The Museum of Life and Science located in Durham, NC is by far one of our favorite science museums. This amazing museum focuses on science and nature within the vast and beautiful 84 acres that the Museum of Life and Science calls home.
The Durham Museum of Life and Science is the perfect little day-trip from many of North Carolina’s major cities. It’s 26 minutes from Chapel Hill, 27 minutes from Cary, 33 minutes from Raleigh, 37 minutes from Wake Forest, 53 minutes from Greensboro, 1 hour and 7 minutes from Clayton, 1 hour and 11 minutes from Wilson and 1 hour and 15 minutes from Winston Salem. Making this a great North Carolina family road trip destination!
How This Article Is Organized
Are you looking for something specific? Curious about pricing? Looking instead for a list of exhibits? Feel free to skip ahead by using our Table of Contents located below.
Table of Contents
- How This Article Is Organized
- Museum of Life and Science Hours and Address
- Museum of Life and Science Pricing
- Durham Life and Science Museum Membership
- History of the Life and Science Museum in Durham, NC
- Outdoor Exhibits
- Indoor Exhibits
- Tips For Visiting the Museum of Life and Science with Kids!
- Conclusion
Museum of Life and Science Hours and Address
The Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-5pm, but if you have a Life and Science Museum Membership you can enter at 9am.
The Life and Science Museum address is 433 W. Murray Avenue Durham, NC 27704.
The Life and Science Museum phone number is 919-220-5429.
If you would like to check out their website you can find it by clicking here.
Museum of Life and Science Pricing
- Children (2 and Under) Free
- Children (3-12) $18
- US Military ( With ID) $21
- Seniors (65 and Older) $21
- General Admission Adults $23
Durham Life and Science Museum Membership
The Life and Science Museum in Durham, NC offers three separate types of memberships. These include Family Memberships, Donor Societies and Business Memberships. NC Fun Food Family is a family forward blog, because of this I will only be covering the Family Membership and it’s benefits. You can find more information about the Donor Societies and Business Memberships by clicking here.
Family Membership Options
- Explorers 2 – $155 – Cardholder + 1 Guest
- Explorers 4 – $185 – Cardholder + 3 Guests
- Explorers 6 – $220 – Cardholder + 5 Guests
- Explorers 8 – $260 – Cardholder + 7 Guests
Life and Science Museum Family Membership Benefits
There are many wonderful benefits that come with having a Family Membership. These benefits include early entry (9am) into the Durham Life and Science Museum, member only preview for select new exhibits, 10% discount in the museum stores which include the onsite cafe and coffee bar, discounts on camps, classes and birthdays. You will also receive advanced registration for special events and summer camps (these always fill up FAST!), along with free reduced admission to more than 350 science centers around the world and discounted admission to more that 150 aquariums and zoos with AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums)!
Read our article “The Best Membership in North Carolina (Aquarium, Zoo Membership)” to read more about AZA discounted admissions in North Carolina.
History of the Life and Science Museum in Durham, NC
In all honesty I had no idea how much history the Life and Science Museum in Durham, NC had, but to my surprise it began in 1946 as a trail side nature center called “The Children’s Museum.” It quickly grew into a new location which housed collections of minerals and fossils along with some preserved specimens and a handful of small live animal exhibits.
The Life and Science Museum In The 1960’s
The museum moved to it’s current location in the 1960’s. Some of the exhibits at that time were the Prehistory trail, Reptile House, The Farmyard (which can still be seen today), Aerospace Center (also can still be seen today) and a Geology building.
The Life and Science Museum In The 1970’s
In the 1970’s alot of growth happened for the Life and Science Museum. The acquired a 50 acre lease adjacent to their location, received funding for their large animal exhibits. They also built the first version of one of their more popular attractions the railway. The Life and Science Museum also expanded their Aerospace and Geology exhibits.
The Life and Science Museum From The 1980’s-Present
From the 1980’s to now the Museum of Life and Science has been extremely involved in creating a hands on learning experience for the community of Durham, NC and the state of North Carolina.
The curators at the Durham Museum of Life and Science are always adding or updating current exhibits. Their latest exhibit “Earth Moves” was added in 2019 and is a return to the museum’s roots with a focus on nature.
Outdoor Exhibits
Catch The Wind
Learn about the importance of the wind and the role it plays in nature. You’ll discover how the wind helps sail boats move, how the wind distributes seeds and you can watch birds fly with the wind.
Dinosaur Trail
As you walk down the Dinosaur Trail you’ll be able to explore the late Cretaceous Period. Along the trail you’ll be able to see and touch many life-sized dinosaurs. Plus, you’ll be able to dig for your very own fossil!
Earth Moves
This exhibit is one of our favorites! You will get to explore and learn about how the Earth’s land changes over time due to natural forces and human interaction.
Explore The Wild
In Explore The Wild you’ll be able to see Black Bears, our states beloved endangered Red Wolves, along with Lemurs and Tortoises from Madagascar. You can also explore the wetlands habitat that was once a rock quarry, but has since been reclaimed by nature.
Gate Way Park
Gate Way Park is always our first stop when we visit the Museum of Life and Science. This park is located right outside the doors of the museum and includes rope courses and balancing logs.
