Field Trips, Capital Area Visitor Services and Raleigh Group Visits 0 SCHEDULED in 2019 In 2019, CAVS scheduled over 314,000 visitors combined for the five sites we service. Sign Up! This tab will allow CAVS to gather your information and create the most efficient itinerary for your group. Welcome Effective March 7, 2022, masks became optional for visitors and staff at CAVS sites. Capital Area Visitor Services (CAVS) is the gateway to Raleigh, the city that has served as the capital of North Carolina since 1792. CAVS was established by the state in 1976 as a US Bicentennial project. It is now a permanent point of contact for more than 300,000 annual visitors to Raleigh’s state-owned cultural and historic attractions. Scheduling a Tour CAVS schedules and coordinates tours of historic state-owned points of interest. Visits must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance; however, earlier scheduling allows more flexibility, permits ample delivery time for your written itinerary, and opens more options for your trip. Please note: due to potential pandemic-related restrictions, all sites may not be readily available for tours. To schedule through CAVS, you need to have at least 10 persons in your group. For smaller groups, contact the site directly at the following numbers: State Capitol, 919-733-4995 / Legislative Building, 919-733-7928 / Executive Mansion, 919-715-3962/ NC Museum of History, 919-814-7000 / NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 919-707-9805. To have CAVS schedule your group, here’s what you do: Visit our website at nccapvisit.org / Email us at capitalarea.visitorservices@ncdcr.gov / Call us at 919-814-6950 If you represent a group, you should contact us at least one month in advance so that you will have a better chance of receiving the tour times you want. Before you contact us, please consider The date of your visit. Since Raleigh’s visitation is heaviest in March, April, and May, it may be more difficult to secure tour times in these months. Try to schedule from June through February for a more personal, relaxed visit. Time limits. Schedule your itinerary time by adding the tour times shown on the website, and add 15 minutes for travel time between each site. For instance, State Capitol: 30-minute tour; 15-minute transition time; plus Museum of History: 60-minute tour time equal total tour time of 1 hour and 45 minutes. If a group vacillates from an assigned tour time on the day of its trip, the tour to that specific site may be lost due to schedule conflicts. Once you get here Parking: The bus unloading zone is in front of the Legislative Building at 16 West Jones Street. The bus parking lot is located at 201 E. Jones Street. Those driving personal vehicles will have to utilize regular downtown parking. Please visit this link for more parking information. Click on the tabs below to learn more about each of the venues that are serviced by Capital Area Visitor Services, including information on what you’ll see, security procedures, and pre-visit resources to make your trip a success. Tours for groups of 10 or more can be made for our venues through this platform. All reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance. Executive Mansion Legislative Building N.C. Museum of History N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences State Capitol Executive Mansion Fall: Guided tours of the mansion and gardens are available for groups of 10 to 30 people and must be reserved at least two weeks in advance through Capital Area Visitor Services. Fall tours of the gardens will be offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays, September 28–November 3, at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Wednesday garden tours are designed for children; Thursday garden tours are for adults. Tours last 40 to 45 minutes. Fall tours of the mansion will be offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays, September 28–November 17, at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Wednesday mansion tours are designed for children; Thursday mansion tours are for adults. Tours last 30 minutes. Executive Mansion security requires that a list of names for every individual in each group be submitted to Capital Area Visitor Services at least 24 hours before your tour. Know Before You Go: The Executive Mansion is located at 200 N. Blount Street in Raleigh. Please plan to arrive at the front gate of the mansion (near the two flagpoles) about 15 minutes ahead of your tour time. Upon entry, you will be asked for your group’s booking information and required to go through a brief security check. Visitors are encouraged to dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes appropriate for outdoor terrain. There are no public restrooms at the Executive Mansion, and we encourage you to take advantage of the facilities at the NC Museum of History before or after your tour, should you need them. Parking is available in this Visitor Lot for a fee, or metered street parking can be found throughout downtown Raleigh. Visitors are not allowed to wander from the docent-led group and must always stay with the guide. Garden tours will occur rain or shine. Virtual Tour of NC Executive Mansion Legislative Building Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Guided tours are available 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. in 30-minute increments. The Legislative Building is open to the public year-round, except on state holidays. Virtual Tour of NC Legislative Building Admission is free. Guidelines for visiting the NC General Assembly — Legislative Building ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION. Upon arrival to the General Assembly, please have your students gather in a single-file line behind the visitors and