Ticket Information

Ticket Information

FREE ADMISSION FOR MUSEUM MEMBERS

Not a member yet? Join today!

Ticket Details

  • Museum Members Free
  • Adult $14
  • Senior (65+), Student (13+),
    Military, with ID     $12
  • Child ages 3-12 $10
  • Child 2 & Younger Free

BUY TICKETS

Group rate of $10/person available for pre-registered parties of 10 or more. Please call the Museum Box Office at 919.707.9950 for details.

About the Exhibition

About the Exhibition

Did you know spiders can swim, jump and even “fly” hundreds of miles? “Spiders: Fear to Fascination” spins an immersive tale, revealing how this incredibly diverse group of animals has evolved and survived for 300 million years. Through augmented reality and video projection technology, guests of all ages will encounter more than 250 real and preserved specimens (from the Trinidad chevron tarantula to the Australian golden huntsman).

Compete in a mating dance-off with a peacock spider, hold virtual spiders in your hand, test your fang agility and create your own animated arachnid. Discover how webs are produced and how spiders communicate, and see the world through spider vision.

Get closer than ever to some of the more than 48,000 known spider species in this amazing interactive experience.

Member Perks

Member Perks

Museum members receive unlimited free admission to Spiders: Fear to Fascination—visit as often as you like! For a family of 4, that’s a savings of at least $48! You will also save 10% in Museum Stores and Cafés, including the new Spiders Store.

Not a member yet? Join today!

VIP Preview

June 16, 6–9pm

At this member-exclusive event, learn from the experts about the fascinating world of spiders and get a sneak peek of the exhibition before it opens to the public on June 17. Active membership and preregistration required.

Spiders Store

Spiders Store

Opens June 17

Shop unique gifts inspired by our love of spiders. Select from robotic spiders, cuddly plush, unique jewelry, elegant home décor, engaging toys and books, outdoor activity kits, handmade gifts by local artists and more. Museum Members save 10%. All purchases support Museum exhibits, programs and collections.

Shop in person on the 2nd floor of the Nature Exploration Center or online at store.naturalsciences.org. Shipping and curbside pickup available.

Special Event

Special Event

BugFest

September 16, 10am–7pm

Enjoy more than 100 exhibits, crafts, games and activities as you interact with entomologists and other scientists while learning about the fascinating world of arthropods. This year, BugFest spotlights spiders.

CREATED BY

Australian Museum logo

SPONSORED BY

SECU - State Employees' Credit Union

An exhibition created by the Australian Museum. Sponsored by SECU.

Exhibition Photos

In the “Spiders & Us” section, children and adults can test out their artistic skills and create their own spider. Comprised of coloring stations, scanners and a large scenic projection, their completed spiders can be uploaded and brought to life before their eyes. Photo: James Horan/Australian Museum.
Visitors learn how spiders produce their silk and its different applications, including building a home, snaring prey and sensing potential mates. Photo: James Horan/Australian Museum.
Visitors discover their shadow covered in a cascade of cave spiders dropping and crawling all over, reacting to their movements. Photo: James Horan/Australian Museum.
Through a world map of spider distribution on a large interactive touch-screen table, visitors can explore different parts of the globe and call up video footage, captioned images and facts about big, small, weird and wonderful spiders, including some of those featured in the exhibition. Photo: James Horan/Australian Museum.
Visitors enter the exhibition through an interactive floor projection. The leafy ground is covered with clusters of augmented-reality spiders that respond to visitor movement. Accommodating several visitors at any one time, the interactive floor shows the spiders scatter, to avoid being caught underfoot, and then return. Photo: James Horan/Australian Museum.
Jumping spiders are often considered the ‘personalities’ of the spider world. Although generally small in size, their large eyes, prodigious jumping ability, often brilliant colors and inquisitive activity make them very appealing. Jumping spiders are featured among more than 250 specimens on display. Photo: Csikos Istvan.