A trip to the local museum is an excellent way to spend time with family. If you’re like most parents, the thought of touring exhibits filled with priceless artifacts is a little nerve-wracking. So skip the Rembrandt and embrace this list of the five best museums to visit with your family in Durham, North Carolina this summer.
The Museum of Life and Science
Are you looking for an engaging, kid-friendly museum in Durham? Why not head out to The Museum of Life and Science on 433 W. Murray Ave. This inviting, interactive park sprawls across 84 acres and boasts a two-story science center, a butterfly conservatory, and a dinosaur trail.
Meet 60 species of live animals in the outdoor exhibits, just remember to outfit the whole family with proper footwear. Sturdy walking shoes are highly recommended. Purchase tickets for the train near the entrance. It’s one of the museum’s best attractions.
Kidzu Children’s Museum
This downtown Chapel Hill museum at 201 S. Estes Dr. is inside University Place and offers plenty of hands-on activities and unique events. Discover Kidzu’s newest exhibit, The Hive & The Front Yard outdoor learning garden. Study why pollinators, like bees, are essential to the environment. Sign up your kids’ ages 3 to 5 and 6 to 11 for Camp Kidzu this summer. Sessions run now through Aug 30, 2019.
Marbles Kids Museum
Spark your child’s imagination at Marbles Kids Museum at 201 East Hargett St. in nearby Raleigh. Explore this downtown museum’s variety of hands-on exhibits such as the Art Loft, catch a movie at the IMAX theater or attend a special event. “Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest” in 3D is a 43-minute long film dedicated to the animals that live in the wildest places left on earth.
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
Re-opening June 18, 2019 after a complete renovation, this downtown Chapel Hill destination at 250 E. Franklin. St. is an extension of the University of North Carolina. Morehead Planetarium features a variety of star-studded shows that showcase the night’s sky from black holes to cosmic colors.
Duke University’s art museum on campus offers family-friendly activities with regular, free family days. Hosted on select Sundays from noon to 4:00 p.m., enjoy live entertainment, create hands-on projects to take home, then explore the museum’s exhibitions while you and your family browse the galleries.
Head out on Oct. 13 for “Celebrate Art for a New Understanding: Native Voices, 1950s to Now.” The kids will love this exploratory day studying the arts and culture of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Watch as Native American guests tell stories, dance, and present live musical performances throughout the building.
With the right amount of planning and preparation, children can enjoy a museum visit as much as mom and dad, and they’ll definitely learn something new and exciting. What’s the best part about spending the day soaking up local culture? That together time, of course.
Image via Pixabay
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