Top Things to Do in Raleigh, N.C., When Attending a Conference
Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 8am by Visit Raleigh
The same reasons that make Raleigh, N.C., a prime destination for meetings are why planners and attendees should consider activities before and after events. The best event planners can provide a taste of the Raleigh area's trails, shopping and renowned dining options. But extending a business trip allows time to digest all the delicious opportunities available.
Raleigh is known for its eclectic mix of culture, cuisine and activities that reflect the innovative and dynamic community it sits within. Sports and nature; eating and drinking; arts and music; historic and modern attractions—name your tastes, and you'll find what you are looking for.
Here are nine ways to enjoy the destination pre- or post-meeting to ensure you get the most out of your experience.
Explore the outdoors
Raleigh is known as the "city in a park." With 180 miles of hiking and greenway trails, it's easy to see why. Among the acres to explore, a few options stand out as ways to walk off some of your conference's food and beverage or to simply get a better sense of the place you're visiting.
Downtown Cary Park—a seven-acre, state-of-the-art playspace for all ages—opened in the heart of downtown Cary in late 2023. This outdoor gem offers open green spaces, interactive water features, a performance pavilion, dog park and more. It is the perfect spot to unwind or host a casual team-building exercise before or after your conference.
William B. Umstead State Park, surrounding three manmade lakes, is a picturesque setting for bonding over a nice hike or ride. With 22 miles of hiking trails and another 13 miles of multiuse paths for biking or other activities, families will find this excursion well worth their while. Water sports are also available, and the on-site Historic Maple Hill Lodge can be rented for groups looking to extend their stay outside of a hotel setting. The campgrounds make for a fine retreat destination or a post-event wrap-up meeting.
Located near the airport and Research Triangle Park, Lake Crabtree County Park is a 520-acre oasis perfect for unwinding before or after a conference. With trails for hiking and mountain biking, plus opportunities for fishing, boating and picnicking, it's a scenic escape just minutes from downtown. Rent a kayak or canoe to explore the lake, or enjoy a peaceful picnic in the park’s natural surroundings.
Blue Jay Point County Park is a 236-acre park bordering Falls Lake on three sides. The environmental education center highlights aspects of Raleigh attendees may not otherwise learn during a meeting. Families will enjoy playgrounds and natural beauty. Go Ape, found inside the park, is a two-to-three-hour experience featuring ziplines, obstacles and naturally, Tarzan swings.
Earn high-fives
Need to release some stress or challenge your team in new ways? Triangle Rock Club is an excellent spot for those who want to challenge both body and mind. This indoor rock climbing gym has multiple locations, one in North Raleigh and one in Morrisville, which includes a towering 55-foot climbing wall, one of the tallest in a five-state radius, making it even more accessible. Rock climbing fosters teamwork, resilience and problem-solving—skills you can bring back to your next meeting.
For a different adrenaline rush, check out RushHour Karting, with locations in Morrisville and the nearby town of Garner. Offering high-speed, indoor go-kart racing, it's a great way to push yourself beyond the usual conference pace and engage in some healthy competition. It’s perfect for groups looking for an action-packed team-building activity.
Go out to the game
Whether you've spent the day running or rowing or are just looking for family-friendly entertainment, Raleigh's sports scene should suit you.If you want to experience Raleigh’s sporting culture firsthand, catch a game featuring the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center. Or check out soccer matches at WakeMed Soccer Park with North Carolina FC (men's) and North Carolina Courage (women's), both widely recognized for their competitive play.
Looking for baseball? Head to Five County Stadium to see the Carolina Mudcats, the Class A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, or visit the USA Baseball National Training Complex to witness future stars in action.
Eat up Raleigh
While most conference venues will offer a sampling of Raleigh’s cuisine, you’ll want to experience more of the city's food scene. Raleigh has become a culinary hotspot, known for its Southern comfort with a global twist.
Stop by La Terrazza Raleigh, where owner Samad Hachby brings a new rooftop dining experience featuring stunning views and a fusion of Italian and Mediterranean cuisines. Located on the ninth floor, this restaurant offers crudo, pizza, house-made pastas and two large bars—one inside and one on the patio—making it ideal for group events. Situated in the downtown Raleigh Warehouse District, La Terrazza sets a new standard for dining in Raleigh with its breathtaking atmosphere and exceptional flavors.