Hideaway Woods
Be prepared to spend hours in Hideaway Woods. This two acre wooded play area is filled with tree houses to explore along with a running stream bed. This spot is the perfect area for all ages.
Into The Mist
My kids love to run through the Into The Mist exhibit. Designed for your kids to observe and discover how mist is impacted by heat, wind and the landscape it’s in. This exhibit is especially refreshing in the Summer!
Sound Garden
Located right next to the Gateway Park the Sound Garden is one of my youngest’s favorite exhibits. Your kids can explore different sound that different items make.
The Farmyard
From cows to alpacas, a donkey to goats you’ll find the cutest little farmyard at the Museum of Life and Science!
The Train
One of our favorite things to do at the Durham Museum of Life and Science is to take is to take a 10 minute ride on the Ellerbe Creek Railway. The train is wheelchair accessible and you will need to purchase your ticket at the front desk. The price is $4 for museum members and $5.50 for non members. 2 and under are free as long as they sit on an adults lap.
*The train opens at 10am and runs on a schedule.
Wander Away
This exhibit is located near the Earth Moves exhibit. Wander Away is a beautiful garden that you’re encouraged to explore. This exhibit is the perfect place to bring your children when they need a break from the busier exhibits.
Indoor Exhibits
Aerospace
Do you love all things space? Then you’ll have a BLAST visiting the Aerospace exhibit at the Durham Museum of Life and Science. Housed in this exhibit are many artifacts from the Apollo era including the Mercury capsule that carried the first US animal into space!
Magic Wings Butterfly House
I absolutely love a butterfly house and the one at the Life and Science Museum does not disappoint! You will find between 30-50 different types of butterflies flying around 200 types of tropical plants which include the rare Cacao and Coffee trees. The Magic Wings Butterfly House is a MUST when we visit!
You can take a virtual tour of the Magic Wings Butterfly House by clicking here.
Carolina Wildlife
In Carolina Wildlife you’ll find just that, our native wildlife. From America Alligators to Blue Jays, from the Eastern Tiger Salamander to the beautiful Robins. Enjoy watching and learning about the many animals of the Carolina Wildlife exhibit.
*This exhibit opens at 10am.
Flip It, Fold It, Figure It Out
Children are encouraged to learn math through playing with patterns, origami and other fund mind exercises.
Insectarium
The Insectarium is located in the Magic Wings Butterfly House and it houses some of the coolest insects and arachnids! Our favorite is the tower of cockroaches.
Investigate Health!
We love the hands on experiments in the Investigate Health! exhibit. You will learn more about germs and how to protect yourself against them throughout this exhibit.
Launch Lab
Discover the wind and the many things it does in the Launch Lab. You can build a paper airplane, discover wind tunnels and LAUNCH things!
Leafcutter Ants
I could watch these tiny ants cut and move leaves all day long. This exhibit will have you mesmerized by these amazing insects.
Math Moves
Discover math by using motions and sounds along with shapes and shadows. You’ll find yourself learning right along with your kids.
Play To Learn
We had so much fun in this newly designed exhibit. Play To Learn is for children 5 and under and don’t worry, it also has designated spaces for infants and toddlers. This exhibit encourages your child to explore the world around them through play.
The Lab
The Lab is just that…a lab! Come enjoy scientific discussion and science experiments.
*Open 10am to noon and 1pm to 3pm, Tuesday through Sunday.
Tinker Lab
The Tinker Lab encourages your child to build and create using different kinds of elements, from electrical circuits to weaving with fabrics, magnets to chain reaction machines. Your child will have a blast in this wonderful exhibit.
Weather
Learn about the many aspects of weather and how they are always changing. In the weather exhibit you can hold a cloud in your hand, watch a miniature tornado vortex and explore real time climates from all over the world, displayed on a giant globe!
Tips For Visiting the Museum of Life and Science with Kids!
- Wear comfortable shoes! The Life and Science Museum is huge and you will definitely get your steps in.
- Arrive early. Parking near the entrance fills up quickly. There is parking across the street, but it’s easier with kids to be close to the entrance.
- Bring a stroller (find our favorite here) or you can rent one. Little legs get tired and sometimes need a break. The museum does have a certain amount of strollers that can be rented for a fee. Single strollers are $2 per day and double strollers are $4 per day.
- Be prepared to not see everything. I know, this one always bums me out, but I think it’s good to be mentally prepared and also to mentally prepare our kids for this. As I mentioned above the museum has so much to offer. It can be a stretch with small children to see it all.
- Pack a lunch or atleast snacks. There is a cafe and a coffee shop inside the museum, but when your kid is hangry a snack is imperative!
- Wear sunscreen. A good portion of the museum is outside and while there is shade it’s just a good idea to protect you and your kids.
- In the summer bring swimsuits or a change of clothes. My kids love to play in the waterfall at the Earth Moves exhibit. There’s restrooms located close by for easy changing.
Conclusion
Now you see why the Life and Science Museum in Durham, NC is one of our favorite North Carolina Children’s Museums! My kids can’t wait for our next visit and while writing this article I’ve decided I need to go again soon.
Let us know below in the comments if you’ve ever visited the Durham Life and Science Museum and what is your favorite exhibit?
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