We're Full of Ideas

In Raleigh, N.C., there's an endless supply of trip-worthy things to do and unique dining experiences. Raleigh's known for innovation in both the academic and cultural realms, and this creative thinking leads to an incredibly diverse range of trip ideas for visitors. And Visit Raleigh and its passionate locals are ready to share those!

Dive into all there is to do in Raleigh, N.C. There are a ton of ideas below, so get ready to scroll...
 

Scroll on for Tons of Ideas...

Dueling Dinosaurs at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Explore science and nature at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

The museum delights, entertains and educates nearly a million visitors per year with fascinating exhibits, both featured and permanent, about the natural world. In spring 2024 Dueling Dinosaurs opened, a groundbreaking permanent exhibit that puts one of the greatest dinosaur fossils ever discovered on full display.

Have the meal of a lifetime at Herons

One of only 64 Forbes Five-Star restaurants in the world, Herons at  in Cary offers fresh flavors, surprising food combinations and striking presentations using ingredients locally sourced from over 14 nearby farms (including its very own two-acre culinary plot, One Oak Farm!)

Reach new heights at Triangle Rock Club

With facilities in North Raleigh (one near RDU International Airport, and one in Salvage Yard in the new Raleigh Iron Works area) and Morrisville (including a 55-foot climbing wall), Triangle Rock Club is a top place to conquer fears and reach your full potential. Not to mention, the Salvage Yard location is now the largest climbing gym in the state!

Shop, sip, stay at North Hills

Discover an eclectic mix of 130-plus local shops, restaurants, bars and hotels in this outdoor shopping haven. And make plans to visit Makers Alley—a brand-new addition to the area, located in the North Hills Innovation District—where you can shop from hyper-local purveyors and artisans.

Makers Alley

Jaguar Bolera

Eat, drink and dink at Jaguar Bolera

Opened in 2024 in the new Raleigh Iron Works entertainment area, Jaguar Bolera pairs bold flavors of Mexican and Southern cuisines with exciting games—including duckpin bowling, darts and foosball—for a playful mix of food and fun in a 50,000-square-foot playground for adults.

Have a scoop of bliss at Howling Cow

A product of North Carolina State University, Howling Cow ice cream has long been one of Raleigh's favorite hidden gems on the Wolfpack campus. And the new Dairy Education Center & Creamery—opened in 2020—has given customers better access than ever to this dangerously good dessert that uses fresh milk and cream from the cows that live on the 329-acre, on-site farm.

Visit one of America's most spectacular gardens

An "Eden of rare plants" that draws gardeners, researchers and fans of beautiful plants from across the globe is open to the public just eight weekends per year. The 28-acre Juniper Level Botanic Garden showcases more than 27,000 different kinds of native perennials, exotic plants, rare delights and unusual specimens of trees and shrubs not found many (or any) other places on Earth.

Make time for playtime at Downtown Cary Park

From places for views (the elevated Skywalk) to places for brews (beer at The Bark Bar, coffee at Market 317)—plus a playground, performing arts pavilion, dog park and so much more—the seven-acre, start-of-the-art Downtown Cary Park now acts as the anchor of a fast-growing, easily walkable downtown area that has become a popular destination in recent years.

Downtown Cary Park

Fantasy Lake

Dive into Fantasy Lake Adventure Park

In the warm-weather months, the 65-acre Fantasy Lake Adventure Park—located in the Wake Forest/Rolesville area—offers fun for the whole family with kayaking, paddle boarding, beachy cabanas, lawn games, a cliff jump and an inflatable splash park, which includes slides, trampolines, monkey bars and more!

Get loud at NHL Carolina Hurricanes games

The most fun team in hockey. The loudest house in the NHL. A perennial contender for the Stanley Cup. The last six seasons have been a heck of a ride for the Carolina Hurricanes. Make a trip to see the powerhouse of a team at Lenovo Center.

