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Raleigh was constructed because the state capital again in 1792, but it surely’s way over only a authorities city – it has a sprawling downtown with many desirable (and principally free) museums, an upswing music and foodie scene, a number of inexperienced parks to hike round and lakes to paddleboard on.
There’s a motive that after 25+ years of journey to over 50 international locations, dwelling in 5 of them, we settled on Raleigh as our everlasting house – there’s simply so any issues to do in Raleigh!
It’s unbelievable how many individuals now wish to go to Raleigh as a result of we’ve raved about it for thus lengthy.
It’s an approachable, walk-able, lovable metropolis that’s each cutting-edge and funky crammed with a youthful vibrancy and entrepreneurial, welcoming spirit.
Generally known as the Metropolis of Oaks for its considerable oak bushes lining the streets, it additionally has the ever-present pine bushes filling its parks and forest and bordering lakes. Though it’s a metropolis, lots of the prime points of interest contain getting open air!
When you don’t know what to do in Raleigh, on this information we share with you our native highlights. These are the locations, points of interest, eating places, cafes, and bars we take all our visiting family and friends too.
1. Stroll or bike round Lake Johnson Nature Park
Lake Johnson Park contains greater than 300-acres of land surrounding a 150-acre lake. There’s a stunning paved three-mile greenway loop stroll across the lake, plus a separate two miles of unpaved path.
There’s additionally a 700-foot-long boardwalk throughout the lake, a ship home, small seashore space, and picnic shelters.
It’s our favourite lake in Raleigh, particularly for standup paddle boarding. Once we first moved to Raleigh, we lived on this lake and it was a lifesaver for afternoon de-stress walks after a tough day.
2. Bike round Umstead State Park
When you love nature trails by means of the forest, biking, path operating, picnicking, tenting, canoeing, and horseback driving, then don’t miss Umstead State Park with its greater than 5,000 acres of forest.
That is North Carolina’s most visited state park. It’s a pure oasis surrounding three man-made lakes and positioned simply 15-minutes from downtown Raleigh with easy accessibility from I-40 and I-70.
There are a number of climbing trails in Umstead that we like to do on a heat, sunny day. Our favourite is the Sal’s Department hike, however the Firm Mill Path, Loblolly Path, and Sycamore Path are additionally good ones and really household pleasant. Right here is our in-depth information to Umstead State Park.
3. Throw a frisbee round Dorethea Dix Park
Dorothea Dix Park is Raleigh’s largest metropolis park, and proper on the sting of downtown. The 308-acre website blends historic structure and wealthy landscapes into a singular vacation spot within the coronary heart of Raleigh.
It’s the place to benefit from the wide-open fields, rolling meadows, and shady tree groves for picnics, and solitude.
Seize a frisbee or a soccer and throw it round on the sprawling lawns with the excessive rises of downtown popping over the bushes as your backdrop.
Dorthea Dix can be a well-liked spot for festivals, occasions, and sundown metropolis views. When you time it proper, chances are you’ll wish to do the free month-to-month guided historical past strolling tour of Dix Park. It’s fascinating and exquisite!
4. Watch dwell music at an Out of doors Venue
Raleigh isn’t quick on music venues, however greater than that, it has open-air music venues that may seat 6,000-20,000 folks. They repeatedly have big-named acts on the invoice and help you watch a live performance on a heat summer time’s eve whereas having fun with a picnic on a garden.
My favourite out of doors, open-air music venue in Raleigh is the Koka Sales space Amphitheater in Cary. Image this, sitting on a picnic blanket within the forest beside a lake to the tunes of Jack Johnson, or different globally acknowledged artists. Koka Sales space is simply so fairly and serene. In addition they have nighttime films and festivals all year long.
Crimson Hat Amphitheater proper in downtown is equally stunning – particularly with sundown colours within the sky at night time, and like Koka it has a a Southern chillaxed vibe.
That is considered one of our favourite issues to do in Raleigh with teenagers.
5. Benefit from the espresso retailers in downtown Raleigh
Raleigh’s cafe scene is getting higher, and as Australians, we’re fairly fussy in relation to espresso.
Each week it appears new espresso retailers are opening, and since we regularly frequent these joints to work on this weblog, we’ve found our justifiable share of them.
