North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

The Southeast's largest natural history museum, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences offers visitors a rich program of educational, scientific, and cultural experiences. The Museum's mission is to collect and preserve the state's biological diversity, promote environmental awareness, and relate the natural sciences to everyday life. Admission is free.

In 2000, during its 121st year of operation, the Museum moved into a new, seven-story building in downtown Raleigh. Four floors of exhibits and live animals showcase North Carolina's rich natural history and global connections. Highlights include the world's only Acrocanthosaurus dinosaur fossil; a two-story indoor waterfall; Willo, the first dinosaur discovered with a fossilized heart; and the Living Conservatory, buzzing with hummingbirds and butterflies.

The Museum also offers free daily programming, including high-definition movies, live science presentations, a Discovery Room, and a Naturalist Center. Other features include the Acro Café, Museum Store, and a special gallery showcasing some of the world's most topical traveling exhibitions (admission fee charged).

See www.naturalsciences.org for a schedule of special events and traveling exhibitions.