Sign up for a People-First Tourism Experience

Raleigh, N.C., is ready for you to immerse yourself in the destination in deep, enriching ways. A perfect way to do that is with Signature Experiences from the Raleigh-based People-First Tourism program. Explore a curated collection of unscripted tours and hands-on encounters designed to take you "backstage" and alongside the locals who live it and breathe it every day.

Taste local honey right at the source

Head to Zebulon for a scenic, outdoor experience where you can taste a range of different local honeys, explore the construction of a beehive up-close and learn straight from local experts why beekeeping is such a fascinating and vital part of our lives! People-First Tourism and Baxter's Bees offer this experience that visitors continue to fall in love with.

Baxter's Bees

RBF

Drink champagne and serve face

With champagne cocktails and cheeky branding, RBF, Your Authentic Champagne Bar, in downtown Cary is where bubbly goes bold. Show up as your perfect, authentic self and celebrate with bubbles, wine and craft non-alcoholic cocktails. Also enjoy hand-made charcuterie boards, cheese plates, bruschetta and sweets!

Race souped-up, electric go-karts at RushHour

Hone your racing skills at speeds of nearly 40 mph in RushHour Karting's state-of-the-art, adult indoor go-kart tracks in Garner and Morrisville. Try to beat your own best time or challenge others in fast, competitive racing sessions. Off the track, each RushHour offers sports bar vibes and full bar menus.

Spark imaginations at Marbles Kids Museum

Make a trip with your little ones to Raleigh to experience Marbles Kids Museum. Delivering purposeful play in a big way, the museum offers exhibits designed to build imagination through self-led exploration of new ideas and experiences. From the world's first and only kid-driven smart power grid to hands-on STEM learning stations, Marbles educates and inspires kids.

Explore the North Carolina Museum of Art

One of the premier visual arts museums of the South features the largest museum art park in the nation, with works of art, trails and a live music venue/theater. It also hosts two buildings filled with galleries, education studios and special exhibitions and claims the Southeast's largest collection of sculptures by Auguste Rodin.

North Carolina Museum of Art Park

Norse Brewing Company

Hop on the Raleigh Beer Trail

The Raleigh area's 40+ breweries have barstools waiting just for you and your friends. If you like giving a variety of breweries a try, the Raleigh Beer Trail is designed for you. Check in at breweries you visit in the Raleigh area and earn prizes.

Visit one of the world's oldest amusement parks

Established in 1887 and designated as the first public park in N.C., Pullen Park is among the world's oldest amusement parks and is known for terrific rec opportunities, especially for kids and families. The park includes a carousel built in 1911, a miniature train you can ride through the park, pedal boats and more.

See what's new at two giant food halls

Raleigh's food scene? It's booming. What else is booming? Food halls. The trend to build massive venues that hold a large number of smaller restaurants has officially landed in Raleigh, N.C., with Morgan Street Food Hall and Transfer Co. Food Hall having quickly become go-to destinations for visitors to downtown Raleigh.

Tour the library of the future

Said by some to be one of the most advanced libraries in the world, the James B. Hunt Library was built to reflect North Carolina State University’s status as a preeminent technological research university. Be dazzled by bookBot—a subterranean robot programmed to fetch books from the 1.5 million housed in an underground storage facility.

Hunt Library

Robertson Millpond

Launch a kayak and do some easy paddling

One great spot to launch a 'yak is Robertson Millpond Preserve, a hidden, 85-acre refuge in the town of Wendell for nature lovers, canoeists and kayakers. The blackwater swamp property is the only bald cypress habitat in the Raleigh area, creating a unique experience of paddling through a forest-like setting. Kayak rentals for the preserve are available through Tar River Life, here.

Do brunch but make it party

Sunday brunch is a whole vibe at The Venue Raleigh in downtown Raleigh with mimosas, food and a live DJ. Gather with friends, indulge in an all-you-can-eat buffet, sip mimosas and turn your Sunday afternoon into the highlight of the entire weekend.

