Raleigh presents a superb number of actions for adults. From distinctive museums and picturesque parks to a vibrant bar scene, you’ll discover it in North Carolina’s capital. My husband, Phil, and I ventured to this beautiful metropolis to go to our fun-loving native buddies, who confirmed us a few of their favourite spots. We took time to ourselves to get pleasure from Raleigh’s romantic issues to do, too. Be part of us as we discover the grownup aspect of Raleigh!
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1. North Carolina State Capitol
Within the coronary heart of downtown, Raleigh’s Capital District makes an important place to start out your explorations. It’s residence to fascinating outlets, stylish eating places, and a few of the metropolis’s most visited museums. The centerpiece of the Capital District is the North Carolina State Capitol.
Accomplished in 1840, this constructing is a formidable instance of Greek Revival structure. A lush inexperienced garden and shady oak bushes encompass it. (That’s becoming since Raleigh’s nickname is The Metropolis of Oaks!)
Historical past buffs ought to head inside to view the Home and Senate chambers, the Supreme Court docket, and the Governor’s workplace. Be part of free guided excursions on Saturdays to study extra in regards to the state’s political historical past. Verify their web site for particular instances. If that’s not your jam, take a pic and carry on strolling!
2. North Carolina Freedom Park
Not removed from the Capitol Constructing, the 1-acre North Carolina Freedom Park is a tribute to the African American wrestle for freedom and equality within the USA. Learn 20 highly effective quotes from Black leaders and historic figures of North Carolina. These Voices of Freedom are etched on the low partitions encircling a metallic sculpture named the Beacon of Freedom.
Well-known creator, poet, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou is without doubt one of the North Carolinians quoted. She lived within the state from 1982 till she died in 2014. Proven beneath, her quote on the park is from Angelou’s debut memoir, I Know Why the Caged Chicken Sings.
The caged fowl sings
with a fearful trill
of issues unknown
however longed for nonetheless
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged fowl
sings of freedom.Maya angelou
3. North Carolina Museum of Sciences
What’s the most well-liked attraction in North Carolina? The North Carolina Museum of Sciences! Courting again to 1879, it’s additionally the oldest and largest museum within the state. Though this attraction within the Capital District is big, don’t really feel pressured to cowl all of it since entry is free. (In fact, donations are appreciated!)
Discover outer house, the Earth’s ambiance, human DNA, and extra on this museum’s interactive displays. Inside the large globe proven above is a multimedia house the place you may watch motion pictures and lectures about science. Don’t miss the Dueling Dinosaurs, which I believed gave the impression of an animatronic show, however it’s truly two of essentially the most full skeletons of a Triceratops and a Tyrannosaur ever discovered. Along with historic creatures, you may view reside animals like snakes, a two-toed sloth, and tropical butterflies.
4. North Carolina Museum of Historical past
Proper subsequent door to the science middle, the North Carolina Museum of Historical past options displays on The Tar Heel State, together with African American Life and Tradition, Ladies Making Historical past, and the most important exhibit, The Story of North Carolina. I notably loved seeing a meticulous reproduction of the glider utilized by the Wright brothers throughout their early experiments in flight in Kitty Hawk, NC (about 200 miles east of Raleigh).
The North Carolina Museum of Historical past is a good spot to achieve perception into this southern state. Or, at the very least, it is going to be when it reopens in 2026 or 2027. It closed to the general public in October 2024 for renovations.
5. CAM Raleigh
This modern artwork museum within the metropolis’s Warehouse District options distinctive exhibitions by residing artists. You may see work, sculptures, collages, images, or combined media within the ever-changing artwork shows at CAM Raleigh. The free museum solely takes an hour or so to wander by means of and is effectively price your time.
6. Raleigh Murals
In case you like public artwork as a lot as I do, you’ll be happy to study that Raleigh boasts greater than 300 murals! Based on the native WRAL Information, “Murals have an extended and wealthy historical past in Raleigh, courting again to the early twentieth century.”
Many of those artistic endeavors could be discovered within the Warehouse District. For instance, No Damsel (proven above) is a mural of reimagined Disney princesses. Created by artist and feminist Dorian Lynde, you’ll discover it proper throughout the road from CAM Raleigh.
You’ll absolutely come across unimaginable wall murals as you discover Raleigh. For some steering find a few of these artwork items, check out 35 outside murals that Go to Raleigh recommends searching for out.
