A guide to downtown Apex: the historic Salem Street district, The Halle, the 1914 depot, where to eat and drink, events, parking and the streetscape work.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Facts come from the Town of Apex history, events and economic development pages and from each business’s own website.

Downtown Apex is a turn-of-the-century railroad town that never lost its main street. The Apex Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994, covers Salem Street and the blocks around it, and the town calls it one of the best examples of an intact railroad town in North Carolina. Today North Salem Street holds restaurants, a taproom, a wine lounge, a coffee house, the town’s arts center and the depot, and hosts many of the town’s events. Downtown questions go to Bailey Robertson, the town’s marketing coordinator, at 919-249-1046.

Before you go

  • Parking: the town’s downtown parking map
  • Road work: North Salem Street is one-way southbound during the Salem Streetscape project, due to be substantially finished by mid-December 2026
  • Apex Welcome Center: 220 N. Salem St., 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays
  • Bus: GoApex Route 1 serves downtown (GoApex)

A short history

Apex grew up around a railroad station chartered in 1854; the first train came through in 1869 and the town was incorporated in 1873. Its name comes from its spot at the highest point along a 30-mile stretch of the old Chatham Railroad. Fires in 1905 and 1911 burned much of the business district, and merchants rebuilt in brick; by 1913 the 100 block of Salem Street had pressed-brick storefronts, and the depot was rebuilt in 1914. More in our history and landmarks guide.

Landmarks on Salem Street

  • Apex Union Depot, 220 N. Salem St., at North Salem and Center streets: rebuilt in 1914, listed on the National Register in 1988, and home to the Apex Welcome Center. The red Seaboard caboose beside it was presented by the Apex Historical Society in 1992. The depot lot hosts the Apex Farmers Market every Saturday morning.
  • The Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N. Salem St., in the 1912 former Town Hall: a theater, studios and galleries. Box office 919-249-1120; open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday (The Halle).
  • The Service Memorial, at Saunders and North Salem streets, where the Veterans Day ceremony is held each Nov. 11.

Eat and drink

Listed in alphabetical order, from each business’s own website:

  • Anna’s Pizzeria, 100 N. Salem St., 919-267-6237 (website)
  • Common Grounds Coffee House and Desserts, 219 N. Salem St.: coffee, gelato and desserts, open every day 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with live music most weekends (website)
  • Oaklyn Springs Brewery taproom, 209 N. Salem St.: open from 3 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from noon Friday to Sunday (website)
  • Peak of the Vine, 301 N. Salem St.: wine lounge and boutique with live music and comedy (events)
  • The Provincial, 119 N. Salem St., 919-372-5921: dinner Tuesday to Saturday, reservations online (website)
  • Salem Street Pub, 113 N. Salem St.: burgers, bourbon and moonshine, with live music Thursday nights in its Moonshine Room (live music)

Downtown’s calendar

  • Love Local nights at The Depot on the third Friday of September, October and November 2026; Jazz and Jive Night is 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, 2026.
  • Witches Night Out, 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, 2026.
  • Tree lighting, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, on the town campus, 73 Hunter St., and the Apex Rotary Christmas Parade down Salem Street in early December. See our parade and tree lighting page.
  • Snowman Stroll on Salem, a December passport promotion; see our holiday shopping page.
  • PeakFest, the first Saturday in May, with more than 100 arts and crafts vendors.
  • Apex Restaurant Week in late winter; in 2026 it ran Feb. 23 to March 1.

Parking and getting there

The town’s downtown parking map shows walkable lots. For the 2025 Christmas parade the town pointed drivers to the Saunders Lot, behind the Tobacco Mule Exchange and across from the Police Department at 205 Saunders St.; The Depot lot is closed to parking on farmers market mornings. You can check conditions on the town’s downtown webcam.

Related: live music and nightlife, date night and free things to do.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I park in downtown Apex?

The town publishes a downtown parking map of walkable lots. For the 2025 Christmas parade the town used the Saunders Lot, behind the Tobacco Mule Exchange and across from the Police Department. The Depot lot closes for the Saturday farmers market.

Is Salem Street open during the streetscape construction?

Yes. North Salem Street is one-way southbound during the Salem Streetscape project, and sidewalks and businesses stay open. The town expects the work to be substantially finished by mid-December 2026.

What is The Halle in Apex?

The Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N. Salem St., is the town’s arts center in the restored 1912 Town Hall, with a theater, studios and galleries. It is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Why is Apex called the Peak City?

The town says Apex sits at the highest point along a 30-mile stretch of the old Chatham Railroad, where steam engines stopped to take on water on the way to Raleigh.