As North Carolina’s capital and one of its fastest growing cities, Raleigh brims with cultural attractions, culinary delights and outdoor adventures. From world-class museums and live music venues to charming historic sites and parks, Raleigh impresses visitors with its vibrant atmosphere and Southern hospitality.
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Explore Nature at Pullen Park | Offers outdoor activities, pedal boats, vintage kiddie rides, and nature views. |
| Catch Performing Arts and Shows | Showcases diverse productions, from ballet to Broadway, at multiple venues. |
| Learn Hands-On Science at Marbles Kids Museum | Features interactive exhibits and play areas for children. |
| Tour Oakwood Historic District | Highlights architectural gems and historic homes in a tranquil setting. |
| Catch a Concert | Offers live music venues for various tastes, from indie to major headliners. |
| Sip Cocktails at Top Bars | Provides craft cocktails with local ingredients at unique bars. |
| Chow Down on Southern Comfort Foods | Serves traditional Southern cuisine across various diners and restaurants. |
| Stroll City Market | Combines boutique shops, eateries, and entertainment in a historic setting. |
| Attend Sporting Events | Hosts exciting college and professional sports events. |
| Explore NC Art and History at the Museum | Features art collections and outdoor sculpture parks. |
| Visit NC Museum of Natural Sciences | Offers interactive exhibits on natural history and science. |
| Tour Historic Sites | Commemorates Raleigh’s roots with tours of historic buildings and parks. |
Families appreciate the city’s kid-friendly science centers and zoos, while couples find Raleigh offers plenty of romantic date-night locales. Nature lovers lose themselves wandering the city’s verdant greenways and gardens. And foodies feast upon Raleigh’s Southern-inspired new American cuisine accentuated by global flavors.
We’ve compiled 12 of the best things to do in Raleigh to help you experience the many sides of this dynamic Southern destination brimming with rich history and nonstop excitement.
Explore Nature at Pullen Park
Name and Location: Pullen Park is a family-friendly public park located in northwest Raleigh bounded by Hillsborough Street, Enterprise Street, and Ashe Avenue.
History and Significance: Founded in 1887 as one of North Carolina’s first public parks, Pullen Park preserves green space for Raleigh residents to enjoy pedal boats, playgrounds, picnic facilities and seasonal events alongside beautiful formal gardens.
What to Expect: Visitors can walk along landscaped paths, take a ride on the historic Dentzel carousel, rent paddleboats, and let kids burn energy at the interactive playgrounds. Special events occur seasonally like outdoor concerts.
Visitor Information: Pullen Park is open daily from April to October from 8 AM to 8 PM. The amusement park is open March to November and charges ride tickets on weekends.
For over a century, sprawling Pullen Park has provided Raleigh families cherished memories enjoying pedal boats on the small lake, vintage kiddie rides and outdoor concerts at the bandstand. Let kids roam free feeling like they’ve stepped into a storybook scene. They can feed ducks from the bridge, get dizzy on tire swings, explore mini-islands connected by suspension bridges and climb the three-story Climbers’ Choice.
Meanwhile, nature lovers soak in gorgeous views wandering Fragrant Gardens abloom year-round with vibrant floral beds and foliage. More active types power walk the trails through nearby woods. Pack a picnic to dine lakeside soaking up the timeless atmosphere that’s endured through generations. Before leaving, snap some photos in front of the entrance’s regal stone gates for keepsake capturing your visit.
Catch Exciting Performing Arts and Shows
Name and Location: Venues like the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, Red Hat Amphitheater and PNC Arena host major concerts, theater productions and events in downtown Raleigh.
History and Significance: Raleigh’s performing arts scene has blossomed in recent decades, attracting big-name music, comedy and Broadway touring acts. The city’s premier venues enable visitors to enjoy cultural entertainment.
What to Expect: Fans can catch concerts by major pop, rock and country stars as well as beloved musical theater productions like “The Lion King,” “Wicked” and “Hamilton” during touring performances.
Visitor Information: Show schedules and ticket info available on venue websites like DPACraleigh.com. Advance booking recommended for popular productions and concerts in the bustling capital city.
