A Brief History of Raleigh, NC
Raleigh, NC is the second-largest city in North Carolina and is the North Carolina state capital. Raleigh is a sprawling city with a strong emphasis on history and culture. With countless old buildings to navigate and beautiful scenery to explore, Raleigh is both a beautiful place to call home and a wonderful area to visit.
Whether you are a visitor to Raleigh or you are a long-time Raleigh resident, there is always something to do! Festivals, parks, shopping, and fantastic eateries are all available for visitors and residents alike.
The Best Things to Do in Raleigh, NC
Raleigh is a large city with a rich history and robust culture. The best things to do in Raleigh include offerings geared toward families, individuals, children, and adults, and range from simple nature walks to more targeted entertainment venues such as small amusement parks.
Family Attractions
Raleigh is filled with art museums, historic sites, and guided tours designed to entertain and educate. Families visiting or local to the area can fill their weekends with beautiful outings to the JC Raulston Arboretum or peruse the warehouse district. Some of the best available outings for families have been identified below.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Downtown Raleigh
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is one of the greatest offerings found in downtown Raleigh. While it may not boast the same intense permanent collections found in cities like New York, the museum is home to an impressive array of bones and exhibits that are sure to please even the least interested party in the group.
With enormous dinosaur and whale bones gracing the halls and sections devoted to investigating science and learning more about how the world works, the Museum of Natural Sciences is often at the top of every Raleigh bucket list.
North Carolina Museum of Art
The North Carolina Museum of Art is an art museum filled with plenty of local and regional work. The museum has an unusual history, as it was the first museum in the United States to be developed and fleshed out using state funding. It has continued to expand since its inception and offers programs for children, teenagers, and adults, in addition to hosting concerts and film events. The museum site has more information about upcoming exhibits and programs and is a must-see if you are visiting the Raleigh area.
Pullen Park in Downtown Raleigh
Pullen Park is a large park, stretching out over more than 60 acres. Pullen Park is among the oldest parks still in operation in North Carolina and boasts a large number of attractions within its boundaries. Although the park does offer the standard spread of trees and pathways, it also has pedal boating, a carousel, and allows visitors to see a play, and play their favorite sports. Pullen Park has plenty of attractions to entice children and adults, even in the absence of an interest in the outdoors.
Frankie’s of Raleigh
A sharp veer away from Pullen Park, Frankie’s offers more high-stakes thrills. Frankie’s of Raleigh has mini golf, bumper cars, go karts, bumper boats, laser tag, carnival rides, and more. If you’re looking for a day of fun and thrills after exploring local and regional history, Frankie’s is the way to go.
Marbles Kids Museum in Downtown Raleigh
Marbles Kids Museum is chock full of activities and exhibits designed to engage and educate children. From musical exhibits to water play and building activities, Marbles Kids Museum has something for the whole family to enjoy. Marbles is primarily designed for younger children rather than teenagers, but the whole family can find something enjoyable to play with and learn on a day out.
Videri Chocolate Factory in Downtown Raleigh
Videri Chocolate Factory is Raleigh’s very own chocolate factory. A locally owned and operated company, Videri provides visitors with a peek into the process of making organic, fair-trade chocolate, free from common fillers and allergens. In addition to offering customers an opportunity to procure delicious local treats, Videri provides visitors with good coffee and ice cream alongside their superlative chocolate options.
Outdoor Attractions
Raleigh is also home to countless outdoor attractions, centering primarily on state and city parks. Whether you’re eager to go for a hike or you want to enjoy a truly stunning view of fields of flowers, Raleigh can deliver.
Umstead State Park
Umstead State Park just west of North Raleigh is popular among people who enjoy hiking and biking trails. The park has 3 lakes and campgrounds available to extend your stay in nature. Fishing, canoeing, and boating are all welcome at the park and can be an excellent way to get away from the thick of Raleigh’s city center.
Yates Mill County Park
Yates Mill County Park is another large park found in Raleigh, with over 170 acres of space. The main draw of Yates Mill is its historical value: the park is home to the historic Yates mill, a water-powered mill that ground corn and wheat for the nearby residents. The mill has been maintained and is the only historical mill managed enough to maintain its original function.
Dorothea Dix Park
Dorothea Dix Park is a part of a collective effort between local conservation societies and the state government to create a safe and welcoming place for the community. In addition to its status as the home of countless historical events, Dorothea Dix Park boasts a truly enormous field filled with sunflowers, coming in at around 8 acres.
Adult Adventures
While adults can certainly enjoy the events identified thus far, many adults are eager to sample the local brewing fare. Raleigh has one such offering: trophy brewing.
Trophy Brewing
Trophy Brewing is Raleigh’s premier craft brewery. With 4 core beers and 8 featured beers that rotate in and out of production, Trophy has a little bit of something for everyone. Whether you’re eager to try a new brew, or you just want to get a feel for the local brewing talent, Trophy Brewing is a worthy stop.
Visiting Raleigh, NC
There is so much to visit in Raleigh and so many different spots to hit in the Raleigh area. In Five Points, you can stop by Tic Toc Escapes and test your escape room skills. North Hills is home to Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh’s own independent bookstore. The Northridge Country Club is a great stop for a game of golf if you are in the Northridge area. Lassiter Mill Park in Midtown offers a way to fish and get outside without sacrificing a sense of connection to the city.
History and culture are vital to the city, and it is home to countless museums in addition to the museums mentioned above. The Pope House Museum, Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) Raleigh, and the Carolina Museum of History are some of the additional museums found in Raleigh. There are also numerous other areas to visit, including the historic Oakwood neighborhood and Mordecai House.
As a dental office in Raleigh, NC, North Hills Dentistry is proud to live in a city so rich with United States and regional history.