guests sign at the front entrance of the building located on Jones Street. Teachers are responsible for the registration of their groups. Please enter through the door marked appropriately for registration. Parents, adults, and chaperones should not be responsible for any part of registration. Teachers should come to the front desk to register, receive classroom materials, be given specific instructions, and meet their Building Guide. SECURITY AND SCREENING. The Legislative Building now has a NEW security screening procedure in place for all visitors. To ensure the best possible experience, several recommendations will expedite screening. All students, teachers, parents, adults, and chaperones will be required to go through screening upon entry to the building. To accelerate this procedure, we are requesting that students leave all nonessential items, including backpacks, cell phones, etc. (excluding medical items), on their respective buses. We also ask that items not left on the bus, including souvenirs, be left outside with 2 or 3 adults while the tour takes place. Below are prohibited items inside the legislature: Prohibited Items Through Screening Process Aerosol containers Electric stun guns, martial arts weapons or devices Knives of any size Mace and pepper spray Guns, replica guns, ammunition, and fireworks Any weapon facsimile Razors and box cutters Pets or animals (guide and assistance animals are permitted) Batons and nightsticks Signs on handsticks Any other item or device that can be considered a dangerous weapon The Building Guide will lead the group into the screening area. The Building Guide must be followed by the teacher, then students next, for screening, with parents, adults, and chaperones remaining at the end of the line to be screened last. We recommend following the above-listed procedures carefully, as any failure to follow the above guidelines may result in a delay for your group. We greatly appreciate your cooperation with these NEW security measures. We look forward to seeing you at the General Assembly and serving the needs of your group during its upcoming visit to the State Legislative Building! North Carolina Museum of History Welcome to the North Carolina Museum of History! Visitors from around the world travel to the North Carolina Museum of History, a Smithsonian Affiliate, to discover fascinating secrets and hidden gems from our state’s past. Located at 5 East Edenton Street in the heart of downtown Raleigh across from the State Capitol, the state history museum, before the COVID-19 pandemic, welcomed more than 465,000 visitors a year, including over 83,000 schoolchildren. You can contact the museum at 919-814-7000. The fax number is 919-733-8655. The North Carolina Museum of History is open to the public with some procedures in place to help ensure the safety of staff and visitors. Daily, health, and safety guidelines are being followed and monitored. Please continue to follow the museum website and social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) for the most up-to-date information. We look forward to seeing you soon! Admission is FREE. Tickets are NOT required for entry. Hours of operation are as follows: Monday–Saturday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday: Noon–5 p.m. The Museum Shop hours of operation: Monday–Saturday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday: Noon–5 p.m. Nearby the museum is convenient parking, restaurants, and many other family-friendly attractions. The museum is closed on New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Before Your Visit to the N.C. Museum of History To help you plan your visit to the Museum of History, you might find some of these links helpful: Pre-Visit Materials General Information for Planning a Visit Plan Your Family Visit Current Exhibits History at Home NCMOH Book Your Tour Today North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh is open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., with procedures and plans in place to help ensure the safety of visitors and staff. To help make your experience the best it can be, please Know Before You Go. When is the best time to visit NCMNS in downtown Raleigh? Tuesday through Friday is a great time to visit. Typically, the museum is less busy, and the only line you may experience is at 10 a.m. prior to the museum opening. We are busiest on Saturday and Sunday. Wait times are usual on weekends. Last entry is at 4:45 p.m. The building closes at 5 p.m. Please check this page before visiting, and follow the museum on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date information. For additional questions, email info@naturalsciences.org or see the FAQs. We look forward to seeing you soon! Hours (Downtown Raleigh) Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Closed Monday Prairie Ridge Hours and Visiting Info. Whiteville Hours and Visiting Info. Contentnea Creek Info. Know Before You Go Cloth face coverings are available for purchase in the Museum Store. Enhanced cleaning of the facilities will take place multiple times throughout the day. Hand sanitizer stations are accessible throughout the museum. Water fountains will not be in use. The museum’s daily on-site programming is temporarily postponed. If you are experiencing symptoms of illness, we ask that you postpone your visit. Download the Museum's Reopening Map Temporarily Closed Area Areas within the downtown museum that will remain closed during the initial opening period include: Windows on the World (Storytime and Meet the Animals) Living Conservatory (aka “the butterfly room”) Discovery Room For more information! State Capitol The State Capitol is now accepting group tour reservations for the 2022–2023 season. See below for more information on group