Cary, N.C.

One of the fastest-growing cities in the South, Cary is home to renowned restaurants, world-class shopping, booming business, top-tier entertainment, culture and arts and wide range of leisure and outdoor experiences. It’s no wonder that MONEY magazine has ranked Cary as one of the country’s “Best Places to Live.” Home of the USA Baseball National Training Complex, a hot spot for soccer with North Carolina Football Club and North Carolina Courage pro soccer teams at WakeMed Soccer Park and summer home of the North Carolina Symphony, Cary is located just 17 minutes from downtown Raleigh.

If you come hungry, you’re guaranteed to leave happy. Cary offers more than 200 dining options, including passionate mind and Master Baker Lionel Vatinet's La Farm Bakery, a modern-day boulangerie (bakery) with three locations across the town; Ashworth Drugs, a local favorite serving up coke floats and hot dogs since 1957; and Pizzeria Faulisi, a Neapolitan-style pizza spot run by a renowned husband-and-wife chef team. The town is also at the forefront of the area's vibrant brewery scene. The award-winning Bond Brothers Beer Company is a microbrewery and taproom that specializes in kettle sours, IPAs and stouts, and Fortnight Brewing Company specializes in traditional English-style beers that incorporate both British and American ingredients.

Ashworth Drugs

Since 1957, Ashworth's has been the place to get your medications and kick back with a homemade orangeade or a coke float, and... View More

La Farm Bakery & Cafe

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

Bond Brothers Beer Company

A microbrewery and taproom in historic downtown Cary. Additionally, there is a large patio area with adjacent event space for... View More

Fortnight Brewing Company

Fortnight is a craft brewery and pub in Cary, offering traditional English-style beers that incorporate both premium U.K. and... View More

With its small-town atmosphere and close proximity to Raleigh, Research Triangle Park and RDU International Airport, Cary provides an impressive variety of recreational, sports, environmental, historical and cultural arts programs and services. One of the area's larger performance venues, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, blends technology with nature, fitting a superior performing arts center in the midst of serene hardwoods and pines by Symphony Lake. Natural beauty also awaits along 35-plus greenway trails open sunrise to sunset, providing more than 70 miles of recreational amenities for walking, jogging and bicycling in a splendid outdoor setting.

Things to Do

Koka Booth Amphitheatre, set alongside Symphony Lake and...

Events

There’s always something on the Cary, N.C., calendar of...

Restaurants

From the James Beard-recognized La Farm Bakery (a...

Places to Stay

Cary, N.C., has a lot to offer when it comes to finding a...

Insider Articles

Arts

Event Guide: North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary, N.C.

A 200-foot-long, 21-foot-tall dragon has invaded Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, N.C. Yes, the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival has returned to the Raleigh area for a seventh time! The festival—which only visits a handful of spots around the country each...

Things We Love: Pizzeria Faulisi's Super Secret Sandwich Club

Rule no. 1: Don't talk about Super Secret Sandwich Club. Rule no. 2: Tell all your friends about Super Secret Sandwich Club.

Dining & Drinks

Eat Your Way Through Town Main Streets: Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Wake Forest and Wendell

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...

Lionel Vatinet

La Farm Bakery

Lionel Vatinet has traveled the world learning to bake fantastic breads. When he decided to plant roots, he chose Cary, and opened La Farm. In the past two decades, La Farm has grown to three locations—all bringing European-style baked goods to a hungry community.

“There’s a warmth in Raleigh that will make you want to come back to solve the mystery of such a beautiful place.”

Visit the Bakeries

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.

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Explore the Raleigh area

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cary

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

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.

Garner

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Cary, N.C.

Cary, N.C.

Ashworth Drugs

La Farm Bakery & Cafe

Bond Brothers Beer Company