Cook Museum of Natural Science

May 25 - August 8: Mondays - Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm* Cost varies by mining bag size ($6 – $50 +tax) Located outdoors in the Museum’s Courtyard, visitors can purchase mining bags to try their hand at sluicing. Wash the dirt away to see what gemstones are revealed. Use the included ID card to learn more about the gemstones you get to take home. *Weather Dependent: Closed when there is rain or temperatures below 48°Click here for more information and pricing.Mining Bags a

FREE for Members or with General AdmissionIt takes work to look this good! Each week, a pair of divers are in the Oceans Tank as part of the routine cleaning schedule. How do they communicate with each other while underwater? Join us as they demonstrate different hand signals showcasing this critical safety method used in the Tank’s underwater maintenance!

Thursdays, June 18, July 9, & July 30 at 10 am and NoonFor ages 11 - Adult$14 (+ tax) per participant, per session Register Online! Limited spots available; advance registration recommended. Join us for VR Thursdays to take part in a virtual reality (VR) dissection! The VR dissections, developed by Victory XR and Carolina Biological, utilize Meta VR headsets to provide an individually paced and fully interactive dissection experience. Each dissection experien

May 25 - August 8: Mondays - Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm* Cost varies by mining bag size ($6 – $50 +tax) Located outdoors in the Museum’s Courtyard, visitors can purchase mining bags to try their hand at sluicing. Wash the dirt away to see what gemstones are revealed. Use the included ID card to learn more about the gemstones you get to take home. *Weather Dependent: Closed when there is rain or temperatures below 48°Click here for more information and pricing.Mining Bags a

Fridays in June & JulyFREE for Members or with General Admission Which one will it be? Explore the Museum Exhibits with a different scavenger hunt each week this summer. Complete the scavenger hunt and earn a small prize to take home from the Museum Store. Want a different scavenger hunt? Visit Discovery Hub on the Museum's website. There, you can download one to use digitally or to print at home and bring it to the Museum whenever you like. cookmuseum.org/discovery

May 25 - August 8: Mondays - Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm* Cost varies by mining bag size ($6 – $50 +tax) Located outdoors in the Museum’s Courtyard, visitors can purchase mining bags to try their hand at sluicing. Wash the dirt away to see what gemstones are revealed. Use the included ID card to learn more about the gemstones you get to take home. *Weather Dependent: Closed when there is rain or temperatures below 48°Click here for more information and pricing.Mining Bags a

When: Saturdays at 12:30 pmCost: FREE for Members or with General Admission Visit the Cook Museum of Natural Science on Saturdays at 12:30 pm to learn how nature is diverse and amazing! Each week’s brief presentation will discuss different natural science topics.

August & September 2026Senior Field Trip Pricing: $12 (+ tax) per Senior Adult, With a minimum group of 15 or more, booked at least one week in advance You are never too old to go on a field trip! Bring your group of Senior Adults to the Cook Museum in August or September to enjoy smaller crowds, discounted field trip pricing, and fantastic indoor Exhibits. The Museum provides a hands-on, immersive experience where visitors of all ages can explore, interact with, and learn about natur

August & September 2026Senior Field Trip Pricing: $12 (+ tax) per Senior Adult, With a minimum group of 15 or more, booked at least one week in advance You are never too old to go on a field trip! Bring your group of Senior Adults to the Cook Museum in August or September to enjoy smaller crowds, discounted field trip pricing, and fantastic indoor Exhibits. The Museum provides a hands-on, immersive experience where visitors of all ages can explore, interact with, and learn about natur

May 25 - August 8: Mondays - Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm* Cost varies by mining bag size ($6 – $50 +tax) Located outdoors in the Museum’s Courtyard, visitors can purchase mining bags to try their hand at sluicing. Wash the dirt away to see what gemstones are revealed. Use the included ID card to learn more about the gemstones you get to take home. *Weather Dependent: Closed when there is rain or temperatures below 48°Click here for more information and pricing.Mining Bags a

August & September 2026Senior Field Trip Pricing: $12 (+ tax) per Senior Adult, With a minimum group of 15 or more, booked at least one week in advance You are never too old to go on a field trip! Bring your group of Senior Adults to the Cook Museum in August or September to enjoy smaller crowds, discounted field trip pricing, and fantastic indoor Exhibits. The Museum provides a hands-on, immersive experience where visitors of all ages can explore, interact with, and learn about natur

May 25 - August 8: Mondays - Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm* Cost varies by mining bag size ($6 – $50 +tax) Located outdoors in the Museum’s Courtyard, visitors can purchase mining bags to try their hand at sluicing. Wash the dirt away to see what gemstones are revealed. Use the included ID card to learn more about the gemstones you get to take home. *Weather Dependent: Closed when there is rain or temperatures below 48°Click here for more information and pricing.Mining Bags a

August & September 2026Senior Field Trip Pricing: $12 (+ tax) per Senior Adult, With a minimum group of 15 or more, booked at least one week in advance You are never too old to go on a field trip! Bring your group of Senior Adults to the Cook Museum in August or September to enjoy smaller crowds, discounted field trip pricing, and fantastic indoor Exhibits. The Museum provides a hands-on, immersive experience where visitors of all ages can explore, interact with, and learn about natur

