Raleigh, NC Museums: A Guide to History, Art, and Science

Raleigh, North Carolina, offers a diverse range of museums catering to interests in art, history, and natural science. From the comprehensive collections of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences to the artistic displays at the North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh provides cultural experiences for all ages. This guide provides information on some of the city’s key museums and how to reach them.

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is a popular destination, often referred to as the “Smithsonian of the South.” It comprises two buildings: the Nature Exploration Center (NEC) and the Nature Research Center (NRC).

• Nature Exploration Center (NEC): 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. Phone: 919.707.9800
• Nature Research Center (NRC): 121 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. Phone: 919.707.9800

Directions and Parking

The museum is located in downtown Raleigh. Parking is available in several public pay parking decks on weekdays. Options include:

• An above-ground lot one block east of the museum, with entrances on Jones and Edenton Streets.
• The Green Square parking deck at the corner of Edenton and McDowell Streets, behind the NRC. The entrance is on Edenton Street.
• Limited metered parking is available along Jones and Edenton Streets.

Parking is free and abundant on weekends. For more parking choices, see the Downtown Map on the museum’s website.

Public Transportation

The museum is accessible via several public transportation options:

• Amtrak: Raleigh Union Station (regional train)
• GoTriangle: Intercity bus system
• GoRaleigh: Raleigh city bus system
• R-Line: Downtown circulator bus

North Carolina Museum of Art

The North Carolina Museum of Art features a diverse collection spanning various periods, and styles. It is located near the North Carolina Museum of Art and Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park.

Other Museums in Raleigh

Raleigh offers a variety of other museums, including:

• North Carolina Museum of History: Explores the history of North Carolina.
• CAM Raleigh: Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh.
• City of Raleigh Museum (COR Museum): Focuses on the history of Raleigh.
• Gregg Museum of Art & Design: Showcases art and design.
• Marbles Kids Museum: Interactive museum for children.
• North Carolina Railway Museum & Modern Hope Valley Railway: Dedicated to railway history.

Getting to Raleigh, NC

If you are traveling to Raleigh, you can find driving directions using MapQuest or Google Maps.