The Raleigh City Museum, located in the heart of downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, is set in the historic Briggs Building. Built in 1874, the building originally housed a hardware store and was the city's first skyscraper. Today, the museum offers exhibits and collections such as "It All Started with 1,000 Acres," a comprehensive timeline of Raleigh, and "Let Us March On," a chronicle of the Civil Rights era. Hotels around the museum offer a base from which to explore the city and surrounding areas.
The Raleigh Marriott City Center is less than two blocks, or about 0.2 miles, from the Raleigh City Museum. The hotel is connected to the 500,000-square-foot convention center. Other nearby attractions include the Progress Energy Center for the Arts, the Marbles Kids Museum and IMAX Theater, Meredith College, the North Carolina State Capitol Building and North Carolina State Fairgrounds. Several restaurants are within walking distance of the Raleigh Marriott City Center, serving American, Japanese, Chinese, barbecue and steakhouse fare. Hotel amenities include a 24-hour concierge desk, the on-site Posta Tuscan Grille and Bar Posta, coffee shop, and a fitness center with a whirlpool.
The Sheraton Raleigh Hotel is two blocks, or 0.2 miles, from the Raleigh City Museum. The hotel is also within walking distance of the convention center, Shaw University, the state capitol, BTI Center for the Performing Arts, the Raleigh courthouse and the Fayette Street Mall shopping complex. The Capital City Club and the Cardinal Club golf courses are less than one mile from the hotel. Guests can dine at the on-site Grove Café and Café Connections or walk 0.2 miles to the City Center complex with a wide selection of restaurants and nightlife. Hotel amenities include an indoor heated pool, Jacuzzi, fitness center and the Sheraton Club Lounge, which serves a complimentary breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres on weekdays. Rooms are all nonsmoking and feature city views.
The Clarion Hotel State Capital is about three blocks, or 0.3 miles, from the Raleigh City Museum. The hotel is 13 miles from the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Other attractions within one mile include the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Exploris Museum, Artspace, Shaw University, North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and the Lincoln Theater. All rooms are nonsmoking and include free high-speed Internet access and free weekday newspapers. The hotel features a multilingual staff, an exercise room and the Top of the Tower Restaurant on the 20th floor.
The Velvet Cloak Inn is just under two miles from the Raleigh City Museum. The inn is within walking distance of North Carolina State University, the Pullen and Edna Metz Wells Parks and a variety of restaurants, with menus including pancakes, pizza, fast food, ice cream and Chinese cuisine. A comedy club is also within walking distance. Inn amenities include an indoor heated pool, covered parking and a patio. Some rooms offer balconies and city views.
