Capital Culture
Often referred to as the "Smithsonian of the South," Greater Raleigh is home to three state museums and is the center of the state government. Visit these attractions for a unique tour of the Capital City area.
Start your day off at Capital Area Visitor Information (located in the N.C. Museum of History), where you can receive an overview of the city's history and pick up free brochures and maps.
Tour the N.C. State Capitol and learn the story of the sculpture of George Washington wearing a Roman toga, and ask to hear about the ghost stories and the legend of the secret rooms.
Visit the Executive Mansion and get a sneak peek at how a governor lives. The mansion has been home to 26 governors and their families since 1891.
Tour the N.C. Museum of Art and visit 5,000 years of artistic achievements. Each year the museum also hosts several major exhibitions from around the world; past exhibitions include works by Auguste Rodin, Ansel Adams, Matisse, Picasso and more. Don't forget to stop by the gift shop! Free; fee for special exhibitions.
For lunch, try Blue Ridge, The Museum Restaurant. The Museum of Art's restaurant is a great stop for lunch...don't forget to save room for dessert!
After lunch, tour the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, the Southeast's largest natural history museum. Here you will see the world's only Acrocanthosaurus and "Willo," the first dinosaur ever discovered with a heart, plus crawling critters from butterflies to tarantulas. Free; fee for special exhibitions.
History buffs will love the N.C. Museum of History . Stop by the "North Carolina and the Civil War" exhibit to see an extensive collection of authentic artifacts. Don't miss the gift shop full of locally made crafts and souvenirs!
Evening Suggestions
For an elegant evening, try an evening at the theatre. Start with dinner at one of downtown Raleigh's fine restaurants, like Caffe Luna or Second Empire . Then it's off to the theater! Enjoy a performance at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, home to the Broadway South series, the North Carolina Theatre, the North Carolina Symphony, Carolina Ballet and the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute.
Or, you may choose to discover your creative side. Paint your own pasta bowl at Amazing Glaze and enjoy an Italian meal, or paint a wine cooler and enjoy a steak or seafood dinner complete with wine and dessert. Your finished masterpieces will be a great memory from your trip to Raleigh . Many more themed options are also available.
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