2nd Floor
Mountains to the Sea
Spanning two floors, the breathtaking Mountains to the Sea exhibit takes visitors from the mountains, through the Piedmont and on to the Coastal Plain.
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A 20-foot waterfall modeled on Linville Falls cascades down the mountainside, flows into a streambed and courses toward the sea, a living example of the connection between habitats.
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The Mountains to the Sea exhibit showcases the plant and animal diversity of North Carolina’s many habitats, using live plants and animals whenever possible.
Nature’s Explorers
Spend time in the Nature's Explorers exhibit hall and discover how the Museum began, why it is important to collect and preserve and how natural science research helps protect the state's health and welfare.
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Go beyond exhibits, where the history of the Museum is explored.
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From the giant sunfish to the art of taxidermy, the Nature’s Explorers exhibit hall is bursting with curiosities.
Underground North Carolina
Dig deep under your feet to see beautiful gems and minerals, soil and seismic displays in the Underground North Carolina exhibit.
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Learn all about the ingredients of the ground in Underground North Carolina.
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North Carolina is the only state where the four most valuable gems — rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds — have been found.
Discovery Room
Young children and families share the joy and fascination of exploring the natural world in the Discovery Room, which is filled with touchable objects and specimens from the Museum’s collections.
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Visitors of all ages enjoy the interactive atmosphere in the Discovery Room.
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Engage all your senses as you touch, smell, hear and see real animals, fossils and other natural objects in the Discovery Room.
Special Exhibits Gallery
The Special Exhibits Gallery features traveling exhibits from across the country and around the world. For information about current and upcoming exhibits, please see the Special Exhibits page.
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The Wild Music special exhibit was a hit with musically inclined visitors large and small.
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The Powers of Nature exhibit was a hair-raising good time.