Wednesdays, August 5, 12, 26, & September 2 from 9:30 am - 1 pmFor all ages (ages 2 & under FREE but will need a ticket)$15 (+ tax) per participant, per session; $5 Member Discount Register Online! Limited spots available; advance registration recommended. Kick off the school year with a fun, family-friendly experience featuring hands-on learning stations and Exhibit exploration! Classroom activities are designed for participants in grades K - 6 to complete with a register

May 25 - August 8: Mondays - Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm* Cost varies by mining bag size ($6 – $50 +tax) Located outdoors in the Museum’s Courtyard, visitors can purchase mining bags to try their hand at sluicing. Wash the dirt away to see what gemstones are revealed. Use the included ID card to learn more about the gemstones you get to take home. *Weather Dependent: Closed when there is rain or temperatures below 48°Click here for more information and pricing.Mining Bags a

August & September 2026Senior Field Trip Pricing: $12 (+ tax) per Senior Adult, With a minimum group of 15 or more, booked at least one week in advance You are never too old to go on a field trip! Bring your group of Senior Adults to the Cook Museum in August or September to enjoy smaller crowds, discounted field trip pricing, and fantastic indoor Exhibits. The Museum provides a hands-on, immersive experience where visitors of all ages can explore, interact with, and learn about natur

May 25 - August 8: Mondays - Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm* Cost varies by mining bag size ($6 – $50 +tax) Located outdoors in the Museum’s Courtyard, visitors can purchase mining bags to try their hand at sluicing. Wash the dirt away to see what gemstones are revealed. Use the included ID card to learn more about the gemstones you get to take home. *Weather Dependent: Closed when there is rain or temperatures below 48°Click here for more information and pricing.Mining Bags a

August & September 2026Senior Field Trip Pricing: $12 (+ tax) per Senior Adult, With a minimum group of 15 or more, booked at least one week in advance You are never too old to go on a field trip! Bring your group of Senior Adults to the Cook Museum in August or September to enjoy smaller crowds, discounted field trip pricing, and fantastic indoor Exhibits. The Museum provides a hands-on, immersive experience where visitors of all ages can explore, interact with, and learn about natur

May 25 - August 8: Mondays - Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm* Cost varies by mining bag size ($6 – $50 +tax) Located outdoors in the Museum’s Courtyard, visitors can purchase mining bags to try their hand at sluicing. Wash the dirt away to see what gemstones are revealed. Use the included ID card to learn more about the gemstones you get to take home. *Weather Dependent: Closed when there is rain or temperatures below 48°Click here for more information and pricing.Mining Bags a

August & September 2026Senior Field Trip Pricing: $12 (+ tax) per Senior Adult, With a minimum group of 15 or more, booked at least one week in advance You are never too old to go on a field trip! Bring your group of Senior Adults to the Cook Museum in August or September to enjoy smaller crowds, discounted field trip pricing, and fantastic indoor Exhibits. The Museum provides a hands-on, immersive experience where visitors of all ages can explore, interact with, and learn about natur

May 25 - August 8: Mondays - Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm* Cost varies by mining bag size ($6 – $50 +tax) Located outdoors in the Museum’s Courtyard, visitors can purchase mining bags to try their hand at sluicing. Wash the dirt away to see what gemstones are revealed. Use the included ID card to learn more about the gemstones you get to take home. *Weather Dependent: Closed when there is rain or temperatures below 48°Click here for more information and pricing.Mining Bags a

When: Saturdays at 12:30 pmCost: FREE for Members or with General Admission Visit the Cook Museum of Natural Science on Saturdays at 12:30 pm to learn how nature is diverse and amazing! Each week’s brief presentation will discuss different natural science topics.

August & September 2026Senior Field Trip Pricing: $12 (+ tax) per Senior Adult, With a minimum group of 15 or more, booked at least one week in advance You are never too old to go on a field trip! Bring your group of Senior Adults to the Cook Museum in August or September to enjoy smaller crowds, discounted field trip pricing, and fantastic indoor Exhibits. The Museum provides a hands-on, immersive experience where visitors of all ages can explore, interact with, and learn about natur

August & September 2026Senior Field Trip Pricing: $12 (+ tax) per Senior Adult, With a minimum group of 15 or more, booked at least one week in advance You are never too old to go on a field trip! Bring your group of Senior Adults to the Cook Museum in August or September to enjoy smaller crowds, discounted field trip pricing, and fantastic indoor Exhibits. The Museum provides a hands-on, immersive experience where visitors of all ages can explore, interact with, and learn about natur

August & September 2026Senior Field Trip Pricing: $12 (+ tax) per Senior Adult, With a minimum group of 15 or more, booked at least one week in advance You are never too old to go on a field trip! Bring your group of Senior Adults to the Cook Museum in August or September to enjoy smaller crowds, discounted field trip pricing, and fantastic indoor Exhibits. The Museum provides a hands-on, immersive experience where visitors of all ages can explore, interact with, and learn about natur