Moore Square

Moore Square is a time-honored, historic district located in downtown Raleigh, comprised of a one-block radius on all sides of the park/square and of historic City Market. Recently renovated into a 21st-century space, the surrounding district buzzes with life (and nightlife). It is a charming mix of old and new, with cobblestone streets juxtaposed against modern upgrades like the new GoRaleigh Transit Station, a multimillion-dollar renovation that serves more than 15,000 commuters each day.

A visit to Raleigh is not complete without dining in a restaurant from chef Ashley Christensen, named Outstanding Chef by the James Beard Foundation in 2019. In the Moore Square district, go to Beasley's Chicken + Honey for extraordinary fried chicken, Southern sides and craft cocktails.
 

For a metropolitan cocktail bar experience, check out one of Niall Hanley’s ventures—the dark, sophisticated underground space at Watts & Ward, located below neighborhood favorite Caffe Luna. Don’t miss Royale, serving simple and savory French bistro selections.

Making this district a popular family destination is Marbles Kids Museum, attracting more than 600,000 visitors each year and delivering purposeful play to children and their families. Marbles is also home to one of the world's most immersive movie experiences: the Wells Fargo IMAX Theatre at Marbles boasts N.C.’s only 3D-capable giant screen.

The Moore Square district also has a variety of art galleries, anchored by Raleigh’s Artspace—a 30,000-square-foot, historic building that has 25 dedicated artist studios. Visitors can meet and interact with working artists, take a class or purchase original artwork from individual studios or from the Artspace gift shop.