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Raleigh: A Smart Choice

When you think of Raleigh, North Carolina, you might not first picture giant dinosaurs, the country’s largest outdoor art park or a cannon from Blackbeard’s ship. But visitors to Raleigh can discover these treasures, each free of charge, at some of the state capital’s acclaimed museums.

Sometimes dubbed the Smithsonian of the South, the Raleigh area boasts more than 40 free attractions, including a number of renowned museums and cultural sites. Lifelong learners will love the unexpected breadth of Raleigh’s edifying offerings at places such as the North Carolina Museum of History, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and the North Carolina Museum of Art.

Home to nine universities and colleges, Raleigh has been voted the “Most Educated City in America” by Men’s Health magazine. Groups with a wide range of curiosities will enjoy perusing the innovative attractions of this educational hub.

 

North Carolina Museum of Art

In 1947, North Carolina purchased 139 works of European and American art. Since this initial acquisition, the North Carolina Museum of Art has grown to include Renaissance paintings, 19th-century paintings, Egyptian funerary art, Grecian vases, Roman sculptures and American art from the 18th century to today.

To house the now-extensive permanent collection, the museum opened the 127,000-square-foot West Building in 2010. About 50 percent of the exterior is glass, allowing the building to blend art and natural elements to highlight the museum’s collection.

Outside, the museum’s sculpture garden features reflecting pools and an impressive collection of Rodin sculptures.

“It would be very easy for a group to spend hours at the museum,” said Ryan Smith, director of communications for the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The museum also has the largest art park in the country. There is a lovely green trail that runs through the grounds past larger-than-life artworks.”

Three miles of trails weave through the 164-acre Museum Park, which displays more than a dozen works of art. Groups can wander through fields, woodlands and creeks on their own or led by a guide.

The museum offers other group opportunities, such as a guided tour of the museum’s permanent collection and an expert discussion focused on a compelling work of art or theme.

 

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

The world’s only dinosaur heart lies on display at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Scientists performing a CT scan on the remains of a Thescelosaurus nicknamed Willo found evidence that suggested the fossilized remains of a heart.

This unusual specimen, as well as other rare dinosaur skeletons, help make the museum the state’s most visited attraction. The science museum not only houses dinosaur exhibits but also offers a plethora of permanent exhibits, touring exhibits, live programs and educational films.

With a mixture of dioramas, fossilized remains and live creatures, visitors become immersed in the complexities of the natural world. Living butterflies, insects, snakes and a two-toed sloth help illustrate various ecosystems that are still functioning today.

“It’s a very tech-savvy, one-of-a-kind museum,” said Smith. “At the Nature Research Center, groups can walk into a lab, and scientists will talk about what they are working on.”

The 80,000-square-foot Nature Research Center opened in 2012 to teach guests how scientists develop, test and prove various types of research. The center’s scientists invite visitors into their working labs to help them experience the scientific process firsthand.

Groups can arrange a hands-on experience led by scientists. Possible activities include assessing biodiversity in soil samples, modeling hurricane events or examining soft tissue in dinosaur bones.