Right Now in Raleigh

Dreamville Fest, rap superstar J. Cole’s annual outdoor music and arts festival, has released its lineup for the 2024 edition. And the long-awaited lineup for who will be playing at downtown Raleigh’s 300-acre Dorothea Dix Park the weekend of April 6-7 was just...

A big new attraction is now open in Cary, N.C. Downtown Cary Park—a seven-acre, state-of-the-art playspace for all ages—opened in the heart of downtown Cary in late 2023. The early reviews are in: this is undoubtedly one of America's best new public gathering spaces....

The North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, N.C., has added its first painting by Pablo Picasso to the museum's permanent collection. The painting came as a donation late in 2023, along with four other 19th- and 20th-century paintings from Europe.

Explore what the Raleigh area has to offer without breaking the bank! Here are 30-plus free (or nearly free) experiences and attractions that can anchor any trip to the area. William B. Umstead State Park: N.C.’s most visited state park maintains its status as a...

Good Eats in Raleigh

It's no surprise that the origins of fried chicken can be traced to the South. In the Raleigh area you'll find some version of it on seemingly every street corner—usually paired with biscuits, barbecue, beer and more. Here's a roundup of some of our go-to spots for a crispy, tender fix!

Barbecue. Barbeque. Bar-B-Que. BBQ. No matter how you spell it, we can agree on one thing—with a plate of ‘cue in hand, all is right with the world. Barbecue in Raleigh, N.C., is treated a little differently. We eat it in restaurants, at college-football and NHL-hockey...

The trend to build massive venues that hold a large number of smaller restaurants—anchoring neighborhoods and shopping centers in urban areas across the U.S.—has officially landed in Raleigh, N.C., with Morgan Street Food Hall, Transfer Co. Food Hall and Craften...

Undoubtedly the Raleigh area's most iconic dessert, it's fair to say that Angus Barn's chocolate chess pie has more than a few fans. A recipe developed by Van Eure's mother Alice in the late 1960s—with help from kitchen manager Betty Shugart (a 50-year employee of the restaurant)—an estimated 50,000 chocolate chess pies are now made and sold each year. You can even have the pie shipped to you from anywhere in the country.

Scott Crawford
Crawford and Son

Scott Crawford

Crawford and Son and Jolie

Scott Crawford's talent and vision have helped to shape and further Raleigh, N.C.'s growing, award-winning food scene. His restaurant, Crawford and Son, serves straightforward, honest food that ranges from the familiar to the unexpected. And his French bistro, Jolie, features...

“The food here has a lot of love put in it—from the people who grow it, to the people who get it to us, to the cooks that handle it with the utmost respect. I think it’s a beautiful way to experience a city and the people of the city.”


 

The Great Outdoors in Raleigh

The Neuse River Greenway Trail—a 30-mile paved, uninterrupted greenway that stretches from Falls Lake in North Raleigh to the Wake County line in southeast Raleigh—is a year-round haven for outdoor recreation. With views of historic sites as well as winding boardwalk...

A brand new, functional piece of art awaits visitors inside William B. Umstead State Park. A fallen red oak tree—approximately 25 feet long and several feet high—has been transformed by artists Jerry Redi and Randy Boni of Smoky Mountain Art. In mid-Nov., the pair spent...

The great outdoors are still great. That statement rings true in the Raleigh area more than ever right now as the area's parks, greenways, lakes, favorite hammock spots and other outdoor spaces have been a welcome escape from homes, office buildings, cars and crowds...

Via Cary Magazine, "the devil's in the details" at the new Diavolo at New Hope Disc Golf course in Cary, N.C., providing a challenging, competition-level layout that will test players of all skill. Opened in 2020, the course was recently named one of the world's best!

Hidden Gems in Raleigh

Big news for Raleigh, N.C.: Heights House Hotel, a pre-Civil-War-era mansion in downtown Raleigh that has been completely revitalized as a boutique hotel, is now open! Named for its location within Raleigh's historic Boylan Heights neighborhood, the 10,000-square-foot, Italianate-style mansion features nine ensuite guest rooms that have been lovingly restored, 15-foot ceilings and original hardwood floors throughout the space, a total of 10 cozy fireplaces and grand common spaces crafted with immaculate detail and decorated with modern and vintage touches. The indoor/outdoor space is also available for private events for up to 120 guests.

Located just north of Raleigh, Wake Forest is a beautiful small town boasting history, culture and activities to keep travelers entertained for days on end. Stroll through the historic downtown district, home to a charming community of art galleries, shops and...

A major new work of art made its debut at the North Carolina Museum of Art in 2018. First put on display for the public as part of "You Are Here"—a ticketed exhibit that attracted more than 100,000 visitors from all 50 states to the museum in Raleigh, N.C.—"Light of...

Founded as the new state capital in 1792, Raleigh, N.C., is a natural playground for history lovers. Read about and visit these 20-plus sites to kickstart an experience through the area's past and present stories, sites and people. You'll find historic homesteads, important parks and gardens, renowned institutions and museums that reveal a peak at more than 200 years of Tar Heel State history.

Lionel Vatinet
La Farm Bakery

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.”


 

Raleigh, N.C.

Raleigh is home to seven different areas, each with their own personalities and stand-out things to do. Plus, there are 11 charming towns in the Raleigh area 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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