Another Make-a-Day-of-It Museum: Durham's Museum of Life and Science

On a road trip with friends, we went to Durham, NC's Museum of Life and Science, an expansive indoor/outdoor museum campus that's great for kids approximately age 12 and under. In fact, we were there around 4-5 hours, and we probably covered somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 of it.  This would make it a great pick for a membership museum--so if you live in Raleigh/Durham, we'd suggest that!  If you are from out of town like us, an ASTC Passport will get you in.  Our kids, ranging in age from 3-9, all had a delightful time.

We came for Hideaway Woods, the fantastic new complex of treehouses, and found a lot more. 

G, age 3, recommends the train ride (purchase tickets for $3-$4 each ride when you check in at the front desk); E, age 7, recommends the sailboats at Catch the Wind.  The adults in our group found Into the Mist, a unique misting/playing area, pretty magical. 

There are also bears, wolves, and darling lemurs, and in several cases, these exhibits have video cameras you can control so that you can see the animals when they are in more secluded exhibit spaces.

The outside area is pleasantly peppered with small indoor attractions like a butterfly garden and a particularly accessible insect zoo. We played in the Hideaway Woods creek and the adjacent playground just before our 3-hour drive home, which was a good move.

If you go, dress for the outside weather--and consider bringing a change of clothes/shoes for kids.  Wear clothing that can get dirty/wet and shoes that can climb. It's fine to pack in some food and drink in single-serving containers, and Sprout, the café inside, is a good place to eat as well.  Expect walking, and if taking in a stroller, take in one that can "off road" if you have it.  We didn't know much about Durham, NC, but we were pleasantly surprised by a variety of things to do, so go to TripAdvisor and take a look.  It's a city worth your time!