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Raleigh, North Carolina, despite being the capital, is not the largest city in North Carolina. As such, it’s often overlooked as a tourist destination. But, having lived within minutes of the city for years, I can assure you that it’s worth the visit. Because it’s not often a tourist destination, the prices are cheaper and the lines shorter. So, is Raleigh worth visiting? I definitely think so and let me share all of the things to do that make Raleigh worth visiting.
Must-Do Activities in Raleigh, NC that make it worth visiting
Raleigh is a city with a lot going on. It’s the state capital, it also has a growing number of free activities to try out. Here is my list of more than 30 different places to visit during your visit to Raleigh. To make the list easier to navigate, I broke it up by type of activity. Add a few of these items to your bucket list during your visit to determine if Raleigh is worth visiting.
History and Educational
Raleigh is the State Capital with many of the formal state museums are located within it. They are publicly-owned museums, that also means that most are free of charge. Beyond the more recently built infrastructure, Raleigh has been the capital of North Carolina since 1792, so there is a lot of history here to explore. As part of the Research Triangle Park, and home to 10 universities and colleges, there are lots of modern educational institutions here as well. With only one exception, admission to all of these locations is free.
James B Hunt Library – The library of the future
Designed as a technologically advanced library, it is located on and owned by North Carolina State University, this library has some cool features. Built in 2013, the design of the library is covered in glass and solar fins. Inside you’ll find curved digital displays and touchscreen kiosks. But, the coolest feature? BookBot is a robot designed to get books from the 1.5 million books stored in an underground vault under the library.
1070 Partners Way, Raleigh, NC 27606
Pullen Park – North Carolina’s Oldest Park
Jumping from the future to the past, Pullen Park is designated as one of the first amusement parks in the country. Initially opened in 1887, with a carousel built in 1911. It is officially recorded as the 5th oldest operating amusement park in the United States and the 16th oldest in the world. It has a miniature train, pedal boats, tennis courts, and a performing arts venue.
520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh, NC 27606
North Carolina Museum of Art – Over 164 acres of art
First opened in 1947, the NC Museum of Art is the oldest art museum formed by state legislation and funding. The museum has more than 40 galleries, spanning more than 5,000 years of history, most of which are free to visit. Some special exhibits do require a paid ticket though. Outside of the museum building itself is the Museum Park, 164 acres of walking paths and art installations.
2110 Blue Ridge Parkway, Raleigh, NC 27607
Marbles Kids Museum – A Day of play in the city
A newer addition to Raleigh, opening its doors in 2007, it’s been well received. With “play-based exhibits” that focus on learning through play, aligning with their five core initiatives. They also have an IMAX Theatre on the campus, playing movies throughout the day. Tickets range between $4.50 to $9.00 per person, depending on the day and time of day. IMAX Movies are $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children.
201 East Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Pope House Museum – A Glimpse into African-American History
Now this museum is in a house that was built in 1901 and is now on the National Registry of Historical Places. Now owned by the City of Raleigh. It is now open to visit. Built with the incredible “modern amenities” of the time, it was one of few houses at the time with electricity, an indoor bathroom, and a telephone. The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays for tours, which are free.
511 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
North Carolina Museum of History – A Local Smithsonian-Level Experience
The North Carolina Museum of History is a Smithsonian Affiliate, meaning that they meet the Smithsonian requirements to be able to share collections and exhibits. With more than 10 exhibits, you could spend hours exploring this museum. It also contains the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Additionally admission is free, and the museum is open every day except for a few select holidays.
5 East Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences – The biggest museum in the Southeast
If you’re planning a trip to the Museum of History, this museum is next door. Touted as both the biggest museum in the southeast, as well as the oldest in North Carolina. The museum has six locations, but the National Exploration Center and Nature Research Center are both in downtown Raleigh. You can’t miss it with its three-story globe on the corner of West Jones and North Salisbury Street. Finally, admission is free and they are open every day except Mondays.
11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Contemporary Art Museum (CAM Raleigh) – A multimedia contemporary art gallery
A collaboration of the College of Design at NC State University. This museum has no permanent collection but has 6 – 8 regularly changed exhibits. So, if you’ve been before, it’ll be a whole new museum now. Exhibits come from regional, national, and even international locations to provide a variety of art. The museum is open Thursday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Additionally, admission is always free.
409 West Martin Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
Oakwood – The Largest intact 19th-century residential neighborhood
With its large, and well-preserved Victorian-era houses, this will feel like a step back in time. The Historic Oakwood Neighborhood covers about 190 acres of Raleigh and includes dozens of historic homes, a cemetery with ornate marble tombs, and small cafes and shops. Although it’s not a destination, if you love this period of history, it’s worth a drive through this neighborhood.
