North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Contentnea Creek

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences has two locations in Pitt County, one in Downtown Greenville and one on the historic Contentnea Creek in Grifton.

The NCMNS Contentnea Creek is located on 380 acres of Bray Hollow Conservancy lands in southern Pitt County. NCMNS Contentnea Creek is really a choose your own adventure location, providing environmental education and outdoor recreation, but if you are looking for a more leisurely visit, hike the nature trails, kayak on the ponds and down the creek, or have a picnic and let the kids unwind at the Nature Playscape.

The lands around NCMNS Contentnea Creek encompass four distinct ecosystems: stream, forest, swamp, and ponds. Each of these habitats have their own unique variety of wildlife, creating a well rounded experience for visitors. The museum also offers activities for all ages and abilities, and visitors can learn about a variety of topics ranging from local flora and fauna to astronomy.

Open Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

NCMNS offers activities year round, including kayaking, 5Ks and trail runs, as well as astronomy programs at the on-site Chia-yu Li Planetarium and Kitty and Max Joyner Observatory, nature classes, summer camps, and much more!

STARGAZING

The dark skies at Contentnea Creek make this an excellent location for stargazing! You can even see the Milky Way here! NCMNS Contentnea Creek features a digital planetarium and public observatory. Both are currently available for small private groups of up to 10 people. Even if it's cloudy out you can explore the wonders of the night sky in the planetarium.

Email Brian Baker, brian.baker@naturalsciences.org for more information.

FIELD TRIPS

NCMNS Contentnea Creek is a great venue for staff bonding, tournament excursion, or a field trip. Offering astronomy education, environmental education, and outdoor recreation for all ages, you can customize your visit to tailor to your group preferences. Your group can move through the grounds to discover a diverse ecosystem or explore the solar system in the planetarium.