Museum of Life and Science

The Museum of Life and Science in Durham combines indoor galleries with expansive outdoor grounds featuring live animals, interactive stations, and natural habitats across multiple zones. Visitors move between climate-controlled exhibit spaces, walking trails, and hands-on areas where they can observe and learn directly from their surroundings.

The institution started in 1946 as a modest nature center and gradually expanded over decades into a larger facility with distinct exhibition zones. This growth reflected increasing interest in hands-on science education for schools and families throughout the region.

The National Science Foundation recognizes this museum as a leading institution for science education, serving families and schools across North Carolina.

The grounds require time to explore since indoor and outdoor areas spread across multiple zones that you can walk or travel by miniature train. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes, as you navigate between different elevations and types of pathways.

Inside a glass conservatory live hundreds of tropical butterflies that flutter freely among exotic plants and can land on visitors' hands. This experience transforms typical museum observation into a direct encounter with living creatures.

Location: North Carolina

Inception: 1946

Address: 433 W Murray Ave, Durham, NC 27704, USA

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-17:00; Sunday 12:00-17:00

Phone: +19192205429

Website: http://lifeandscience.org

GPS coordinates: 36.02860,-78.89730

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:03