City of Raleigh Museum

The museum has no reserved visitor parking. The City recommends the Moore Square parking deck at 223 S. Wilmington Street, which offers free two-hour parking, or free weekend street parking. Fayetteville Street and nearby street spaces are paid on weekdays. Accessible street-parking spaces are available in the Fayetteville Street vicinity.

Use the museum entrance at 220 Fayetteville Street. For school and group buses, the City identifies a loading and unloading zone directly in front of the museum. Free shared bus parking is available first-come, first-served at 201 E. Jones Street; personal vehicles must use downtown street parking or a deck.

Yes. The City lists restrooms inside the museum, including additional restrooms on the lower level. They are available when the museum is open; call 919-996-2220 if you need a specific accessibility detail before visiting.

Yes. Public areas of the Briggs Building are accessible to wheelchairs, scooters, and ECVs, and an elevator assists visitors reaching program areas on the ground/lower level. Accessible street-parking spaces are nearby. Call 919-996-2220 for route-specific help or Raleigh Parks Inclusion Services at 919-996-2147 for an ADA program modification.

The museum is closed Monday. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Check the official museum page before a holiday or time-sensitive trip because special hours and event access can change.

The City currently lists exhibits on the historic Briggs Building, Raleigh's people and local democracy, women's voting history, the USS Raleigh, the city flag, Raleigh baseball, and recent collection objects, plus the temporary Patterns of Belonging exhibit. The museum occupies the first and lower levels of the 1874 Briggs Hardware Building.

The museum is closed Monday, open Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday 1-4 p.m. First Friday programs and special events may use extended hours; holiday or event closures should be checked before visiting.

Yes. General museum admission is free. Selected tours, programs, private rentals, merchandise, or partner events can have separate charges, and downtown parking is governed separately by City deck, lot, and curb rules.

Yes, especially for a shorter downtown history visit. The museum uses artifacts, photographs, hands-on programs, and changing exhibits about Raleigh's people and places. Family programs are scheduled on selected dates rather than continuously, so check the event calendar; pair the visit with nearby Moore Square when children also need outdoor play.

Yes. The museum is at 220 Fayetteville Street in the walkable downtown core, near GoRaleigh Station and multiple bus routes. Use GoRaleigh's live planner for the nearest active stop and your return trip; Moore Square, Fayetteville Street, and downtown event closures can alter the final walk.