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Most of the region's popular family destinations will be open on Wednesday, July 4. But, I expect most of these spots will be pretty packed. My advice: Get there early.
Here are the holiday hours for the area's top family spots:
Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday. You'll find holiday-related activities, including fireworks painting, make and decorate watermelon cookies and a water relay. It's all free with admission, which is $5 per person.
The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences and its new Nature Research Center in Raleigh will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday. So will the museum's WRAL 3D Theater.
The N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday. The museum recently opened a new exhibit on Miss North Carolina.
The rides at Pullen Park in Raleigh are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., as usual. The grounds and playground are open from dawn to dusk. I always try to get there early to beat the crowds and the heat; let my kids play on the playground; and then be the first in line when the rides open up. For some other news from Pullen, including parking information, check my earlier post.
The N.C. Museum of Art is closed on Wednesday, but its Museum Park is open from dawn to dusk. It's a great place to walk, run, explore and have a picnic.
Museum of Life and Science is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday. The museum opened its new Into the Mist exhibit over the weekend.
Kidzu Children's Museum in Chapel Hill is closed Wednesday.
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center in Chapel Hill is open with a full schedule of shows, including the new One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure and Magic Tree House Space Mission.
The N.C. Zoo in Asheboro is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
And many, though not all, of the free and cheap summer movie series will have shows on Wednesday morning. For the full list, check Go Ask Mom's free and cheap movie database.
For July 4 fireworks and other celebrations, check out WRAL.com's Out & About calendar.
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