GOTTA BE NC

Museums and History

North Carolina’s museums bring history, science, and art to life – from world-class art collections and Native American heritage to the site of the Wright brothers’ first flight.

Art Museums

  • North Carolina Museum of Art (Raleigh) – State’s flagship art museum, with a vast collection and outdoor sculpture park.
  • Asheville Art Museum (Asheville) – Focus on modern and contemporary American art with regional ties.
  • Weatherspoon Art Museum (Greensboro) – Large collection of modern and contemporary American art.
  • Ackland Art Museum (Chapel Hill) – Noted for Asian art, North Carolina pottery, and global collections.
  • Hickory Museum of Art (Hickory) – Southern contemporary folk art and American art.
  • Greenville Museum of Art (Greenville) – Regional and contemporary works with community focus.

Science & Innovation

  • North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (Raleigh) – The largest of its kind in the Southeast.
  • Morehead Planetarium & Science Center (Chapel Hill) – Astronomy and interactive science exhibits.
  • Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum (Hatteras) – Maritime history and shipwreck exploration.
  • NC Maritime Museum (Beaufort & Southport) – Seafaring heritage and naval history.
  • Mountain Gateway Museum (Old Fort) – Appalachian folk culture with environmental focus.
  • Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center (Black Mountain) – Local history with natural heritage.

History & Culture

  • North Carolina Museum of History (Raleigh) – The state’s premier history museum.
  • Museum of the Albemarle (Elizabeth City) – Regional history of northeastern NC.
  • Museum of the Cape Fear (Fayetteville) – Showcases southern NC history and culture.
  • Bennett Place State Historic Site (Durham) – Civil War surrender site.
  • Carl Sandburg Home (Flat Rock) – Preserves the poet’s life and works.
  • Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (Manteo) – Tells the story of the Lost Colony.
  • Wright Brothers National Memorial (Kill Devil Hills, Outer Banks) – Celebrates the site of the first powered flight in 1903, with a visitor center, exhibits, and the iconic monument.