visitRaleigh insider

Note, May 27: Due to COVID-19, the hours or operational status of some of the items below have changed. We have included current information as of May 27, but please check websites or social media to confirm before finalizing plans. The Raleigh area is home to some of the best-kept secrets when it

Please note: City of Raleigh parks facilities have been operating with some changes due to COVID-19. While parks, greenways and open space are open and responsible use is encouraged, restrooms, water fountains and other amenities are closed through at least May 31. Please be prepared! The Neuse

Note: Authored by David Menconi, this piece has been produced in partnership with Raleigh Arts. The week after Raleigh, N.C., roots-rock band American Aquarium’s new album “Lamentations” was released, frontman BJ Barham got a call from the group’s record label asking if...

Barbecue. Barbeque. Bar-b-que. BBQ. No matter how you spell it, we can agree on one thing: with a plate of barbecue in hand, all is right with the world. While restaurants are battling extremely tough times due to COVID-19, many in the Raleigh area are still serving the community through takeout and

There are a whole bunch of ways to celebrate warm weather in the Raleigh area—one of our favorites is to combine relaxing views with a bit of exercise by heading to the nearest body of water. Up for a paddling adventure? The parks, rivers and lakes below allow the public to launch their own...

Note, May 11: Juniper Level Botanic Garden will host spring open house weekends from Thurs.-Sun., May 14-17 and May 21-24. Thurs. and Fridays will have the gardens open and plants pre-orders will be available for pickup, but greenhouse sales will not be open on these days. Sat. and Sundays will have

Chef-musician-small business owner Cheetie Kumar was named a James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: Southeast on Mon., May 4, for her work at Garland, an Indian- and Asian-inspired restaurant in downtown Raleigh. She's also an ambassador for Raleigh, N.C., to an international audience in a...

Note: Authored by David Menconi, this piece has been produced in partnership with Raleigh Arts. Prior to the COVID-19 shutdown, it's safe to say the live music scene in Raleigh, N.C., was thriving. Major festivals dotted the 2020 calendar, outdoor venues were just getting ready to announce...

There are a lot of things we miss doing in Raleigh, N.C., right now. While most of the country has been under stay-at-home orders for several weeks now due to COVID-19, we've been dreaming up plans to rediscover the Raleigh area once it's safe to do so. We've narrowed our list of...

Note, April 28: While Raleigh, Wake County and the state of N.C. are under stay-at-home orders until at least May 8, outdoor exercise is allowed, essential businesses are open and all of the murals below are accessible to the public. If you stumble upon one—or even create your own mural tour...