North Boundary Street to East Edenton, North Person St to Tarboro St, Raleigh, NC
Check out the best 48 hour itinerary for Raleigh here!
Nature & Outdoors
For those who love the outdoors and green spaces, Raleigh has lots of that for you as well. Although Raleigh grew after it became the home of NC State and the many capital buildings, they made it a point to ensure that green space, parks, and trails continued to dot the city. Here is a list of our 7 favorite parks, gardens, and trails that make Raleigh worth visiting. The additional benefit is that every one of these is completely free.
Juniper Level Botanic Garden – 28 Acres of flowers and plants
Established in 1988, this garden was gifted to NC State for ongoing care and upkeep. Included in the garden are 27,000 different types of plants. They also sell more than 1,600 varieties of plants. The garden uses sustainable practices including recapturing all of the rainwater runoff and reusing it. They also have an onsite compost that supplies the nutrients and compost for the garden. It’s only open to the public eight weekends each year, so plan ahead if you want to walk through this garden.
9241 Sauls Road, Raleigh, NC 27603
Dorothea Dix Park – Home of the annual sunflower festival
With the motto, “A Park For Everyone, Built By Everyone,” they focus on meeting a variety of needs. They host a variety of events every year including “Yoga in the Park,” Bird watching, Little Explorers, and the always popular Sunflower Festival. They also have a field of sunflowers, a playground, fields for play, and even a fenced dog park. The dog park also has a vending machine in which you can buy dog toys and treats. The park is open daily, from dawn to dusk, all year long.
1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603
There are so many fun things to do at Dorothea Dix Park, that we wrote an entire other post about it.
Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden – A Free Garden Walk, Open All-Year Round
Officially, the Raleigh Rose Garden was built as part of the Raleigh Little Theatre Campus, but it has since taken on a life as its own attraction. It’s one of only three accredited rose gardens in North Carolina, with 60 rose beds in total. The garden is open from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year. But, the roses are most in bloom between Mother’s Day and mid-November. There is no fee to visit the garden, but parking may be limited.
301 Pouge Street, Raleigh, NC 27607
William B. Umstead State Park – 5,599 aces of nature to enjoy
Umstead State Park is so big that it actually sits in three different cities. It’s big enough to feel like you’re not in any city, but far away enjoying the quiet of nature. The park offers hiking, horseback riding, biking, boating, camping, and picnic areas. In total, the park has nearly 35 miles of hiking trails and 13 miles of biking trails. Dogs are allowed in the park as well. The park is open for day use, free of charge, every day except Christmas.
8801 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27617
Historic Yates Mill Country Park – Explore a fully restored 1756 gristmill
The big draw here is, of course, the fully restored 1756 gristmill. In addition to the mill, the city has a visitor center and a museum with a focus on milling. The mill is one of the oldest still-standing buildings in Wake County, and it’s the only surviving gristmill in the area. But, outside of the mill, the park also has 174 acres of hiking and fishing areas, as well as gardens and open fields for play. Open every day from 8:00 AM to Sunset except for just 4 holidays each year.
4620 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC 27603
Neuse River Greenway Trail – 34.5 miles of paved trail running along the riverbank
If you’re into biking or walking, but don’t want the off road experience of Umstead, the Neuse River Trail is perfect for you. Entirely paved, with well-constructed bridges and signage throughout. Additionally the beautiful views of trees, rivers, and nature make it an enjoyable walk. If you don’t want to limit yourself to 35 miles; It’s also part of the much larger East Coast Greenway System. The East Coast System consists of 3,000 miles of trails between Maine and Florida.
1721 Riverview Road, Raleigh, NC 27610
Concerts and Events
If seeing a concert, play, sporting event, or show is your thing, then there are tons of options for you. With 7 major performing arts centers, many of the big national acts pass through Raleigh at some point. Additionally, several big sporting teams (and passionate rivalries) bring lots of fun games to watch too. These events are among the many things that make Raleigh worth visiting.
PNC Arena
Along with hosting ice hockey (including the Stanley Cup Tournament), and basketball, they have a growing list of concerts every year. They report that they have over 150 events per year in their 700,000-square-foot building. Upcoming shows include Aerosmith, Jonas Brothers, Old Dominion, Shania Twain, and more.
1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh, NC 27607
Coastal Credit Union Arena
A nearly 7,000-seat outdoor performance amphitheater, with lawn seating for up to another 13,000. The site hosts a variety of concerts every year, many sold out. Upcoming performances include Sam Hunt, Rob Zombie, Zac Brown Band, and Nickelback.
3801 Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh, NC 27610
Red Hat Amphitheater
A smaller outdoor venue with only around 6,000 seats, including 1,000 lawn seats. Generally, shows at this amphitheater are more regional artists, but often with much cheaper tickets. Upcoming shows include 3 Doors Down, Hozier, and Jason Isbell.
