Since summer is right around the corner, many Wildcats will face the dilemma of looking for things to do over the summer around town. One of the most underrated parts of our city is our collection of beautiful museums. Raleigh is home to a variety of different museums, each enclosing thousands of new and exciting things inside. May is National Museum Month, and the perfect time to plan museum visits for the summer.

With over a dozen museums in the Triangle, each holding a variety of interesting material inside, there are plenty of cool local museums to explore. One of the most popular museums in Raleigh is the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science, and it is the oldest museum in the state of North Carolina. The museum not only houses many of the greatest scientific wonders in the state, such as the Living Conservatory of Live Butterflies, the museum also has a fascinating discovery room for all ages to explore and a variety of exotic creatures, such as the two-toed sloth. Another popular destination among tourists and locals is the North Carolina Museum of Art. Since the museum is frequently changing exhibits, there is always something new and beautiful to admire each time you visit. Another lesser known alternative for art fans is the CAM Raleigh. Sophomore Zainab Jobe said, “One of my favorite museums in the area is the CAM (or the Contemporary Museum of Art) because there are no permanent exhibits which means there is always something new to see each time you visit.”

 While some of us could spend all day in a museum, many of us would rather do anything else. However, not all museums are just a collection of exhibits. Many museums, especially those geared towards children and families, have become more interactive in order to compensate the kinesthetic learner. Marbles Kids Museum, in downtown Raleigh, is a perfect example, as it has a variety of interactive exhibits and even an IMAX movie theater. The North Carolina Museum of History is another incredible museum to explore in the Raleigh area, and is a bit more of a mature option. The museum has exhibits for all ages to enjoy and plenty of places to dine and shop as well. For the more adventurous museum-goer, The Museum of Life and Science in Durham is a great place to visit as it holds an interactive assortment of both indoor and outdoor exhibits.

If you ever find yourself bored this summer, hopefully you will remember to venture downtown and explore some of cities local museums. There are art museums like the North Carolina Museum of Art or CAM Raleigh for those looking for a relaxing, educational day admiring the beautiful art on display. For the more hyperactive Wildcat who is a child at heart, Marbles Kids Museum and Durham’s Museum of Life and Science are a great place to spend a day exploring everything there is to see. Any Wildcat looking to learn more about science and history would thoroughly enjoy spending a day at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science or North Carolina Museum of History. There are so many beautiful museums all over the city, every Wildcat should explore beyond the time frame of National Museum month and take the opportunity to explore at least one of the exciting museums our city has to offer this summer.