tours. Fall and Spring Schedule: September 7, 2022–June 9, 2023 Guided tours are offered Tuesday through Friday at 9:30 a.m.,10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.,1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Tours may be scheduled for a minimum of 10 people and a maximum of 30 people—this includes chaperones. Reservations must be made a minimum of two weeks in advance. All groups must have a reservation and arrive 10 minutes prior to their tour time. Self-guided group tours are not available. Summer Schedule: June 13–August 31, 2023 Guided tours are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tours may be scheduled for a minimum of 10 people and a maximum of 30 people—this includes chaperones. Reservations must be made a minimum of two weeks in advance. All groups must have a reservation and arrive 10 minutes prior to their tour time. Self-guided group tours are not available. These tours should be scheduled for school-age students, college students, and adults. What's New Now River Bridge: Sunken Secrets This exhibition examines the history of a trade port called River Bridge on the Pasquotank River north of Elizabeth City. Learn More About the Exhibit Life before Dinosaurs: The Permian Monsters Explore vivid artwork, mounted skeletons, and life-sized models of a giant saber-toothed predator, saw-toothed shark, and many other bizarre creatures that dominated life on land and sea before the most devastating mass extinction the world has ever known. Learn More About the Exhibit School Group Lunches Raleigh's downtown sites do not have indoor dining facilities for groups. Fire regulations prohibit groups from sitting inside the facilities while eating and do not allow waiting inside to escape the weather. Several tables with seating are available in Fletcher Garden, between the Museum of History and the Museum of Natural Sciences. Buses may stop along Jones Street long enough to unload lunches but they may not park at the curb. Tables may not be reserved. Groups are responsible for cleaning up after themselves, so bring heavy-duty garbage bags to collect trash for disposal. Picnicking in the park behind the Archives and History/State Library Building is also allowed. Buses may stop along the Lane Street side of the park long enough to unload lunches but they may not park near the picnic area. Check out the map to the right to see where your group can eat lunch. On days with inclement weather, you will need to eat lunch on your buses. If your bus has had to park at the Museum of Art, you must have a way to contact your bus driver. You may purchase brown-bag or box lunches for eating outside. Many restaurants can provide these lunches with two-week advance notice. Contact them directly for menu options, prices, and arrangements. Daily Planet Café (NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center Wing): 919-707-8060
Field Trips, Capital Area Visitor Services and Raleigh Group Visits 0 SCHEDULED in 2019 In 2019, CAVS scheduled over 314,000 visitors combined for the five sites we service. Sign Up! This tab will allow CAVS to gather your information and create the most efficient itinerary for your group. Welcome Effective March 7, 2022, masks became optional for visitors and staff at CAVS sites. Capital Area Visitor Services (CAVS) is the gateway to Raleigh, the city that has served as the capital of North Carolina since 1792. CAVS was established by the state in 1976 as a US Bicentennial project. It is now a permanent point of contact for more than 300,000 annual visitors to Raleigh’s state-owned cultural and historic attractions. Scheduling a Tour CAVS schedules and coordinates tours of historic state-owned points of interest. Visits must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance; however, earlier scheduling allows more flexibility, permits ample delivery time for your written itinerary, and opens more options for your trip. Please note: due to potential pandemic-related restrictions, all sites may not be readily available for tours. To schedule through CAVS, you need to have at least 10 persons in your group. For smaller groups, contact the site directly at the following numbers: State Capitol, 919-733-4995 / Legislative Building, 919-733-7928 / Executive Mansion, 919-715-3962/ NC Museum of History, 919-814-7000 / NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 919-707-9805. To have CAVS schedule your group, here’s what you do: Visit our website at nccapvisit.org / Email us at capitalarea.visitorservices@ncdcr.gov / Call us at 919-814-6950 If you represent a group, you should contact us at least one month in advance so that you will have a better chance of receiving the tour times you want. Before you contact us, please consider The date of your visit. Since Raleigh’s visitation is heaviest in March, April, and May, it may be more difficult to secure tour times in these months. Try to schedule from June through February for a more personal, relaxed visit. Time limits. Schedule your itinerary time by adding the tour times shown on the website, and add 15 minutes for travel time between each site. For instance, State Capitol: 30-minute tour; 15-minute transition time; plus Museum of History: 60-minute tour time equal total tour time of 1 hour and 45 minutes. If a group vacillates from an assigned tour time on the day of its trip, the tour to that specific site may be lost due to schedule conflicts. Once you get here Parking: The bus unloading zone is in front of the Legislative Building at 16 West Jones Street. The bus parking lot is located at 201 E. Jones Street. Those driving personal vehicles will have to utilize regular downtown parking. Please visit this link for more parking information. Click on the tabs below to learn more about each of the