North Carolina Museums and Culture

Displaying more than 30 authentic Winston Cup race cars, the Winston Cup Museum chronicles RJ Reynolds Tobacco's 33-year sponsorship of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. The museum also displays a extensive variety of racing artifacts.

The Ackland Art Museum was founded through the bequest of William Hayes Ackland (1855-1940) to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Ackland Trust provided the funds to construct the museum building, and that trust continues to provide for the purchase of works of art.

Step aboard authentic vintage trains and experience the magic of railroad history along scenic North Carolina routes. Perfect for families and enthusiasts alike, enjoy hands-on adventures, seasonal excursions, and the thrill of operating your own locomotive.

Explore an ever-changing collection of art spanning centuries and continents, from Old Master paintings to contemporary photography and video installations. Each visit offers fresh exhibitions curated by university scholars and guest experts.

Dive into Rowan County's compelling past through carefully curated artifacts and thoughtful exhibits that illuminate the Piedmont's unique story. Spend your summer days exploring how this community was shaped and what continues to define it today.

The mission of the Fayetteville Museum of Art is to collect, conserve, display art, and present a program of education in order to enhance the appreciation of the visual arts by the people of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and its surrounding areas.

Journey through centuries of human history at this museum dedicated to Badin's rich past. From the Native Americans who crafted tools from local rhyolite stone thousands of years ago to the settlers who harnessed the Yadkin River's power to build a thriving town, explore the stories that shaped this historic North Carolina community.

A place where children can explore their world the way they learn best-through creative role-playing, manipulation, and interaction with each other and the objects around them.

A valuable resource for education and enjoyment for Orange County residents, and a tourist destination for visitors to Hillsborough and Orange County.

Explore Wayne County's rich history in a beautifully preserved 1927 Jeffersonian building in downtown Goldsboro, featuring rotating exhibits that showcase the region's cultural heritage and stories for all ages.

Step inside the historic F.W. Woolworth building where four college students sparked a movement on February 1, 1960. Explore powerful exhibits and interactive displays that chronicle the Greensboro sit-ins and the broader struggle for civil rights that changed America.

The North Carolina Aviation Museum is well into its second decade as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history, as well as honoring the heritage of the wonderfully wide, wide world of flight!

The Rankin Museum of American and Natural History is recognized for its diverse and unique collections, focusing on the history and cultures of Early American life; beginning with the Native American occupation and continuing to the present.

The Chapel Hill Museum was founded to exhibit the Character and Characters of Chapel Hill. <br> The building in which the museum is housed was built and dedicated in 1968 as the Chapel Hill Public Library. Though contemporary in design, the structure incorporated familiar elements of Chapel Hill construction, such as the stone walls.

Experience the authentic stories of Eastern North Carolina's tobacco farming families through immersive exhibits and artifacts that bring generations of rural heritage to life.

Doll & Miniature Museum of High Point's mission is to Educate, Enlighten, Entertain & Interpret The Heritage of Dolls & Miniatures. The Museum Collects, Preserves & Exhibits Dolls, Doll Houses & Miniatures.

Experience vibrant galleries showcasing diverse artwork, from contemporary pieces to classic collections, all within a welcoming Greenville landmark. Join guided tours, attend engaging talks, and explore interactive programs perfect for art lovers of every age.

Providing a unique educational experience on United States history and basic core values through the preservation interpretation and recognition of U.S. Army airborne and special operations history, equipment, technology, legend, art and weaponry.

Experience hands-on learning and imaginative play at this vibrant downtown Chapel Hill museum designed for young explorers and their families. Interactive exhibits spark curiosity and creativity while connecting kids to their community through engaging, educational adventures.

The Averasboro Battlefield Commission, Inc. (ABCI) is tasked with the responsibility to preserve and present the story of the Battle of Averasboro. ABCI is a non-profit, tax exempt organization formed in 1994 and incorporated in 1995 to lead in the preservation, presentation and promotion of the Averasboro Battlefield, Smithville Plantation and related history.

