Museum of Life and Science
add photosThe Museum of Life and Science has 65,000 square feet of indoor space and 13 acres of outside exhibits. Hundreds of interactive exhibits, including one of the East Coast’s largest butterfly conservatories; a nature park with bears, wolves and lemurs; a giant radio-controlled sailboat pond; and a railroad
Train rides are an additional charge of $2.50 per person. Ornithopher rides are $1.00 (tokens available in Catch the Wind).
16 Reviews for Museum of Life and Science
25
61 family found this helpful
"loved what we saw"
When we went to the Museum of life and Science we werent able to see it all. some of the museum had been closed due to an accident that morning however we were still able to go to the areas that were open at a reduced rate. The butterfly house was my absolute favorite part of the museum. They also offer a petting zoo and an outside playground. We are definitely planning a trip back to this museum to see what the parts were we couldnt see.
Send a Message 
Send a Compliment
It's helpful
0 families found this helpful
"Membership worth it"
We got the family membership and would usually go for a couple hours at a time. It's not a large museum, but the kids always enjoyed it. I would call ahead of time to make sure that you don't go on the day of a field trip- the elementary kids were a bit inconsiderate of the littler children. My children liked the train ride and the animals outside. I like the enclosed play area that made it safe to let my children wander within it's walls. I also liked that there was an enclosed area for toddlers. The butterfly room was always a highlight.
0 families found this helpful
"My 3-year-old loves this hands-on museum!"
This is an awesome museum for young children. It has both indoor outdoor exhibits; I highly recommend visiting when the weather is nice enough to explore the outdoor part. It's clean and spread-out. Among many other things, there's a gigantic wooden play structure with bridges and tunnels, drums to beat, a caboose to run through, a sandbox with trucks, a dinosaur trail with fossil dig, a 10-minute train ride ($5 a person), animals, and a butterfly house. There's also a cafe with healthy options, as well as clean restrooms.
The indoor part is on 2 floors and full of exhibits. It's especially crowded on Wednesdays when Durham residents are free.
I highly recommend a membership, it more than pays for itself and members have the first opportunity to purchase tickets for the popular Santa Train. Parking is free and easy.
0 families found this helpful
"Great Interactive Museum "
This is a great interactive museum that features a range of exhibits from railroads to aerospace. Included is a display of the Apollo 15 and Enos, the first U.S. spacecraft to orbit Earth. The museum’s nature center is the best part of the museum. Here visitors can see a variety of wildlife and learn more about it through hands-on activities. For example, the kids can hold a box turtle or hear a rabbit’s snappy heartbeat. There is a farmyard where the kids can pet the animals and a great tropical butterfly house.
0 families found this helpful
"Depending on what you want it can be great. "
This museum is all about the outdoors if you ask me! hey have a ton of really great space for kids to play, beat drums, explore animal life and get up close and personal with butterflies! I was not impressed with the indoor play area for small children. It seems cramped and dirty compared to other local museums. But the outdoor opportunities make up for that!
1 family found this helpful
"Our favorite spot"
The Museum of Life and Science is one of our favorite places to go to explore and have fun. We just bought a membership and go every few weeks. My 17 month old son loves the Butterfly House and the Under 6 play area. I love the Catch the Wind exhibit and watching the bears and wolves. We've visit the museum several times and we are constantly discovering something new. Also, throughout the year they have great special exhibits which we like to visit. We always try to bring our friends with us so they can enjoy the fun.
0 families found this helpful
"New dinosaur trail"
This new addition to the museum is great! The dinosaurs are huge and the kids are in awe of their sheer size. Adults too! The museum has a lot to offer. There is a butterfly and insect house, an outdoor train, and an outdoor and indoor playground. They have a space exhibit that is all tactile and various events throughout the year that are very informative and exciting for the kids to learn from and enjoy.
1 family found this helpful
"So much to see and learn"
There is so much to see, learn, touch, and explore. And the best thing, is it's all free. Although the admission is free, I would definitely pay to visit. Visitors of all ages will learn about many animals, their habitats, growth, and diet. Our favorite "touch and learn" experience was in the science room. A huge variety of animals have been preserved and labeled for all to learn about. The deli had a great choice of sandwiches and salads.
1 family found this helpful
"Great fun!"
This is a great place to visit for the entire family. There are a lot of educational exhibits but it's a very hands on museum. There are very few displays that you just sit back and look at and can't at least touch or get close to. It also seems that the layout is conducive to the attention span of children....nothing drags on for too long. There is so much room to run and play and so many different things to see that it's almost impossible to take it all in on one trip! The 6 and 8 year old could have dug in the pit on the dinosaur trail all day and my 9 month old had lots of new animals and sights to take in. The insect section is really interesting, and there are even giant spiders out in the open! This is a must see in the Triangle area.
0 families found this helpful
"Excellent musuem "
We have not been back to see the new dinosaur trail, but we did love the museum last time we went. The exhibits are great, and they get the kids asking a lot of questions...which is what we like them to do! We will be going back soon, as my 2 year old loves dinosaurs!
0 families found this helpful
"We Love Life & Science!"
This museum is a great place. We like to go there on rainy days, sunny days, any day! It is fun and educational for everyone in the family, infants through grandparents. The family membership is totally worth the price. If you only go every other month, you'll still save on admission prices. They always have something fun going on. You can spend hours inside the museum, and many more hours outside of the museum, on the playground , in the barnyard, the Dinosaur Trail, ect.
If you've never been there before, and happen to be in the Raleigh/Durham area, it is worth the trip!
0 families found this helpful
"Awesome Place"
We have been members for about 3 years and love it! There is always something going on that is different. My four-year-old loves the "Butterfly Museum" and seeing all the animals. We recently visited for the new "Dino Trial" and thought that was neat for the kids. Overall, this a very nice, clean place for a day trip for the whole family!
0 families found this helpful
"Great for 1 year-olds"
We have already taken our one-year old son here twice because he had so much fun! We particularly liked the outdoor "Loblolly Park" that is filled with drums and bells for the kids to play. Also great is the butterfly house. It is really big and if you are there at the right times they release ladybugs and butterflies right into kids hands. Ted also enjoyed the barnyard and the indoor play area that is just for infants and toddlers. There is also a train and lots of other stuff to do, but we always run out of time! We will definitely go back.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun for all ages"
My kids love going here as did I when I was little. There is something for all ages. Prices are a littel steep. But if you are a Durham County resident you can get in free on Wed's after 1pm! The train rides are a favorite of everyones! They have a google map on a table that tilts and is very exciting for the kids as well as the new dinosaur exhibit
0 families found this helpful
"Loved the visit!!!!"
We really enjoyed our trip to the Museum of Life and Science - there is something there for everyone of all ages! We especially loved the butterfly house!! There is a large room that is a "sound" room and my toddler loved that the best!!! They also have a great gift shop - which of course, my toddler also loved!!
0 families found this helpful
"reliable fun"
one of our favorite day trip destinations in the Triangle. We really enjoy the butterfly house, petting area, and the newer walk-through animal exhibit is nice. some of the inside exhibits show their age, but the indoor animal exhibit with snakes, fish and such is great and very accessible for little ones.
If you live near the museum, an annual membership more than pays for itself. The Santa train near Christmas often sells out and makes for a nice outing for 3-4 yr olds.
What's Nearby? Hotels » Activities »
Find Hotels near Museum of Life and Science »
Find Activities near Museum of Life and Science »
Find Restaurants near Museum of Life and Science »
Get the inside scoop from parents who have been there!
