent parking had an entry fee though.

This is one of the best science museums we've been to and it's free! We've been to birthday parties hosted here and they did a really good job. You could easily spend the whole day here and have fun for every age group. Parking on streets is mostly parallel parking but you can turn down a corner to get free parking in garages (best bet).

I've been here many times with my kids and on field trips with my students. It's a wonderful museum. Reptile Day is amazing. However, the occasionally have special attractions which are less than stellar. Today, we paid almost $50 to see the World's Largest Dinosaurs....one room with various dino bones and one huge replica. Eh.

I've been on a number of trips to the NC Museum of Natural Sciences numerous times over the years. School field trips, Saturday trips and my bluegrass band has even performed there and every trip revealed a new treasure or interesting fact. Top this off with the fact that this is a free resource and it really doesn't get any better. Do yourself a favor and visit this museum. You won't be disappointed.

My kids and I love this museum. Coming from NY I have visited many museums and this one is definitely one of the top 3!!!! In my opinion!!! I love the butterfly house with the sloth, the movie theater and its offerings...the hands on exhibits...it's all wonderful and so much fun for kids and parents! We have never been bored at your museum and we have returned countless times since we moved here! Wonderful day trip with kids....lovely parks for a picnic afterwards in Raleigh!!!!Enjoy your visit!

The Free Museum is really well done and modern. From the stock cars and traditional historical displays to the more modern.The Sports exhibit has all of them in nearly 20 various spurts and good graphics and artifacts.PAY some money and you can See the NC Film and TV display that is open til 9/2015.Bull Durham, Nights in Rodanthe, Weekend at Bernie's, Cape Fear, and literally over 50 displays to see - take your time

This was the first time I visited the Natural Science museum in Raleigh but the rest of the family had visited in the past. It now has a Nature Research center connected by walkways on the 2nd & 4th floors. This new area has labs that you can watch scientists/researchers as well as rooms that you can try different hands-on activities. All the of areas we visited were free (although they have a special paid dinosaur exhibit) and well worth the time on a cold winter day!

If we need somewhere to go kill some time, let the kid explore and learn...this is the place. There is always MORE to find and learn than you did on your last visit. Highly recommend and you should go multiple times to really soak it all in. Good cafe upstairs, and neat pay only exhibits.

Visited here many times while living in Raleigh! Great for a date, to explore with friends/family, and a fantastic wedding venue (a couple I know got married here)! So many exhibits, friendly staff, and always new things to check out. Perfect for sunny or rainy days. Some exhibits have a admission fee, but the museum in general is donation only.

I've visited North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 3 or 4 times and enjoy myself with each visit. When family or friends come to town to visit, I usually visit the downtown area and the museum.

A great place to spend sometime with the family. it is free and you get so much out. you need a whole day to really explore all the areas including the extension added a couple of years ago. very well done.

The museum is a great place to take children or family members. There are three floors filled with amazing sights and learning experiences. The dinosaurs and flying pterodactyl are exciting for the little ones to see, but so are the snakes! This museum is a must when in the Raleigh area.

There is lots to see here and it is free to get in. Some special exhibits have a charge. Plan on 2-3 hours to look at everything.