Raleigh, N.C. (Nov. 3, 2026) – Raleigh, N.C., has earned its “Smithsonian of the South” nickname through a remarkable concentration of free, internationally recognized and Smithsonian-affiliated museums. Spanning the largest Rodin collection in the Southeastern United States and newly discovered dinosaurs to carefully curated boutique museums, Raleigh is a city suited for visitors’ increasing interest in cultural enrichment through travel.

The largest natural science museum in the Southeast, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences offers visitors free access to four floors of immersive exhibitions, viewable research laboratories and hands-on experiences.

  • Locked in prehistoric combat at the time of fossilization, the museum’s Dueling Dinosaurs exhibit features two of the most complete skeletons ever discovered of a Triceratops and Tyrannosaur — including the only complete Nanotyrannus in the world. Museum-goers get the exclusive opportunity to observe real-time fossil preparation and converse with expert paleontologists in the museum’s live DinoLab.
  • Other permanent collections include a Living Conservatory filled with tropical Central American flora and fauna and the Terror of the South exhibit, a two-story circular atrium housing the only real Acrocanthosaurus skeleton on display in the world.

Internationally celebrated for its expansive collections, the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) houses over 5,000 historic and modern works. The museum features the Southeast’s largest Rodin sculpture collection and an art-studded Museum Park, both of which are free to visit.

  • The 164-acre Museum Park is one of the largest art parks in the world. Amongst monumental installations and miles of woodland walking trails, NCMA offers visitors of all ages a variety of immersive programming, performances and workshops.
  • Taking place every spring, Art in Bloom is a five-day floral celebration of artistry in support of one of the South’s premier art museums. The museum’s galleries are transformed by large-scale floral installations created on site by acclaimed local and national designers. The arrangements are inspired by works in the NCMA’s People’s Collection, and the celebration includes limited edition merchandise, workshops, floral-inspired menus and artist-led events throughout the week.

Beyond Raleigh’s world-renowned cultural centers, the capital city also hosts a charmingly curated collection of boutique museums offering specialized exhibitions for travelers of every niche.

  • City of Raleigh Museum: Housed in downtown’s historic 1874 Briggs Hardware Building, the museum offers an essential introduction to the capital itself. With approximately 5,000 artifacts exploring Raleigh's people, places and civic life, the museum is a natural starting point for visitors looking to understand a city beyond its headline attractions. Admission is free.
  • Gregg Museum of Art & Design: Located in NC State University’s historic Chancellor’s Residence, the Gregg is a free, interdisciplinary art museum showcasing countless mediums from a collection of more than 54,000 pieces.
  • Marbles Kids Museum: Teaching kids to connect, create and learn through immersive experience, the downtown Marbles Kids Museum features two floors of interactive exhibits, a kid-sized city and IMAX theatre built around purposeful play. Admission fee required.
  • Raleigh Lace Museum: One of the only dedicated lace museums in the United States, Raleigh’s lace museum features more than 400 years of lace-making tradition through intricate exhibits, demonstrations and educational programming. The downtown museum showcases historic and contemporary lace, offers self-guided tours in four languages and periodically allows visitors to meet lacemakers at work. The collection provides an intimate window into Raleigh’s legacy as a historic textile capital. $5 admission fee.

Raleigh’s cultural institutions and creative community hubs can be accessed by international audiences through RDU International Airport’s 15+ direct, international flights. The “Smithsonian of the South” presents an approachable, urban environment where world-class collections meet Southern hospitality, where museums extend into parks and laboratories, and where the next discovery is often only a few blocks away.


About the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh):
As the official destination marketing organization for Wake County, Visit Raleigh is responsible for promoting Wake County as an attractive travel destination and enhancing its public image as a dynamic place to live and work. Through the impact of travel, the organization strengthens the industry and community's economic position and provides opportunities for people throughout Wake County. Raleigh, N.C./Wake County welcomes 19.1 million visitors annually, whose spending tops $3.43 billion. The visitor economy supports more than 26,000 local jobs in Wake County and generates $342 million in state and local tax revenues, saving each Wake County household $743 in taxes annually. visitRaleigh.com

Media Contact:
Visit Raleigh
Hannah Hankins
Public Relations and International Tourism Manager
919.819.8292
hhankins@visitRaleigh.com

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