Museum of Life and Science

Museum of Life and Science 84 acres of open-ended science and nature experiences.

Located just blocks from downtown Durham, the Museum of Life and Science is one of North Carolina’s top family destinations. Situated on 84-acres, our interactive science park includes a two-story science center, one of the largest butterfly conservatories on the East Coast and beautifully landscaped outdoor exhibits which are safe havens for rescued black bears, lemurs, and endangered red wolves.

Other popular attractions include over 60 species of live animals, Dinosaur Trail, Ellerbe Creek Railway, Into the Mist, Hideaway Woods, and Earth Moves.

Happy Pride Month to our LGBTQIA+ visitors, staff, and community! The world is made infinitely more interesting and beau...
06/01/2026

Happy Pride Month to our LGBTQIA+ visitors, staff, and community! The world is made infinitely more interesting and beautiful by the diversity within it, today and every day.

❤️ Scarlet Mormon butterfly
🧡 Julia butterfly
💛 Clouded yellow butterfly
💚 Emerald swallowtail butterfly
💙 Blue morpho butterfly
💜 Malachite butterfly

Join us at the Museum on June 27 for Prism: Pride in STEM to learn from scientists and community partners throughout the Triangle. Celebrate scientific thought with us by challenging assumptions and looking at the world around you with curiosity and compassion! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Details: lifeandscience.org/explore/prism

We strive to be a welcoming, positive space for all, including in our social media comment sections. Any comments that are inappropriate or include hateful, bullying, or profane language will be removed.

Let's Party for the Planet! 🎉This Saturday, May 30, we're wrapping up a month of Spring into Action with a celebration o...
05/29/2026

Let's Party for the Planet! 🎉

This Saturday, May 30, we're wrapping up a month of Spring into Action with a celebration of the work we can all do to support Earth's biodiversity.

♻️ Turn trash into treasure using recycled materials
🐍 Discover our native herptiles
🌻 Learn to support local wildlife
🥳 Join a Parade for the Planet

Learn more: bit.ly/44IKeSf
Included with Museum admission or membership.

05/29/2026

Hello, world. 🥹

Earlier this week, the Red Wolf pups stepped out of the den for the first time — with some encouragement from mom Carolina (2293F), of course.

At three weeks old, and with fully open eyes, the pups are starting to get the itch to explore. We'll share more soon!

🐺 Explore the Wild: Red Wolves remains closed to guests until further notice, and we thank you for your patience and understanding as the family adjusts.

Pupdate, anyone? 🐺With the critical first 30 days of life almost behind us, we're sharing a quick look at the Red Wolf p...
05/28/2026

Pupdate, anyone? 🐺

With the critical first 30 days of life almost behind us, we're sharing a quick look at the Red Wolf pups' initial physical exams. The checkup included measurements of both weight and heart rate, and confirmed that all pups are in good health!

Read more on our blog: bit.ly/4dPpon7

AfterHours: Science Distilled 🍹June 11, 6:30 – 10 pmThis event is 21+Science Distilled is bringing new energy to AfterHo...
05/27/2026

AfterHours: Science Distilled 🍹
June 11, 6:30 – 10 pm
This event is 21+

Science Distilled is bringing new energy to AfterHours at the Museum, blending hands-on science with cocktails inspired by our exhibits. Delve into the science of distillation, connecting what’s in your glass to the process that makes it possible. Whether it is your first visit or a familiar stop, the evening offers a fresh way to explore the Museum!

Your ticket includes:
🍸 Commemorative Science Distilled glass
🎟️ Three drink tickets for hand-crafted cocktails
🌯 Variety of food and additional drink samples
🦋 Adults-only access to favorite Museum exhibits

Buy now: bit.ly/43uLcza

All money raised from this event will benefit our initiatives to inspire lifelong learning. So, when it all boils down, buying a ticket is a selfless act!

05/26/2026

Oh hi Carolina! 👁️

The den cameras the Animal Care and Exhibits teams have set up are an important tool both for monitoring the health and dynamics of the pups, and for helping us tell their story to our community and beyond.

While Explore the Wild: Red Wolves remains closed to guests for the time being, once it opens we encourage you to use the den cameras to see the family when they're not exploring the habitat.

🐺 Looking to make a difference? Support the Museum and our mission toward Red Wolf conservation by donating to our annual fund.

Hay, have moo herd? We're open Monday, May 25! 🐮As always, Memorial Day marks our transition to summer hours during whic...
05/24/2026

Hay, have moo herd? We're open Monday, May 25! 🐮

As always, Memorial Day marks our transition to summer hours during which we're open seven days a week, 10 am to 5 pm. Members get in at 9 am — a whole hour early!

05/22/2026

What's YOUR favorite part of the Museum to stroll through?

This is a sentimental one as we share the first ID photos of the new litter of Red Wolf pups as well as the first ID p...
05/21/2026

This is a sentimental one as we share the first ID photos of the new litter of Red Wolf pups as well as the first ID photo of their mother, Carolina (2293F). 🐺

Carolina and her five siblings were born here at the Museum on April 22, 2019, making this a truly full-circle moment.

As the first 30 days of life are the most critical, Explore the Wild: Red Wolves remains closed until further notice. Until then, stay tuned for updates here on our social media channels!

Looking for a way to make a difference? Support the Museum and our mission toward Red Wolf conservation by donating: bit.ly/give-annual

CW: Veterinary care, dental work, needlesRecently, our troop of ring-tailed lemurs underwent their annual physicals, and...
05/20/2026

CW: Veterinary care, dental work, needles

Recently, our troop of ring-tailed lemurs underwent their annual physicals, and both the exams and recoveries went well! 🩺

What makes this round of care special is that it marked the debut of the newest piece of our care team — a mobile dental unit! This exciting addition allows vet staff to perform comprehensive oral exams and cleanings on-site. Alongside our portable ultrasound machine, the dental unit gives us a more immediate and deeper look into the health of the animals calling the Museum home.

Address

Museum Of Life And Science, 433 Murray Avenue
Durham, NC
27704

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+19192205429

Website

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