Explore thousands of years of Stanly County heritage through Native American artifacts, pioneer homes, and cultural treasures that shaped this historic "land between the rivers." Uncover the stories of the people and places that define North Carolina's past.

The General William C. Lee Airborne Museum is a major tourist attraction in the heart of Dunn, North Carolina. More than $350,000 in renovation to the museum was unveiled on June 6, 2006, the anniversary of D-Day. State of the art exhibits and two stories of airborne history and the personal story of General Lee are on display.

Explore indoor galleries showcasing native species and regional artifacts that bring the natural history of North Carolina to life, then venture onto shaded woodland trails where summer breezes cool your exploration. The museum seamlessly connects ecological wonders with local heritage, creating an experience that resonates with families, curious minds, and nature enthusiasts alike.

The Children's Museum of Winston-Salem's mission is to create a compelling destination for our community to play and learn by experiencing literature, storytelling and the arts.

Explore exhibits of antique locomotives, rail cars, automobiles and more. Take a train ride around the N.C. Transportation Museum's historic 57-acre site, enjoy the many family-friendly special events, and learn about how transportation progress helped build North Carolina.

Explore how rural doctors improvised and innovated to heal their communities across nearly two centuries at this intimate museum. Walk through three historic buildings filled with over 5,000 medical artifacts—from handcrafted remedies to early surgical instruments—and uncover the ingenuity behind American healthcare's roots.

Step into the Piedmont's past through immersive exhibits, interactive spaces like a vintage drugstore and telephone exchange, and historic 1700s homes. Explore stories of local legends, pivotal moments like the Greensboro Sit-ins, and everyday life across centuries.

Experience the allure of Hollywood's Golden Age through Ava Gardner's remarkable life—from her North Carolina roots to silver screen stardom. Browse authentic costumes, photographs, and personal treasures that reveal the woman behind cinema's most captivating icon.

A hands-on, interactive, and educational play place for children ages 0-10 years and their families. Visitors learn while they play, touch, explore and discover in a variety of “Our Town” exhibits that have been created to stimulate children's imagination and to provide rich play experiences.

Explore one of the Southeast's finest collections of modern and contemporary art at this vibrant university museum. Rotating exhibitions and engaging programs make it the perfect summer destination for art lovers of all backgrounds.

Explore one of North Carolina's most stunning antebellum mansions, where intricate craftsmanship and elegant design reveal the stories of those who built and lived here. Tour ornate rooms, admire rotating exhibitions, and uncover the layers of Wilmington's complex past.

Step back in time at North Carolina's oldest history museum, where over 50,000 artifacts reveal the Cape Fear region's fascinating past. Explore how people lived, worked, and innovated through expertly curated collections that connect you to Wilmington's rich heritage.

Experience 70 acres of interactive science adventures, from piloting radio-controlled boats and exploring one of the East Coast's largest butterfly conservatories to spotting bears and wolves on a scenic railroad ride through the nature park.

Explore world-class collections spanning contemporary art, craft, and design at this Charlotte cultural landmark. The Mint Museum offers interactive exhibitions and hands-on experiences for all ages, making it the perfect summer destination to deepen your appreciation for visual arts through gallery talks, family workshops, and creative classes.

Featurings an extensive collection and living interpretations of History.

Levine Museum of the New South is an interactive museum housing the nation's most comprehensive interpretation of post-Civil War Southern history.

The Museum is located on Bicentennial Plaza in downtown Raleigh between the Capitol and the Legislature Building, at the corner of Jones and Salisbury streets.

Explore five millennia of artistic brilliance across ancient Egyptian treasures, European Renaissance masterpieces, American classics, and contemporary works. With galleries spanning African, Oceanic, and Jewish ceremonial art, this world-class collection offers something to captivate every art lover.

The North Carolina Museum of History is alive with the past—your past. It is as full of life and personalities as it is people who care for the collection, people who interpret the collection, and people who visit the collection. It is also alive with the contributions of all the people involved in its creation, development, and growth.

Explore three exhibit houses, nature trails, and gardens on a peaceful 3-acre woodland sanctuary in Raleigh. This community-supported cultural destination welcomes visitors year-round with no entrance fee.