The ultimate guide to the best museums in Raleigh

If you visit Raleigh, you won't be able to go far without passing by one of its 18 museums. This unique claim to fame is where Raleigh got its nickname, "Smithsonian of the South."

The museums in Raleigh are high-quality and fit a variety of interests. From science and history to a museum for the kids, there is something for everyone here!

Are you wondering what the best museums in Raleigh are to visit? Keep reading to learn all you need to know about the museums before planning your trip.

Free museums in Raleigh, NC

Going to museums allows you to gain a deeper understanding of the cultures and histories of people and places from all around the world. You can learn about and experience many topics when you visit different types of museums.

One of the best parts about visiting museums in Raleigh is that many of them are free of charge! From historical museums to scientific ones, there are lots of types of free museums to see in this city.

City of Raleigh (COR) Museum

Learn all about North Carolina's state capital at this informative museum. Here you will find artifacts, kiosks, and information about Raleigh's fascinating history.

The museum focuses on the past, the present, and the future of the city. See an exhibit on the suffragists, learn local history, and more when you stop by.

Visit this museum from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. On Sunday, the museum is open from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Admission to this museum is free.

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

A visit to Raleigh wouldn't be complete without a stop at this family-friendly museum. With its giant, building-sized globe adorning the front, this museum is hard to miss.

You can explore two collections when you visit this museum: the Nature Exploration Center and the Nature Research Center. Each center has its own special features.

If learning about fossils, wildlife, and geology is something you enjoy, you'll love the Nature Exploration Center. If you are a prehistoric buff, check out the only museum in Raleigh, NC, with dinosaurs!

Do you have a budding scientist or enjoy seeing science in action yourself? Head over to the Nature Research Center to see live scientists at work.

It's not just exhibits that this museum offers. You can go on tours, see a 3D movie, and take part in other events put on here. If you have a child that lives in the area, this museum even offers a summer camp program for days of summer fun!

If you want to check out this museum, plan to visit it from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission to this museum is free.

North Carolina Museum of Art

Come see art spanning 5,000 years at this comprehensive art museum. This North Carolina museum purchased its first 139 paintings in 1952. Since then, this museum has done nothing but continue to grow.

It now houses hundreds of paintings, sculptures, and other art pieces for people to view. As you walk through the halls of this museum, you will see many different styles of art represented.

This museum allows each of its guests to have a truly unique experience when they visit. It is the perfect place to quietly enjoy the artwork. If you are looking for something more interactive, join a tour, or take part in one of the many workshops.

Take a stroll in the 164-acre Museum Park and admire the many art installations. Find a cozy picnic spot, view the many flowers, or walk the trails at this park. If you are feeling adventurous, print out the scavenger hunt before you go and see how many items you can find!

Visit this museum 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. If you are looking to go the Museum Park, make sure to plan your trip between dawn and dusk. You can visit the North Carolina Museum of Art free of charge.

Contemporary Art Museum (CAM)

In this museum, you will find art that is bold and nontraditional, all created by living artists. Art at this museum comes in many mediums. Education and culture are at the forefront of all that CAM does.

In addition to viewing the art at CAM, you can take part in many different classes offered here. Try making your own art or listen to one of the music events that they put on. This museum even offers yoga classes amongst the artwork.

You can plan your visit to this museum from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday to Sunday. Although you can visit the museum for free, the yoga classes are $15 each.

North Carolina Museum of History

North Carolina's Museum of History is a must-see for anyone who has an interest in historical events.

If you are a sports fan, you can learn about North Carolina's rich sports history here. Dive into the life of the pirate Blackbeard and learn about his crew on the Queen Anne's Revenge.

You can step back in time and visit a 1920s drugstore and see how it worked. There are even two full historic houses you can explore here!

This museum offers events for people of all ages to participate in. Families can pick up a make and take art craft from the museum. Historians offer lectures, classes, and programs to share their historical knowledge with others.

The North Carolina Museum of History is easy to locate because it is right in the center of Raleigh. You can visit Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. This is another museum you can visit free of charge.

Pope House Museum

If you are looking to step back in history, a visit to the Pope House Museum should be on your list.

This house, built in 1901, was home to Raleigh's only African American man to run for mayor, Dr. Manassas Thomas Pope. He ran for this position during the time of Jim Crow laws. This house is unique, as it is one of the only African American house museums in the entire state of North Carolina.

See artifacts that the Pope family used during their time living in this house. View first hand the registration card that Dr. Pope had and the bag he used when he was a doctor. For a more in-depth experience, plan to go on one of the guided tours of the museum.

This museum is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to this museum is free of charge.

Gregg Museum of Art and Design

This museum is on a college campus! This school's art museum has the biggest collection of artifacts and art in the state. You can view the more than 40,000 objects and pieces of art at the North Carolina State Campus.

Along with viewing the artwork and sculptures, you can also take part in other activities. Join artists in film screenings, artist residencies, tours, and more.

The Gregg Museum of Art and Design is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. This is another free-to-visit museum.

Kids museums in Raleigh, NC

Kids of all ages can get in on the museum action in Raleigh! Some of the other museums offer programs that children can take part in. If you are looking for a museum geared completely toward kids, you'll find only one.

Marbles Kids Museum

Are you looking for a museum the little ones in your life will love? Plan a visit to Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh!

You won’t be bored with a trip to this museum! Explore how people live and work in the kids-sized community. Learn about how money works in the Moneypalooza exhibit and watch plants grow in the Seedlings exhibit.

It's not just interactive exhibits that this museum has to offer. Check out a movie at the IMAX theater or have some hands-on fun at one of the museum's many events. Marbles also has summer and school vacation week camps and even camp-ins!

For the general public, you can visit Marbles from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Thursday nights this museum stays open until 7 p.m. Admission is nine dollars a person.

Plan your museum visit today!

Visiting museums in Raleigh can allow you to learn and experience the world in new and extraordinary ways. There is no better place to investigate museums than the high-quality ones found in this city!