Raleigh’s most popular attraction brings the past to life

Raleigh, N.C.’s most-visited year-round attraction is all about ancient fossils, wild weather and the mysteries of the natural world.

The largest tourist attraction in Raleigh—by both popularity and prehistoric proportions—is the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (NCMNS) and draws more than one million visitors each year.

In fact, it is the largest of its kind in the Southeast.

Founded in 1879, this downtown landmark evolved into a sprawling campus with four floors of exhibits and millions of specimens. The museum has grown from a small natural history collection into an expansive space that bridges science, nature and discovery for all ages.

There are towering dinosaur skeletons, a butterfly-filled conservatory, and everything from North Carolina’s coastal habitats to the far reaches of outer space.

A significant expansion in 2012 introduced the Nature Research Center, an architecturally striking wing connected by a glass bridge. It added hands-on labs, interactive exhibits and the massive, suspended globe known as the SECU Daily Planet, a three-story theater that brings Earth’s systems to life.

The museum made national headlines in 2024 with the unveiling of the “Dueling Dinosaurs” exhibit. The one-of-a-kind fossil display captures a predator and its prey, preserved together in stone. It’s the kind of experience that cements the museum’s reputation as the “biggest” must-see around.

If this is enough reason to visit, the newly opened “Blue Whales “exhibit (running through Jan. 2026) plunges guests into the world of the Earth’s largest animals through life-sized models and immersive digital displays.

The museum is walkable to restaurants, hotels and other historic sites. Across the street, you’ll find the North Carolina State Capitol and the City of Raleigh Museum just a few blocks away.

For a bite or a break nearby, grab coffee at 42 & Lawrence, enjoy lunch at Longleaf Swine BBQ or explore the cobblestone charm of City Market.

Other Raleigh NC must-sees
Don’t forget several other standout Raleigh attractions worth building a trip around:

North Carolina Museum of Art: This expansive campus combines two art-filled buildings with one of the largest museum parks in the country. Wander the indoor galleries filled with global art, then head outside to explore the trails and outdoor sculptures. Free to enter and open year-round

Pullen Park: One of the oldest amusement parks in the country, Pullen Park has been a local favorite for more than a century. Families can ride the hand-carved 1911 carousel, pedal across the park’s lake in boats, hop on a mini train or enjoy a shady stroll.

Lenovo Center: A hub for live events, the 19,000-seat Lenovo Center is home to the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and North Carolina State University men’s basketball, plus there is a packed calendar of concerts, comedy shows and touring events year-round.

Marbles Kids Museum: Bursting with color, creativity and kid-sized fun, Marbles features a kid-scale grocery store and fire truck plus STEM-focused exhibits and an on-site IMAX theater. It offers a full day of interactive adventure in the heart of downtown Raleigh.

Dorothea Dix Park: This sprawling green space on the edge of downtown Raleigh continues to grow as one of the city’s most important gathering places. The newly opened Gipson Play Plaza—a 20-acre adventure playground with skywalks, giant swings, water features and wide-open lawns—is poised to become a signature destination for years to come. Bring a picnic, fly a kite or join in on one of the park’s many guided tours, yoga sessions or seasonal events.

North Carolina State Fair: For 11 days each October, the State Fairgrounds transform into a celebration of agriculture, music, food and family fun, drawing nearly a million guests from across the region. With food, racing pigs, live music and nightly fireworks, the fair offers American nostalgia at its finest.

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