So we have a tendency to stay to a couple favorites and take all our pals there. These are our favs:
Heirloom Brewshop
Situated within the Warehouse District, Heirloom Brewshop is a specialty espresso store, premium tea home, and sake bar with an Asian-inspired menu and aesthetics.
The wooden slat ceiling, pink chairs, inexperienced foliage and huge home windows create a shiny, smooth venue.
It’s positioned across the nook from our co-working areas so we’re common guests. They’ve one of the best lattes in Raleigh, which is greatest paired with their gluten free mochi donuts!
Learn our full evaluate of Heirloom right here.
Jubala Espresso
From the espresso, to the cafe vibe, to the situation and their meals choices, Jubala Espresso is our second go-to espresso store in Raleigh.
It’s positioned throughout the street from NC State College so has a school like environment with college students madly typing at their computer systems.
All the pieces is made to order from their specialty coffees to their waffles and breakfast biscuits.
The ladies go loopy for his or her banana nutella waffles
Learn our full evaluate of Jubala right here.
The Morning Instances
The Morning Instances is one other of our favourite Raleigh espresso retailers and one we’ve been going to for years, and a staple espresso store with the locals.
We like to sit down at one of many tables within the house upstairs that has a comfy laid-back environment and likewise doubles as a mini artwork gallery. Or sit at considered one of their tables on the sidewalk within the solar.
If it’s busy and there’s nowhere to sit down, its location within the coronary heart of downtown Raleigh additionally makes it an ideal place to grab-and-go and discover downtown on foot while sipping in your cup of Joe!
Different espresso retailers we like:
- 42 & Lawrence
- Sir Walter Espresso
- Black & White Roasters (inside Videri Chocolate Manufacturing unit)
Learn our information to the greatest espresso retailers in Raleigh – we’re fussy so you may belief these will likely be good!
6. Get pleasure from craft beers at one of many breweries in Raleigh
Once we first moved to Raleigh, there have been solely a handful of craft breweries in and across the metropolis.
Since then, it has grown to over 30 breweries and shortly gaining reputation throughout the USA for its brews, in addition to receiving worldwide recognition for a prime craft brew vacation spot.
One of many prime issues to do in Raleigh is brewery hop across the metropolis – there’s even a Raleigh Beer Path, and should you go to Raleigh throughout spring, don’t miss the Brewgaloo Competition.
We haven’t even checked off half the breweries as a result of we hold going again to those we love (Keep in mind to depart your favourite within the feedback). Listed here are our favs:
Wye Hill Kitchen and Brewery
Wye Hill is a brewery and our favourite place to eat and drink in Raleigh. We have now considerably of an attachment to it because it was as soon as Boylan Bridge Brewery, which was once one of many solely breweries within the metropolis.
We have now many glad reminiscences consuming right here with pals, admiring the Raleigh skyline views, and dreaming of someday with the ability to dwell right here perpetually.
In 2019, it was taken over by husband and spouse crew Chris Borreson and Sara Abernethy and become Wye Hill.
The superior views are nonetheless the identical, however the out of doors patio is now coated, the beer is even higher and matched with scrumptious mezcal cocktails, and excellent meals.
In truth, I’d say it has among the greatest meals within the nation.
I don’t even know what it’s a fusion of – excellence, innovation, cultural variety. It’s an enigma.
Even should you don’t eat right here, come for his or her brews after which keep for the unbelievable views of the downtown Raleigh skyline.
On their drinks menu is refreshing craft beers, signature cocktails, and wine. There’s an informal enjoyable environment that’s excellent for a bunch of pals or a date.
They’ve indoor seating and a lounge space and a bar. However their out of doors patio must be top-of-the-line locations in Raleigh to sit down and have a drink and overlook the skyline!
Learn our full evaluate of Why Hill Kitchen & Brewing.
Bond Brothers Beer Firm
Named greatest new brewery in America by USA At the moment in 2017, I can stand by this 100%. I’m gluten free, and Bond Brothers is the one beer I take a look at these harmful waters with.
They brew distinctive high-quality artisanal beers – principally ales and sours. I’ve by no means had one which I didn’t like. They’re additionally one of many few breweries which have gluten free beer.