venues that are serviced by Capital Area Visitor Services, including information on what you’ll see, security procedures, and pre-visit resources to make your trip a success. Tours for groups of 10 or more can be made for our venues through this platform. All reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance. Executive Mansion Legislative Building N.C. Museum of History N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences State Capitol Executive Mansion Fall: Guided tours of the mansion and gardens are available for groups of 10 to 30 people and must be reserved at least two weeks in advance through Capital Area Visitor Services. Fall tours of the gardens will be offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays, September 28–November 3, at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Wednesday garden tours are designed for children; Thursday garden tours are for adults. Tours last 40 to 45 minutes. Fall tours of the mansion will be offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays, September 28–November 17, at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Wednesday mansion tours are designed for children; Thursday mansion tours are for adults. Tours last 30 minutes. Executive Mansion security requires that a list of names for every individual in each group be submitted to Capital Area Visitor Services at least 24 hours before your tour. Know Before You Go: The Executive Mansion is located at 200 N. Blount Street in Raleigh. Please plan to arrive at the front gate of the mansion (near the two flagpoles) about 15 minutes ahead of your tour time. Upon entry, you will be asked for your group’s booking information and required to go through a brief security check. Visitors are encouraged to dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes appropriate for outdoor terrain. There are no public restrooms at the Executive Mansion, and we encourage you to take advantage of the facilities at the NC Museum of History before or after your tour, should you need them. Parking is available in this Visitor Lot for a fee, or metered street parking can be found throughout downtown Raleigh. Visitors are not allowed to wander from the docent-led group and must always stay with the guide. Garden tours will occur rain or shine. Virtual Tour of NC Executive Mansion Legislative Building Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Guided tours are available 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. in 30-minute increments. The Legislative Building is open to the public year-round, except on state holidays. Virtual Tour of NC Legislative Building Admission is free. Guidelines for visiting the NC General Assembly — Legislative Building ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION. Upon arrival to the General Assembly, please have your students gather in a single-file line behind the visitors and guests sign at the front entrance of the building located on Jones Street. Teachers are responsible for the registration of their groups. Please enter through the door marked appropriately for registration. Parents, adults, and chaperones should not be responsible for any part of registration. Teachers should come to the front desk to register, receive classroom materials, be given specific instructions, and meet their Building Guide. SECURITY AND SCREENING. The Legislative Building now has a NEW security screening procedure in place for all visitors. To ensure the best possible experience, several recommendations will expedite screening. All students, teachers, parents, adults, and chaperones will be required to go through screening upon entry to the building. To accelerate this procedure, we are requesting that students leave all nonessential items, including backpacks, cell phones, etc. (excluding medical items), on their respective buses. We also ask that items not left on the bus, including souvenirs, be left outside with 2 or 3 adults while the tour takes place. Below are prohibited items inside the legislature: Prohibited Items Through Screening Process Aerosol containers Electric stun guns, martial arts weapons or devices Knives of any size Mace and pepper spray Guns, replica guns, ammunition, and fireworks Any weapon facsimile Razors and box cutters Pets or animals (guide and assistance animals are permitted) Batons and nightsticks Signs on handsticks Any other item or device that can be considered a dangerous weapon The Building Guide will lead the group into the screening area. The Building Guide must be followed by the teacher, then students next, for screening, with parents, adults, and chaperones remaining at the end of the line to be screened last. We recommend following the above-listed procedures carefully, as any failure to follow the above guidelines may result in a delay for your group. We greatly appreciate your cooperation with these NEW security measures. We look forward to seeing you at the General Assembly and serving the needs of your group during its upcoming visit to the State Legislative Building! North Carolina Museum of History Welcome to the North Carolina Museum of History! Visitors from around the world travel to the North Carolina Museum of History, a Smithsonian Affiliate, to discover fascinating secrets and hidden gems from our state’s past. Located at 5 East Edenton Street in the heart of downtown Raleigh across from the State Capitol, the state history museum, before the COVID-19 pandemic, welcomed more than 465,000 visitors a year, including over 83,000 schoolchildren. You can contact the museum at 919-814-7000. The fax number is 919-733-8655. The North Carolina Museum of History is open to the public with some procedures in place to help ensure the safety of staff and visitors. Daily, health, and safety guidelines