Please note that on January 11, the Capitol won't be open because of the inauguration. The North Carolina State Capitol, at One East Edenton Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, is open for visits. It will be open for free guided and self-guided tours. Visitors are welcome to take a self-guided tour any time between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on … [Read more...] about North Carolina State Capitol: free guided tours on Saturdays
Museums and attractions
Homeschool History Day at Mordecai Historic Park Sep. 5
Mordecai Historic Park, 1 Mimosa Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, is hosting Homeschool History Day on Friday, September 5, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Explore historic trades and life skills, including demonstrations by a blacksmith, leatherworker, and woodworker. Make historic crafts, play townball, take a special kids' tour of the Mordecai house. This is a free event. Registration … [Read more...] about Homeschool History Day at Mordecai Historic Park Sep. 5
Marbles’ Art Bash rescheduled to Aug. 14 — free arts activities for kids
Marbles' Art Bash is a free event for kids in the outdoor Marbles Playway on Thursday, August 14, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. This is a rescheduled date, due to the weather forecast on August 7. Imagine, create and express yourself at Marbles Big Art Bash! Collaborate with local artists and on one-of-a-kind creations and explore hands-on art installations in the Marbles Playway. All outdoor … [Read more...] about Marbles’ Art Bash rescheduled to Aug. 14 — free arts activities for kids
Monthly Reflections Tour at Nasher Museum Aug. 10
Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, 2001 Campus Drive, Durham, is free for everyone every day that it's open. Reservations are not required. You might be interested in our list of museums in the Triangle with free admission (all the time or certain days.) Upcoming Events at Nasher Museum of Art Find a full list of events at Nasher Museum of Art at nasher.duke.edu/events/. … [Read more...] about Monthly Reflections Tour at Nasher Museum Aug. 10
Free days at museums in the Triangle
The Triangle area of North Carolina is rich with museums but you don't need riches to visit them because many are free. And some that aren't free offer free days. Raleigh, especially, as the state capital, has many free museum offerings, but you'll find some in Durham and Chapel Hill as well. Keep in mind that all the free museums welcome donations. Raleigh North Carolina Museum of … [Read more...] about Free days at museums in the Triangle
Visit Raleigh Fire Museum 2nd Saturday of month (for free)
Raleigh Fire Museum, 105 Keeter Center Drive in Raleigh, is open just one day a month to the public, although tours can be scheduled other times. If you'd like to just walk in, though, come by the second Saturday of the month, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. It's free to visit. See photos and artifacts that tell the story of the history of firefighting. This is a small museum but it has hundreds … [Read more...] about Visit Raleigh Fire Museum 2nd Saturday of month (for free)
Día de la Ciencia y la Cultura at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences July 26
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, the Consulate General of Mexico and the RedGlobalMX Raleigh Chapter are presenting Día de la Ciencia y la Cultura (Science and Cultural Day) at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W Jones Street, Raleigh, North Carolina. It takes place Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This free program is fully bilingual (Spanish-English.) … [Read more...] about Día de la Ciencia y la Cultura at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences July 26
Mindful Story Time at North Carolina Museum of Art, July 23, and many more free events
NC Museum of Art, at 2110 Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh, is free to visit. The hours at this time are Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special exhibits might require a paid ticket. Upcoming Events You can see all the events here. Please follow the links, below, for each event, for full information and for registration. Make sure to follow the links to register. Mindful Story … [Read more...] about Mindful Story Time at North Carolina Museum of Art, July 23, and many more free events
Free Sensory Friendly Playtime and Movie at Marbles Kids Museum for kids with special needs on July 4
Marbles Kids Museum, 201 Hargett Street, Raleigh, periodically holds Sensory Friendly Playtime for kids with special needs and their families. Admission is FREE for these events. It's an opportunity for kids to experience Marbles in a calmer, quieter environment. The museum will also be showing a "Lights Up, Sounds Down" movie. Tickets for the movie are not needed. Registered participants … [Read more...] about Free Sensory Friendly Playtime and Movie at Marbles Kids Museum for kids with special needs on July 4
Lunch Box Lecture at City of Raleigh Museum June 26
City of Raleigh Museum, at 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, presents lectures that are often free to the public. The Museum hosts Lunch Box Lectures the 3rd Thursday of the month. Bring your lunch to the Museum and enjoy a lecture. Lunch Box LectureThursday, June 26, 202512 to 12:45 p.m.Free Join Erin Morton Pugh and Tania Tully from the City of Raleigh's Historic Preservation Unit. They have … [Read more...] about Lunch Box Lecture at City of Raleigh Museum June 26
