Katharine's Raleigh Highlights
Parks, Outdoor, & Museums
The center has some short botanical paths and natural musings. Moreso, it is situated next to the closest Greenway path access to the house (1 mile away). The extensive paved walking & biking path system can be taken both east and west off State street for many miles.
7 locals recommend
Walnut Creek Wetland Center
950 Peterson StThe center has some short botanical paths and natural musings. Moreso, it is situated next to the closest Greenway path access to the house (1 mile away). The extensive paved walking & biking path system can be taken both east and west off State street for many miles.
An expansive park of mostly open fields and historic buildings, hosting outdoor exercise classes and special events such as star gazing, outdoor movies, and art/music immersion installations.
91 locals recommend
Dorothea Dix Park
1985 Umstead DrAn expansive park of mostly open fields and historic buildings, hosting outdoor exercise classes and special events such as star gazing, outdoor movies, and art/music immersion installations.
Lake access to Falls Lake (reservoir). One can rent an inflatable stand up paddle board or inflatable kayak from a locker at the marathon gas station a few miles away via https://www.wakerack.com/ . There's also a pull off and grassy picnic/sunning area on the south west side of the bridge crossing- swimming likely tricky here bc of the drop off, but there's no boat traffic. There are a multitude of State Park beach accesses for swimming I'd suggest instead for ease. The lake area to the west of the bridge generally only used for paddlers or trolling motors. Areas east of the boat ramp have a lot of boat traffic. I've enjoyed the rentals and lake location very much.
Barton's Creek Boat Ramp
12900 Six Forks RoadLake access to Falls Lake (reservoir). One can rent an inflatable stand up paddle board or inflatable kayak from a locker at the marathon gas station a few miles away via https://www.wakerack.com/ . There's also a pull off and grassy picnic/sunning area on the south west side of the bridge crossing- swimming likely tricky here bc of the drop off, but there's no boat traffic. There are a multitude of State Park beach accesses for swimming I'd suggest instead for ease. The lake area to the west of the bridge generally only used for paddlers or trolling motors. Areas east of the boat ramp have a lot of boat traffic. I've enjoyed the rentals and lake location very much.
Quite the network of multi-use paths in this large forested park between Raleigh and Durham. There are two main entrances, three man made reservoirs (one with canoe rentals), gravel roads, and dirt trails. My favorite is the 6 mile company mill trail accessed from this location, off Harrison Ave.
10 locals recommend
William B Umstead State Park Road
William B Umstead State Park RoadQuite the network of multi-use paths in this large forested park between Raleigh and Durham. There are two main entrances, three man made reservoirs (one with canoe rentals), gravel roads, and dirt trails. My favorite is the 6 mile company mill trail accessed from this location, off Harrison Ave.
This museum is sizeable with multiple galleries being free of charge and special exhibits for a fee. The museum also routinely has special outdoor and indoor events such as old time movie series, drawing competitions, and little festivals. The park grounds feature art installments, sitting areas, fields, wetland, and forest connected to the Greenway system (paved walking/biking paths). A great spot for a walk and picnic.
437 locals recommend
North Carolina Museum of Art
2110 Blue Ridge RdThis museum is sizeable with multiple galleries being free of charge and special exhibits for a fee. The museum also routinely has special outdoor and indoor events such as old time movie series, drawing competitions, and little festivals. The park grounds feature art installments, sitting areas, fields, wetland, and forest connected to the Greenway system (paved walking/biking paths). A great spot for a walk and picnic.
Flora Galore! take a stroll through the multitude of various gardens, picnic, or read a book under a lovely tree. Free of charge
63 locals recommend
JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University
4415 Beryl RdFlora Galore! take a stroll through the multitude of various gardens, picnic, or read a book under a lovely tree. Free of charge
An easily accessible park with picnic shelters, play grounds, about a mile - 1.5 mile circle path around an open field, and a small section of forested path along the lake. Down the street there's boat rentals during summer months.