are being followed and monitored. Please continue to follow the museum website and social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) for the most up-to-date information. We look forward to seeing you soon! Admission is FREE. Tickets are NOT required for entry. Hours of operation are as follows: Monday–Saturday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday: Noon–5 p.m. The Museum Shop hours of operation: Monday–Saturday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday: Noon–5 p.m. Nearby the museum is convenient parking, restaurants, and many other family-friendly attractions. The museum is closed on New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Before Your Visit to the N.C. Museum of History To help you plan your visit to the Museum of History, you might find some of these links helpful: Pre-Visit Materials General Information for Planning a Visit Plan Your Family Visit Current Exhibits History at Home NCMOH Book Your Tour Today North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh is open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., with procedures and plans in place to help ensure the safety of visitors and staff. To help make your experience the best it can be, please Know Before You Go. When is the best time to visit NCMNS in downtown Raleigh? Tuesday through Friday is a great time to visit. Typically, the museum is less busy, and the only line you may experience is at 10 a.m. prior to the museum opening. We are busiest on Saturday and Sunday. Wait times are usual on weekends. Last entry is at 4:45 p.m. The building closes at 5 p.m. Please check this page before visiting, and follow the museum on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date information. For additional questions, email info@naturalsciences.org or see the FAQs. We look forward to seeing you soon! Hours (Downtown Raleigh) Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Closed Monday Prairie Ridge Hours and Visiting Info. Whiteville Hours and Visiting Info. Contentnea Creek Info. Know Before You Go Cloth face coverings are available for purchase in the Museum Store. Enhanced cleaning of the facilities will take place multiple times throughout the day. Hand sanitizer stations are accessible throughout the museum. Water fountains will not be in use. The museum’s daily on-site programming is temporarily postponed. If you are experiencing symptoms of illness, we ask that you postpone your visit. Download the Museum's Reopening Map Temporarily Closed Area Areas within the downtown museum that will remain closed during the initial opening period include: Windows on the World (Storytime and Meet the Animals) Living Conservatory (aka “the butterfly room”) Discovery Room For more information! State Capitol The State Capitol is now accepting group tour reservations for the 2022–2023 season. See below for more information on group tours. Fall and Spring Schedule: September 7, 2022–June 9, 2023 Guided tours are offered Tuesday through Friday at 9:30 a.m.,10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.,1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Tours may be scheduled for a minimum of 10 people and a maximum of 30 people—this includes chaperones. Reservations must be made a minimum of two weeks in advance. All groups must have a reservation and arrive 10 minutes prior to their tour time. Self-guided group tours are not available. Summer Schedule: June 13–August 31, 2023 Guided tours are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tours may be scheduled for a minimum of 10 people and a maximum of 30 people—this includes chaperones. Reservations must be made a minimum of two weeks in advance. All groups must have a reservation and arrive 10 minutes prior to their tour time. Self-guided group tours are not available. These tours should be scheduled for school-age students, college students, and adults. What's New Now River Bridge: Sunken Secrets This exhibition examines the history of a trade port called River Bridge on the Pasquotank River north of Elizabeth City. Learn More About the Exhibit Life before Dinosaurs: The Permian Monsters Explore vivid artwork, mounted skeletons, and life-sized models of a giant saber-toothed predator, saw-toothed shark, and many other bizarre creatures that dominated life on land and sea before the most devastating mass extinction the world has ever known. Learn More About the Exhibit School Group Lunches Raleigh's downtown sites do not have indoor dining facilities for groups. Fire regulations prohibit groups from sitting inside the facilities while eating and do not allow waiting inside to escape the weather. Several tables with seating are available in Fletcher Garden, between the Museum of History and the Museum of Natural Sciences. Buses may stop along Jones Street long enough to unload lunches but they may not park at the curb. Tables may not be reserved. Groups are responsible for cleaning up after themselves, so bring heavy-duty garbage bags to collect trash for disposal. Picnicking in the park behind the Archives and History/State Library Building is also allowed. Buses may stop along the Lane Street side of the park long enough to unload lunches but they may not park near the picnic area. Check out the map to the right to see where your group can eat lunch. On days with inclement weather, you will need to eat lunch on your buses. If your bus has had to park at the Museum of Art, you must have a way to contact your bus driver. You may purchase brown-bag or box lunches for eating outside. Many restaurants can provide these lunches with two-week advance notice. Contact them directly for menu options, prices, and arrangements. Daily Planet Café (NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center Wing): 919-707-8060
