Museum Event Spaces

Floor Maps

Nature Exploration Center (NEC)

Level/Space Amenities Capacity Availability
NEC 1st Floor
Exhibit Areas
  • Beautiful, natural coastal environment, live seahorses and coastal animals, sandy beach area with wildlife
  • Access to Lobby, Coastal Carolina, and NC Natural Treasures
  • Catering workroom and kitchen
  • Access to WRAL 3D Theater requires an additional fee.
  • 440 reception
  • 250 seated
 Night Only (after 5pm)
Exhibit Areas & WRAL 3D Theater
  • CD-quality surround sound; high-tech digital theater, 22-foot HDTV and broadcast system; state-of-the-art high-definition projection system
  • Professional audiovisual technician and camera technician available to assist with taping events for major media.
  • Press conference capabilities
  • Laptop, wireless microphone, Museum and portable sound systems
  • Includes access to First Floor
  • 250
    (WRAL 3D Theater is handicapped accessible)
 Night Only (after 5pm)
NEC 2nd Floor
Exhibit Areas
  • Stunning 20-foot, 2-story waterfall cascading down the mountainside
  • Beautiful natural mountain environment
  • Scenic coastal overlook
  • Nature's Explorers Hall
  • 300 reception
  • 120 seated
 Night Only (after 5pm)
Exhibit Areas & Special Exhibition Hall
  • Large open room includes access to Second Floor. VIP experiences available.
  • 625 reception
  • 400 seated
 Limited Availability
NEC 3rd Floor
Exhibit Areas
  • Includes Mountains to the Sea, Terror of the South, Prehistoric NC, and Tropical Connections.
  • Breathtaking glass dome with dramatic, two-tier lighting and spectacular views of the city of Raleigh
  • 110-million-year-old Acrocanthosaurus dinosaur, the only one of its kind displayed anywhere in the world
  • 450 reception
  • 250 seated
 Night Only (after 5pm)
NEC 4th Floor
Exhibit Areas
  • Lofty space with skylight
  • View of Living Conservatory, a re-creation of a dry tropical rainforest featuring live butterflies, turtles, a sloth, tarantula and habitat-specific plants
  • Access to Arthropod Zoo
  • Available until 9pm.
  • 250 reception
  • 180 seated
 Night Only (after 5pm)
NEC Combinations
1st and 2nd Floors
  • Excludes WRAL 3D Theater, Discovery Room and Special Exhibition Hall
 850 Night Only (after 5pm)
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Floors
  • Same as First and Second Floors
  • Excludes Classrooms and Windows on the World
 1,300 Night Only (after 5pm)
1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Floors
  • Same as First, Second, and Third Floor
  • Excludes Living Conservatory
 1,500 Night Only (after 5pm)

Nature Research Center (NRC)

Area Capacity
Evening Events
NRC 1st Floor
  • 120, Seated Dinner
  • 275, Reception
NRC 2nd Floor
  • 200, Reception
NRC 3rd Floor
  • 200, Reception
NRC 4th Floor
  • 150, Theater/ Stadium Style
  • 66, Classroom Style
  • 108, Reception with Rounds
Day Events
William G. Ross Jr. Environmental Conference Center
  • 150, Theater/ Stadium Style
  • 66, Classroom Style
  • 108, Reception with Rounds

For questions regarding rentals, please submit a Rental Event Inquiries form.