Raleigh’s flourishing performing arts scene spans diverse productions from ballet to Broadway. The Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts hosts tours by top music, theater and dance talent within its sleek modern building’s multiple stunning performance halls. Across the street, historic Memorial Auditorium’s Beaux Arts interior design dazzles audiences during appearances by the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra and opera companies.
For splashy musical theater spectacles, head to Raleigh Memorial Theatre within the Progress Energy Center. Or if you crave more indie productions, Imurj Café books thought-provoking spoken word poets and funky underground musicians year-round. Raleigh’s vibrant creative community delivers quality inspiring art accessibly priced for enjoying frequently.
Learn Hands-On Science at Marbles Kids Museum
Name and Location: Marbles Kids Museum is located in downtown Raleigh at 201 East Hargett Street.
History and Significance: Open since 2007, Marbles Kids Museum occupies the former downtown Raleigh location of the Hargett Street YMCA building, now converted into an interactive children’s museum with enriching exhibits and programs.
What to Expect: Three floors of exciting hands-on exhibits and activities like an imagination playground, builder zone, IMAX-style 3D cinema and special traveling exhibits let kids learn creatively across science, technology and art topics.
Visitor Information: Marbles is open Monday–Saturday 9am–5pm and Sunday noon–5pm. Ticket prices are $9 for adults and children with discounted rates available.
With its sign sporting a gigantic marble sculpture, Marbles Kids Museum beckons families into its wonderland for playful learning adventures. Children rush excitedly between interactive exhibits like Idea Works’ giant Rube Goldberg machine responding to their triggered chain reactions. At Kid Grid, they don homemade utility worker gear maintaining pipes and wires. Marvelous Math introduces gaming elements to engage young minds, while Curatory Gallery showcases national traveling science shows alongside imaginative local artist commissions.
When kids weary of mind-tingling input, Marbles also boasts wide-open spaces for releasing energy. Gigantic windows allow parents to track tots navigating the Sky Climber multilevel structure or rumbling down the three-story spiral slide. Raleigh understands keeping young brains and bodies actively developing.
Tour Architectural Gems Within Oakwood Historic District
Name and Location: Raleigh’s Oakwood neighborhood adjacent downtown features one of America’s largest intact 19th century residential historic districts, encompassing 160 acres and over 500 structures.
History and Significance: Developed 1870-1920 as Raleigh expanded, Oakwood contains many restored Victorian, Queen Anne and Craftsman style homes that provide an architecturally diverse glimpse into the city’s past identities and functions.
What to Expect: Visitors can access a free neighborhood walking tour guide online to view beautiful preserved houses. Period homes built from the Civil War into the early 20th century line the gridded streets.
Visitor Information: The Oakwood Historic District spans from Person Street east to Bloodworth Street NE. Visitors should be respectful of homes and residents while exploring the neighborhood.
Raleigh’s Oakwood district dazzles visitors with street after street of gorgeous historic homes spanning 19th-century Victorian, Colonial Revival and Craftsman styles set amid canopy trees. Get your camera ready while following the established walking tour route’s map noting the most noteworthy properties.
Magnificent blooming gardens surround antebellum estates like the Tucker House, considered one of Raleigh’s finest remaining examples of a pre-Civil War plantation home. Neighboring Georgian and Tudor style homes share this exclusive district as one of Raleigh’s first suburbs, although many now house offices and galleries beyond residences. Wandering Oakwood feels like a tranquil step back in time contrasting the city’s high-rises visible in the distance, a preservation success story thanks to its designation as a National Historic Landmark.
Catch a Concert at Raleigh’s Premier Music Venues
Name and Location: Red Hat Amphitheater, Coastal Credit Union Music Park and Lincoln Theatre are among popular indoor and outdoor concert venues located in or near downtown Raleigh.
History and Significance: Raleigh’s music scene has ballooned in recent decades, with intimate clubs and large amphitheaters attracting major national touring artists spanning all genres from country to indie rock for locals and visitors to enjoy.
What to Expect: Fans can catch live shows from renowned performers like Wilco, Margo Price, Phoenix and The Avett Brothers during summer tour stops at these metro venues equipped to handle sizable audiences.