500 South McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
Home to the Carolina Ballet, NC Opera, NC Symphony, and NC Theatre. They host over 600 events each year in their 5 performance spaces. In addition to performances by the performance companies housed there, they have additional musical and stage performances. Upcoming performances include Heather McMahan, Beautiful, and Frankenstein.
2 East South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Dorton Arena
Built on the grounds of the NC State Fairgrounds, this arena originally had a focus on agriculture. Dorton Arena is the first permanent cable-supported roof in the world. Consequently, its design inspired other arenas such as the Houston Astrodome and the Louisiana Superdome. Although periodically used for concerts and shows, it’s currently most often used for trade shows.
4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC 27607
Raleigh Convention Center
With over 500,000 square feet over 3 levels, this is a significant convention center. It includes an exhibit hall, 20 meeting rooms, and a ballroom. Home to most of the big conventions and trade shows that come to Raleigh. Some of the upcoming shows include the NC International Auto Expo, the BioPharm America Conference, and the PAC World Americans Conference.
500 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Seasonal Attractions
In addition to the events and activities happening all year round in Raleigh, there are some very notable seasonal activities worth checking out. Here is a rapid-fire list of some of the seasonal events worth checking out if you’re in town when they occur. These activities alone might make Raleigh worth visiting for you.
North Carolina State Fair: October 12, 2023 – October 22, 2023
Attracting over a million visitors over 11 days, this is one of the largest and oldest state fairs in the United States. Includes a carnival, games, shows, concerts, agriculture events, and of course, tons and tons of fair food. Most people come for the fair food!
1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607
Stanley Cup Hockey Tournament: April/May 2023
For those hockey fans, the PNC Arena hosts a portion of the Stanley Cup Games against our own NHL Carolina Hurricanes. In 2023, we hosted 7 of the games here in Raleigh, NC.
1400 Edward Mills Road, Raleigh, NC 27607
Artsplosure – The Raleigh Arts Festival: May 2023
With 175 artists from across the United States, working in ceramics, glass, fiber, jewelry, metal, painting, photography, wood, and more. A must-see for lots of arts and crafts. In addition to all of the art, there are concerts, art exhibits, and food trucks.
Located between Raleigh City Plaza and the Capital Building, Raleigh, NC
Packapalozza: August 26th 2023
NC State’s Block Party and Street Festival. It’s how the university ends Wolfpack Welcome Week. Events include music, entertainment, food, fireworks, a laser light show, and more. With more than 85,000 attendees and 300 vendors for this one-day festival, it’s definitely popular.
Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27606
World of Bluegrass Festival: September 26th – 30th, 2023
Over the course of this two-day festival, they set up six stages within a 5 block area of downtown and have concerts on all of them all day. In addition to the concerts, they have an exhibit hall and street festival. Last year, the festival attracted over 223,000 attendees.
500 South McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
NC International Festival: November 3rd – 5th, 2023
Hosted at the NC State Fairgrounds, the International Festival celebrates the holidays with an international flair. With over 30 different cultures represented, this is an opportunity to get some holiday shopping done. In addition to item purchases, the festival includes food, desserts, beer, wine, and performances.
4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC 27607
Raleigh has so many wonderful things to do! Durham nearby also has lots to do, so which do you visit? Check out Raleigh vs Durham to help make your decision!
Must-Try Food in Raleigh, NC that makes it worth visiting
After participating in all of these activities, you’ll need to eat. And Raleigh has some incredible food options. Having lived here for years, there are too many places that I would recommend that this entire post could be devoted to nothing but food. But, to save you some time, here are some of the best places to get some food while you decide if Raleigh is worth visiting.
Restaurants by “America’s Best Chef”
In 2019, the James Beard Foundation named Ashley Christensen “America’s Best Chef.” As it turns out, she’s local to Raleigh and has opened five different restaurants here that you need to check out.
Food Halls
If you’re looking to make one stop to feed the whole family, then consider one of Raleigh’s Food Halls to get a bunch of selections under one roof. Visiting a food hall and getting to try a variety of food under one roof might make Raleigh worth visiting for you.
Transfer Co Food Hall: 500 East Davie Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
With 9 food vendors including Dank Burrito, Che Empanadas, and Chhotes. Dessert options include Captain Cookie & The Milkman. Or enjoy a nice drink at the Burial Beer Company. Lots of seating is included both inside and outside. Although they have a small parking lot it does fill up fast.
Morgan Street Food Hall: 411 West Morgan Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
With 19 food vendors and indoor axe throwing, you can both get food and activity under one roof. Food vendors include Bella’s Wood-Fired Pizza, Oak City Fish and Chips, and Curry in a Hurry. Desserts include Raleigh Rolls, Big League Waffles and Scoops, and Amitie Macarons. Unfortunately, they only have street parking.
