201 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC - (919-834-4040)
Description: discovery museum, open indoor play, day camps
Parking: on street metered or paid garage
Ages: FREE (1 and under), $5 (per adult & child)
Hours: Mon-Sun (9am-5pm), Open until 7pm each Thursday & on First Friday
Notes: The museum tends to be less busy on Monday mornings. Plan to spend at least 2 hours. Bring your own food or eat at the café / gift shop. I would recommend parking in a covered lot as opposed to on the street. The meter always runs out too soon and parking tickets are expensive.
Website: marbleskidsmuseum.org
1016 Investment Blvd, Apex, NC - (919-387-2955)
Description: indoor open play, day camps & team sports
Parking: on site
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: see online
Hours: see online
Notes: Great open play for young kids. See schedule for days and times.
Website: https://www.xlapex.com/
441 West Williams, Apex, NC - (919-762-6494)
Description: open indoor play / scheduled classes
Parking: on site
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: affordable per visit and extended passes
Hours: see online
Notes: An oasis for parents and kids alike. Coffee for grownups and many spaces of open play for kids. Come in out of the weather and play here.
Website: https://www.playdaysnc.com/
6910 Fayetteville Road, Durham, NC - (919-572-6450)
Description: indoor play
Parking: on site
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE
Hours: Mon-Sat (10am-9pm), Sun (12pm-7pm)
Notes: Very colorful and creative. One of the nicer mall play areas. Enter through JC Penny for the closest access. Family bathrooms and nursing rooms are located in the center of the mall, on the upper level, near the food court. The elevator is also at the center of the mall, near Williams-Sonoma. Don't miss the outdoor fountains and the children's reading area at Barnes and Noble. Pick up a free balloon at the Nordstroms children's shoe department.
Website: http://www.streetsatsouthpoint.com/
Description: indoor/outdoor discovery museum
Ages: 0-Adult
Parking: on site
Cost: $13 (adult), $10 (3-12), FREE (3 and under), $11 (seniors and active military), FREE for Durham County residents on Wednesdays from 1pm–5pm
Hours: Mon-Sat (10am-5pm),Sun (noon-5pm)
Closed Monday Sept 13 - Dec 13, 2010
Notes: This museum has it all. Play areas (indoor and out), exotic animals, a butterfly house, train rides, dinosaur park, the list goes on. Bring your lunch or eat at the museum café. One visit isn't enough to see it all. Ask about membership prices. Baby friendly, toddler friendly, stroller friendly.
Website: http://www.ncmls.org/
Description: indoor play
Parking:
see website
Ages:
see website
Cost: see website
Hours: see website
Notes: New location to be announced.
Website: http://www.kidzuchildrensmuseum.org/
4325 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC - (919-787-8993)
Description: indoor play and shopping
Parking: free covered parking provided
Ages: 0-Adult
Cost: FREE entry, some coin-op ride-on toys
Notes: My toddler just likes to climb on the ride-on toys, so I don't put any money in. She mostly likes to play in the main play area with the other kids. Family bathrooms close by. Park on on the Gold Deck (1st floor), near the Hudson Belk Men's Store. Elevator located between Brookstone and Zales. Food court on upper level. Mall also has drop-in child care called Magic Kids.
Website: http://www.crabtree-valley-mall.com/
