Although the museum was small, at least admission was free. I noticed that all of the paintings on…read moredisplay were created by artists who are from North Carolina which adds a local touch to the typical art museum.

This is a very small but charming free contemporary art museum in Raleigh. We really enjoyed the…read morelocal artists from Western NC featured during our visit. The space is intimate, which makes for a personal and unique experience. We're looking forward to their reopening and can't wait to check out the new exhibits. Definitely worth stopping by if you're in the area -- a true hidden gem!

Based on from what i gathered, the museum will close in October 2024 for a renovation to be…read morecompleted in 2027? Considering the 2nd floor was closed the day I went plus admission was free, this was definitely worthwhile to check out. So much history going back to the Indian tribes and the Confederecy to the Wright Brothers, albeit some of it not so pretty, but it's the truth and it needs to be remembered and not hidden. Museum row here is on the smaller side. Metered parking on the street. Will definitely be back after the renovation!

Visited with elementary aged kids during a day trip to Raleigh. Everyone enjoyed the museum…read more(surprisingly with kids) and found something they were interested in. There are exhibits covering everything from NC sports heros to the Revolutionairy War. I would love to see some areas get a little more detail but the basics are all there and having room to grow isn't a bad thing. The location is in the same complex as the natural history museum - right across the road from the legislative building and nearby to the Governor's mansion, so if you're seeing the sights this is an easy stop to add. It isn't massive but there are many exhibits so you can spend as much (or as little) time as you want. Being free, it's hard to beat.

Yelp 100 2026 #8…read more Marbles Kids Museum is a wonderful children's indoor and outdoor play area. There is an upstairs and downstairs with different themes throughout to help keep any child engaged. The giant piggy bank upstairs, mini scooters downstairs, to the ABC new high in the sky cam. Visited when my flight was delayed to help my little get her wiggles out and she did not want to leave. It was chilly during my visit but there are outdoor play areas available as well.

We visited Marbles Kids Museum today (Sunday). Street parking was free and plentiful this morning…read more En route to the museum we grabbed coffee and got there at open. 2 adults and a kid is $40 (you can get military discount and also purchase tickets in advance online) It's a busy place but also large and we never felt it was too crowded. There are so many spaces for little ones to explore and try! Definitely enough for a couple hours with a 3 yr old. Would recommend for anyone with 2-7 years old kid, probably a highlight for our daughter.

I visited for a Juneteenth event. I thought the event was organized well. I enjoy educational…read moreevents geared towards Juneteenth. I'm glad I could attend the event. The staff here for the event were welcoming and pleasant.

Such a great local museum and located right in downtown area where other cool places can be seen…read moreand visited! The museum gives a great snapshot of Raleigh's historical beginnings and significance. And it's free! But donations are welcomed. Friendly and helpful staff at the reception area. And they have a gift shop with cute merchandise

Did not enjoy my experience here. You get charged $10 at the door. However, some people in my group…read moregot charged $5 and others got charged none. Seems weird. The girl who got charged none was told to write a Google review to get in for free. The inconsistency is a bit bothersome. The bartenders were nice, but also pushed Google reviews in exchange for a stronger drink. They did not follow through with their word ... my drink was nearly just sprite and grenadine, maybe a tiny splash of vodka. It was clear these bartenders did not have much bartending experience. Wish I would've saved the $25 I spent to get in for one disappointing drink.

Great vibes every visit music on point funky lounge area in the back and food vendors rotating so…read morenever the same.

A morning where you can sip something good, meet your neighbors, shop from people who actually live…read morehere, and hear live music on the patio.

Summary: 4.0 - Free and art go hand-in-hand here. If you like both, NC MoA is worth your time…read more Free admission to the NCMA to see art and history is a gift. If one doesn't mind the West Building (although new, it felt old to me), the different galleries containing historical art pieces (new and old, and very old) organized by continents are educational and surprisingly full of variety. The East Building (original one) hosts both permanent and limited-time collections. I've enjoyed a car exhibit, but my favorite limited-time exhibit featured Academy Award winner Ruth E. Carter's costumes for the movies "Black Panther", "Selma", "Amistad", and others. Her showcase exhibit was well worth the price of admission. A huge museum park provides miles of trails and places for picnics. If one plans accordingly, a series of trails connects all the way from the museum to downtown Raleigh! MISC Opened in 1956. Has pieces that originate from about 5,000 years ago (but thankfully it doesn't take that long to go through the museum). The museum is accessibility-friendly. A museum store and café are onsite. Tours are available. Outdoor concerts are on hiatus at the time of this review for "facility improvements." Be sure to check the museum's website for updates.

Decorated for Christmas and included live music in the rotunda!…read more Impressive building and well worth a visit. Amazing architecture. Symbols of our state and our country including the portrait of George Washington are impressive.

Was in Raleigh for work and went walking around and saw the State House. Had no clue Raleigh was…read morethe capital more knew anything about it really. As I walked by snagging some pictures I saw an inviting sign so decided to walk in. Free to the public and did the self-guided tour. It was such a nice detour and so glad I did. The old Library inside, rotunda, and old Senate chambers were especially cool to see. I tried imagine of what it was like in those halls in the mid-1800's. I would recommend stopping in and check it out.

I drove in from Charlotte area to attend a 'First Friday' event hosted by my daughter-in-law. Her…read moreand my Son live in New Hampshire so she came into town to for the entire month of July to paint and get prepared for the 8/1/25 event. Molly is a talented and experienced artist, primarily in oil and acrylic. They had invited about a dozen or so people from around CLT Region who came into town to see her and James since they live in NH. It was an interesting evening because it started raining hard just about 7p as the event was getting in gear. I'm sure it deterred quite a few from attending. There are two floors with other 'artist in residence' so it was a lively and diverse Friday crowd. I did make it 'upstairs' to meet Caitlin Cary, a local artist who has a studio there. Some may know here as vocalist/violin player with Ryan Adams formerly of the band Whiskeytown.

A great eclectic collection of local artists. Friendly front desk receptionist. Fun to see some…read moreartists currently working in their studios. Inspiring experience.