Jolie: 620 North Person Street, Raleigh, NC 27604
A French Bistro with traditional French dishes, and modern adaptations. If you want to eat here then you’ll need a reservation.
Coquette: 4351 The Circle At North Hills Street, Raleigh, NC 27609
Incredible French dining in a traditional and well-designed restaurant designed to look like a French café. Located in North Hills, there are lots of parking nearby and things to do and see either before or after dinner. Reservations recommended.
CowFish Sushi Burger Bar: 4208 Six Forks Road, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27609
Incredibly tasty gourmet burgers, sushi, and a mixture of the two. Yes, they make cow and fish work together very well. Along with having a full bar with beer, wine, and spirits. Getting a table here can be challenging (it took us three attempts), but they do have a wait list app now to get you in line. They don’t accept reservations, and once the line has gotten too long, they also close the wait list.
Angus Barn: 9401 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27617
Likely the most expensive food option on this list (and among the most expensive in Raleigh), but it’s what you expect from a good steakhouse. The food reflects the price though and is incredible. Along with a huge selection of wines, beers, spirits, and cocktails. You will need a reservation, and they can book up weeks in advance.
Raleigh Beer Garden (Raleigh Beer Trail): 614 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603
Offering more than 350 beers, everyone can find a favorite. With two levels of seating and an outdoor patio, there is plenty of seating. They also have some common bar food to go along with your drinks. They do accept reservations, but they are likely only needed on weekends.
Videri Chocolate Factory: 327 W Davie Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Not your dinner destination, but a good stop for dessert and a tour. Learn (and watch) how they make chocolate at this operating chocolate factory. After your free self-tour (or get a guided tour for $15), you can explore their store for all things chocolate. Then treat yourself to ice cream or a chocolate bar.
FAQs
How do I get to Raleigh, NC?
Raleigh is located in Central North Carolina and can be accessed by plane, train, bus, or car. By Plane, we are serviced by the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) just 15 minutes outside of the city. Amtrak Trains make regular stops at our Raleigh Union Station, coming from both North and South, including locations such as Boston, New York, Charlotte, and Atlanta. Greyhound services the bus station with buses leaving regularly to destinations all over North Carolina and beyond.
To drive into Raleigh from the North or South, take Highway 40 which passes through Raleigh. From the east, take Highway 95. From the west, take Highway 85 to Highway 40. We’re 2.5 hours from Charlotte and 4 Hours from Washington DC. Four hours west will take you to the mountains of Asheville, and 3.5 hours east will take you to the Outer Banks and the ocean.
How do I Get Around Raleigh, NC?
There are a number of options for getting around Raleigh, NC if you don’t have a car. Several rental car agencies throughout the city will rent you a car. You could also use our bus network, called “GoRaleigh” which is part of the larger “GoTriangle” bus network. Ride-sharing apps such as Uber and Lyft are also very popular in Raleigh, NC. Taxis are also plentiful, especially around the busier downtown areas.
Pro-Tip: There is a bus line known as the R-Line. It’s a free Bus that loops around downtown every 15 minutes. Quick and free way to get to a variety of downtown destinations.
Where is there to Park in Raleigh?
There are over 70 public parking lots or parking garages in downtown Raleigh, not including street parking, which is usually pretty easy to locate during the less busy times in the city. Most of these are paid parking lots or decks, but the prices are generally reasonable. Many of them also have free parking during the evenings or weekends. The city of Raleigh uses Passport for mobile processing of parking fees, or you can pay at one of the kiosks located in most parking lots or near paid street parking spaces.
How many days do you need to visit Raleigh?
This is a hard question to answer because it all depends on what you want to do and see while you’re here. Many of these activities could take you an entire day to really enjoy. Since over half of these activities are completely free, an extended trip to Raleigh can be very affordable. I would recommend spending 3 – 5 days in Raleigh to really explore, have time to relax, and really enjoy all that Raleigh has to offer.
If you find that you’re running out of things to do in Raleigh, here is our list of road trips from Raleigh.
In Conclusion: Is Raleigh Worth Visiting?
With plentiful free activities, free transportation options, and a comfortable southern hometown feel Raleigh is the place too be. Raleigh has a good mix of family-friendly activities, restaurants, concerts, nightlife, and more for any visitor. With the increasing population in the area (Wake County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the Country), more and more activities and opportunities are being added to the Raleigh area. So, yes, I would absolutely say that Raleigh is worth visiting. I’ve lived here for years now and continue to be amazed by new things and find new places that I want to visit that I didn’t know existed. So, come visit and let me know what you think of Raleigh, North Carolina.
