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Museum of Life + Science, Durham

Science Museum · Children’s Museum
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Museum of Life + Science offers a comprehensive journey through nature and science with hands-on entertainment for children and adults. In the aerospace exhibit, where you can learn about NASA's early endeavors in space flight, you'll see Neil Armstrong's dosimeter and a section of the lunar rover. You can make your own flight simulators and test them out in the Launch Lab. Visit the butterfly house and walk through warm rainforest, where you'll have the chance to witness the delicate creatures emerge from their chrysalis. Move through to the "explore the wild" exhibit for a chance to see black bears, ring-tailed lemurs, and the highly endangered red wolves. Follow the dinosaur trail among life-size models of Brontosaurus, T-Rex, and many more. Kids especially love the fossil dig, where they can grab a shovel and search for coral, shark teeth and other fossils--and they get to keep the treasures they find. With our custom trip planner, Durham attractions like Museum of Life + Science can be center stage of your vacation plans, and you can find out about other attractions like it, unlike it, near it, and miles away.
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Museum of Life + Science reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 5.0
913 reviews
Google
4.7
TripAdvisor
  • I wish we had this museum near our house. The treehouses are awesome. Digging for fossils was fun. Food options were good, although there is a long line to order. The best part is the train! 
    I wish we had this museum near our house. The treehouses are awesome. Digging for fossils was fun. Food options were good, although there is a long line to order. The best part is the train!  more »
  • We love this museum. There is plenty to do for all ages. We were with my 8 year old and 14 month old grand children and they were both engaged for several hours. Can’t wait to go back! 
    We love this museum. There is plenty to do for all ages. We were with my 8 year old and 14 month old grand children and they were both engaged for several hours. Can’t wait to go back!  more »
  • From Greensboro and wanted to do something new and different. MLS was worth the drive; our 3 year old loved it. The inside was mostly designed for older kids, but she found plenty to keep her... 
    From Greensboro and wanted to do something new and different. MLS was worth the drive; our 3 year old loved it. The inside was mostly designed for older kids, but she found plenty to keep her...  more »
Google
  • This place is amazing! So much to do! We spent 5 hours here and didn't get to enjoy the inside because there's just that much to do! My kids (under five) loved the dinosaur trail, train and all the natural playgrounds! The butterfly enclosure was wonderful as well! The food was very good, pricey but actually worth the money. We spent most of the time outside, which for us, was a plus! Also, there are restrooms EVERYWHERE! A huge plus in this family. Very clean. We went on a weekday so it wasn't crowded. We enjoyed every bit of it and can't wait to return
  • Really great place to bring the whole family. There are tons of exhibits both indoor and out. Bathrooms are readily available throughout the outdoor exhibits as well. Everything is clean, well kept, and cared for. All paths are wide and paved, easy for strollers/wheelchairs. There are also many water fountains and water bottle refill stations. You can bring your own food with you, and eat outside at the picnic tables. There are some misting stations outside as well, which will help cool you down if it gets hot. There is a bathroom right across from the sand and water exhibit, and one changing station as well. This place is worth the trip, and the price.
  • Love it here been twice so far ( love my membership ).. weekdays are much more calmer and best for parents with smaller children like our baby just wanting to explore. The weekends are a much bigger crowd. But both times we truly enjoyed ourselves and our goddaughter loved it ALL! Especially the playground! She was nervous in the butterfly exhibit and an older gentlemen worker was great support. Letting her know there was nothing to be afraid of. There’s usually a worker you can find at each exhibit that you can ask questions which is a benefit. As an adult i enjoyed the lemurs, butterflies and bears the most. We easily spent 2-3 hours here and still have so much to explore! Will be back!
  • Have been coming here since I was kid, and it just keeps getting better. $23 for adults. You can easily spend 4 hours here and enjoy every minute. Incredible amount of wildlife from Black Bears...to a Copperhead...to Poison Dart Frogs...to Walking Leaf Insects (they will blow you away). When you walk in, definitely buy a train ticket. 1.5 mile loop that goes around twice. Coffee Shop inside...Butterfly House you can walk-through. Treehouse exhibit outside that is a wow factor. Have fun and take your time!
  • Nice science museum, especially for kids to play and learn. The museum has both indoor and outdoor components. Some cool space related exhibits and lots of hands on learning activities. The outdoor part has some hiking trails and the dinosaur walks. They also have a neat butterflies greenhouse. Museum cafes, brewery, coffee, and gift shop are available. Free to Durham residents on certain dates with proof of residence

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