Often dubbed the "Smithsonian of the South" thanks to an abundance of free museums, historic attractions and educational institutions, Raleigh, N.C., has long been known as a budget-friendly family getaway destination for those in the Tar Heel State and beyond (Southern Living recently named the City of Oaks one of the seven best affordable Southern destinations for travel).
The attractions below are a perfect place to start in checking the Raleigh area's standout attractions off your must-visit list!
One of the most cherished indoor and outdoor spaces in all of Raleigh, the North Carolina Museum of Art is one of the premier visual arts museums of the South. Aside from two buildings filled with galleries, educational studios and special exhibitions, the museum's 164-acre outdoor park is the biggest of its kind in America, featuring walking trails, flexible seating and event spaces, a bikeshare station and an amphitheater that hosts live music and movies in the warmer months.
Permanent collections at the museum include ancient Egyptian artifacts, renowned European Old Master paintings, African and Judaic works of art and innovative contemporary art. In the West Building you'll find the Southeast's largest collection of sculpture by Auguste Rodin, the museum gift store and NCMA Café.
Also recommended: CAM Raleigh; Artspace
Said by some to be one of the most advanced libraries in the world, the James B. Hunt Library—opened in 2013—was built to reflect North Carolina State University’s status as a preeminent technological research university. Bold and iconic, the library’s architectural design strikes a unique presence with its intriguing design of glass and zigzagging, solar fins. Inside, be dazzled by technological wonders like curved digital display screens, touchscreen kiosks and bookBot—a subterranean robot programmed to fetch books from the 1.5 million housed in an underground storage facility.
Outdoor add-ons (just across the street): Lonnie Poole Golf Course; Lake Raleigh
Downtown Cary Park—a seven-acre, state-of-the-art playspace for all ages—opened in the heart of downtown Cary in late 2023.
From places for views (the elevated Skywalk) to places for brews (beer at The Bark Bar, coffee at Market 317)—plus a playground, performing arts pavilion, fire pits, a sports lawn, dog park and so much more—the park now acts as the anchor of a fast-growing, easily walkable downtown area that has become a popular destination for visitors in recent years.
Check the park's calendar for fitness classes, movie nights, free concerts, public art walks and so much more (in addition to the year-round Cary Downtown Farmers Market, held on Saturday mornings).
Make a weekend of it: Mayton Inn; La Farm Bakery; Cotton House Craft Brewers; The Cary Theater; Hank's Downtown Dive
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences delights, entertains and educates nearly a million visitors per year with fascinating exhibits, both featured and permanent, about the natural world. The museum’s four floors are divided into two parts—the Nature Exploration Center (where you’ll find the Terror of the South) and the Nature Research Center, an unmistakable architectural icon that opened to much fanfare a decade ago.
The museum also hosts lectures, discussions, classes, live scientific programs and more. Visitors can enjoy family-friendly, educational movies inside the SECU Daily Planet—a 70-foot diameter globe that doubles as a three-story theater—and immerse themselves in 3D movie showings in the WRAL 3D Theater located in the Nature Exploration Center.
In spring of 2024, the museum opened Dueling Dinosaurs, a groundbreaking permanent exhibit that puts one of the greatest dinosaur fossils ever discovered on full display.
Good eats nearby: Centro; Element Gastropub; Taverna Agora; Longleaf Swine
At a whopping 308 acres in the heart of downtown Raleigh, Dorothea Dix Park offers beautiful rolling hills, massive shade trees and top-notch views of the city skyline. Open to the public from dawn to dusk, the park plays host to a range of outdoor activities—sunset watching, hammocking, bike riding, soccer matches, picnics, yoga and more (including a schedule of regularly held events and festivals).
Housed within a restored 100-year-old cottage, a visitor center was opened in 2024, and in spring of this year an 18-acre adventure playground and picnic area is planned to open to the public as one of the state's best new family-friendly attractions.
Date-night add-ons: Vita Vite; Wine and Design; Barcelona Wine Bar; The Haymaker
Established in 1887 and designated as the first public park in N.C., Pullen Park sits nestled between downtown Raleigh and the campus of North Carolina State University. Among the world's oldest amusement parks, Pullen is known for terrific recreational opportunities, particularly for kids and families. The park includes an operating carousel built in 1911, a miniature train you can ride through the park, pedal boats to move around Lake Howell, plus tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, an arts center and an innovative performing arts venue, Theatre In The Park (Ira David Wood III Pullen Park Theatre).
More family-friendly attractions: John Chavis Memorial Park and Community Center; Historic Oak View County Park
One of N.C.’s most-visited state parks, William B. Umstead State Park remains a peaceful getaway thanks to its sheer size—more than 5,000 acres of forest, trails and lakes sit on the edge of Raleigh, Cary and Morrisville. With 13 miles of multi-use trails that follow a series of rolling hills (perfect for horseback riding, jogging and cycling) and 22 miles of dedicated hiking trails, this is a must-hit destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Pro tip: Begin your spring afternoon stroll at the park’s entrance off of U.S. 70 and then head to the nearby Lonerider Brewing Company to toast to good weather and good times with a Shotgun Betty hefeweizen.
Also recommended: Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve; Lake Crabtree County Park; Neuse River Greenway Trail
Located in what was originally the exact middle of Raleigh, this National Historic Landmark was first built in 1796. A catastrophic fire destroyed the building in 1831, and the building that stands today was completed in 1840. Today, the governor, lieutenant governor and their staffs occupy offices on-site, and the building continues to be used for official state business, including bill signings, press conferences and historic commemorations.
Each year, more than 100,000 visitors take part in free tours, educational programs and events at the Capitol in downtown Raleigh.
Also recommended: City of Raleigh Museum (COR Musuem); Pope House Museum; Joel Lane Museum House; Historic Oakwood Cemetery
Stroll through 10 acres of floral beauty at this nationally-acclaimed garden with one of the largest and most diverse collections of landscape plants. With more than 5,000 plants collected from all over the world on display, you catch blooms any time of the year. Nearly 20 different gardens can be explored, each with a unique theme and space—a Japanese garden, a butterfly garden, a rooftop terrace filled with heat-tolerant plants and more. The arboretum is also a popular spot to host an affordable wedding (or a pretty backdrop for engagement photos, bridal portraits etc.).
Also recommended: Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden; WRAL Azalea Gardens
At the 174-acre Historic Yates Mill County Park, more than 250 years of history waits to be explored. Yates Mill, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, was restored to working order through a grassroots community effort in 2005 and today stands as the area's last operating water-powered gristmill. The park also features approximately three miles of hiking trails, winding through hardwood forests and using footbridges and boardwalks to cross wetland areas.
Bring the family and tackle a hike, then head just a couple hundred yards up the road to Howling Cow Creamery, a North Carolina State University-owned farm that produces some of the area's best ice cream right on site.
Also recommended: State Farmers Market, Raleigh; Juniper Level Botanic Garden; The Raleigh Market
