Museum of Life + Science: Outside Part 1

Yesterday we went to the Museum of Life + Science (MLS) in Durham. The museum is one of our favorite places and affectionately known as "The Museum with Drums." This is not a place that you want to try to see all in one day. It is huge. And so, this will be the first of several posts about the MLS because we haven't even seen all of it yet.
Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 10am  - 5pm
Sunday: noon - 5pm

September 13-December 13 the museum is closed on Mondays.

Admission:
Adults 13 and up: $12.95
Seniors 65 and older and active military: $10.95
Children 3-12: $9.95
The MLS participates in the ASTC passport program, so members of the Museum or of another ASTC member institution get in free. Durham County Residents are also free Wednesdays after 1pm.

Train tickets are $2.75
Take off! bungee ride $5.00

Listen, Listen, Everyone!

Probably the first thing you notice when get out of your car at the museum is the sound of drums in the air. This is why Tot refers to this place as the "Museum with the Drums." When you exit the main building, in front of you is "Loblolly Park." Nestled amongst the namesake pines are all kinds of structures on which children play. There are two percussion areas set up with everything from steel drums, to fire extinguishers, to xylophone keys, to dustpans to play. There is a real caboose to climb inside, a sandbox to play archaeologist, a playground, and a water play area. One of the coolest things that we discovered this visit is in this area. It is a tall structure with various sized pipes. You put your ear up to the pipe and sound resonates at different frequencies for you to hear. If there is a gentle breeze, the music is amplified as the wind blows across the tops of the pipes.

Down on the Farm

Past Loblolly Park is the MLS farmyard. In the farmyard are potbellied pigs, bunnies, a muscovy duck, a steer, goats, sheep, a donkey, and a barred owl. At 4:30 each afternoon, keepers come to straighten up the farmyard and visitors have the opportunity to ask questions, learn about the animals, and even help out! Yesterday as we were leaving, a trainer was playing catch with Lightning, the donkey. Tot found Lightning's "target" -- a stick with a rubber ball on the end that he's trained to follow. The trainer showed us how Lightning follows his target.

Insectarium

One of the next things that you see as you follow the trail is the Insectarium. Inside the Insectarium are all kinds of insects and bugs. To the right, when you enter the building is the Magic Wings tropical butterfly house and open for the summer is the Summer Wings Carolina Butterfly Conservatory which houses butterflies and plants indigenous to the area. This exhibit highlights plants that you can use in your own backyard to attract butterflies to your home.
To the left is an exhibit that showcases the wonder of insects. Glass cases hold the biggest and smallest insects and insects that are masters of camouflage. There are frogs that eat insects. Spiders, millipedes, and other non-insect bugs highlight what makes and insect an insect. In addition, there are insect books and puzzles, and a microscope to get an up-close look at several different insect species. Tot did not want to leave this room. In fact, it took Mommy a lot of bargaining to get out of here.

Dinosaur Trail

The last part of the museum that we saw yesterday was the Dinosaur Trail. The Dinosaur Trail gives visitors a look at the dinosaurs of the cretaceous period. When Mommy was a kid dinosaurs were T-Rex, Brontosaurus, Triceratops, and the Jurassic Park came out and we were introduced to Velociraptors. The Dinosaur Trail features dinosaurs that I was only introduced to on PBS's Dinosaur Train; I guess dino knowledge has come a long way in the last 20 years because kids today are learning about Stygimoloch, Troadon, and other terrible lizards whose names are mouths full!

Keep an eye out for more about the Museum of Life + Science. There are two floors of indoor exhibits in the main building as well as Carolina Wildlife, and Catch the Wind outside.

Long day for a little dude!