Visitor Information: Music fans can search venue sites like RedHatAmphitheater.com for event listings and ticket purchasing. Showtimes vary from daytime to evening concerts.
Music pumping through Raleigh’s downtown fuels its energetic nightlife scene across venues showcasing chart-topping bands, burgeoning indie artists and distinct local flavor. The open-air Red Hat Amphitheater rightfully draws crowds swaying under the stars to its major summer concert series featuring rock, country and pop headliners. Nearby indoor counterpart The Ritz books similarly stellar acts for year-round entertainment calendar.
For a more uniquely Raleigh experience, slide onto a repurposed church pew at Salvage Bar watching local Americana talents twang and croon. Or two-step your night away at Historic City Market’s outdoor stage amid food truck fare every Friday, dancing to regional bluegrass and blues groups against city views. Raleigh’s music culture stays amplified supporting its talented homegrown lineup while attracting big names through nonstop performances.
Sip Southern-Inspired Cocktails at Raleigh’s Top Bars
Name and Location: Downtown Raleigh features an array of speakeasy-style cocktail bars and breweries pouring artisinal libations, like Bittersweet, C. Grace, Gallo Pelón Mezcaleria and Transfer Co. Food Hall.
History and Significance: The local craft cocktail scene has expanded as more intimate, upscale bars spotlight quality spirits and ingredients in creative takes on classic Southern drinks. Menus range from reinvented whiskey highballs to barrel-aged signature cocktails.
What to Expect: Unique libations blending regional liquor like North Carolina rum with farm-fresh juices and housemade syrups, often paired with small plates. Distinctive, cozy establishments catering largely to adult crowds with reservations recommended for mixology bars.
Visitor Information: Hours vary but most bars open evenings from around 4pm-2am. Cocktails cost $10-15 each. Provide ID proving 21+ age upon entry. Best experienced by responsible adults.
Raleigh barkeeps mix creative craft cocktails that riff tweaks onto classics using distinct local ingredients and spirits. At tiny underground Chambers bar, they infuse Southern nostalgia into no-frills yet satisfying libations best savored slowly beneath the lazy ceiling fans. Or try sophisticated seasonal offerings inside Asheville transplant Kingfisher Bar’s chic downtown sustainable fish eatery, plating drinks as artfully as their seafood small plates.
Further fuel Raleigh’s character cocktail boom by visiting distilleries during the day, then ordering their products by name that night. Top local spirit makers to know include Oak & Dagger Public House pouring unique whiskey blends and vodka infusions, and Whisk Carolina highlighting North Carolina grains in its from-scratch gin, vodka and moonshine. Supporting hyper-local establishment while getting spirited makes for quintessential Raleigh bar-hopping.
Chow Down on Southern Comfort Foods
Name and Location: Eateries in downtown Raleigh and beyond dish out quintessential eats and treats merged with regional flair across barbecue joints, cafes, diners and upscale venues.
History and Significance: From North Carolina barbecue mastery to chef-driven takes on classics utilizing area produce, the capital city’s diverse, affordable dining scene reflects Southern food culture through staples like fried chicken, shrimp & grits, sweet tea and fruit pies.
What to Expect: Visitors can sate comfort food cravings morning to late nights at mom & pop diners plus acclaimed bistros and cafes slinging stick-to-your-rib fare, often infused with regional seasonings and served amid warm hospitality.
Visitor Information: Most restaurants located downtown or in adjacent historic neighborhoods with ample parking. Cuisine ranges from casual BBQ joints to white tablecloth destinations. Hours and menus vary.
While Raleigh enjoys a sophisticated dining scene blending global cuisine influences at higher-end eateries, its soul still resides in heritage Southern cooking tradition institutions. The city overflows with beloved meat-and-three diners slinging daily rotating blue-plate specials like fried chicken, pot roast and catfish that represent tried-and-true regional fare. Locals especially flock to historic local chain Bill’s Barbecue for smoked pulled pork sandwiches doused in vinegary sauce.
