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What is your personal take on the museum of natural sciences? We are in Durham, have family coming in with 13 and 14 year old girl and boy..is it worth the trip to Raleigh? I know , it's not far but just haven't been there and wanted an opinion.
Well, it's free, so that's a big plus, unless you pay for the "special exhibit" (which is not always that special, but is a fundraiser for the museum). Their focus, of course, is the natural sciences of North Carolina, so they have big sections on the Coastal Plain, the Piedmont, and the Mountains. They have the flora and fauna and fossils of NC.
IMO, it's pretty okay. I took my 6yr old and 9 yr old not too long ago and they enjoyed it until the 6 yr old started realizing that all the animals in the exhibits were taxidermied and "not alive anymore". I think if you had a dinosaur hound in your crowd he or she might really enjoy some of the big dino bone exhibits.
For my family, I much prefer the NCMLS in Durham where the animals are alive. I think it's a great family museum and there's definitely stuff for a 13 & 14 yr old to do there if they haven't been before, but I think the absolute ideal age for NCMLS is about 9. Younger kids enjoy it a lot, but they can't manipulate or understand all the exhibits. A 9 year old is still young enough to be wowed by them. Depending on your 13 yr old and your 14 yr old they might find it really cool or be wishing they were at the mall instead. Those are hard ages.
If they're by any chance UNC fans they might like the Carolina Basketball Museum (http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/museum/ - broken link). You kinda have to be a rabid fan to enjoy it, though.
I really like it - and I also like the history museum (also free) across the street. There's lots to do downtown, all walking distance from the museums. IMO I'd do it. It also depends on the temperament of the kids and what they are used to - if they go to the smithsonian on a regular basis, for example, this will be small potatoes and boring as snot for them. If, on the other hand, they don't go to many museums, this may be just their speed. It's open, there are lots of floors and places to hide and seek and alcoves and whatnot - and the butterfly room is really neat regardless of age.
I'm not a big fan of museums but I did enjoy the Natural Science museum. It's easy just to walk through and look at the exhibits. You don't need to stop and read stuff if you don't want to.
As for the History museum, it just wasn't for me. I really don't like history but if the folks you're with do, it may be worth the time.
Best part is, the museums are free!
Also the Capital is close too and you can tour it -- that I did enjoy.
I really liked the NCMNS the first couple of times we visited, but it wasn't until we visited the Naturalist Center that I fell in love with the place. That room is amazing. There are so many fossils, rocks, minerals, drawers of taxidermied birds that you can hold (which might sound weird to some, but it's kind of amazing), all sorts of skeletons and neat (sometimes icky) things in jars, lots of learning experiences. I think every time we go now, we spend more time in that room than in the rest of the museum combined. It is such a treasure.
If you are in Durham, why aren't you going to the museum off of Murray St.? It is easier to get to and gives you a good time out without having to drive out to Raliegh.
I agree with the others, definitely take them to Durham Museum of Life Sciences! Maybe you already have though? It's pretty great - nice animal enclosures, a walk-through butterfly garden, a tornado machine, spaceman outfits.
If you are in Durham, why aren't you going to the museum off of Murray St.? It is easier to get to and gives you a good time out without having to drive out to Raliegh.
We recently visited and while it was a nice outing, it was very expensive - $12.50 adults, and $9.50 (3-12 year olds). Although you have to drive to Raleigh, you can park for free and visit for free, can't beat that!
The Durham museum is more fun, but the Raleigh one is free and entertaining for a couple of hours if you've never been. There is also the NC history museum for free right across from the science museum if you want to make a day out of it!
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