So I haven't been there in forever and I thought it would be a nice change from the Raleigh ones, but I just looked it up online and admission is $12.50!!! Really? Anyone been lately? Is it worth the $25 it would cost me to take the girls and the gas to get there?
We ended up buying a membership because my boys love it.... They end up playing outside for hours. So make sure the weather is nice.... they have added alot of outside things like driving the boats on the water (remote controlled) The butterfly house is still a big hit.... Inside changes from time to time.... when we went last week, the big lobby downstairs was "Kappa block" that my kids had NO interest in. The other room that changes alot has a big music block thing set up on the floor so when you run around your shadow makes music.... WAIT.... I also remember that last week 1/2 the top floor was closed for construction. Most of the astronaut stuff was closed off.... so for the price, keep in mind 1/3 of the inside is under construction. Train ride is a waste, it is an additional dollar a person and goes in a tiny loop.
Hmm, 1/3 of the inside closed for construction.....I bet they don't knock off a third of the price, lol
We like it but it has been about 2 years since we have been so I am not sure about the current construction. When we went, parents also had to pay. I have seen coupons in the N & O before.
my boss was just ther and he and his family loved it. THey have a butterfly house and all sorts of hand on exhibits. THe tonado room was pretty cool he said. (just a whirlwind model but up to the ceiling). THey had a picnic there on the grounds. Durham life and science museum.
The great thing about the memberships is the reciprocity with other science museums. You can also save some money by carefully choosing which member museum to join. You can't use the reciprocal membership at any nearby museums (typically 50-100 miles from your home museum). So if you want to be able to visit the Life and Science Museum, Discovery Place in Charlotte and the Children's Museum in Wilmington, purchase your membership from an ASTC museum outside of the state. This can also save you money because each museum sets their own rates. So the family of four membership in Durham is $115, but it's only $99 at the Franklin Institute in Philly. We love our museum memberships because it always gives us at least one free day of entertainment while on vacation. Last year we went to Williamsburg and found 3 different museums that were free, and all three were ones we would have happily paid to go to.
I have a membership to an ASTC member and love it, but you have to be careful. Some places are interpreting the rules to mean that you can't use the membership within a certain milage of your home museum AND within a certain milage of your residence. That being said, I have used a recirocity membership to get into the Life & Science Museum many times without a problem. That membership has been well used. I've gone to many places for free that I might not have even thought about going to before. You often get gift shop discounts as well.
Very good museum. 7 year old loves it. Make sure it is a nice day, as a lot is outside. The membership is the way to go if you plan on going more than 3 times a year.
The kids & I made our 1st trip to this museum this afternoon. The kids had a blast. We loved the butterflies & bugs, the train ride, all the cool indoor displays, driving the RC boats, playing with the wind displays, viewing all the cool animals, running through the dinosaurs & so much more. I didn't think I was ever going to get the kids to come out of the artifacts dig. My kids & their buddies all left with handfuls of sharksteeth they found while digging. We really did have a GREAT day.
LOVE this place but can't afford to go now. An outing for us would now be $100.50. Umm, too much. It used to be alot less and we had tons of fun for sure. I don't knwo when they went up so much but it was int he last few years for sure. Kids really enjoyed the butterfly exhibit. Many hands on things too that they got a kick out of. It is worth going. There's a little something for everyone which makes it really, really nice. stephanie--mom to 7
