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 changes.
Make sure to check the location.
- Prairie Ridge Ecostation, 1671 Gold Star Drive, Raleigh
- Downtown Raleigh, 11 W. Jones Street, Raleigh
- Nature Research Center, 121 W. Jones Street, Raleigh
Upcoming Events at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Cetacean Fascination: NC Whale Diversity, Distribution, and Conservation
Thursday, July 17, 2025
7 to 8 p.m.
Downtown Raleigh
Free
Join in-person or watch the livestream of a talk with Keith Rittmaster of the NC Maritime Museum and Bonehenge Whale Center. Keith will take the audience on a journey to understand the thirty-five species of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) and some of the conservation issues they face.
Bumble Bee Watch
Saturday, July 19, 2025
10 to 11 a.m.
Prairie Ridge
Free (for ages 12+)
Learn how to identify the most common bumblebees and more! This is an outdoor program, so be sure to dress appropriately for the weather (hat, sunscreen, and closed-toed shoes recommended). This program will utilize Bumble Bee Watch, so it may be helpful to create a login here prior to the program.
Scavenger Hunt Stroll
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
10 to 11 a.m.
Prairie Ridge
Free (for children ages 3 to 7, register your child here)
Explore the trails of Prairie Ridge with a themed scavenger hunt. This is an outdoor program, so be sure to dress appropriately for the weather (hat, sunscreen, and closed-toed shoes recommended). You can also bring a picnic to enjoy after the hike.
Meet the Pollinators
Thursday, July 24, 2025
10 to 11 a.m.
Prairie Ridge
Free (for ages 8+)
Did you know that pollinators include more than just bees and butterflies? We’ll talk about the pollinators you are familiar with and learn about some that you may not realize are garden helpers! This is an outdoor program, so be sure to dress appropriately for the weather (hat, sunscreen, and closed-toed shoes recommended).
Mini Music and Movement
Friday, July 25, 2025
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Prairie Ridge
Free (for ages 7 and under)
This program will feature live music, build-your-own instruments, and guided movement activities.
Butterflies for Beginners
Saturday, July 26, 2025
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Prairie Ridge
Free (18+ register here)
Butterflies for Beginners is a laid-back adult program where you’ll learn the basics of identifying common butterflies and dive into their sometimes-weird behaviors.
Recurring Events at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Incredible Science
Schedule below
Downtown Raleigh
Free
Head to the Windows of the World classroom to see science experiments and demonstrations. Learn about the physics, chemistry, and more of topics such as the incredible composition of beaver teeth!
Here is the weekly schedule:
- Tuesdays-Fridays: 1:30 p.m.
- Saturdays: 2 p.m., 3 p.m.
Window on Animal Health
Tuesdays and Wednesdays
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Nature Research Center
Free
Get a closer look at the medical management of the museum’s diverse live animal collection and interact with the veterinary staff, students, and interns that keep them healthy! There will be opportunities to witness medical procedures such as physical exams and surgeries.
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 Events
Check out our list of free and cheap events in Raleigh and the rest of the Triangle this weekend, or our full event calendar in the Triangle, or just look at few upcoming events here:
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh
11 W Jones St
Raleigh, NC
Nature Research Center (North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences), Raleigh
121 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC
Prairie Ridge Ecostation (North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences), Raleigh
1671 Gold Star Drive
Raleigh, NC
