Moore Square

Not at all a place I want to return to. For starters there was a couple having a loud argument as we left a nearby restaurant, so the ambiance could be described as violent. Secondly, what park isn’t complete without an open condom lying on a central sidewalk? Third, it’s flat, boring, and what’s the deal with the acorn sculpture? I know Raleigh is like oak tree city but this seems half-​assed. Finally, did you know they had public hangings at this park back in the day? I didn’t and now that I do it sums up how I feel about this place. Dead.

Moore Square might be A-​OK, but I can’t help that «Yay! I’m a fan.» Almost every festival and local Raleigh-​ite will be at Moore Square during their lifetime. The square itself houses benches, mini-​pathways, beautiful [clime-​able] trees, gardens, doggy bags, a giant acorn sculpture as well as «visiting» sculptures. You’re sure to run into people waiting to take a bus from the bus hub right next door, and while they might look intimidating, most of the people won’t bother you or ask for handouts here.
The GREAT thing about Moore Square is definitely all the festivals that come through here. Everything from road races to art festivals (Artsplosure), the Triangle Veg Fest, Raleigh Beer Fest, NC Fresh Catch and many, many more. Its location is perfect, right on the edge of downtown Raleigh, enclosed by the Marbles Kids Museum on one side, City Market on another and a jumble of restaurants on a third (Café Luna, Bida Manda, Tir Na Nog and of course the Pour House). Plus, the R-​Line has multiple pick-up’s around the square, so it’s easily to get to your next location (walking or by bus).
Could Moore Square be better? Certainly, but it’s also a tiny plot of history for Raleigh, as it’s one of only two surviving four-​acre parks from Raleigh’s original 1792 plan. It is indeed a registered historic district, believe it or not [but you should believe it, because it is!] So, although the square isn’t a destination for me in and of itself, the festivals it hosts continue to be. Hopefully over time, now that plans are in the works to move the bus station, etc., the city will be more money into Moore Square and we can someday call it an oasis and hideaway from the busy life of the city.

I like this park because it’s great for festivals. It’s downtown near city market so there plenty of parking available if you want to grab a drink or a bite to eat.
I was here because of the spca dog walk so it was very crowded however the event was a success. If you have a dog I think this is the best place to take them downtown.

One of the 5 original squares created when the city was planned by William Christmas after the revolutoinal war. Its busy as it next to the bus station with a mix of people. The museums are close, too.

I like to stroll through the park with my dog, but there are certain times I stay away. I would love to see this park flourish and become a central landmark where art and nature meet. There are events held at this location, but I have never felt that this park reaches it’s potential. It is preceded by City Market and Fayetteville St. Families and visitors alike should gravitate towards this area of Downtown and as I walk past I see most people avoiding it on a normal day. It does not have the lush vegetation as other parks do around town. There are more people lingering around, sleeping and littering than there are playing frisbee, picnicking and socializing. Downtown Raleigh has a lot to offer, but it is lacking in greenery and most city centers have a spot that flourishes during the warm months with the hustle and bustle of sun seekers. We need a spot!

This can be a neat place, it was cool to see the sand sculptures, however, the local panhandlers really make it an uncomfortable place to be and somewhere I do not want my children hanging out.

A nice downtown square. It is a nice place to host an event. I always enjoyed the free concerts they held here.

How can I not love a place called «Moore Square»? It’s like they named it after me!
The bad thing is, like my man Rod mentions, it’s nothing like the charming little squares that you can find in Savannah. Instead this is more closely related to Washington Square Park in New York. You won’t find any obvious drug dealing, nor do you have any speed chess games happening, but it’s just a bit too far on the seedy side to really enjoy.
Sure, there is a sand castle that appears to be made of sand — but because just about every single path in the park is occupied by homeless people, it’s a bit curious. To be fair, they were nice homeless people, but they are still menacing in that way that only a group of homeless people can be. And when you examine the sand castle, complete with its signs that say «do not climb», and you see all sorts of footprints and graffiti — yes, graffiti on temporary structure — you are left wondering just what else is going to happen if you’re not paying the right amount of attention to your belongings.
With all that in mind, the park itself isn’t bad. In fact, it’s pretty nice, and I don’t actually begrudge the homeless (or anyone else) wanting to hang out there. But it’s not nice in the way that you want to spend much time there, or close your eyes while you lie down. Or perhaps even while you blink, so you may not want to stay long.