7. Videri Chocolate Manufacturing unit
Earlier than leaving the Warehouse District, you have to pop into the Videri Chocolate Manufacturing unit, a chocolate lover’s paradise. Along with artisanal chocolate bars and bonbons, this café and chocolate manufacturing facility sells espresso and soft-serve ice cream, making it a wonderful place for a day pick-me-up!
Embark on 15-minute, self-guided excursions in regards to the chocolate-making course of at no cost. In case you full their scavenger hunt kind, you get a free chocolate sweet. My good friend Caroline and I discovered it to be an academic, scrumptious, and enjoyable expertise. (The fellows had been too busy consuming sweets to affix us.) You too can join one in every of their weekly fairly priced, longer guided manufacturing facility excursions.
8. Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park
The Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park combines two of my favourite issues into one whimsical expertise: nature and inventive artwork. This has acquired to be the most important sculpture backyard I’ve ever visited, too! In truth, it spans 164 acres (over 66 hectares). Along with greater than two dozen artwork installations, there are miles of outside recreation trails, fairly gardens, and a terraced pond for energetic adults to get pleasure from.
This superior park is a part of the North Carolina Museum of Artwork, which is lauded because the finest artwork museum within the state. It’s free to go to day-after-day of the 12 months from daybreak till nightfall.
9. North Carolina Museum of Artwork
Don’t make the identical mistake as my husband and me by making an attempt to go to the North Carolina Museum of Artwork on a Monday, when this and lots of of Raleigh’s museums are closed. Fortunately, you may learn all about this attraction on our buddies’ hyperlocal web site about their adopted hometown, This Is Raleigh. Along with being tremendous enjoyable buddies who confirmed us round city, Caroline and Craig are world vacationers and bloggers from Australia who fell in love with Raleigh and determined to maneuver the world over to make this metropolis their residence.
In her information to the North Carolina Museum of Artwork, Caroline says, “The wonderful artwork items, the cautious curation of installations, the progressive structure, the dedication to inclusion and the sheer range of its assortment, are just a few the reason why the NC Museum of Artwork is price visiting.” Plus, it’s free!
10. Downtown Cary
Situated simply exterior Raleigh, Cary is thought for its considerable inexperienced areas, prime quality of life, and candy downtown middle. Plan to spend a day exploring the middle of this North Carolina enclave.
Downtown Cary Park
The attractive Downtown Cary Park is smack within the middle of this charming suburb. I actually was delighted by the playful design of this 7-acre (2.8-hectare) park.
Get pleasure from a strolling path with bridges and gardens crammed with native vegetation. For households, there’s a splash pad (open in summer time months) and a darling cardinal-themed playground to honor the state fowl. You’ll be able to even seize a craft beer or different beverage at The Bark Bar, located subsequent door to the native canine park. On weekends, watch reside music without spending a dime on Jazz’d Up Sundays on the Nice Garden Pavillion.
Native Retailers
Stroll round Cary, stopping into native outlets. As Gen X-ers, we liked the vibe at Hunky Dory, a vinyl file retailer that sells new and used albums, in addition to craft brews.
Additionally notable is Good Day Cary, a present store that makes a speciality of hometown objects made by small companies and North Carolina artists. Search for jewellery, art work, barware, paper items, and extra. There was a portray by an area artist that I REALLY wished, however my pocketbook mentioned no. 😥
The Cary Theater
Inbuilt 1946, The Cary Theater was the city’s first indoor movie show. After a 13-month renovation, the theater reopened in 2014. At present, you may go there to observe motion pictures, store in retail shops, and attend reside music and comedy reveals.
11. Spa Day at The Umstead Resort
For essentially the most romantic and splendid place to remain throughout an grownup Raleigh trip, {couples} will need to mattress down at The Umstead Resort & Spa in Cary. Phil & I had been fortunate sufficient to spend a number of days at this superb lodge (and I do imply GLORIOUS!). Extra on that to come back in my full assessment, however even should you don’t keep the evening, you actually ought to plan a spa day at The Umstead.
Surrounded by verdant pine and oak bushes, the Umstead Resort Spa exudes tranquility. Begin your spa expertise with a tour of the services. Then, tuck your belongings right into a locker and slip into an opulent gown. Come early and keep late so you may luxuriate within the spa’s soft leisure lounges, indoor and outside scorching tubs, eucalyptus sauna, and steam room.
Select from quite a lot of remedies, together with facials, massages, and physique remedies. The Twin Falls Therapeutic massage for {couples} appears like a dreamy strategy to join along with your accomplice. There are additionally salon companies, equivalent to manicures, pedicures, and waxing.
