Across the state, several museums offer hands-on exhibits and historical insights that turn weather into something you can see, touch and truly understand.

MOUNTAINS

Hands on! Children’s Museum

The Hands On! Children’s Museum features the immersive “Eye of the Storm” exhibit, designed to help children experience weather in a safe, engaging way. Through interactive elements, kids can learn what storms feel like and how they form, making big weather concepts less intimidating and more understandable.

318 North Main St., Hendersonville
HandsOnWNC.org

Piedmont

Schiele Museum of Natural History & Planetarium

At the Schiele Museum of Natural History & Planetarium, weather comes alive through interactive outreach programs designed to make science approachable. Visitors can explore how air, water and sunlight work together to create weather systems through engaging experiments. It’s an especially great stop for families looking to turn complex concepts like atmospheric pressure and cloud formation into hands-on learning moments.

1500 East Garrison Blvd., Gastonia
SchieleMuseum.org

Greensboro Science Center

At the Greensboro Science Center, weather is part of a broader interactive science experience. These exhibits allow visitors to explore natural science concepts, including weather patterns and environmental systems. It’s a dynamic space where learning happens through doing — perfect for curious minds of all ages.

4301 Lawndale Dr., Greensboro
GreensboroScience.org

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences dives into one of the state’s most impactful weather events — hurricanes. Exhibits focus on how scientists predict hurricane paths, offering insight into forecasting tools and the challenges of tracking these powerful storms. It’s a fascinating look at the science behind the forecasts we rely on each year.

11 West Jones St., Raleigh
NaturalSciences.org

COAST

North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport

Coastal weather history takes center stage at the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport. Here, visitors can learn about historic storms that have shaped the North Carolina coastline and impacted maritime life. Through stories and artifacts, the museum highlights the resilience of coastal communities in the face of severe weather.

204 E Moore St., Southport
NCMaritimeMuseumSouthport.com

Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center

At the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center, weather history is preserved through a powerful timeline of storms dating back to 1899. This exhibit connects visitors to generations of coastal experiences, showing how communities have weathered and adapted to more than a century of storms.

1785 Island Rd., Harkers Island
CoreSound.com

Whether you’re tracking hurricanes or simply curious about how clouds turn into storms, these museums offer meaningful ways to explore the science and stories behind North Carolina’s ever-changing skies.