Explore the wild wonders of nature with our award-winning exhibitions and programs that explore a variety of natural history topics. With more than 2,000 specimens at your fingertips, the Naturalist Center allows visitors to explore their interests hands-on. Experience a journey back in time to encounter the strange, gigantic, fierce, and fantastic beasts that once roamed the Carolinas in Ice Age Carolinas: Exploring Our Pleistocene Past. In the Settlemyre Planetarium, travel the cosmos from the comfort of your seat with state-of-the-art digital projection and new programs. A playful learning space awaits our youngest visitors in Tot Town. Educational gardens, a Nature Trail, and a picnic area offer outdoor experiences. The Museum Store offers items of interest for all ages.