There's no shortage of ways to spend a couple of days exploring the museums, restaurants and parks in the Raleigh area on your own. And while chowing down at a favorite local restaurants is a great way to get a taste of what the City of Oaks has to offer, there's a way to go "backstage" on a visit to the Raleigh area—for both groups of travelers and solo adventurers—that not enough people know about. 

People-First Tourism is a social venture born out of sustainable tourism research at North Carolina State University with a simple aim: to help travelers connect with the places they visit on a deeper level. 

In Raleigh, People-First Tourism has carefully curated a collection of tours and hands-on experiences designed to connect explorers with local experts and guides, giving visitors to the area a chance to hear the story behind a local establishment, learn a new skill, get their hands dirty and even meet great new friends. 

Below: Meet the artists that have led one of People-First Tourism's most popular events (Brush the Skyline: Watercolors and Brews Workshop).

Each month People-First Tourism offers 15 to 20 ticketed experiences led by a local expert—so you can learn the art of tapestry weaving, go behind the scenes at a local farm, head out on a walking tour of local breweries and so much more. 

You can browse the upcoming experiences taking place in Raleigh and the surrounding towns below, but there's also an opportunity for you to request a booking with a local guide if there's a day or time that better fits your needs. Happy adventuring, friends!

December events with People-First Tourism

• Beer and Cider Stroll: Whitaker Mill, April 3
• Bridgerton-Themed Tea Etiquette & Tastings, April 4
• Adventures in Bloom: Metal Stamping Workshop, April 6
• Guided Mezcal Tasting at Gallo Pelón, April 10
• Watercolors and Brews Workshop at Wye Hill, April 10
• Honey Tasting & Hive Tour with Baxter's Bees, April 12
• Raleigh Sip N' Stroll Treasure Hunt, April 19
• Tapestry Weaving Workshop at Lucky Tree Cafe, April 22
• Watercolors and Brews Workshop at Wye Hill, April 24
• Guided Coffee Stroll through Downtown Raleigh, April 26
• From Seed to Sprout: When & How to Plant, April 26
• Beer and Cider Stroll: Cary, April 26

And a sneak peak at some May events:

• Whimsical Workshop with TG Floristry, May 1
• Stamped with Love: A Mother's Day Charm Workshop, May 4
• Mother's Day Tea Etiquette & Tastings, May 9
• Honey Tasting & Hive Tour with Baxter's Bees, May 10
• Tapestry Weaving Workshop at Lucky Tree Cafe, May 13
• Watercolors and Brews Workshop at Wye Hill, May 15
• Guided Mezcal Tasting at Gallo Pelón, May 22
• Watercolors and Brews Workshop at Wye Hill, May 29
• Guided Coffee Stroll through Downtown Raleigh, May 31
• Raleigh Sip N' Stroll Treasure Hunt, May 31

^{Photos courtesy of People-First Tourism}