Museum of Life and Science, 433 W Murray Avenue, Durham, is one of the most popular attractions in Durham. It features indoor and outdoor exhibits that encourage children to learn about the world around them.
The exhibits explore a wide range of scientific fields — physics, zoology, aerospace, weather, sound, and more — all in a fun, hands-on way.
The museum is on 84 acres, with plenty of opportunities for kids to run, climb, dig, and even (in warm months) get wet. It’s safe to say that after a day at Museum of Life and Science, your kids will be worn out and ready for some rest.
The museum features a Farmyard, with animals like goats and alpacas, and habitats for lemurs, and rescued black bears and red wolves.
The Butterfly House is a rainforest environment that’s home to hundreds of butterflies, with many species that you won’t find in your backyard!
The museum includes a Cool Down Room, where guests with sensory sensitivities can get
Keep reading for a roundup of the exhibits, and pictures from many of them! Or just jump to the list of events.
Museum of Life + Science Exhibits
Indoor exhibits
- Aerospace
- Butterfly house
- Carolina wildlife
- Flip it, Fold it, Figure it out
- Insectarium
- Investigate health
- Launch lab
- Leafcutter Ants
- Math Moves
- The Lab
- Play to Learn
- TinkerLab
- Weather
Outdoor exhibits
- Catch the Wind (toy boats)
- Dinosaur Trail
- Earth Moves
- Explore the Wild: Black Bears
- Explore the Wild: Lemurs and Tortoises
- Explore the Wild: Red Wolves
- Explore the Wild: Wetland
- Gateway Park
- Hideaway Woods
- Into the Mist
- Sound Garden
- The Farmyard
- Wander Away
- The Train
Admission
Reserved tickets are no longer required, but buying tickets online can help get you into the museum faster.
Tickets are $23 for adults, $18 for children age 3 to 12, free for children age 2 and under, $21 for seniors age 65+, and $21 for military adult, with ID.
Pictures from Museum of Life and Science
Events at Museum of Life and Science
Find all the upcoming events here. Read on to learn about a few events.
Durham Community Days
On Durham Community Days, Durham County residents receive free admission. You’ll need to show proof of residents. All adults in your party will need to show proof of residency. Each adult can bring up to five children.
Durham Community Days take place twice a month. The day of the week varies, making it possible for Durham residents with various schedules to attend.
The dates of Durham Community Days have been announced for the first half of 2024.
- Thursday, January 11
- Sunday, January 21
- Sunday, February 4
- Thursday, February 22
- Wednesday, March 6
- Thursday, March 21
- Tuesday, April 9
- Sunday, April 21
- Friday, May 3
- Tuesday, May 21
- Sunday, June 2
- Tuesday, June 25
¡Celebremos las ciencias!
On Sunday, April 21, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ¡Celebremos las ciencias! will feature interactive, hands-on activities presented by scientists, engineers and artists from the community who speak Spanish and English. This event is part of the North Carolina Science Festival.
April 21 is a Durham Community Day, so Durham County residents are admitted for free. For non-residents, regular admission price applies.
Monarch Butterfly Eclipse — solar eclipse event
The museum is both teaching about the Solar Eclipse and the migration of Monarch Butterflies, both of which are on a similar path, at the Monarch Solar Event. It takes place Monday, April 8, 2024, from 2 to 5 p.m., on the south side of the campus. The museum will be closed that day, and the event is free to the public.
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Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
More Kids’ Events in the Triangle
Please check out our big list of free and cheap kids’ events in the Triangle or look at a quick list here: