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. Read on to learn all about the museum, or … [Read more...] about Museum of Life and Science free for Durham residents May 17
Museums and attractions
Free Sensory Friendly Playtime and Movie at Marbles Kids Museum May 13
Marbles Kids Museum, 201 Hargett Street, Raleigh, periodically holds Sensory Friendly Playtime for kids with special needs and their families. Admission is FREE for these events. It's an opportunity for kids to experience Marbles in a calmer, quieter environment. The museum will also be showing a "Lights Up, Sounds Down" movie. Tickets for the movie are not needed. Registered participants may … [Read more...] about Free Sensory Friendly Playtime and Movie at Marbles Kids Museum May 13
Old Hillsborough Road Market at Bennett Place May 16
Bennett Place State Historic Site, at 4409 Bennett Memorial Road in Durham, is the site of a significant surrender of the south in the Civil War. It's free to visit the visitor center and nature trails, but there's a small charge for tours. Some events have a small fee as well. Several special events take place at Bennett Place State Historic Site. Here are a couple of the upcoming events (Visit … [Read more...] about Old Hillsborough Road Market at Bennett Place May 16
Emancipation Tours and Juneteenth Tours at Stagville
Historic Stagville, 5828 Old Oxford Highway, Durham, North Carolina, in 1860, was part of a vast plantation where the Bennehan and Cameron families enslaved over nine hundred people. Once one of the largest plantations in North Carolina, Historic Stagville now inspires new understanding about the history of slavery through preservation, interpretation, research, genealogy, and descendant … [Read more...] about Emancipation Tours and Juneteenth Tours at Stagville
North Carolina State Capitol: free guided tours on Saturdays
The North Carolina State Capitol, at One East Edenton Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, is open for visits. Free guided and self-guided tours are available. Visitors are welcome to take a self-guided tour any time between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturdays. More info here. Free guided tours are offered on Saturdays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 … [Read more...] about North Carolina State Capitol: free guided tours on Saturdays
City of Raleigh Museum’s Family Fun Day: Airplanes! May 9
City of Raleigh Museum's mission is to "Preserve Raleigh's Past for the Future." It's supported by the nonprofit Friends of the COR Museum. The museum is at 220 Fayetteville Street, in the 1874 Briggs Building in historic downtown Raleigh. Admission is free, although a $5 donation is suggested and can be placed in the donation box in the gift shop. Hours: Learn about more free museums to … [Read more...] about City of Raleigh Museum’s Family Fun Day: Airplanes! May 9
Museums on Us: Free admission to Marbles Kids Museum first weekend of month for Bank of America customers and employees
The first full weekend of every month, Bank of America and Merrill customers get into many museums nationwide for free through Bank of America's Museums on Us Program. Your credit or debit card from Bank of America or Merrill is your ticket to visit participating museums the first full weekend of every month. You can follow the above link to find all the museums across the country that are … [Read more...] about Museums on Us: Free admission to Marbles Kids Museum first weekend of month for Bank of America customers and employees
4th Annual International Children’s Day at the City of Raleigh Museum May 30
4th Annual International Children’s Day and Luisito's Bilingual Book Fair will take place Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, North Carolina. This is a FREE, bilingual event. This event is intended for children of all ages. It features performances, authors, and family activities. Featured Performances: Featured … [Read more...] about 4th Annual International Children’s Day at the City of Raleigh Museum May 30
Free open house at Duke Lemur Center Museum of Natural History April 25
The Duke Lemur Center Museum of Natural History, at 1013 Broad Street, Durham, North Carolina, houses a research collection that helps us to understand our evolutionary journey as primates. The collection includes 55 million year-old, lemur-like primate fossils from Wyoming; 37 to 28 million year-old anthropoid fossils from Egypt; 19 to 7 million year-old ape fossils from Egypt and India; 13 … [Read more...] about Free open house at Duke Lemur Center Museum of Natural History April 25
Working on the Railroad Day at New Hope Valley Railway April 25
New Hope Valley Railway, 3900 Bonsal Road, New Hill North Carolina, is bringing back a favorite event from years past: Working on the Railroad Day. It takes place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This special event invites guests of all ages to step back in time and explore the history of railroading. Meet the volunteers, explore real railroad equipment, and learn about … [Read more...] about Working on the Railroad Day at New Hope Valley Railway April 25