For breakfast biscuit bliss, rise early to beat lines snaking outside beloved Rise Biscuits Donuts frying up fluffy rounds filled with sausage, eggs or sweets. And satiate late-night munchies at char-grilled burger joint Only Burger, where patrons sketch graffiti artwork covering every inch of wall space while waiting for their piping hot patties and hand-cut fries. Through comfort food across all hours, Raleigh loyally keeps flavored rooted regional.
Stroll City Market’s Local Shops and Restaurants
Name and Location: City Market is located in downtown Raleigh centered around the intersection of Martin and Blount Streets adjacent Moore Square Park.
History and Significance: For over a century, Raleigh’s City Market has functioned as a hub of commerce in various incarnations. The current mixed-use site houses boutique shops and dining options inside renovated historic warehouse buildings.
What to Expect: Visitors enjoy shopping the cluster of independent stores, art galleries and creative businesses alongside patio cafes and unique restaurants perfect for whiling away an afternoon or meeting friends for weekday happy hours.
Visitor Information: City Market operating hours vary by business generally from 10am-6pm Monday through Saturday. Validated parking available in nearby decks starting at $2 hourly rates.
Downtown’s City Market ranks top among Raleigh’s quintessential experiences, its restored former grocery warehouse now housing boutique shops, coffee cafes and chef-driven eateries. Explore glass studio galleries, flower stalls and artisan chocolatiers during the day. At night, cacophonies of clinking glasses, laughter and music spill from crowded windowfront patio seating lining the pedestrian cobblestone walkways.
City Market effectively functions as Raleigh’s community living room where locals gather to see and be seen while supporting homegrown businesses. Street performers entertain passersby weaving through the constant vibrant buzz. Foodies especially appreciate City Market bordering Moore Square Park, together forming Raleigh’s hot spot nexus for dining al fresco amid fountains and historic monuments. Wander through several times to fully appreciate everything this beloved hub offers.
Attend Exciting Sporting Events
Name and Location: PNC Arena and Carter-Finley Stadium located south of downtown Raleigh host NHL Carolina Hurricanes hockey plus NC State college football and basketball games.
History and Significance: Raleigh and other North Carolina cities boast rabid fanbases for college and pro sports teams across football, basketball, baseball and more. The capital’s venues calendar fills with exciting sporting events year-round.
What to Expect: Catch NHL hockey clashes at PNC Arena where the 2006 Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes take the ice, or college battles as the NC State Wolfpack basketball and football teams face Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) rivals, spurring loud fan energy.
Visitor Information: Tickets for Wolfpack and Hurricanes games can be purchased online via GoPack.com and Hurricanes.com when available during each team’s seasons running through the calendar year. Prices and seating options vary per event.
Home to several top college athletic programs plus a NHL franchise, Raleigh riles up over team spirit for some exciting sporting events. NC State Wolfpack contests across basketball, baseball, football and more garner raging loyal fanbases shouting “Go Pack” cheers across campus stadiums and arenas all year. Just down the road, the Carolina Hurricanes hockey team enlivens wintertime inside PNC Center during fast-paced slap shot action on the ice.
Get your game face on and dress head-to-toe in red for maximum blending inside deafening crowds. Catch college rivalries or Stanley Cup playoff contention fever swelling civic pride. Or elbow up to a bar scoring perfect game watch angles and fellow fan camaraderie. Through visceral shared victories and defeats, Raleigh sports invigorate community bonds.
Explore North Carolina Art and History at the NC Museum of Art
Name and Location: The North Carolina Museum of Art is located at 2110 Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh near the State Fairgrounds and Meredith College.
History and Significance: Established in 1956, this expansive museum houses outstanding collections of art spanning 5,000 years, hosted inside a Helen and Edgar L. Davis Sculpture Park setting across 164 park-like acres.
What to Expect: The NCMA’s galleries and surrounding sculpture park invite visitors to admire works by legendary European painters, contemporary American artists, dazzling Rodin statues and special visiting exhibitions inside and outdoors.
Visitor Information: Open Tues-Sat 9am–5pm and Sun 10am–5pm with extended hours on Fri. Admission is free, parking $5 weekdays and free weekends. Guided tours and kids’ programs offered.
