The NC Museum of Natural Sciences was the perfect way to spend a very cold, wet, afternoon in…read moreRaleigh. It was a few miles from our AirBNB, so while we had to drive, there's a large parking lot right across the street. I'm not sure if parking is normally free, but it was on this particular Saturday. No one was monitoring the gate or could figure out how to pay, so we didn't. I *think* the sign said it was normally $5 on days they do charge or monitor. VERY reasonable. The museum itself is FREE unless you want to see an IMAX movie, which is reasonably priced. If you're into dinosaurs, plants, geology, or natural science in general, you'll enjoy yourself here, but the museum definitely adds a local flare and incorporates NC history and geography. While the museum is kid-friendly, it is not kid-focused. It is family focused and for all ages. My husband and I are child-free and had a great time. Of course, we are nerds and had science classes together in college. I do think this is a great museum for kids who are school aged and able to read well and ask questions. It is probably not the best option for toddlers or preschoolers when it comes to museums. The museum hosts birthday parties, and a group was there for that- what a fun idea! If you visit, plan to spend a morning or afternoon here- it definitely takes a few hours to see everything but not the full day.

I've lived in NC for almost 4 years and this was the first time I visited NCMNS! My friend had won…read more4 tickets to the whale exhibit and invited my husband and me to join. We met at 10am right when they opened. We easily found street parking and since it was on a Sunday, it was free to park. The museum is huge! I was so surprised by how large and open it was. All of the staff were friendly and knowledgeable here. We interacted with an employee in the whale exhibit and he was fantastic. The museum is incredibly clean and well maintained. There's so much to see and do. You can easily spend over 2 hours here. I especially loved the geology section, taxidermy/skulls room, and my favorite...the dueling dinosaurs!! It was SO incredible watching paleontologists work on this massive fossil. This part of the museum absolutely made it to be a wonderful experience. This is a great museum and it's free! I donated a little to the museum and also made a few purchases, one being a magnet and another being a beautiful $75 sulfite mineral. This was definitely worth our time and I'm so happy we finally visited!

Cool place! Owner is a nice guy , and the museum has very interesting things to see. Also they…read moresell fun t-shirts and other stuff. I look forward to going back. Definitely recommend!

I got a headache in this place from the minute I walked in. Overheard the guy at the counter…read moretelling another guest some people get headaches and other physical sensations because they're more "sensitive" to paranormal stuff, but I think it was more from the overwhelming smell of cat pee and mold.

This art museum was on par the Getty Museum in LA. While the museum is smaller it was curated…read morebeautifully, with well organized and thoughtful placement. It was a lovely experience.

Summary: 4.0 - Free and art go hand-in-hand here. If you like both, NC MoA is worth your time…read more Free admission to the NCMA to see art and history is a gift. If one doesn't mind the West Building (although new, it felt old to me), the different galleries containing historical art pieces (new and old, and very old) organized by continents are educational and surprisingly full of variety. The East Building (original one) hosts both permanent and limited-time collections. I've enjoyed a car exhibit, but my favorite limited-time exhibit featured Academy Award winner Ruth E. Carter's costumes for the movies "Black Panther", "Selma", "Amistad", and others. Her showcase exhibit was well worth the price of admission. A huge museum park provides miles of trails and places for picnics. If one plans accordingly, a series of trails connects all the way from the museum to downtown Raleigh! MISC Opened in 1956. Has pieces that originate from about 5,000 years ago (but thankfully it doesn't take that long to go through the museum). The museum is accessibility-friendly. A museum store and café are onsite. Tours are available. Outdoor concerts are on hiatus at the time of this review for "facility improvements." Be sure to check the museum's website for updates.

What a charming history museum, complete with multiple air conditioned buildings, including the…read morecarriage house (with an iron lung) and a delightful medicinal garden. The educational and interesting guided tours begin on the hour and are lead by a professional guide. The museum is very well done--thank you East Carolina University. While it is called the Country Doctor Museum, a good portion of it is a tribute to the work and impact of nurses as well. Learn about the apothecary and unique stories about various artifacts in the museum. There are no opportunities for hands-on experiences and small children may not be the best guests. Seniors (over 55) get a discount. The gift shop has an variety of themed gifts for purchase. I took visitors from Illinois and they loved it. I'll bring other guests who visit Eastern NC.

The Country Doctor Museum has been updated since my prior visits. Admission is $8 and your tour…read morestarts in the gift shop building which also has a library and some medical artifacts. Guided tours run on the hour and you will get to see the building that was a country doctor's office, a medicinal herb garden is behind this building, then the last building is where the carriages, old vehicles and the iron lung are located. You will see how medicines were made with herbs and how the pills were cut. They used what was available. There is a room with surgery tools and prosthetics. The tools used changed over the years and they learned that hot water prevented some infections from developing. The newest addition is a sick room. This room shows what it was like if you were sick and isolated. The room also has a lot to read and see of how health care has evolved. Vaccines are much more recents that I realized. The last building showcases the carriages and some Ford vehicles. There are some doctors bags to see as well. The iron lung gives a visual to imagine what that would have been like to be inside. Even though I have visited this museum a few times, I learn something new every time. They also keep updating the museum and adding new artifacts. The gift shop is also a great place to find some unique gifts.

I love trains and wanted to check out this one hour train ride near Apex. It's an open car and…read morethere was a breeze. The seats are like school bus seats so it's comfy. You can bring drinks and snacks on board. The process is easy. Order tickets online and check in at will call when you arrive. They have a big outdoor train set up at the will call area and this was wonderful. We loved the short ride and makes me want to take another train trip.

New Hope Valley Railway is a relaxing and fun place to visit. The open air seating tickets are…read morereasonable to ride the historic train cars. Parking is free and there is a large lot. It is all run by volunteers who enjoy trains and share their love with the visitors. Be sure to check out the mini railroad and the museum. They have displayed the cars and parts being restored. The train cars board about 15 minutes before departure. The ride is about 20 minutes one direction then the engine is moved from one end to the other for the return trip. It is a nice little getaway to enjoy nature and trains.

Yelp 100 2026 #8…read more Marbles Kids Museum is a wonderful children's indoor and outdoor play area. There is an upstairs and downstairs with different themes throughout to help keep any child engaged. The giant piggy bank upstairs, mini scooters downstairs, to the ABC new high in the sky cam. Visited when my flight was delayed to help my little get her wiggles out and she did not want to leave. It was chilly during my visit but there are outdoor play areas available as well.

We visited Marbles Kids Museum today (Sunday). Street parking was free and plentiful this morning…read more En route to the museum we grabbed coffee and got there at open. 2 adults and a kid is $40 (you can get military discount and also purchase tickets in advance online) It's a busy place but also large and we never felt it was too crowded. There are so many spaces for little ones to explore and try! Definitely enough for a couple hours with a 3 yr old. Would recommend for anyone with 2-7 years old kid, probably a highlight for our daughter.

Wonderful office & coworking space and private social club in Raleigh…read more If you are a car lover, you have to check out this space. I attended a private event, and enjoyed the wonderful space full of stunning exotic cars. Memberships are offered. Amenities include golf & racing simulators, cigar room, and private room. Wonderful addition to Raleigh.

Beautiful location , great service.... Amazing building for…read moreyour next office location. Highly recommended.