West Raleigh

There are several reasons why Raleigh has been called the "Smithsonian of the South": this district contains at least a couple of them. The free-admission North Carolina Museum of Art is one of the premier visual arts museums in the South, featuring a dramatic gallery building, a world-class collection including more than 30 Rodin sculptures, a center for special touring exhibitions and a 164-acre Museum Park.

Located in the middle of West Raleigh is North Carolina State University’s (NCSU's) main campus; this is the state's largest university, known for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. While on main campus, stop by the Gregg Museum of Art & Design, the university's collecting and exhibiting museum with more than 35,000 objects. Also, you're just a short walk from shopping and dining on Hillsborough St. More attractions in walking distance are Raleigh Little Theatre, one of the nation’s longest-running community theatres (1936), and the long-running Theatre In The Park (Ira David Wood III Pullen Park Theatre). Be sure to enjoy a walk through the attached Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden, featuring 1,200 roses of 60 different varieties and other bulbs, annuals, trees and shrubs.

Bordering the main NCSU campus is historic Pullen Park, originally founded in 1887. Pullen Park is one of North Carolina’s most iconic family attractions, featuring a 1911 Gustave A. Dentzel menagerie carousel, a C.P. Huntington miniature replica train ride, community center, boat rentals, arts center, ball fields, tennis courts, picnic shelters, playground, outdoor café and the long-running Theatre In The Park (Ira David Wood III Pullen Park Theatre).
 


The North Carolina Museum of Art has more than a dozen galleries holding works from around the world and a variety of art types.... View More

Established in 1887 and designated as the first public park in N.C., Pullen Park in Raleigh is the fifth oldest amusement park in... View More

The NHL's Carolina Hurricanes play at PNC Arena, Oct.-Apr. For ticket information, call 866.NHL.CANES or visit... View More

More than fresh vegetables, it’s a family adventure. Considered one of the nation’s best and most modern markets, visitors enjoy... View More



A short drive down Hillsborough St., past the NCSU main campus, is the state-of-the-art PNC Arena, which welcomes over 1.5 million guests and plays host to more than 150 events each year, including the NCSU Wolfpack men’s basketball games and a number of NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first and second round games. PNC Arena is also the home of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, winners of the 2006 NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Disney On Ice, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé and other international touring acts bring their biggest shows to PNC arena. Across the parking lot, you'll find Carter-Finley Stadium, home of the NCSU football team. 

Adjacent to Carter-Finley Stadium is the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. If you're visiting in mid-Oct., be sure to join the more than one million attendees who visit the North Carolina State Fair, the state’s largest annual event. The 10-day fair features livestock, agricultural, arts and cultural exhibits, an amusement midway and nightly, nationally acclaimed musical performances. During the rest of the year, the fairgrounds host of variety of other events. Most notably, The Raleigh Market, the state’s largest of its kind, sets up shop here every weekend, weather permitting.

A short drive away is the State Farmers Market, Raleigh, considered one of the nation’s best and most modern markets. More than fresh vegetables, it’s a family adventure. Visitors can enjoy 75 acres of indoor and outdoor specialty shops, restaurants and a garden center, with fruits, vegetables, meats and gifts from across the state.

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Ira David Wood III

Theatre In The Park

Ira David Wood III founded Raleigh's Theatre In The Park. Believing theater should not only entertain but also educate, he reinvigorated the community by creating a place where people could enjoy everything from Shakespeare to contemporary plays and Broadway-worthy premieres.

“Good theater transcends all barriers—race, color, creed, religion—and it gives you a place to come together with total strangers in a room, to laugh, to cry, to be touched, to be educated and to be empowered.”

Areas of Raleigh


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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Garner

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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