It’s a well-liked native hangout with its beer backyard and annual occasions just like the Mid-town Sq. Summer season Fest and the Guinness E book of Information 1km Flip flop run which we participated in.
Watch: The Flip Flop World Report
Raleigh Beer Backyard
With over 400 craft beers on faucet – a Guinness E book of Information – that is the place to come back in case you are a beer lover. I like it as they’ve so many choices for tasty ciders.
Most Raleigh breweries or bars within the metropolis have horrid choices like Indignant Orchard – Miller’ Lite’s greatest pal.
Raleigh Beer Backyard is a 8,500-square-foot venue spanning three ranges, every devoted to a unique location brews, i.e. state vs worldwide.
I additionally love their beer backyard – it’s huge and with their colourful umbrellas, combi van bar, and white pebbles you’ll suppose you might have been whisked away to an oceanside tiki bar.
Cotton Home Brewery
One other brewery in Cary near our house is considered one of my favorites Cotton Home Brewery. I really like this, not a lot for the brew – which Craig says is sweet however not so good as some others – however for its ambiance and setting.
Cotton Home is housed in The Pasmore Home, constructed circa 1900, which was initially a boarding facility for the primary Cary Excessive College pupil.
Select your temper: Southern rocking chairs on the entrance porch, cozy desk fireplace in the lounge, beer backyard desk or spacious again deck overlooking the corn gap video games within the yard.
In addition they have enjoyable occasions like a Comedy Evening, Craig and I loved on a date night time, and an annual Halloween Occasion.
Surprisingly, one of many breweries we haven’t bodily hung out at but is Trophy Brewing & Pizza, however Craig thinks they presumably make his favourite beers.
Different Raleigh breweries worthy of a pint:
- Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewery
- Crank Arm
- Lynwood Brewing Concern
- Clouds Brewing
- Raleigh Brewing Firm
- Huge Boss
- State of Beer (bottle store, connoisseur sandwiches)
7. Discover historic neighborhoods in Raleigh
Raleigh has a number of historic neighborhoods in and round downtown, and we like to discover them on foot or drive by means of them slowly.
You will note charming and fantastically restored Southern properties, plus craftsman bungalows, Queen Anne/Colonial Revivals and Dutch Colonials sitting alongside oak tree lined streets.
A few of our favourite neighborhoods embrace:
- Historic Oakwood – dates all the best way again to the 1800’s that rose after the Civil Conflict.
- Boylan Heights -one of Raleigh’s first deliberate suburbs.
- Mordecai – Raleigh’s oldest neighborhood.
- Cameron Park – considered one of Raleigh’s most tasty household neighborhoods.
- Hayes Barton – constructed within the 1920’s within the publish World Conflict I period.
8. Take the youngsters to Pullen Park
When you’re searching for enjoyable issues to do with youngsters in Raleigh, one place we’ve been going to since we first moved right here with youngsters in 2008 is Pullen Park.
Situated subsequent to NC State College on 66 acres of land, that is the first public park in North Carolina, and the fifth oldest working amusement park within the U.S. and sixteenth oldest on the earth.
What our children love to do right here is hire a pedal boat, journey the carousel and miniature prepare, and run free on the playgrounds.
We’ve additionally had many a picnic and grill out right here on the open grass space or below the big picnic shelters.
9. Or take toddlers to the Marbles Children Museum
When our children had been youthful, they loved going to Marbles Children Museum within the Moore Sq. district of downtown.
There’s two ranges of kid-focused museum actions with dozens of hands-on reveals and the state’s solely 3D-capable IMAX theater.
So you probably have youngsters 10 12 months and below, I might recommend this as a fantastic place to go on a wet day.
10. Indulge on the Videri Chocolate Manufacturing unit
When you love chocolate, then go to the Videri Chocolate manufacturing facility. You possibly can tour the fully-operational manufacturing facility and retail house on a self-guided tour and witness all of the chocolate-making from begin to end. Pattern some goodies, then take house your favourite bar!
In addition they have delicate serve ice cream, and the hooked up cafe has an outside patio and serves up nice espresso by Black & White espresso roasters!
11. Discover the free museums in Raleigh
Raleigh has been known as the “Smithsonian of the South” due to the standard and the quantity of free museums in Raleigh. Listed here are our favorites:
North Carolina Museum of Artwork
The NC Museum of Artwork is without doubt one of the hottest Raleigh points of interest, and admission is free!
