North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences always offers free admission, but you might not be aware of the free and inexpensive events, beyond the exhibits, that it offers. You can view all their events here. Some are free and some have fees associated with them. Here are a few upcoming free and cheap events. Please follow the links to see if you need to register, and to see if there are any … [Read more...] about Window on Animal Health Every Tuesday and Wednesday at NC Museum of Natural Sciences — learn about veterinary care and more
Museums and attractions
Visit Raleigh Fire Museum 2nd Saturday of month (for free)
Raleigh Fire Museum, 105 Keeter Center Drive in Raleigh, is open just one day a month to the public, although tours can be scheduled other times. If you'd like to just walk in, though, come by the second Saturday of the month, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. It's free to visit. See photos and artifacts that tell the story of the history of firefighting. This is a small museum but it has hundreds … [Read more...] about Visit Raleigh Fire Museum 2nd Saturday of month (for free)
The Market at NCMA July 5
On the first Saturday of the month, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, North Carolina, hosts art markets, with Triangle Pop-Up. The Market at NCMA is a chance to browse and shop for gifts from local artists and artisans while you also enjoy the museum park and the galleries. There is always live music at Market at NCMA. On March 1, The Poetry Fox … [Read more...] about The Market at NCMA July 5
Free Sensory Friendly Playtime and Movie at Marbles Kids Museum for kids with special needs on July 4
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 … [Read more...] about Free Sensory Friendly Playtime and Movie at Marbles Kids Museum for kids with special needs on July 4
Free open house at Duke Lemur Center Museum of Natural History June 28
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 June 28
Pauli Murray Center: Walk-in Wednesdays in June
Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice, at 906 Carroll Street, Durham, North Carolina, is hosting Walk-In Wednesdays every Wednesday in June, 2025, from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Whether you're looking for a welcoming space to co-work, would like to explore the free self-guided tours, or simply relax and connect, this is your spot. Stop by and visit the Pauli Murray Center for … [Read more...] about Pauli Murray Center: Walk-in Wednesdays in June
Lunch Box Lecture at City of Raleigh Museum June 26
City of Raleigh Museum, at 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, presents lectures that are often free to the public. The Museum hosts Lunch Box Lectures the 3rd Thursday of the month. Bring your lunch to the Museum and enjoy a lecture. Lunch Box LectureThursday, June 26, 202512 to 12:45 p.m.Free Join Erin Morton Pugh and Tania Tully from the City of Raleigh's Historic Preservation Unit. They have … [Read more...] about Lunch Box Lecture at City of Raleigh Museum June 26
Free Community Day at North Carolina Museum of Art June 21: “The Time Is Always Now”
North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, North Carolina, is hosting a free family-friendly community day focusing on the exhibition "The Time Is Always Now" on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The special event takes place in the East Building and Museum Plaza. Enjoy free exhibition access and family-friendly tours, work on hands-on activities to create … [Read more...] about Free Community Day at North Carolina Museum of Art June 21: “The Time Is Always Now”
Free days at museums in the Triangle
The Triangle area of North Carolina is rich with museums but you don't need riches to visit them because many are free. And some that aren't free offer free days. Raleigh, especially, as the state capital, has many free museum offerings, but you'll find some in Durham and Chapel Hill as well. Keep in mind that all the free museums welcome donations. Raleigh North Carolina Museum of … [Read more...] about Free days at museums in the Triangle
3rd Annual International Children’s Day at the City of Raleigh Museum May 31
The Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum in collaboration, with Artist Studio Project, are presenting the 3rd Annual International Children’s Day. It will take place May 31, 2025, 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, including the young … [Read more...] about 3rd Annual International Children’s Day at the City of Raleigh Museum May 31
