Cook Museum of Natural Science in Decatur, Alabama: Tickets, History, & What to Know Before You Go

NORTH ALABAMA HISTORY + DAYTRIP/OUTING IDEA: Did you know that one of our area’s staple museums started because of a pest control company’s bug collection?!

I love a good origins story.

In short, John Cook Sr. started a professional insect collection almost 50 years ago to train technicians at Cook’s Pest Control. Eventually, some small school groups and other organizations started asking to see this collection, and now Cook Museum of Natural Science is a WHOLE THING!

Even cooler, the original collection is still part of the Cook Museum’s collection today! (Have you seen it?!) The Cook family eventually added rocks, coral, mounted wildlife, and so much more to create quite the museum experience today!

Another fun fact: Before the museum fully took off, portions of the collection went on TOUR! 🙂 It traveled to various malls in Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia, and people just loved it..

In 1980, they finally built a 5,000-square-foot museum to house it all, and it welcomed a whopping 750,000 people during its 36-year run.

Fast forward to 2019, and the NEW Cook Museum of Natural Science opened in downtown Decatur as a nonprofit, and today it’s a massive, state-of-the-art museum! From the inside out, it’s absolutely stunning!

This is not just a kids’ museum, though! Kids will LOVE IT (so much to touch and run around to explore), but adults who enjoy a museum experience will love the ability to slow down, read, explore, and learn. SO much to learn!

You’ll also find live animals (alligators, turtles, snakes, jellyfish, etc.), a cave, forests, oceans, a toddler play area, and tons of hands-on exhibits.

CURRENT DAY PASS PRICING:
Adults 15+: $20
Kids 3–14: $15
Kids 2 & under: FREE with paying adult
Seniors 65+ & military: $17

Don’t overlook the membership options though. They’re great!

Tickets can be purchased online in advance or in person upon arrival. Definitely check their online calendar too because they have all kinds of events, animal presentations, feeding, and educational programming (ESPECIALLY during school breaks!)

133 4th Ave. NE, Decatur, AL
(256) 351-4505

QUICK LINKS TO COOK MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE

Tickets | Events Calendar | Follow on Instagram and Facebook | Explore Memberships

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT COOK MUSEUM

Where is Cook Museum of Natural Science?
Cook Museum of Natural Science is located at 133 4th Ave. NE in downtown Decatur, Alabama.

How much are tickets to Cook Museum?
Current general admission is $20 for adults ages 15+, $15 for children ages 3–14, and free for children 2 and under with a paying adult. Admission for seniors 65+ and military is $17, plus applicable tax.

Is Cook Museum good for adults?
Yes. While Cook Museum has many interactive exhibits that appeal to children, it is a natural science museum designed for visitors of all ages. Adults can explore exhibits covering wildlife, ecosystems, caves, oceans, forests and more.

Does Cook Museum have live animals?
Yes. Cook Museum features live animals as part of its natural science experience, including reptiles, aquatic animals and other species.

Can I buy Cook Museum tickets online?
Yes. Visitors can purchase general admission tickets online before their visit or at the gate upon arrival.

Is Cook Museum worth visiting from Huntsville or Birmingham?
Cook Museum’s downtown Decatur location makes it an easy North Alabama day-trip option for visitors from Huntsville, Madison and surrounding communities and a longer day trip from Birmingham or southern Tennessee.