Th Raleigh artwork museum has greater than a dozen gallery areas showcasing artwork from all over the world. You possibly can self-explore, take an interesting tour, and see performing arts.
Our favourite factor right here is taking a stroll by means of the Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park, a 164-acre park and path system by means of pure areas that includes commissioned artistic endeavors.
And should you time it proper, see the superb sunflower discipline! And the Artwork to Coronary heart path that takes you 6 miles alongside the greenways to Downtown Raleigh is value doing!
North Carolina Museum of Pure Sciences
The Museum of Pure Sciences is North Carolina’s most visited museum and the Southeast’s largest pure historical past museum. It’s one of the well-liked issues to do in downtown Raleigh.
The museum has over 4 flooring of reveals that includes dwell animals, schooling and analysis facilities, and a lot extra. When you love pure historical past and sciences.
Learn our evaluate of the North Carolina Museum of Pure Sciences.
North Carolina Museum of Historical past
Situated proper subsequent the pure sciences museum, the Museum of Historical past was based in 1902 and welcomes greater than 400,000+ guests a 12 months, together with 80,000+ college teams.
On show is 14,000 years and 150,000 artifacts of North Carolina historical past, from a full-size reproduction of the 1903 Wright Flyer to the lunch counter from a 1960 sit-in in Salisbury, and way more.
12. Loosen up in JC Raulston Arboretum
One of many cool issues about Raleigh is you’re by no means wanting inexperienced areas, parks, and forests to discover.
The JC Raulston Arboretum is a free botanical backyard at NC State College and is without doubt one of the largest collections of tailored crops within the southeast United States.
The gardens characteristic unique and worldwide crops from across the globe, and is used to check how they adapt to the Piedmont local weather in North Carolina – the proof is then used to seek out superior crops to make use of in different southern landscapes.
It’s free to go to and open each day of the 12 months, although Spring and Fall are my too favourite seasons.
13. Stick your fork into Raleigh’s foodie scene
The meals scene is simply so good in Raleigh and continues to get higher, and most of the people who go to Raleigh come for the culinary scene!
Among the greatest cooks within the nation have moved right here and eating places corresponding to Heirloom Brewshop and Benchwarmer Bagels who had been acknowledged as one of many greatest new eating places in America in 2019.
Listed here are a few of our favourite eating places in Raleigh:
Irregardless Cafe
That is ‘old skool Raleigh.’ Irregardless Cafe has been a Raleigh staple since 1975 as the town’s first vegetarian restaurant.
However it affords a lot extra, together with meat and seafood dishes and a child’s menu.
What we love about this restaurant is that’s there’s one thing to eat for everybody, and should you love a very good brunch, it’s one of many hottest brunch spots in Raleigh and has an enormous choice fo gluten free and vegetarian. Their gluten free rooster and waffles are scrumptious!
We love the sturdy sense of bringing the entire group to the desk right here vibes, the wholesome and revolutionary meals (and good parts too), served up in a enjoyable environment with artsy and eclectic decor and dwell music within the background.
Morgan Road Meals Corridor
Morgan Road Meals Corridor is within the thriving Warehouse District and the primary of its variety in Raleigh – 22,000 sq. toes of house inside a repurposed warehouse.
23 totally different meals ideas showcasing native eateries housed in meals stalls or free-standing kiosks.
Energetic environment and a well-liked place for the group to hang around. There’s one thing for everybody!
Parkside Restaurant
Situated on the sting of the Warehouse District throughout from historic Nash Sq., Parkside is a retro-industrial restaurant serving conventional American consolation meals and filling Southern dishes the locals love!
You get character and allure from the nice and cozy pink brick and reclaimed barn wooden clad bar, 25+ draft beers, and personable service.
Contemplate their rooster and waffle sandwich, the prime rib, or their station burger is superior too! Parkside is one other well-liked brunch spot in Raleigh!
Different Raleigh eating places we love embrace:
14. Benefit from the nightlife in Raleigh
Again in 2004, pre-kids, you’ll discover us bar hopping on Glenwood Ave each weekend. It’s the place to go for nightlife, and again then, it was just about the ONLY place to go.
