North Carolina Museum of Life and Science Science & Technology

Tornados, Rockets & Bugs, Oh My!

433 Murray Avenue
Durham,
NC, 27704
United States
Phone No. +1 919 220 5429
Visit Websitehttp://www.ncmls.org
Cards Accepted:

Overview

Walk through a tornado, experiment with water pumps and surround yourself in a giant bubble. Watch in wonder as exotic butterflies float by in the Magic Wings Butterfly House and feel a chill go up your spine as you visit with un-caged giant orb spiders. Home to an actual Apollo Command Module and Neil Armstrong's space suit, this museum makes the history of space travel come to life.

Open Hours

Su from 12:00 AM to 05:00 PM, Tu to Sa from 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM

Disappointing and in disrepairby Yahoo | 2008-07-27 20:36:34 |

When I was a kid, we used to drive to the NC Museum of Life and Science as a special treat once a year. I loved it. So, 10 years later (I'm 25), I took my wife to check it out. We've loved going to science museums in various states (Cleveland and Seattle both have excellent ones!), and wanted to check out the one here in North Carolina. The best feeling I can use to describe when I went was "sad". Many of the exhibits were the same as 10 - 15 years ago, and hadn't seemed to be maintained well at all. I'd guess almost half of the interactive exhibits we tried were broken. There are a couple of really cool ones (I'll never get tired of the tornado machine, the bug/butterfly center was impressive, and the new air-blasters in the outside wind exhibit are mesmerizing), but as a whole it was just a sad experience. I couldn't decide if I wanted to donate at the end to help them, or not donate since it was clear they weren't using the donations well. The zoo section was okay (the lemur camera was fun to play with), though nothing compared to Asheboro. Plenty of fun to be had for kids (on the working exhibits, that is), but to anyone over 12 it's going to be obvious how old and worn much of this museum is. Should probably be re-labeled as the NC Children's Museum of Life and Science.

A good way to spend some time with familyby Yahoo | 2008-01-12 13:36:36 |

Is a good way to spend some time with family and learn new things at the same time. There are so much variety to see.

We can't wait to go back!by Yahoo | 2007-12-11 13:47:04 |

it is the best museum ever !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! go to it on wedsdays when its spictaculue i think it is the best museum ever!!!!!!!!!! i like the butter fly house the best !!!!!!

The grandchildren loved itby Yahoo | 2007-09-07 02:01:12 |

So much to do, so much to see! Hands on, with plenty of variety including indoor and outdoor areas. My 2 and 4 year old grandchildren loved the "small science" area, were fascinated by the touchable cloud and tornado displays, and spent 20 minutes at the outdoor music-making area. We watched little ones, teens, and adults playing the kettle drums, bells, and gongs together. Allow several hours to explore this museum with young and old.

I'd go there againby Yahoo | 2007-08-03 22:39:08 |

We had a good time. The kids enjoyed themselves. I'd go there again. The Butterfly exhibit was the best. The outside cafe was nice too and the food wasn't bad.

Purchase a membershipby Yahoo | 2007-06-09 16:37:59 |

We live nearby in Wake Forest, NC and had so much fun on our first visit in April that we purchased a membership. We have been back two more times. The kids always ask when we can go back. We were very impressed with the Cafe...the food was yummy! So many things to do. We can't wait for the new Catch the Wind exhibit to open.

Fun and different Date locationby Yahoo | 2007-06-04 16:19:59 |

With the new Grayson's Cafe at the Museum the Museum of Life and Science is a great place to go for an afternoon outing. While most people think of it as a children's museum, most of the exhibits are applicable and entertaining for adults, particularly the butterfly house, Explore the Wild and the soon to be open Catch the Wind. Stop off at Grayson's either for a tasty lunch, or just a cool drink and ice cream. I would suggest planning on doing the outside exhibits earlier in the day during the summer, as it gets blazing hot out there. But the animals, particularly the bears, will often surprise you by being very active at the hottest parts of the day, splashing and jumping in the pool just below the observation area. Other days they escape the heat in rocky overhangs at the back, but you can always find them with the cameras.

I luv this place!by Yahoo | 2007-05-13 19:16:36 |

I luv this place! my favorite part was the.............whole musem and the space shuttels!it was so cool to learn there i went with mi class on a feild trip.My school is long hill school it's an elementrey mi teacher is Mrs.good and mi name is ________.I will NOT TELL.

We had a great time.by Yahoo | 2007-04-06 15:25:57 |

My sisiter was home from TN, so her * her 3 kids, my niece and her 4 kids, my roommate and her kid, and me & my husband went. We had the best time, the kids were happy but tired! We will definatly do it again!!!

Great for kids... of all ages!by Yahoo | 2007-01-26 17:47:40 |

It's great for an afternoon out with the kids. There are things do do and see both inside and out. We go ALL the time!