Spanning ancient artifacts to avant-garde installations, North Carolina Museum of Fine Art exposes visitors to many compelling collections showcasing regional heritage and creativity. The museum’s open days feature drop-in hands-on artmaking stations for getting creative, plus temporary blockbuster exhibits yielding queues like the recent Frido Kahlo show.
But the NC Museum’s most beloved offerings include its scenic outdoor art park displaying monumental sculptures amid rolling lawns and winding trails through nature. Grab an art supply sketchpad, then find a quiet spot beside the ornate Rodin Court bronze casts to try capturing their beauty through drawing. Nowhere else allows experiencing fine art so accessibly while communing with natural splendor.
Take a Breath at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Name and Location: The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is located in downtown Raleigh at 11 West Jones Street adjoining Nash Square.
History and Significance: Open since 1879, the museum spotlights science research across state natural resources. Extensive collections and exhibits engage visitors to better understand North Carolina’s amazing ecology, environments and wildlife.
What to Expect: Expansive galleries feature dioramas, fossils, taxidermy, crystals and minerals while the Ecosystems section contains living aquatic displays ranging from tiny plankton to river otters alongside replica environments illustrating the coastal plain, piedmont and mountains regions.
Visitor Information: Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm and Sun noon-5pm. Free admission but fee charged for special exhibits, planetarium shows and films. Museum store on site.
North Carolina’s capital houses one of the Southeast’s most prominent natural science museums, an expansive destination families flock to for interactive learning through discovery. The NC Museum of Natural Sciences impresses visitors immediately through its soaring four-story glass atrium containing detailed dioramas of regional ecological systems from mountains to seashores. From there, wings branch off spotlighting gems and fossils, exotic insects, river otters and wildlife along enlightening nature trails.
Of course, the museum’s most famous longterm residents remain the Boneshaker and Ava T-Rex skeletons captivating imaginations in the dinosaur gallery. Special temporary exhibits also entice visiting, like the planetarium shows unveiling mysteries of space or acclaimed traveling Smithsonian displays. Budget hours to lose yourself wandering this knowledge trove.
Tour Historic Sites Commemorating Raleigh’s Roots
Name and Location: Downtown’s Capitol Area historic sites like the State Capitol building, Executive Mansion, City of Raleigh Museum and Mordecai House create a walkable urban core showcasing the city’s origins and governance evolution.
History and Significance: As capital of North Carolina since 1792, Raleigh has deep foundations tied to early government that have left an architectural and cultural legacy conveyed through remaining landmarks as the downtown continues expanding into a modern hub.
What to Expect: Interpretive tours and exhibits chronicle over two centuries of architectural milestones, state politics, city development and societal changes that have shaped Raleigh’s complex identities conveyed through the historic buildings, monuments and city layout.
Visitor Information: Most sites are open weekdays year-round with free or low cost admission into buildings containing small museums and gift shops. Guided tours need reservations. Validate parking.
Beyond the state history museum, Raleigh provides picturesque portals into its vibrant past all around downtown acknowledging its foundations. The Historic Yates Mill County Park transports visitors to the late 19th century demonstrating daily grind inside its still functioning gristmill and farmstead buildings. Costumed interpreters guide tours explaining processes that sustained surrounding communities before industrialization.
For glimpses into the governance hub Raleigh evolved into after officially becoming state capital in 1792, walk inside the majestic 1840 Greek Revival architecture of the North Carolina State Capitol building. Or explore the Executive Mansion historic home where governors reside across their terms. Such sites humanize Raleigh’s legacy beyond bureaucratic hub into a living Southern culture capital.
Conclusion
Between revitalized urban attractions and treasured heritage sites, Raleigh delivers dynamic vacation experiences with true local flavor. Families appreciate kid-approved aquariums and hands-on museums illuminating science concepts interactively. Couples and singles find plenty ofKN date-worthy destinations, from atmospheric cocktail lounges to stunning performance venues and gardens.
Foodies indulge at celebrated new Southern restaurants, while culture lovers access acclaimed classical art institutions, niche indie galleries and more. And Raleigh’s overall welcoming energy with pockets of collegiate spirit and small town Southern charm delights all who visit.Come savor why North Carolina’s capital city magnetizes millions as a rising Southern star.