North Carolina Museum of History

The North Carolina Museum of History is exactly what its name suggests — a museum about North Carolina's history. Exhibits include the 20,000-square-foot permanent "Story of North Carolina," which traces the state's history across 14,000 years. Visitors will find everything from two full-size historic houses to a life-size replica of the Wright brothers' plane, the "Wright Flyer." Other exhibits focus on themes like sports or the Civil War, and there are a host of temporary exhibits that rotate through the museum. 

Visitors were especially delighted by the museum's preservation of the historic homes, and many say they were enchanted by the stories about the wars and North Carolina's origins.

The North Carolina Museum of History is open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Sundays, it's open from noon to 5 p.m. The museum is free with two caveats: donations are accepted and some special programs or exhibits may charge a small fee. You'll find the museum in downtown Raleigh, between the State Capitol and the Legislative Building, on East Edenton Street. For more information, visit the museum's website.