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.
Hours
Museum of Life and Science is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday to Sunday. The museum is open to members starting at 9 a.m.
Pictures from Museum of Life and Science
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
Butterfly House at Museum of Life and Science. Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
Butterfly House at Museum of Life and Science. Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
Butterfly House at Museum of Life and Science. Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC Cool Down Room at Museum of Life and Science. Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
Cool Down Room at Museum of Life and Science. Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
Cool Down Room at Museum of Life and Science. Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
Dinosaur Trail at Museum of Life and Science. Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
Dinosaur Trail at Museum of Life and Science. Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
The Lab at Museum of Life and Science. Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
Lemurs at Museum of Life and Science. Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
Play to Learn at Museum of Life and Science. Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC Treehouse at Museum of Life and Science. Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
Red Wolf in habitat at Museum of Life and Science. Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC 
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 through the middle of 2025
2024
- Sunday, June 2
- Tuesday, June 25
- Monday, July 15
- Thursday, August 15
- Sunday, August 25
- Sunday, September 8
- Thursday, September 19
- Sunday, October 6
- Friday, October 18
- Sunday, November 3
- Wednesday, November 20
- Friday, December 13
2025
- Friday, January 10
- Sunday, January 26
- Saturday, February 8
- Friday, February 21
- Thursday, March 6
- Tuesday, March 25
- Wednesday, April 9
- Sunday, April 27
- Tuesday, May 6
- Thursday, May 22
- Sunday, June 1
- Thursday, June 19
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
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:
Paul says
What are the museums hours?