Marbles Kids Museum

The museum recommends the city-owned Wilmington Street Station Deck directly across the street, entered at 117 South Wilmington Street or 122 South Blount Street. It currently offers two free weekday hours and is free most weekends until 5 p.m., but Marbles does not own the deck and rates or event rules can change. Moore Square Deck at 233 South Wilmington Street is another nearby city option.

The main museum entrance is at 201 East Hargett Street, at Hargett and Blount streets across from Moore Square. Automatic doors serve the main entrance. Have each guest's QR ticket ready on a phone or printout, or purchase admission at the Welcome Desk. IMAX has a distinct entrance and ticketing flow on the same campus.

Accessible stalls are in every public restroom, with one public restroom per museum floor and additional facilities in IMAX. A single-occupant family restroom is on the first floor inside Splash. Baby-changing stations are in all public and single-occupant restrooms. A first-floor nursing room and second-floor Mamava pod provide private feeding spaces.

The current official schedule is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Sunday, with extended museum hours until 7 p.m. Thursday. Members may enter at 9 a.m. Special events, holidays, maintenance, and IMAX showtimes can follow different schedules, so check the live calendar before leaving.

Current advance admission is $9.50 and day-of admission is $12.50 for adults, children, and seniors. Children under age one and Marbles members are free. Military admission is $8.50 advance or $11.50 day-of. Monday-Thursday after 3 p.m., Play Late for Less is $4.75 advance or $6.25 day-of. IMAX and special-event tickets are separate.

Yes. The museum documents automatic entrance doors, an elevator between both exhibit floors, accessible stalls in all public restrooms, accessible IMAX seating, and free manual wheelchairs available first-come at the Welcome Desk or IMAX concessions with ID as a deposit. Personal care attendants accompanying guests with disabilities receive complimentary admission.

Advance tickets are recommended but not required. Buying ahead currently saves $3 per paid museum admission. Online buyers receive a confirmation and a separate email with QR codes for each guest; show the codes on a phone or printed page. Walk-up tickets may be purchased at the Welcome Desk when capacity allows.

Marbles officially recommends museum play for children age 10 and under. Babies and toddlers have dedicated experiences such as Toddlers Hollow, while older children can engage with active, imaginative, money, engineering, art, nature, water, and role-play exhibits. IMAX films vary by title and may suit older children and adults as well.

Marbles says weekends and holidays are busiest and weekday afternoons are typically quieter. During summer, Monday is designated as a no-groups day; during the school year, Tuesday is the no-groups day. These patterns do not guarantee low attendance, especially during camps, breaks, weather events, or special programs.

Marbles is a KultureCity Certified Sensory Inclusive Venue. Free noise-reducing headphones, weighted blankets, fidget tools, picture schedules, and picture maps are available at the Welcome Desk. A social story supports advance preparation, and free registered Sensory Friendly Playtime events provide a calmer museum and reduced-volume, lights-up IMAX documentary experience monthly.

Bean Sprouts Cafe is on the Marbles campus and works to accommodate many food allergies; the first-floor PlayStore also sells packaged allergy-friendly snacks and drinks. Courtyard picnic tables are available first-come, first-served. Food rules differ for ordinary visits, parties, and groups, so confirm current outside-food policy before packing a full meal.

Yes. Keep the admission sticker issued at check-in for same-day reentry. Once checked in, visitors may stay until closing, and late arrivals can check in at the Welcome Desk after their timed entry. Tickets are non-refundable but may be rescheduled or credited when requested at least 24 hours before entry time.

Yes. GoRaleigh Station is one block away between South Wilmington and South Blount streets and serves local and regional buses. Raleigh Union Station at 510 West Martin Street is about eight blocks away, which Marbles estimates as a 15-minute walk. Check current routes, fares, elevator access, and service alerts before traveling.

No. Museum admission and Marbles IMAX tickets are sold separately online or at the Welcome Desk, though combination or group options may be offered. Check the specific film, age fit, format, showtime, captioning, sensory screening, and arrival deadline. Movies begin on schedule and cannot wait for late guests.

Moore Square is directly across Blount Street and provides lawn, seating, public space, and nearby food options. The City of Raleigh Museum, North Carolina State Capitol, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and downtown restaurants are walkable for families able to extend the day, but each has separate hours, admission, and parking considerations.