Museums
in Raleigh, NC

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Did you know that there are approximately 850 million visits to museums every year in America? They contribute $50 billion to the U.S. economy each year. If you think about how marvelous museums are, these numbers make sense. Museums can transport you to old worlds, future worlds, worlds you never thought you could be a part of.

If you’re looking to add some of those unknown worlds to your day, check out our list of museums in the area. They are all within driving distance and offer a variety of topics that will enchant every member of the family.
African American Cultural Complex
African American Cultural Complex

(919) 250-9336

119 Sunnybrook Rd
Raleigh, NC 27610   Directions Website

Ever wonder whose names are on the "African American Hall of Fame"? These individuals gave of their time and talent and persevered against insurmountable odds to accomplish their difficult, hard-fought goals in such important areas as science, business, medicine, politics and the arts. These stories come to life at the African American Cultural Complex.

Exhibits and attractions like "Women of Note" as well as the aforementioned Hall of Fame are among the ever-changing program of noteworthy presentations that await your discovery. Admission is free.

Contemporary Art Museum Raleigh
Contemporary Art Museum Raleigh

(919) 261-5920

409 W Martin St
Raleigh, NC 27603   Directions Website

Contemporary Art Museum Raleigh began in 1983 as the City Gallery of Contemporary Art and was established to complement the city's other museums by focusing solely on contemporary works.

The name changed to its current moniker in 1996, the same year it was relocated to the city's Warehouse District. Change is embraced at the Contemporary Art Museum, as the roster of exhibits and shows is constantly updated and added to, so checking it out regularly is a great way to stay on top of the latest cutting edge artwork in Raleigh.

Gregg Museum of Art and Design
Gregg Museum of Art and Design

(919) 515-3503

1903 Hillsborough St
Raleigh, NC 27607   Directions Website

The Gregg Museum of Art and Design is North Carolina's mecca for artists who work in all mediums as well as those who are aspiring to express themselves but don't know exactly where to start.

The Gregg prides itself in presenting the best work from local, regional, national and even international artists for not only the purposes of education, but for inspiration as well. Architectural drawings, works on paper, ceramics, paintings, photography as well as work with textiles and metal make up the constantly changing catalog of exhibits on display.

Joel Lane Museum House
Joel Lane Museum House

(919) 833-3431

728 W Hargett St
Raleigh, NC 27603   Directions Website

The Joel Lane Museum House tells the interesting story of how Raleigh came to be. As you walk through the house that is adorned with vintage furnishings and other genuine relics of the period, you'll hear the story of how Lane, a prominent statesman and soldier, sold the 1,000 acres of his land for the formation of a new capital in 1792.

Built in 1770, this is the oldest existing home in the Wake Forest community and its preservation not only tells the story of how it all happened, it allows visitors to have a new-found pride for the capital city.

North Carolina Japan Center
North Carolina Japan Center

(919) 515-3450

705 Barbour Dr
Raleigh, NC 27603   Directions Website

The Spring Hill House is a registered historical building and is currently the home of the North Carolina Japan Center.

The institution is also part of the NC State University's Centennial Campus. Many layers of historical relevance are here for learning, as this museum was once the main house of a plantation. The building has undergone numerous structural changes, not the least of which was a full-scaled renovation in 2000 and 2001. The stories that are preserved and retold here all make up the long, far-reaching chain of events that link it all back to Raleigh's origins and development.

North Carolina Museum of Art
North Carolina Museum of Art

(919) 839-6262

2110 Blue Ridge Rd
Raleigh, NC 27607   Directions Website
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

(919) 707-9800

11 W Jones St
Raleigh, NC 27601   Directions Website

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences gathers some of the most dramatic examples of nature's artwork and presents the wonder and mystique of the various exhibits in a way that will entertain and educate the whole family.

Ideas like our expanding universe, how our bodies resemble wildlife and how our oceans expand and recede make up only a small part of the entire sphere of subjects presented in this museum. The exhibits featured here are very much alive in more ways than one.

Raleigh City Museum
Raleigh City Museum

(919) 996-2220

220 Fayetteville St
Raleigh, NC 27601   Directions Website

Paintings, photos, documents and other relics of Raleigh's past are housed in the Raleigh City Museum.

The story of North Carolina's capital city is told in a variety of mediums, from detailed paintings to meticulously preserved documents and more. The interactive element is very much alive at the museum as well, as walking tours, lectures, and various other types of presentations make learning about the city's past a fun, memorable experience.

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