Spending a long weekend vacation in Raleigh, N.C., can give you more adventures than you could imagine. Raleigh is a wonderful place to drive an RV and experience some of the best N.C. has to offer. Whether you love the outdoors and want to hike and explore or if you just like to wander the streets of this historic city or enjoy the nightlife, Raleigh has it all.

Of course, RV camping in Raleigh is abundant. You may want to stay at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, as they have a number of sites that are all first-come, first-served, with free Wi-Fi and 24-hour security. This spot is close to many attractions too! But you have a wide choice of RV parks and all have Raleigh hospitality.

First, soak up the sun! Drive over for a day at Falls Lake State Recreation Area. Walk through the woods on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, hike the Falls Lake Trail along the south shore or launch a boat into the lake and fish. The choice is yours! There are thousands of acres of woodlands to explore.

If you would rather spend the day adventuring in Raleigh, you can visit some of the museums. The North Carolina Museum of Art always has wonderful collections to view, and admission is free. Of course, you will find that they charge an admission fee for films, concerts or special exhibitions, but the price is always worth it. While you are there, see the ongoing John James Audubon's The Birds of America exhibit. Another must-see is the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, with four floors of amazing exhibits. There are even live animals and exhibits on our prehistoric past.

To get out of the city temporarily and feel the allure of nature, visit William B. Umstead State Park. The lake is a great place to throw in a line and you may just hook a big one! Picnic, boat, hike or watch for the beautiful bald eagles that live here.

Back in town and time for some sightseeing. Drive through Historic Boylan Heights to see what an early suburb was like. It was started from portions of old plantation land and shows what attracted folks to own homes in the early 20th century. Then head over to the Joel Lane's for a Cherry Bounce. This is a Raleigh classic drink which likely inspired important people to make Raleigh the state capital. The drink is a delicious aged blend of Bing cherries, spices and bourbon.

Now for some amazing food! You have probably worked up an appetite after all this adventuring. There is a huge choice of great cuisine in the city. If you love seafood, try 42nd St. Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill or if you want to taste some Italian dishes, go to 518 West Italian Cafe. You have more than 1,800 restaurants to choose from so spread out your dining experiences over your stay and dine well!

If you have kids with you (and even if you don't) you will want to stop at the Wells Fargo IMAX Theatre at Marbles to enjoy that gigantic screen and depth to the films you see. Pullen Park is another place to go to ride a train or carousel. Kids just love this park! The park also offers an arts center, an amusement center and aquatics center. Stop at the Pullen Place Café for a snack. Another attraction – kids love the interactive exhibits at Marbles Kids Museum. Let their imagination run wild for a while.

Yes, an RV adventure in Raleigh, N.C., is something to look forward to. With such a variety of activities, the whole family is sure to have a perfect vacation experience. You may not want to leave! And we can understand it if you don't. However, when it is time to go, remember that you can always return again for more fun in Raleigh.

About the Author

Joe Laing is the Marketing Director for El Monte RV, a nationwide source for RV rentals. For other great RV camping vacation ideas see Monty's Musings RV Camping Blog or the Monty's RV Vacation Photo/Picture Gallery.