Greater Raleigh Museums

Greater Raleigh is often dubbed the "Smithsonian of the South" for more than 40 free attractions, and the high quality of Raleigh's museums certainly adds merit to that distinction. Discover your inner Creative Genius by planning a visit around a blockbuster art exhibition or by exploring one of the country’s largest collections of Rodin sculptures at the North Carolina Museum of Art and the state’s only non-collecting Contemporary Art Museum (CAM Raleigh) while you’re here.

Take time to visit the Nature Research Center, a new wing at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, recognizable by its three story, multimedia globe called the Daily Planet.

Many of the area’s museums are free, and no matter if your interests skew toward Renaissance art, interactive exhibits or research and fossils, the Raleigh area has got it covered. Make sure to take a look at our calendar of events for special events and exhibitions or at our Deals for money-saving offers surrounding our dynamic museum scene.