Big and Nasty though NOT at all like a Great Burger! Nice and Open makes it feel Safer than some of the Savannah Squares though so much less Charm! The Only element of Charm I could speak of involves Location! The Surrounding Institutions, Architecture and Businesses make this Square stay above the depths of 2 Unilocal star ratings!

It’s always nice to visit Moore square during the summer months. I’m so glad that the city allow gathering such as catch fish day. Can’t wait until next year #citygirl

I like Moore Square. It is much nicer now that you do not have quite so many aggressive panhandlers. That can take away from the experience.
One of my favorite Moore Square stories is the time after eating at Greensheilds (R.I.P) my wife and I were heading to the car and a large pack of indigent men began walking towards us just like a scene out of the Walking Dead. Fortunately we were able to get in the car before anyone got bitten :-)

Always a good time there!

Love walking through here. Always something going on.

Moore Square is a great spot if there is an event happening. If not, it is overrun by loud, unruly, and aggressive panhandlers. I wouldn’t recommend is as a spot to take your family. I know that this isn’t politically correct but, the city really needs to get this place under control.

On a recent walking tour I learned that Moore Square was once 1 of 5 downtown park squares designed by William Christmas. Unfortunately, now only 2 remain — Moore & Nash (and I much prefer Nash). I also learned that Moore Square was used for public hangings back in the day. Other than these tidbits, Moore Square doesn’t really hold much appeal.
I’ve been here a few times for events and the park has really failed to make an impression, it’s more of an afterthought. It’s not the type of place you bring a blanket and picnic to on a nice day. It’s flat open space in the middle of a developed city — That’s about it.

it’s a small little park conveniently located next to Marbles Museum. a bit sketchy at times due to a good number of homeless congregating about but I like the area.

This is a great location for Raleigh to have events. It is surrounded by restaurants, parking and the imax. I always find it a treat to go to an event here. What is bad about it is that it’s all outside and the weather will affect any event. It’s also small so the event can only be as big as the size of the park… but then that’s also it’s charm.

I mean — it’s a square. *shrug* And it’s A-​OK.
Moore Square is a nice place to host an event, but I don’t know that it’s anything to rave about. The SPCA K9−3K Dog Walk starts and ends in the square and I recently went to World Beer Fest here. There’s a lot of space for vendor tents, it hosts a massive acorn statue (photo opp!) and it’s completely surrounded by awesome Raleigh businesses/​restaurants. Marbles Kids Museum is right there, along with a plethora of parking opportunities.
I bet this is a decent place to mill about when there aren’t any events going on during the spring/​summer.

Fond memories in Moore Square:
*World Pillow Fight Day and CMYE
*Many years of SPCA K9−3K gatherings
*Artsplosure activities
*Posing with the giant acorn
*Lounging on the benches after a meal at City Market
Not-​so-​fond memories in Moore Square:
*The congregating homeless contingent who plague my festival booth for candy and Unilocal schwag every event that’s hosted here.
*The time I accidentally hauled all my event materials a few blocks further to Nash Square and had to backtrack in 98-​degree weather (although I guess I have to blame that one more on my lousy sense of direction than on the square itself…)

Moore Square is a lovely spot of green in downtown Raleigh. It’s home to the Raleigh Acorn, the large brass nut that is removed once a year to be used in Raleigh’s New Year’s Eve festivities. On one side of the park is Marbles Kid’s Museum and opposite from there is City Market.
There are parking spaces immediately at the park with the new pay stations meters system. Informational booth is beneficial for the out of towners.
Be advised that a soup kitchen/​homeless assistance facility is also in the area, so it is quite common to have homeless persons loitering about.