Wake Forest, N.C.

Located just north of Raleigh, Wake Forest is a beautiful small town with enough history, culture and activities to keep travelers entertained for days on end. Stroll through the historic downtown district, home to a charming community of art galleries, shops and restaurants, grab a bite at Sugar Magnolia Cafe & Emporium for an authentic taste of N.C.-style Southern cooking or opt for a quick hot dog at Shorty's Famous Hot Dogs, a family-owned business since 1916.

If you’re in the shopping mood, stop in at The Cotton Company, where you can make your own gift basket filled with Tar Heel souvenirs. Dive further into Wake Forest’s rich history at the Wake Forest Historical Museum and the campus of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, which was once the Wake Forest College campus before the school moved to Winston-Salem in the 1950s. Stop at the Wake Forest Farmers Market to find local cheeses, fruits, soaps and other great gifts.
 


Sugar Magnolia is a cafe, tea house, restaurant and art emporium in historic Wake Forest. Experience great coffee, tea and food,... View More

Exhibits showcase early history of Wake Forest University including sports, medicine, law, women, literary and local history.... View More

White Street Brewing Co., located in historic downtown Wake Forest, handcrafts flavorful, small-batch ales and lagers which you... View More

One of the largest recreational facilities in the state, offering a wide variety of activities. Camping, hiking, fishing, boating... View More



For the sports enthusiast, The Factory offers ice rinks, a skate park, indoor soccer, an inflatable playground, miniature golf and go-carts. But the fun doesn’t stop there—kids will revel at the sight of an inflatable playground, the most popular spot at this Wake Forest park. Golfers can also enjoy Heritage Golf Club, which offers top-flight golf throughout the year. Cap the day off with a visit to White Street Brewing Company with a group of good friends.

Wake Forest is also a nature lover’s paradise, with Falls Lake State Recreation Area nearby, perfect for boating, camping, cycling, hiking, fishing or bird-watching. Catch a gorgeous sunset over the lake after a long weekend of fun in this quaint and charming town.

Header photo: Clarence Samelko


 

Insider Articles

Things to Do

Located just north of Raleigh, Wake Forest is a beautiful small town boasting history, culture and activities to keep travelers entertained for days on end. Stroll through the historic downtown district, home to a charming community of art galleries, shops and...

Things to Do

Just a 30-minute drive from downtown Raleigh, N.C., Wake Forest is a quaint, friendly town offering history, delicious food and drink, great local shops and nature. Check out our recommendations on...

Dining & Drinks

The Raleigh, N.C., area includes 11 towns in all, each with its own story and quaint, historic downtown areas. Walk down the tree-lined main streets, do some shopping and, of course, you can't...

Raleigh, N.C.

Get to know more of Raleigh and its 11 surrounding towns! Click an area on the map or the links below to explore.

Tap to zoom
Then press and drag to explore map
Skyline aerials 17-195.jpg

Downtown Raleigh

Historic neighborhoods, museums, Southern diners and global eats, green spaces, performance venues, breweries and nightlife spots work together to create one incredible, cultural hotspot.

View More
Historic Oak View 05-202.jpg

East Raleigh

Steeped in history, East Raleigh continues to grow with historic neighborhoods, two distilleries, family-fun facilities and restaurants serving up delicious, down-home Southern food.

View More
14174741541_29dfd7a52e_o-197.jpg

Midtown Raleigh

Includes four, different shopping, entertainment and dining areas all within a short drive—North Hills, Crabtree Valley, Cameron Village and the Five Points neighborhood.

View More
Lafayette Village 07-200.jpg

North Raleigh

Home to hundreds of restaurants, large retail stores, entertainment complexes, parks and recreation areas. Family entertainment is easy to find as well as fun, outdoor things to do

View More
Outdoor Spaces 02-199.jpg

RDU/Brier Creek

Aptly named for its proximity to RDU International Airport, the area is home to hundreds of thousands of square feet of retail, restaurants, breweries and an array of family fun.

View More
Live music 51-201.JPG

South Raleigh

Located just south of downtown, this area is one of the city’s most rapidly growing. With multiple parks, eateries and entertainment options, it's a great place to spend a day or stay.

View More
9545.3-198.JPG

West Raleigh

Boasts two-dozen live performance venues and visual art galleries, including the North Carolina Museum of Art! This hip, college-town drag also includes the N.C. State Fairgrounds and PNC Arena.

View More
Apex-8-06212014-CMA-203.JPG

Apex

Celebrating its turn-of-the-century railroad heritage, the charming town of Apex features more than 60 commercial and residential structures dating from 1870 to 1940.

View More
Women Sitting By A Fountain In Cary, NC

Cary

One of the fastest-growing cities in the South, Cary is home to renowned restaurants, world-class shopping, top-tier entertainment, culture and arts and a range of outdoor experiences.

View More
Fuquay-Varina 01-185.jpg

Fuquay-Varina

Originally, visitors traveled to the quaint town seeking the healing powers of its mineral spring. Today the town remains a rewarding place for day-trip adventures or weekend getaways.

View More
Garner 20-187.jpg

Garner

Venture just 10 minutes from downtown Raleigh and check out Garner, an All-America City with unique amenities and a genuine, hometown authenticity.

View More
Holly Springs Salamanders.jpg

Holly Springs

At its beginnings, travelers stopped by the area's springs to quench their thirst, and while that bit of history doesn’t continue today, visitors do stop to indulge in breweries and dining spots.

View More
ca 6092-223.jpg

Knightdale

Perfect for those seeking a welcoming, youthful culture, Knightdale boasts lots of parks and trails for the active-minded, a distillery plus a local-hangout, nano brewery.

View More
Morrisville History Center 01-212.jpg

Morrisville/RTP

A growing enclave known for its diversity, educated populace and cultural vibrancy. Includes excellent global dining, plus the local-favorite, indoor climbing spot Triangle Rock Club.

View More
Rolesville-215.jpg

Rolesville

As the second-oldest town in the Raleigh area, Rolesville’s roots run deep. Established in 1837, the town has held fast to its engaging, Southern charm.

View More
Wake Forest Historical Museum 15-217.jpg

Wake Forest

A beautiful small town with enough history, culture and activities to keep travelers entertained for days on end. Stroll through the charming, historic downtown district!

View More
Wendell 05-226.jpg

Wendell

Along Main St. and throughout historic downtown Wendell—on the National Register of Historic Places—vintage shops, dining spots and buildings display the architecture of our American heritage.

View More
Copy of Zebulon 06-232.jpg

Zebulon

Just 25 minutes from downtown Raleigh, Zebulon is a vibrant, welcoming community with activities ranging from sporting events (Carolina Mudcats baseball!) to down-home Southern dining.

View More