Raleigh has blossomed with choices since then and also you’ll discover nice bars all around the metropolis and the smaller neighborhoods.
We not often go to Glenwood Ave anymore because it’s extra for the youthful crowd and we’re simply not that manner anymore!!
Nevertheless, listed here are some bars in Raleigh we love:
Watts & Ward
My private coach advisable Watts & Ward to take my girlfriend who was visiting from Australia.
We had walked previous the dingy doorway entrance underground protected by bouncers on a number of events questioning what seediness was executed there.
Kimmy and I walked down into the hallway anticipating to see one room, after which it opened as much as one elegant room of leather-based seating, classic art work, rustic tables, dim lighting and bookshelves filled with historical past, which result in one other, after which one other, after which proper down the top one other secret room the place Jazz music was taking part in.
And there was a beer backyard. It’s huge and full of sophistication and incredible cocktails.
It’s a really cool place based upon the underground spirit of Twenties America. In search of issues to do in downtown Raleigh at night time, don’t miss this bar!
Whiskey Kitchen
One other bar we love that additionally does wonderful and creative Southern meals in a fantastic location on the sting of the Warehouse District.
Whiskey Kitchen is an element whiskey bar, half Southern kitchen that includes a lovely open house and hip venue with over 300 whiskies and craft cocktails.
We love the repurposed industrial really feel and and environment right here. Inside are tables, couches and bar seats – and you may’t miss the spectacular mural behind the bar.
Through the hotter month’s, there’s a storage door that opens to the surface patio which is nice, and so they have heated lamps for the chilly climate.
Come attempt a whiskey flight, plus there’s nice beer choices, wine and cocktails – a enjoyable place for {couples} or with a bunch of pals! Their NC pork chop meal is completely delicous.
The Raleigh Instances
It is a timeless watering gap and was named after the previous newspaper that occupied this 100 12 months outdated constructing with a number of ranges and an open rooftop.
The Raleigh Instances could be essentially the most well-known bar within the metropolis – even Obama had a marketing campaign beer right here – and so they serve a fantastic number of native craft beers and Belgian beers, plus high quality American pub grub.
Come chat over a number of pints while taking within the historic constructing vibes and memorabilia on show!
Greenlight Bar
Stroll down from Watts and Wards on E. Hargett St and search for the inexperienced mild above the doorway to the Architect Bar.
Whether it is on, you can also make your manner upstairs and attempt to discover your manner into this speakeasy positioned in a former architect’s workplace.
I don’t wish to spoil the enjoyable of discovering the doorway for you, so I received’t inform you tips on how to get in to the Greenlight Bar.
As soon as you work it out, you’ll enter a room large enough for about 30 folks —the bar is clad with reclaimed wooden, vinyl information play within the nook, and elaborate craft cocktails just like the Japanese Drugs and Clean Mamba await.
Thrillist named the Greenlight one of many “23 Finest Secret Bars within the World.”
The Participant’s Retreat
The Gamers Retreat (or PR because the locals name it) is without doubt one of the storied sports activities bars in Raleigh and a real landmark for NC State college students and alumni.
Established in 1951, that is the oldest constantly working tavern between Atlanta and Washington D.C.
Situated close to NC State College’s north campus off Hillsborough st, you’ll be consuming (and consuming) with an eclectic combine of individuals.
That is the sort of native neighborhood bar I like to seek out once we journey – old skool sports activities bar with cubicles, bar stools, tables on the sidewalk, pool tables, and plenty of TV screens for sports activities.
And the PR boasts the most important assortment of single malts in North Carolina!
Different cool Raleigh bars we like:
- The Haymaker (killer cocktails)
- Dram & Draught (whiskey bar + beer, cocktails)
- Fox Liquor Bar (underground – creative cocktails)
- C. Grace (cocktails & jazz)
- Carolina Ale Home (sports activities bar)
- Vita Vite (wine bar)
As for pubs, our fave could be The London Bridge Pub proper downtown for a very good crowd and a few English Premier League or World Cup Soccer (soccer).
15. Attend a sporting occasion
Sports activities is big in Raleigh, and you’ll at all times discover a sporting match on someplace within the metropolis.