20 locals recommend
Lake Benson Park
921 Buffaloe RdAn easily accessible park with picnic shelters, play grounds, about a mile - 1.5 mile circle path around an open field, and a small section of forested path along the lake. Down the street there's boat rentals during summer months.
Less busy walking trails further out of town with White pines, uniquely growing in this small area outside of their normal higher elevation range
White Pines Nature Preserve
548 S Rocky River RdLess busy walking trails further out of town with White pines, uniquely growing in this small area outside of their normal higher elevation range
Pick up some goodies or just stroll the local scene. Super enjoyable during the fall harvest :)
114 locals recommend
North Carolina State Farmers Public Market
1201 Agriculture StPick up some goodies or just stroll the local scene. Super enjoyable during the fall harvest :)
You never know what you may find! many outdoor vendors and more permanent indoor stalls.
37 locals recommend
Raleigh Flea Market
4285 Trinity RdYou never know what you may find! many outdoor vendors and more permanent indoor stalls.
Such a cool museum, free of charge. Specimens, rocks, live critters galore! There's plenty to take in here with three floors packed full of natural sciences centered on NC and the region.
288 locals recommend
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
11 W Jones StSuch a cool museum, free of charge. Specimens, rocks, live critters galore! There's plenty to take in here with three floors packed full of natural sciences centered on NC and the region.
Marbles Kids Museum
201 E Hargett StA truly special place specifically for young folks
CAM Raleigh
409 W Martin StUnique new age arts
Artspace
201 E Davie StUnique art collective- a cluster of studios in a variety of flavors
Food Scene
Open, relaxed community feel with a variety of food and drink offerings, a bar, and indoor and outdoor dining. I find this spot to be chill and a great place to take a group, where there's something for everyone. The bagel place has Friday pizza nights & locals seafood is a favorite of mine. bonus: Burial brewery is in the same building with deeeelicious brews!
84 locals recommend
Transfer Co Food Hall
500 E Davie StOpen, relaxed community feel with a variety of food and drink offerings, a bar, and indoor and outdoor dining. I find this spot to be chill and a great place to take a group, where there's something for everyone. The bagel place has Friday pizza nights & locals seafood is a favorite of mine. bonus: Burial brewery is in the same building with deeeelicious brews!
Southern fried (or broiled) seafood with hush puppies and fries or coleslaw. I thoroughly enjoy this no frills joint.
6 locals recommend
N.C. Seafood Restaurant at the Farmers Market
1201 Agriculture StSouthern fried (or broiled) seafood with hush puppies and fries or coleslaw. I thoroughly enjoy this no frills joint.
chuan cafe
2004 New Bern AveReal tasty Szechuan style Chinese food
The Fiction Kitchen
2409 S Dawson StVegan and Vegetarian great eats! love this place
lucettegrace
235 S Salisbury Stsweet bite heaven & cafe drinks. mmm
Himalayan Range Nepali Restaurant
910 NE Maynard RdMy favorite nepali/indian restaurant
Bella Monica
3121 Edwards Mill RdFavorite Italian, with gluten free offerings to boot.
Thai Villa Restaurant
1319 Buck Jones Roadno frills, tasty Thai cuisine
Aladdin's Eatery North Hills
4209 Lassiter Mill RoadLebanese goodness
Turkish & Mediterranean cuisine to tantalize the taste buds :D
10 locals recommend
Bosphorus Restaurant
329 N Harrison AveTurkish & Mediterranean cuisine to tantalize the taste buds :D
Good down home bbq & southern cooking. note, they close early in the evening and at least used to take cash only.
26 locals recommend
Clyde Cooper's Barbeque
327 S Wilmington StGood down home bbq & southern cooking. note, they close early in the evening and at least used to take cash only.
Self explanatory and in a delightfully old small diner type building
8 locals recommend
Ole Time Barbecue
6309 Hillsborough StSelf explanatory and in a delightfully old small diner type building
Centro
106 S Wilmington Stupscale Mexican and oh so good
another food hall in town! this one is more hustle and bustle than transfer company, in tighter quarters and more vendors. many options to choose!
