Museum of Life and Science

The Museum of Life and Science ignites curiosity and fosters a community connected to science by investing in playful learning that enriches both individuals and the world.

Located less than five miles from downtown Durham, the Museum of Life and Science is one of North Carolina’s top family destinations. Our 84-acre campus includes a two-story science center, one of the largest butterfly conservatories on the East Coast, and beautifully landscaped outdoor exhibits. Our interactive experiences include Dinosaur Trail , Ellerbe Creek Railway , Hideaway Woods , Into the Mist , Earth Moves , and Aerospace , which features one of the largest collections of Apollo-era NASA artifacts in the state. The Museum is also an AZA-accredited zoo, home to rescued black bears, lemurs, endangered Red Wolves, and more than 60 species of live animals.

Learn more about our vision and mission and our approach to learning and education .

The Museum of Life and Science is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Museum earns over 83% of our annual operating budget through membership, admission, fees, and contributions. Thank you for your patronage and support!

We are also grateful for ongoing public support from Durham County. Through this public/private partnership, the Museum will continue to serve our region and our State with distinctive and dynamic learning experiences.