Media request can be directed to:
Ryan Smith, (919) 645-2676
rsmith@visitraleigh.com

RALEIGH, N.C. (July, 2013)-"What's New in Raleigh" is a quarterly release listing new venues, activities, exhibits and much more compiled by the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau. More information on all of the listings found in "What's New" can be found at www.visitRaleigh.com.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival
September 27-28, 2013
Venues throughout downtown Raleigh
Tickets: free-$140

What do you get when you add together two days, six Raleigh stages, and over 44 acts? The Wide Open Bluegrass Festival of course! Artists such as Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickell, Punch Brothers, The Infamous Stringdusters and other special performances will show you a good time at venues like the Raleigh Convention Center, Red Hat Amphitheater and City Plaza. Shows will both be indoors and outdoors, with a free Street Festival for everyone. There will also be a music expo to view the latest music products, The North Carolina Whole Hog Barbecue State Championship and an all-day Jamming & Fellowship to light up Raleigh's downtown area. This experience will last for a lifetime. http://bluegrassfanfest.org/

Hopscotch Music Festival
September 5-7, 2013
Venues throughout downtown Raleigh
Wristbands & Tickets: $40 - $180

Three days, 175 bands and 15 music venues makes the Hopscotch Music Festival one of the premier music festivals in the southeast. This event celebrates the area's rich local talent by pairing it with an abundance of national and international bands. Featuring just about every genre imaginable, the festival offers choices for every type of music fan. Enjoy downtown Raleigh in a way you haven't yet. http://www.hopscotchmusicfest.com/

BugFest!
September 21, 2013
Outside and inside of the Museum of Natural Sciences
Tickets: free

Featuring this year's theme - scorpions, BugFest! presents displays, exhibits, activities to get you bugged out. There will be presentations about arthropods, tasty dishes at Café Insecta and an Evening Insectival to get to know the ins-and-outs of the bug world. You can even try to stump the experts with an unusual bug!http://www.bugfest.org/

BLOCKBUSTER EXHIBTIONS

Dinosaurs in Motion at NC Museum of Natural Sciences
May 18-Sept. 8
Tickets: Free for Members; $10 for Adults; $6 for Children (3-12); $8 for Students, Seniors (65+) and Military. 

Visitors engage and learn from life-size metal dinosaur sculptures inspired by real-life fossils. This exhibit focuses on interactivity; visitors have the ability to control the dinosaurs themselves. Featuring 14 dinosaurs, visitors will learn about these pre-historic creatures and will take part in more hands-on activities at Innovation Stations. http://naturalsciences.org/exhibits

Watergate: Political Scandal & the Presidency at the NC Museum of History
May 17, 2013-August 10, 2014 
Tickets: free

This exhibit opens on the 40th anniversary of the first televised Senate Select Committee hearing that investigated President Nixon. Watergate, one of the nation's most shocking political scandals, will be portrayed. The exhibit will include artifacts, photographs, video and a 70's house setting to represent the transformative set of events of the Nixon administration's descent. 

The Tsars' Cabinet: Two Hundred Years of Russian Decorative Arts under the Romanovs at the NC Museum of History
October 5, 2013-March 5, 2014
Tickets: TBD
 

This exhibit highlights 200 Years of Russian decorative arts under the Romanovs. The Tsars' Cabinet is developed from the Kathleen Durdin Collection and is organized by the Muscarelle Museum of Art at the College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA, in collaboration with International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC.

Around Town at Marbles Kids Museum
Ongoing
Tickets: $5 per person; children under 1 and members play free

Children get to be the leaders of modern-day North Carolina in this kid-size version. This exhibit features On the Farm where children care for animals and grow fruits and vegetables on a modern North Carolina farm. Other areas of the community include places to work, explore and play as true North Carolinians. In this exhibit, it is a small world after all. http://www.marbleskidsmuseum.org/aroundtown

 Porsche by Design at NC Museum of Art
October 12, 2013-January 20, 2014
Tickets: free for children (6 and under), $12 for Youth (7-18), $18 for Adult, $15 for Seniors (65+), groups of 10+ and students

Marking the first design exhibition, this exhibit explores the history and development of Porsche from the 1930's into current times. There are also over 20 vehicles on display that will amaze both car and art lovers, including a one-of-a-kind Panamericana car on loan from Stuttgart, Germany. So put your car in drive and come on down to the Museum of Art to see the culturally iconic Porsche automobiles for a rare occasion. http://ncartmuseum.org/exhibitions/porsche_by_design_seducing_speed

NEW OPENINGS/DEVELOPMENTS

Garner Veterans Memorial
Opened on May 4

The new Veterans Memorial was dedicated to men and women who died serving their country. Citizens from Garner and southern Raleigh will have their names honored on the memorial as well as multiple Townships. Want to get involved? There is also a Walkway of Honor to recognize veterans purchased by loved ones.http://www.garnerveteransmemorial.org/

Hyatt House Hotel
Officially taking reservations for Aug. 1

A 137-guest suite and LEED Certified property will be located across from North Hills in Raleigh's Midtown.  Hyatt house boasts unexpected amenities and services, including indoor and outdoor social spaces, a living room-like lounge and an Open House with extended hours and cocktails and light fare for purchase. http://raleighnorthhills.house.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

Status of Terminal 1 at RDU Airport

Currently under construction, Terminal 1 of RDU will be completed in early 2014. It will be home to Southwest Airlines and provide space and carriers. Featured will be open spaces with high ceilings, easy-to-navigate security checkpoints, dining before security and covered waiting areas outside of the terminals for pick-up and drop-off.

 

DESTINATION NEWS

Raleigh Accolades

The Greater Raleigh area is becoming the destination to beat and already in the first six months of 2013 the Raleigh area has been recognized with more than 30 awards from both regional and national publications and organizations. A full list can be found http://www.visitraleigh.com/media-center/area-info/area-accolades/ but here's a sampling:

  • Raleigh: 2013 Editors' Hot Picks for "South's Smartest Medical Cities for Groups" by ConventionSouth
  • Poole's Diner: "Our Favorite Meals of 2012" by Garden & Gun Blog
  • The Umstead Hotel & Spa in Cary: Winner of 2013 Five Diamond Award in hotel category from AAA (also won four other accolades)
  • RDU International Airport: #7 Among Best Regional Airports in North America at the - SKYTRAX World Airport Awards
  • Raleigh-Cary: #6 Among Top 10 U.S. Value Destinations for 2013 by Hotwire

US Open Golf

Calling all golf fanatics! It's never too early to start planning a trip to see the world's greatest golfers play on one of the most renowned courses in the country, Pinehurst Resort, during the U.S. Open Men's Championship (June 9-15, 2014), and the U.S. Open Women's Championship (June 16-22, 2014). With Pinehurst a little over an hour away, hotels in Wake County are offering special rates during this tournament. Tell your friends and family to book now to make sure they reserve a room. http://www.usga.org/TicketsFunnel.aspx?ID=21474854488

 

The Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau, as the official destination
marketing organization of Raleigh and Wake County, accelerates sustainable
economic growth and development by increasing visitor and convention business.

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