12. Raleigh Municipal Rose Backyard
A implausible and romantic freebie is the Raleigh Municipal Rose Backyard, positioned close to North Carolina College’s principal campus. It was extremely advisable to my husband and me by an area Lyft Driver who mentioned we merely MUST go to. So we did!
It’s tucked away behind the Raleigh Little Theatre, a reside neighborhood theater. The small however beautiful backyard is open day-after-day of the 12 months from dawn to sundown. This hidden gem options a lovely central fountain, 60 rose beds, and a plethora of different vegetation. The roses bloom from late Might till mid-fall.
13. Pullen Park
Based in 1887, that is the primary public park within the state of North Carolina. It might sound that Pullen Park is extra of an attraction for kids than it’s for grownups. In spite of everything, there’s a prepare journey, carnival video games, and truthful meals for households to get pleasure from.
However if you wish to really feel like a child once more, then take a spin on the classic wood carousel and lease a pedal boat to device across the small, picturesque lake. Pullen Park makes a playful addition to a Raleigh trip for adults.
14. State Farmers Market
The full of life colours, scrumptious flavors, and pleasant of us on the State Farmers Market Restaurant in Raleigh perked me proper up. Buy a bouquet of colourful flowers or seize some contemporary produce for healthful journey snacks from the array of native distributors. Then, head to the onsite State Farmers Market Restaurant for a standard Southern meal constituted of farm contemporary meals.
15. Drinks for Adults in Raleigh
Craft beer is king, with over 40 breweries in Raleigh, spectacular in a metropolis of lower than 500,000 residents. If wine, cocktails, or mocktails are extra your type — fear not! There are many methods for adults to quench their thirst in The Metropolis of Oaks. Listed here are the highest spots from our a number of days of debauchery in Raleigh with our native buddies.
Wye Hill Brewing
Soak up views of the Raleigh skyline whereas sipping native brews at Wye Hill Brewing on an outside patio atop the Boylan Bridge. A preferred selection amongst beer connoisseurs is Sea Change, a West Coast IPA identified for its hoppy but refreshing taste. Ciders, wine, cocktails, and a few mocktails are additionally out there.
To nosh when you sip, this Raleigh-based brewery is happy with its chef-led bar meals like Every part Brussels (fried sprouts served with fromage blanc, maple mustard, and all the things bagel seasoning).
The Parlor
The Parlor at Heights Home Resort evokes the Victorian period with a contemporary twist. Additionally within the Boylan Top neighborhood, the swanky cocktail lounge is a part of a painstakingly restored 1858 historic mansion.
As a nod to the Italianate type of the constructing, the menu presents Italian-influenced artistic cocktails and an all-Italian wine listing. Native beers from North Carolina can be found, however why not attempt a Bananas & Butter Bourbon or a Rosemary Me cocktail? Within the featured picture on the prime of this text, I’m sipping a Capri Spritz mocktail, which is analogous to an Italian Spritz. Easy charcuterie boards are the one choice for hungry drinkers.
RBF, Your Genuine Champagne Bar
Whereas in Cary, you completely should go to RBF, Your Genuine Champagne Bar. This woman-owned progressive wine bar is all about embracing authenticity. Do you hate it when males inform you to smile? Then that is the place for you. There isn’t a have to placed on a fake completely happy face right here. Check out the partitions at RBF crammed with pictures that includes resting b*tch faces.
Let your RBF fly whereas sipping glowing, pink, rosé, or orange wine. This can be a fabulous spot for mocktail lovers, too, with a number of creative, zero-proof choices to select from. (Add a couple of bucks to make them into glowing wine cocktails as an alternative.) A number of attractive charcuterie boards will tempt sippers. And, nope, there is no such thing as a beer to be discovered at RBF.
Discover Extra
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Enjoyable lovers can’t go unsuitable with an grownup getaway in Orlando crammed with amusements, themed bars, and nature explorations.
Save These Actions for Adults in Raleigh
For future journey inspiration, maintain this listing of enjoyable issues for adults to do in Raleigh. Merely pin the picture above to Pinterest. I hope you’ll observe me on Pinterest when you’re at it!
Which of those grownup actions in Raleigh appeals to you most? Tell us within the feedback beneath!
A Observe from Colleen: Go to Raleigh partially hosted my go to to the Metropolis of Oaks with my husband. A few of our meals and actions had been lined, together with our keep and my spa therapy at The Umstead Resort. I didn’t obtain any financial compensation associated to this weblog publish. All opinions are mine, as all the time.
