Theatre Info

A Totally Immersive Experience

Still North Carolina's only 3D-capable giant screen, the Wells Fargo IMAX Theatre at Marbles offers a premium, totally immersive movie experience. At 70 feet wide, our screen is the biggest 3D screen in the state. The theatre is Giant Screen Certified by the Giant Screen Cinema Association, adhering to the following requirements:

70 feet (21.3 meters) wide, and
All seating is within one screen width of the screen plane

Completely renovated in January 2011, the Wells Fargo IMAX Theatre at Marbles features the newest state-of-the-art IMAX 3D projection system; enhanced audio with 24,000 watts of heart-pumping sound; higher brilliance giant screen; new, more comfortable seats; and all new carpet.

Directions & Parking

The Wells Fargo IMAX Theatre at Marbles is located at 201 East Hargett Street in downtown Raleigh, at the corner of Hargett and Blount streets across from Moore Square. For customized driving directions, enter your starting address in the Google Maps box below.

From I-40 East (Wilmington)
From I-40 take exit #299—Person Street. Travel north toward downtown Raleigh for approximately 2 miles. Turn left onto Hargett Street. The Wells Fargo IMAX Theatre is on the right.

From I-40 West (Greensboro)
From I-40 take exit #289—Wade Avenue. Travel approximately 6 miles toward downtown Raleigh. Take the ramp to Capital Blvd. Capital Blvd. will become Dawson Street. From Dawson Street, turn left on Morgan Street. Travel three blocks and turn right on Blount Street. Marbles Kids Museum is on the left.

From US 1 South
From US 1 South take 440 (Outer Beltline) to exit #299—Person Street. Travel north toward downtown Raleigh for approximately 2 miles. Turn left onto Hargett Street. Marbles Kids Museum is on the right.

From Capital Boulevard (US 1 North)
Capital Blvd. will become Dawson Street. From Dawson Street, turn left on Morgan Street. Travel three blocks and turn right on Blount Street. Marbles Kids Museum is on the left.

From Glenwood Avenue & Hillsborough Street
Follow Glenwood Ave to Hillsborough Street. Turn left on Hillsborough Street. Turn right onto Salisbury Street (at the State Capitol Building). Take the first left onto Morgan Street. Travel three blocks and turn right on Blount Street. Marbles Kids Museum is on the left.

From Wilson/Rocky Mount
Follow business US 64, which turns into New Bern Avenue. New Bern Avenue becomes Edenton Street. Turn left onto Blount Street. Marbles Kids Museum is on the left.

Car Parking

FREE parking is available on surface streets surrounding the theatre on nights, weekends and holidays. Street parking can be found on Bloodworth Street, two blocks east of the theatre. The Wilmington Street Station Deck is free weeknights after 7:00 pm and on weekends (except for special event days).

Wilmington Street Station Parking Deck - this city-owned pay parking deck is conveniently located right across Blount Street from the museum. There are entrances when heading North on Wilmington Street between Hargett and Morgan Streets, and when heading South on Blount Street between Morgan and Hargett Streets. Please visit GoDowntownRaleigh.com for more information about hours and fees for this parking deck.

Street Parking - there is metered parking on Blount, Person and Hargett Streets surrounding the theatre. Metered spaces are free on nights, weekends and holidays.

Longview Parking Lot - this pay lot is located near the North entrance to our campus. There are entrances when heading East on Morgan Street between Blount and Person Streets, and when heading North on Person Street between Hargett and Morgan Streets. Visit GoDowntownRaleigh.com for fore information about this parking lot.
Please note that Marbles does NOT own this lot.

Public Transportation

By Bus

Ride Raleigh's CAT bus to Moore Square Station or Triangle Transit to the CAT/Triangle Transit Transfer Center at Moore Square. Exit to Hargett Street, and IMAX Theatre is to the right. For more information, schedules and maps visit Go Triangle.

Already downtown? Drive downtown, park once, ride the R-Line and visit Marbles and other downtown attractions. Hop on The R Line, Raleigh's FREE circulator service at one of its 20 downtown Raleigh stops. More information and hours.

By Train

The Raleigh Amtrak Train Station is located at 320 West Cabarrus Street, eight blocks (15 minute walk) from the IMAX Theatre. More information.

Bus Parking

There is limited first come, first serve parking for buses and vans in the immediate downtown area Wednesday through Friday. Our Guest Services team will be happy to assist you with this on the day of your visit.

The IMAX 3D Experience

The IMAX Experience in 3D - the world's most immersive movie experience - has entertained and enlightened millions of people worldwide. With crystal clear, larger-than-life, 3D images complemented by exhilarating state-of-the-art surround sound, audiences feel as though they are in the movie.

IMAX 3D glasses are provided for use during all 3D films at the Wells Fargo IMAX Theatre.

The IMAX 3D Camera

The IMAX 3D camera is one of the highest resolution image-capturing devices in the world. By simultaneously recording separate left- and right-eye images the IMAX 3D camera helps to create spectacular high-resolution images characteristic of the wide field of view of IMAX presentations. Weighing between 42 and 100 pounds, these cameras are extremely versatile and can be used in virtually any environment—from outer space to the ocean floor, the top of Mt. Everest and all around the globe.

The IMAX 3D Projector

As the most advanced, precise and powerful projectors ever built, IMAX’s revolutionary projections systems deliver crystal-clear images and enhance the vivid 3D imagery being shown on screen. To create the 3D effect IMAX projectors deliver two separate screen images onto the screen. Each member of the audience must wear IMAX 3D glasses, which channel the right-eye image to the right eye and the left-eye image to the left eye. The polarized lenses separate the left- and right-eye images. Light from the 6,000 watt lamp of our IMAX projector is so bright that, if one were operated on the moon, people on Earth could see it with the naked eye.

The Giant Screen

Forty-five hundred times larger than an average TV screen, IMAX giant screens soar up to eight stories high and have a slight curvature that extends beyond the field of geometric recognition. Because these screens fill your peripheral vision, you feel like you’re right in the action.

The Wells Fargo IMAX Theatre at Marbles boasts North Carolina's biggest 3D screen at 70 feet wide and 52 feet tall. The theatre is giant screen certified by the Giant Screen Cinema Association.

IMAX Sound

The 6-channel multi-way digital IMAX speaker system with sub-bass utilizes 44 speakers grouped into six clusters behind the screen and at the rear of the theatre to deliver uncompressed sound that is simply unsurpassed in depth and clarity. This state-of-the-art system generates more than 24,000 watts of power, not volume, to provide the audience with life-like sound. IMAX’s powerful audio system delivers laser-aligned digital sound with exacting volume and quality at every seat throughout the theatre. From a small drop of rain to an enormous clap of thunder, you'll hear every shade and subtlety, regardless of where you are sitting.