Museum of Life and Science is a science museum and outdoor science park in Durham, Durham County, in North Carolina's Triangle. Adult admission is $24. Hours: Open Tuesday – Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm (Open to Members at 9 am); Closed Mondays from Labor Day to Memorial Day; Special holiday hours (e.g. Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve close at 3 pm). Facts read from the official site on October 27, 2026.
- Hours10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Tue–Sun)official hours below
- Admission$24 adults
- WhereDurhamDurham County, Triangle
- DogsNot allowed
About Museum of Life and Science
Durham science museum and outdoor science park with indoor exhibits, a train, and nature areas such as Hideaway Woods.
- Ellerbe Creek Railway train ride
- Hideaway Woods accessible outdoor pathways
- Butterfly House
- Durham Community Days free admission for county residents
Plan It in Three Lines
Getting In
Admission: $24 adults. Parking: Free parking on both sides of Murray Avenue.
10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Tue–Sun)Bring The Dog?
Service animals welcome (tell the Admissions Desk on arrival). Non-service animals are not allowed on Museum
Full rule belowMake It a Day
Eno River State Park is about 7 miles away (straight line).
6 places within 30 miles
Museum of Life and Science Hours
Hours in a day
- OpenTue–Sun10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Days of the week today is outlined
- Closed Mondays from Labor Day to Memorial Day
Bars that fade start at sunrise or end at sunset or dark, which move with the season. The full hours, word for word, are in the list below.
- Open Tuesday – Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm (Open to Members at 9 am)
- Closed Mondays from Labor Day to Memorial Day
- Special holiday hours (e.g. Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve close at 3 pm)
Hours source: official site, read October 27, 2026.
Admission and Parking
- Adults$24.00
- Seniors (65+)$22.00
- Military (With ID)$22.00
- Children ages 3-15$19.00
- Train rides$6.00
- Ages 2 and underFree
The first price on each official line (where online and gate prices differ, the line below says which). Read October 27, 2026.
- Adults: $24
- Seniors (65+): $22
- Military (With ID): $22
- Children ages 3-15: $19
- Ages 2 and under: free
- Non-school groups of 10+: $15 (48-hour notice)
- Train rides: $6 non-member, $4.50 member
- Durham Community Days: Durham County residents free with proof of address (each adult up to five children)
- Prices subject to change
Parking: Free parking on both sides of Murray Avenue; covered three-story deck across the street open (weather permitting) 8 am – 6 pm on open days; four EV charging spaces at $0.50/hr, free for Members.
Directions and Contact
- Address: 433 W. Murray Avenue
- Phone: 919-220-5429
- Map point: 36.03127,-78.89653, from OpenStreetMap (looked up by name, approximate). Directions in Google Maps
- Official site: lifeandscience.org/visit
Dogs and Accessibility
- Dogs: Service animals welcome (tell the Admissions Desk on arrival). Non-service animals are not allowed on Museum grounds.
- Accessibility: Barrier-free exhibit experiences, fifteen accessible parking spaces, accessible restrooms; train accommodates one wheelchair per ride (first-come, first-served tickets at Admissions Desk); five manual wheelchairs to loan with ID deposit; elevators to second-floor exhibits; outdoor pathways meet ADA guidelines; strollers rent $2 single / $4 double per day.
Near Museum of Life and Science
- 1Eno River State ParkState Parkabout 7 mi
- 2Falls Lake State Recreation AreaState Recreation Areaabout 12 mi
- 3Occoneechee Mountain State Natural AreaState Natural Areaabout 12 mi
- 4William B. Umstead State ParkState Parkabout 13 mi
- 5Jordan Lake State Recreation AreaState Recreation Areaabout 22 mi
- 6North Carolina Museum of Natural SciencesNatural History Museumabout 22 mi
Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.
Coming Up in Durham
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin Patch Express (Museum of Life and Science) | Oct 24-31: Weekends in October (hours not published) | Durham · Triangle | See event page |
| Mrs. Doubtfire (WRAL Greatest Hits of Broadway, DPAC) | Oct 30-Nov 1 (not published) | Durham · Triangle | Tickets start at $50 (+ tax) |
| Boo! (Museum of Life and Science) | Sat, Oct 31 (10 AM-3 PM) | Durham · Triangle | See event page |
| Death Becomes Her (Broadway at DPAC) | Nov 10-15 (Times not published on this page on the DPAC event list) | Durham · Triangle | Tickets start at $55 plus tax (DPAC list) |
| 'Twas the Night Before... by Cirque du Soleil | Nov 25-Dec 6 (Times not published on this page on the DPAC event list) | Durham · Triangle | See event page |
| The Bodyguard (Broadway at DPAC) | Dec 8-13 (Times not published on this page on the DPAC event list) | Durham · Triangle | Tickets start at $50 plus tax (DPAC list) |
| Mamma Mia! (Broadway at DPAC) | Dec 29-Jan 3, 2027 (Times not published on this page on the DPAC event list) | Durham · Triangle | Tickets start at $50 plus tax (DPAC list) |
| Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert | Jan 29-30 (Times not published on this page on the DPAC event list) | Durham · Triangle | See event page |
| UNC men's basketball at Duke | Mon, Feb 8 (Mon 6:00 PM, TV ABC) | Durham · Triangle | See event page |
| Bluey's Big Play | Feb 26-28 (Times not published on this page on the DPAC event list) | Durham · Triangle | See event page |
From our checked events calendar, matched by venue name and town; times and tickets are on each organizer’s page.
Also see Triangle events.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Museum of Life and Science cost?
$24 adults. Adults: $24; Seniors (65+): $22; Military (with ID): $22
What are the hours at Museum of Life and Science?
Open Tuesday – Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm (Open to Members at 9 am); Closed Mondays from Labor Day to Memorial Day.
Can I bring a dog to Museum of Life and Science?
Service animals welcome (tell the Admissions Desk on arrival). Non-service animals are not allowed on Museum grounds.
What We Could Not Verify
- Acreage not stated on pages read
- Dates of Durham Community Days not read
- Hours and prices change; check the official site the day you go.
Sources
Last checked October 27, 2026 by the It’s North Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Museum of Life and Science”, itsnorthcarolina.com/places-to-go-in-north-carolina/museum-of-life-and-science/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.