Address: 433 W Murray Ave, Durham, NC 27704, USA
Phone: +19192205429
Sunday: 10AM–5PM
Monday: 10AM–5PM
Tuesday: 10AM–5PM
Wednesday: 10AM–5PM
Thursday: 10AM–5PM
Friday: 10AM–5PM
Saturday: 10AM–5PM
George Byram
This "museum" is amazing. It's like a children's museum, science museum, and nature center all rolled into one. There are indoor exhibits reminiscent of a science center (weather, rockets, live animals!) but the real gem is the outdoor track. There is about a mile loop chock full of awesome stuff for kids like treehouses, fossil digging, live bears and wolf's, barnyard animals, butterfly house, RC sailboats, smoke ring makers and much, much more. Many things like the seed dropper that I have never seen before. The dinosaur trail was a real highlight with the kids. Must see if you or in Durham or, like us, driving through.
Deidra
Awesome experience! Much to see and do! Children will be entertained for hours! We spent approximately two hours and there was still tons to explore! We will be back!
Cpl Saba
Loved coming here with the kids. It's full of interactive exhibits and an awesome treehouse play area. Kids had a blast and will definitely come back to visit again
AnnJanett Luxury
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!
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The full list of Durham Community Days can be found on our website under the Plan a Visit tab.
All day (at least 4 hours minimum) IF you want to experience everything they have there.
Coffee and minimal snacks in the gift shop, and full meals outside by the butterfly house (with some indoor seating).
All of it is hands on and i took my two 12 year olds and they had a blast. Bring towels or skip the steam area and extra money for the train ride it was fun.
We offer multiple volunteer opportunities, the full list can be found at https://www.lifeandscience.org/volunteer
We are renovating the lobby to offer a more visitor-friendly check-in process; that area is scheduled to open in the next month. The area in the back of the main building is an expansion of our young child exhibit, expected to open in 2023.
Should be fine.
Yes at noon
Yes
You have to contact them to get the details of the current discount.
It's ok, but it doesn't have many interactive attractions that cater to children of that age group.
I believe access to tge gift store is prior to access to the museum
Yes! But the coffee shop is at the back of the museum gift shop without any seating. There are benches outside the coffee shop in the main entrance lobby, but it's usually loud and full of people.
There's so many in the room, you won't have to be at a release to get them all over you.
There are several hotels within easy driving distance in Durham. You should be able to find one for every major hotel chain
The butterfly house is complimentary for it is apart of the entry fee The train is an additional $5.50. It is a good way to rest and recharge. If you are a Durham county resident, they have free entry on certain days a month. Check the website for exact dates. Hope this helps Mary.
You are welcome to send us a contact us form, located on our website, and we will connect you to the proper Museum department. https://www.lifeandscience.org/contact/
Member pass 175.00. Every visit is free with that. I dont know how much the individual tickets are.
Yes we are.
They're open any day the museum is
And they have membership options. The least membership amount is actually equal to three trips fo the museum for 4 people in a year. Worth getting one.
Service animals are welcome at the Museum. Upon arrival, please inform the Admissions Desk if a service animal will accompany you. Non-service animals are not allowed on Museum grounds.
We went last weekend and it was open; water fall, sand box, hand carving and more.
You can bring in food, but try not to bring drinks with straws as they are very protective of the animals. I would also recommend bringing non-messy foods because the policy is no food and they don't check our bags but if things get too messy they may start enforcing the rule.
There is a full list at https://www.lifeandscience.org/plan-a-visit under Durham Community Days.
If Wednesday is a Durham Residents Free Admission day, it would be 10am- close The original free Wednesday promo from a few years ago changed to residents days a year or so ago. If Wednesday is a different event please disregard.
The Wednesday Durham Community Days were changed a few years ago to have a more diverse schedule. You can find the complete list of Durham Community Days at: https://www.lifeandscience.org/plan-a-visit
https://www.lifeandscience.org/benefits
https://www.lifeandscience.org/who-we-are Our mission is to create a place of lifelong learning where people, from young child to senior citizen, embrace science as a way of knowing about themselves, their community, and their world.
They have several volunteer programs available.
First thing in the morning on weekends. It opens for members at 9 and general public at 10, so it tamps down the crowds somewhat, though the barnyard doesn't open until 10
May 14 & May 23 are the next Durham Resident Free admittance days. I do not know of any reason Wednesday would be free
https://www.lifeandscience.org/plan-a-visit currently $20 adults, $15 for kids aged 3-12, kids 2 and under free.
Yes Military is $18 vs General $20 plus children age 2 and under are free
Non-school groups of 10+ (48-hr notice required; learn more) is $12.
There's also a place inside the main campus with 3-4 picnic tables. It's beside the cafe and is for folks who brought their own food.
Yes. There are four animal areas. A small indoor section of Carolina wildlife, a farmyard with farm animals, a butterfly habitat area, and a long trail where you can see black bears, red wolves, turtles and lemurs
$18, 18, 15, 15 and 15 according to their website.
The Museum does allow service animals, but unfortunately, not other pets. Sorry!
There are interesting things for all ages. I've been going since I was 7 (I'm 36 now) and my son has been going since he was less than 1 year old. I see adults using the outdoor trails as walking exercise paths.
I believe 50%
Not at this time. But that may be an option in the future. For now, tickets are available at the front desk and the wait is never more than a few minutes.
No. Though there are community days that are free to residents of Durham County. https://www.lifeandscience.org/plan-a-visit
All the information regarding volunteering can be found on the Museum website listed under Volunteer.
Yes
We currently have all of the Christmas trees that we need. Thank you for the offer.
Yes, the Museum has five manual wheelchairs for loan on a first-come, first-served basis. Wheelchairs are available at the Admissions Desk in the main lobby. Visitors must leave a form of ID as a deposit.
No
Yes
I don't know that it would be romantic. It is a children's museum. But you should definitely check out the after hours events. Those are a lot if fun.
Get a membership it saves so much going only once can be expensive
Adults are $18. Children 3 to 12 are $13 per child and 2 and under is free.
Yes, it's a glass building kept at 80°F all year round, and it has air conditioned benches for your comfort. They release newly hatched butterflies each day at 11am and 3pm for you to hold on your finger.
WINTER HOURS: LABOR DAY – MEMORIAL DAY TUESDAY – SUNDAY 10am - 5pm* SUMMER HOURS: MEMORIAL DAY – LABOR DAYSUNDAY – SATURDAY 10am - 5pm* *Open to Members at 9am
US military with ID get in for 16$, regular adult admission $18
Yes, especially if they are walking. There is an indoor toddler play area, outdoor toddler playground area. They can play in most every area. The animals & butterfly house are sure to be a hit too.
Sprout Cafe by the butterfly house. Also good coffee inside the main entrance.
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