Downtown Raleigh has state museums, the historic Capitol and big venues for shows and conventions. Many of them publish their own accessibility details. That makes it easier to plan a day for someone who uses a wheelchair or tires on long walks.
This guide lists what each place says on its own website. For the State Capitol, we also use Visit Raleigh. We only include places whose pages we read. Details change, so check each page again before your visit, and check the venue for hours.
Planning a whole trip, not just a day downtown? Start with our guide to a family visit with a scooter rental.
How to read this list
For each place we looked for the same things:
- Getting in. Drop-off point, accessible entrance and door type.
- Moving inside. Elevators and any spots to avoid.
- Loaner chairs. Whether the place lends wheelchairs, and the rules.
- Parking. Where accessible spaces are.
If a page did not say something, we leave it out. Call the venue and ask.
Museums and the State Capitol
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
The museum has two downtown buildings, the Nature Exploration Center and the Nature Research Center. Its accessibility page says:
- Free manual wheelchairs are at the Information Desks in both buildings. The museum has no electric or scooter options.
- Both entrances have automatic doors. So does the second-floor bridge between the buildings. The museum cautions that the third-floor bridge has no automatic doors.
- Elevators run between every level of both buildings.
- Accessible restroom stalls are in all public restrooms on every floor.
- Accessible seating is in the SECU Daily Planet Theater and WRAL 3D Theater for visitors using scooters or wheelchairs.
Its parking page lists a drop-off zone at 11 West Jones Street, opposite the State Legislative Building. It names two visitor lots with reserved accessible spaces: Visitor Lot 1 at 100 East Jones Street, and the Green Square Parking Deck at 120 West Edenton Street, which has ramps and elevators. The page says parking is paid, card only, and free on weekends and state holidays.
NC State Capitol
Visit Raleigh says all areas of the Capitol except the third floor are accessible. Admission is free.
NC Historic Sites says the Capitol grounds are under construction for sidewalk repairs until further notice. It says the Capitol is open to visitors and asks them to use caution. With the sidewalk work, call site staff at 984-867-8340 before you go. The site asks visitors with accessibility needs to contact them.
NC Museum of History
The museum's page says it is temporarily closed for renovation. When it reopens, its page lists:
- A drop-off point on Edenton Street near the crosswalk at the center of the block, with ramp access to the main entrance.
- A second accessible entrance from Jones Street, through the Fletcher Garden doors, with elevators to the lobby level.
- Touch-activated door openers at both entrances.
- Free courtesy wheelchairs for interior use at the information desk.
Check the museum's page or call 919-814-7000 before you plan around it.
Marbles Kids Museum
Traveling with grandkids? Marbles lists its accommodations by need. For guests with mobility disabilities, it says:
- Entrance and exit ramps are available.
- An elevator runs between the museum's two levels, around the corner from the Welcome Desk.
- Free manual wheelchairs can be used across campus, first come, first served, at the Welcome Desk or the IMAX Theater concessions stand. An ID is requested as a deposit.
- Accessible seating is in the Marbles IMAX Theater for guests using scooters or wheelchairs.
- A personal care attendant gets complimentary admission when with a guest with a disability.
Shows, concerts and conventions
Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center
The convention center's page says the drop-off and pick-up lane is in front on S. Salisbury Street, and that entrance is accessible daily. Automatic doors are at all entrances. All levels can be reached by elevator. Accessible parking is on the first floor of all downtown Raleigh parking decks. Wheelchairs are lent first come, first served at the Main Lobby security kiosk, and they may not leave the building. Our accessible events guide covers events held there.
Red Hat Amphitheater
The amphitheater says wheelchair-accessible and companion seating is in all sections. Each wheelchair spot fits one person on a smooth, stable surface, with a companion seat next to it. The companion seat must be bought in addition. All entrance gates are accessible. Accessible drop-off and pick-up are by the Box Office. Accessible parking is on the first level of parking garages, and all restroom entrances have a ramp.
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
The center says wheelchair and companion seating is available in all its venues, with up to three companion seats next to each wheelchair spot. The drop-off lane is off South Street on the west side, right turns only, and opens when doors open for a show. A limited number of courtesy wheelchairs are available, first come, first served. A driver's license is required to reserve one. Accessible parking is in the Performing Arts Center deck.
Plan the route between stops
The venue pages cover the inside. The gaps are the blocks in between.
- Do not count on the R-Line. GoRaleigh says R-Line service was paused beginning August 9, 2026. Some venue pages still mention their R-Line stop. GoRaleigh lists Routes 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 14 and 16 and GoTriangle Route 100 as serving the same downtown area.
- Use the drop-off points. Let the rider off at the drop-off listed above, then park.
- Park once if you can. Pick a deck near your first two stops.
- Expect work zones. The Capitol grounds have sidewalk repairs. Allow extra time near work zones.
- Plan rest stops. Note places along the route where the rider can sit.
When a borrowed chair is not enough
Loaner chairs have limits. The convention center says its chairs may not leave the building. The Museum of Natural Sciences and Marbles list manual chairs, and the Museum of Natural Sciences says it has no electric or scooter options.
If the rider wants to cover the whole day on their own, a rented mobility scooter can help. If a family member will push, a rented wheelchair goes from the hotel to the last stop. We rent both for personal dates in Raleigh.
A person calls you back within 24 hours to confirm the dates, the equipment and pickup or delivery. Delivery is confirmed for each request. On a scooter, only the person named on the rental may ride. See mobility scooters, wheelchairs, or read scooter or wheelchair.
Next step
Ask for a quote on our Raleigh rentals page with your dates and ZIP code, or call (919) 533-8846.
