North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Various event spaces in downtown Raleigh's most unique museum

Description

Make your wedding as unique as the two of you! The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, the largest natural science museum in the Southeast! And it also happens to be one of the coolest large event venues in downtown Raleigh.

Why a museum? Couples love the modern look and open architecture as a backdrop for their own festivities. The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, or NCMNS, has large, open spaces and interesting built-in entertainment for guests. It even has a rooftop event deck overlooking Raleigh!

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences – An Experiential Wedding Venue in Raleigh 

This downtown Raleigh museum wedding venue is one of the most recognizable local sites. Guests will marvel at the massive globe at the entry. It also offers some fabulous one-of-a-kind spaces for your wedding day. Every floor has a unique opportunity for exploration and fun. Guests will enjoy relaxing with the view of a dramatic two-story waterfall, a scenic mountain cove, a variety of live animals, fascinating whale skeletons and impressive dinosaurs. There are enticing exhibits like a 10,000-gallon aquarium with native fish, gem collections and land of the dinosaurs within four floors of museum spaces.

Not only is the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences a great place to have a rehearsal dinner or wedding but it is also walking distance to some of downtown Raleigh’s hottest bars and restaurants as well as plenty of hotels for out of town guests. Your event will support the museum in on-going research projects like the Dueling Dinosaurs and other educational programs, which is important to our state.

Unique Event Spaces and Downtown Raleigh Views

One of the museum’s hottest event space features is the amazing Acro Dome on the third level of the Nature Exploration Center. Get married, host cocktail hour or dance beneath the dome’s brilliant view of the sky.

Or start your celebration on the first floor in the Coastal Carolina Hallway event space where you can say “I do” in front of 100 of your friends and family. Afterward, invite guests up to the third floor for dancing amongst the dinosaurs. Yes, you heard us right. This Prehistoric North Carolina-themed event space features a giant ground sloth, brontosaurus and a host of other prehistoric wedding crashers. Above all, your guests will be wow-ed by the the Acro Dome ceiling.

On the second level of the Nature Exploration Center, couples can transform the Hidden Gems exhibit into a speak-easy or a chic dance floor. Or, throw a party in the paleontology lab on the third floor.

As a working research facility, the Nature Research Center wing of the museum has a plethora of event spaces and specimens. Also, the lobby on the first floor and adjacent floors can be used for events.

Large Weddings in Downtown Raleigh

For larger weddings, the WRAL Theater on the first floor can host up to 275 guests. This is no ordinary auditorium. It includes a state-of-the-art presentation area with a variety of media amenities. Say “I do” on stage in front of all of your friends and family.

On the fourth floor, discover an expansive William G. Ross, Jr. Environmental Conference Center, filled with custom-made reclaimed wood. This event space can be divided to suit your wedding size and style and is wonderful for an elegant evening event. It includes a rooftop terrace with city views.

Gallery

NC Museum of Natural Sciences globe

Venue Features

Features
Downtown Locations, Museums, Outdoor Space On-Site, Rehearsal Dinners, On-Site Catering
Guest Count
Less than 100, 100-200, Over 200, Over 400

Contact Information

Phone
City
Raleigh