Don’t miss Ashley Christensen’s restaurants. Beasley’s Chicken + Honey and Poole’s Diner continue to draw in locals and visitors alike with their classic Southern comfort food—think fried chicken and macaroni au gratin that will make your visit to Raleigh unforgettable. Yes, the lines are worth it as you get a true taste of your host city.
For barbecue, you can't miss The Pit, one of the most well-known barbecue joints in the country. The menu offers everything from chopped pork to ribs, with plenty of sides to complete the meal. Additionally, there's nothing fancy about Clyde Cooper's BBQ, but after smelling it steps away from the downtown Raleigh Convention Center (RCC), you'll want to know why locals have gone whole hog there since 1938.
Raise a glass
Raising a glass of Sumit Vohra's famed Shotgun Betty, a German-style Hefeweizen, is only one of the ways to celebrate a successful conference in Raleigh. Home to 40+ breweries, including Vohra's Lonerider Brewing Company, this is a bona fide beer capital. While Lonerider is primarily available for group tours, the city has tapped into its beer culture by creating the Raleigh Beer Trail for thirsty travelers to follow. Sign up for the digital Passport, visit breweries and earn rewards.
And don’t miss Raleigh Beer Garden—home to one of the world’s largest selections of draft beer. With more than 350 beers on tap and plenty of outdoor seating, it’s the perfect place to unwind and reflect on the day.
Catch some live music
Raleigh's live music scene is thriving, with venues like The Ritz, Red Hat Amphitheater and Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek offering performances from both local and international acts. Whether you're into indie, rock, country or hip hop, Raleigh’s eclectic music scene is sure to have something for you.
Featuring some of the best national and regional touring acts around, in addition to up-and-coming local artists and tribute bands, Lincoln Theatre has a lot to offer music enthusiasts.
The Pour House Music Hall consistently offers great live music, a relaxed atmosphere and a selection of 30 draught beers to its customers. Located in the scenic Moore Square district in downtown Raleigh, this venue is a great place to mingle with friends.
Art of the matter
North Carolina Museum of Art may very well be the site for an off-site reception or banquet. But if it's not part of your conference's itinerary, it's worth spending a few hours at the home of more than 30 Rodin sculptures. Keeping with the city's love of the outdoors, exit the museum doors directly into the 164-acre Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park to explore and reflect on the issues most affecting your organization.
Smithsonian of the South
As you'd expect in a city and region known for impressive universities and scientific accomplishments, there are plenty of ways to stimulate your brain (for free!).
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is the Southeast's largest natural history museum. More than 2,200 attendees can fit for a reception. Dramatic exhibits include a 10,000-gallon aquarium and 70-foot-diamteter globe. Research is conducted in five labs, while conference attendees can group together for an impromptu team-building activity performing experiments led by museum officials.
Dueling Dinosaurs is a new hands-on exhibit now open at the museum, featuring the world’s first paleontology lab with a behind-the-scenes experience. Visitors can watch scientists work to uncover long-buried secrets in real-time. Over the next five years, these fossils will be carefully studied to reveal answers to 67-million-year-old mysteries. The exhibit is open during regular museum hours (Tues.–Sun., 10am-5pm), and a free, timed-entry ticket is required for all guests. Tickets can be reserved here.
Good to the last shop
Attendees will make memories with any event in Raleigh—that much is a given. But for something tangible, shop local! Many Raleigh-based brands are located in the heart of the City of Oaks. Need ideas on the spot? Pam Blondin’s DECO Raleigh is an excellent gift shop featuring all sorts of handmade cards, crafts, home decor and more. With more than 75 local brands offered in store, DECO Raleigh strives to find goods that are somewhat unique to the area.
A few steps away is Curate Raleigh, which hosts over 50 local artists in a cozy downtown Raleigh storefront. Artists rotate monthly, so there is always something new.
Finally, try on a perfect fitting pair of locally made jeans at Raleigh Denim Workshop. Located in downtown Raleigh, Raleigh Denim Workshop is a carefully curated shop of local and worldly goods, chosen because of their care for craft, superior design and master process. The shop stocks the complete Raleigh Denim collection, as well as other exclusive well-crafted collections.
Header photo: Bryan Regan
Author: Visit Raleigh
Visit Raleigh is the official and accredited destination marketing organization (DMO) for all of Wake County.