Marbles Kids Museum
In the Moore Square Historic District of downtown Raleigh, the Marbles Kids Museum offers interactive play-based exhibits for children. Open seven days a week, the museum is also host to special events, summer camps, and birthday parties. Kids under the age of 10 are welcome. You can also enjoy IMAX movies at the museum or book a group tour. The museum also offers free admission to local preschools. Read on to learn more about the museums unique offerings.
The Marbles Kids Museum is a public/private partnership. The museum's 80,000-square-foot building houses the exhibition space, administrative offices, a retail store, support areas, and an IMAX theatre that shows feature films. In addition to interactive exhibits, there is a restaurant and 300-seat large-format theater. This attraction is great for families of all ages. If you have young children, you can make reservations at their restaurant, located on the museum's grounds.
The Marbles Kids Museum is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon. On Thursdays, the museum is open until 7 p.m. If you're visiting with a group, don't forget to call ahead to confirm the museum's hours. It is located downtown on East Hargett Street, just two blocks south of the North Carolina Museum of History.
The Marbles Children's Museum encourages play as an educational tool for young children. The museum features a million-plus marbles that light up in the dark. It also features art exhibits and the Power 2 Play exhibit. There's a cafe and an IMAX theater if your family plans to visit. Whether your family is traveling for business or pleasure, a trip to the Marbles Kids Museum is a great family outing.
There are free parking lots on the blocks surrounding the museum, including the Blount Hourly Parking Lot, located behind the museum. Parking on street is free, and you can find some street parking along Bloodworth Street. If you're worried about finding parking, the City of Raleigh provides a parking guide. If you're looking for an off-site parking lot, there are several pay lots located near the museum. You can park in any of these areas and find a spot for your car.
The building itself is unique, with many special features that express the mission of the museum. For example, the view of the earth from space graphic, consisting of 1.1 million glass marbles, is made of stainless steel. The "Patterns of Life" column is made of custom-designed art glass. A map of the world, made of terrazzo, is another striking feature. During the grand opening, the IMAX Theater was located in an adjacent room.
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