In Raleigh, the NC State groups are the Wolfpacks, and school soccer might be the largest sport right here, in addition to ice hockey.
You possibly can cheer on the Wolfpacks on the Carter–Finley Stadium, a 56,000+ seater stadium the place the school soccer crew play, or the Lenovo Heart, house to the Carolina Hurricanes hockey crew.
Verify the occasions calendar to see who’s taking part in if you go to:
Another locations to catch a sporting occasion is:
Attend a Durham Bulls Sport
We like to exit to Durham to observe the long-lasting Durham Bulls play to observe the minor league video games every baseball season.
The Bulls are a Triple-A minor league baseball crew that presently performs within the Worldwide League.
Durham Athletic Park was inbuilt 1994 so it’s fashionable and fun-filled. All seats have fairly good views and you may stroll round bar hopping or to observe the sport from totally different angles.
As for teenagers, there may be loads of leisure and a cool child zone part arrange for the youngsters to shoot basketballs, run by means of mazes and soar round.
The stadium even has it’s personal craft brewery, Bull Durham Beer Firm. It’s the one brewery within the nation primarily based in a minor league baseball park.
It’s an affordable, enjoyable household night time out.
Durham is just half-hour from Raleigh and a worthy vacation spot.
See a Sport at UNC – Chapel Hill
Any religious school basketball fan is aware of of the College of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) – it’s the place Michael Jordan went to varsity!
They in all probability additionally know concerning the legendary factor to do right here – soar over the bonfires on Franklin St after a nationwide championship win – checked that off our USA bucket checklist twice, ha ha. Go Tar Heels!
Yep, we’re huge followers. We love Chapel Hill, this school city.
Go see a dwell school basketball or soccer recreation. We additionally like to go and watch the ladies’s soccer.
Make sure to eat and drink on the High of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery (TOPO). Particularly on recreation day if you will get in. Get pleasure from an Outdated Effectively White craft beer wile overlooking Franklin Road.
The college is an exceptionally stunning campus to wander by means of.
Okay, our arch rival Duke College simply 8-miles from Chapel Hill manner in Durham is also value strolling by means of. Their Gothic type campus might be extra stunning. And Duke Gardens is gorgeous too!
16. Take a day journey from Raleigh
Raleigh was constructed within the middle of North Carolina on objective – it was speculated to have a strategic location, permitting you to connect with different components of NC simply and shortly.
It’s location is ideal for holidays. It places you below 3 hours from the coast, 3.5 hours from the mountains, 1.5 hours from the border to Virginia and fewer than 2 hours from the border to South Carolina.
So you probably have time in your fingers, make sure you take a day journey.
Listed here are a few of our favourite nearish locations the place we’d take our household and pals.
Wrightsville Seashore
Wrightsville Seashore is a 2-hour drive from Raleigh and is understood for its laid again, small city surfie vibe which is so like our house Australia.
It’s top-of-the-line day journeys from Raleigh however we advocate staying a number of days and go to close by Wilmington too which we love!
We share extra about it in these posts:
Tenting at Kerr Lake
Kerr Lake is Raleigh’s largest hidden secret. It’s solely an hour away and is stuffed with pure magnificence and surroundings.
That is the most important lake in North Carolina and contains 3,376 acres of woodlands alongside its shores.
We love to flee for a number of days of tenting, boating, swimming, tubing, and s’mores. It’s by no means too busy as there are ample locations to select from.
Learn extra about Kerr Lake.
Last Ideas
I hope this information helps you intend your personal journey to Raleigh and gave you a good suggestion of what to anticipate from our house.
This isn’t a metropolis the place you’ll discover infinite points of interest such as you would in New York or Los Angeles. It is a place that’s about group and experiencing a richness of tradition by means of meals, music, and dwell occasions in a setting that’s picturesque.
It has a lovely mix of city and rural for me, though because it positive aspects in reputation the city facet is shortly overtaking the agricultural.
I imply, if an Australian household who’ve and will selected nearly wherever on the earth to dwell, selected right here, it should be fairly good proper?
Effectively, we like it. Chances are you’ll or could not, however that’s okay.
Simply be certain you say hello to us if you go to and put this checklist in your itinerary!
When you get a style of this thriving Southern metropolis, you simply would possibly find yourself dwelling right here like us!
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