98 locals recommend
Morgan Street Food Hall
411 W Morgan Stanother food hall in town! this one is more hustle and bustle than transfer company, in tighter quarters and more vendors. many options to choose!
The most authentic taco place around. Corn tortillas and juicy meat- you add the fixings from the topping bar.
Taqueria La Zacatecana
520 Village CourtThe most authentic taco place around. Corn tortillas and juicy meat- you add the fixings from the topping bar.
Trophy Brewing
827 W Morgan StReal good pizza and the beer isn't half bad either
Gumby's Pizza
2712 Hillsborough StreetAfter a fun taste test of 9 regional pizzas, this one had the best overall taste. Yum
Taverna Agora Greek Kitchen & Bar
326 Hillsborough StGreek goodness
Drinks & Nightlife
Jazz club? step back in time and enjoy a fancy cocktail with smooth tunes
40 locals recommend
C. Grace
407 Glenwood AveJazz club? step back in time and enjoy a fancy cocktail with smooth tunes
Antiquated trendy speak easy style bar with many rooms, bars, and outdoor area
42 locals recommend
Watts & Ward
200 S Blount StAntiquated trendy speak easy style bar with many rooms, bars, and outdoor area
Chill dingy small-stage music venue and bar. I've heard many a tune here
29 locals recommend
The Pour House Music Hall
224 S Blount StChill dingy small-stage music venue and bar. I've heard many a tune here
newer little place with ample outside hang out areas in the warm months. food trucks frequent. I've enjoyed their sour beer offerings :)
8 locals recommend
Mordecai Beverage Company
2425 Crabtree Blvdnewer little place with ample outside hang out areas in the warm months. food trucks frequent. I've enjoyed their sour beer offerings :)
So good, the company has expanded from Asheville to here. Delightful- their beer slushies oh my! Can be busy and few outdoor seats.
20 locals recommend
Burial Beer Co - The Exhibit
500 E Davie StSo good, the company has expanded from Asheville to here. Delightful- their beer slushies oh my! Can be busy and few outdoor seats.
Lincoln Theater
126 E Cabarrus StCool small stage music venue with terraced standing & a balcony
fun spot day or night for all your arcade desires. Full bar, small outdoor patio, lotsa fun
124 locals recommend
Boxcar Bar + Arcade
621 Foster Stfun spot day or night for all your arcade desires. Full bar, small outdoor patio, lotsa fun
all the whiskeys ++, open air patio and tall ceiling inside. a funky spot with delicious food too
60 locals recommend
Whiskey Kitchen
201 W Martin Stall the whiskeys ++, open air patio and tall ceiling inside. a funky spot with delicious food too
State of Beer
401 Hillsborough StFun bottle shop to drink a relaxed brew with some tasty eats too!
I like this lesser known brewery. It's warehousy in an industrial setting. Feel like a little brewery tour? There's also Funguys, Blackfire, Lynnwood, Neuse River, and Nickelpoint Brewing Companies within a few mile radius- all with easy parking
26 locals recommend
Big Boss Brewing Company
1249 Wicker DrI like this lesser known brewery. It's warehousy in an industrial setting. Feel like a little brewery tour? There's also Funguys, Blackfire, Lynnwood, Neuse River, and Nickelpoint Brewing Companies within a few mile radius- all with easy parking
so. many. beers. 4 bars, an enormous number of taps, and a lot of near sitting and hang out area surrounded by greenery & stone picnic tables with outdoor games
109 locals recommend
Raleigh Beer Garden
614 Glenwood Avenueso. many. beers. 4 bars, an enormous number of taps, and a lot of near sitting and hang out area surrounded by greenery & stone picnic tables with outdoor games
City advice
Don't miss
Downtown Raleigh Festivals
Check out what festivals and events may be going on during your stay! Downtown Raleigh routinely closes off sections of Fayetteville street for the festivities. www.visitraleigh.com/events/festivals/