The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, located at the heart of downtown Raleigh, is the largest museum of its kind in the Southeast and one of the nation’s most respected museums that explores the natural world.
The Museum consists of two buildings:
- The Nature Exploration Center at 11 West Jones Street shows what we know about the natural world with four floors of exhibits to explore. Highlights include an impressive collection of whale and dinosaur skeletons, exhibits that incorporate live animals, a 250-seat theater for 3D movies and more, and a special exhibition hall that will feature “Dragons” in early 2027.
- The Nature Research Center at 121 West Jones Street introduces how we know about the natural world by bringing research into the public eye. Highlights include glass-walled research labs, hand-on labs, a three-story movie and presentation space, a 10,000-gallon aquarium and the world-renowned Dueling Dinosaurs exhibit featuring the only 100% complete Nanotyrannus in the world.
The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences is currently open Monday-Sunday, 10am-5pm, but is closed on some holidays. Please visit naturalsciences.org or call the Museum at (919) 707-9800 for more information.
Visit the NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Prairie Ridge Ecostation, Raleigh
The Museum’s 45-acre outdoor education facility in west Raleigh, Prairie Ridge is currently closed to the public while the Mary Ann Brittain Education Center is being built. This new Education Center will add an indoor classroom and dedicated educator space — significantly expanding opportunities for learning in every season. The Education Center and the Ecostation are expected to reopen in spring 2027.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville
The Museum's Whiteville branch, located at 415 South Madison Street, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please call (910) 788-5100 for more information.