Tackle trails at William B. Umstead State Park

Outdoor lovers can use 22 miles of hiking trails, 13 miles of bridle or mountain bike trails, camp, fish and paddle all within the nearly 6,000-acre urban recreational area. The park is located only 15 minutes outside of downtown Raleigh and is also a habitat for beavers, raccoons, deer and unique bird species, such as the great blue heron.

Cheers to good beer (and mini golf) at Raleigh Beer Garden

With more than 350 beers on tap, Raleigh Beer Garden has one of the world's largest beer selections available in one venue. Located in downtown Raleigh's Glenwood South entertainment district, the venue has plenty of outdoor space and includes a brand-new attraction—Hop Shots Mini Golf!

Raleigh Beer Garden

Even More Ideas...

Completed in 1840, this National Historic Landmark is one of the best-preserved examples of a civic building in Greek... View More

Menus at Poole's are inspired by the season and its many offerings. As the season changes, at some points on a daily basis, so do... View More

A family-owned institution for over 50 years, serving certified Angus Beef, aged in house. This award-winning steakhouse has one... View More

Founded in 1932, the North Carolina Symphony (NCS) is a vital and honored component of North Carolina’s cultural life. Each year,... View More

James Beard Award semifinalist Scott Crawford's neighborhood restaurant. View More

The 1901 Pope House represents life for a prominent Black family. The house was built by Dr. Manassa Thomas Pope (1858-1934), one... View More

Clyde Cooper's, serving Carolina-style barbecue in downtown Raleigh since 1938. Top lean pork shoulders and hams are made... View More

The Pit proudly serves authentic whole-hog, pit-cooked barbecue in downtown Raleigh's Warehouse District. A celebration of all of... View More

Prime Barbecue brings together the best of all great BBQ techniques to create something uniquely its own. The process begins with... View More

An historic garden featuring 1,200 roses of 60 different varieties blooming from late May until autumn. Seasonal flowers include... View More

The Hindi/Urdu word for “come over,” Ajja invokes a destination that is celebratory and inviting. Led by James Beard Foundation... View More

Drive Shack offers expansive, climate-controlled bays with lounge seating; signature restaurant and bar providing elevated dining... View More

Artisan bread bakery and European-style cafe, owned by Master Baker Lionel Vatinet. La Farm Bakery is a realization of a lifelong... View More

The 174-acre wildlife park features hiking trails, Historic Yates Mill, Wake County’s last remaining gristmill, and the mill’s... View More

Located on the shores of a 520-acre lake, the park offers hiking, single-track mountain biking and nature trails, seasonal boat... View More

Let the State Farmers' Market Restaurant provide you with a true Southern experience! Open daily until 3pm, the restaurant offers... View More

CAM Raleigh sparks new thinking by creating ever-changing experiences that explore what's now and nearing in art and design.... View More

A Raleigh tradition. More than 100 unique and distinctive shops, cafés, restaurants and services. Stroll six city blocks and... View More

Featuring exhibits that change periodically and focus on the history of the city, the museum is housed in the 1874 Briggs... View More

Carolina Ballet is an internationally-acclaimed professional ballet company based in Raleigh. Join the company for a season of... View More

And a Few More Ideas...

P1t Pottery Experience
Metal stamping

Book
Signature Experiences

with People-First Tourism

Dive into Raleigh's culture with guided Signature Experiences, a curated collection of unscripted tours and hands-on encounters designed to take you "backstage" and alongside the locals who live it and breathe it every day.

“People-First Experiences are meant to be true, authentic representations of the people and places that create them.”

Enjoy a downtown Raleigh brewery and scenic overlooks for a session in painting skylines (booking available upon request) View More

Learn the art of crocheting, out and about at cookie shops, parks and more fun locations (booking available upon request) View More

Learn the basics of stamping on metal to create personalized accessories and gifts (booking available upon request) View More

Enjoy a guided, curated mezcal tasting at the first mezcal bar in the Southeast (booking available upon request) View More