Construction Update:

To accommodate construction activity in the area, The Woods in the Duke Energy Children’s Museum will temporarily close. Crews will be removing the ceiling to The Woods to replace aging mechanical and electrical systems in that portion of the building. 

An adventure-based wilderness, The Woods encourages children to challenge their physical prowess and explore their imaginations. The three-story structure has hollow climbing logs, rope bridges and a horizontal climbing wall, as well as areas for discovering fossils and the animals that live in the nooks and crannies of the woods. Look out from the second story of our wheelchair-accessible tree house to a pond full of live river creatures. Adults are welcome to join in the adventure with their children. Don't forget try out the treasure hunt—the first clue is across from the slide!

NOTE: Although the Woods is designed for children ages 8 and older, younger children may also explore the exhibit. We recommend that adults accompany young children when exploring in the Woods, as there are some dark and cramped spaces that may be overwhelming to some children.

Come see our NEW aquarium!

The Woods has a brand-new aquarium for our turtles, Penelope, Bodhi and Myrtle, and their friends! The bigger aquarium gives you an even better look at the life above and below the water for fish and reptiles in our own backyards. The new aquarium was designed by Living Color Aquariums, stars of the Nat Geo Wild show Fish Tank Kings. Museum Center's aquarium was specially-designed to give guests a unique experience unlike any the team at Living Color has designed before.