Looking for something to do in Raleigh? We've got you covered! The City of Oaks is bursting with activities and attractions that are sure to delight - the hard part is choosing where to start! Our team at NC Pro Realty has selected a few of our favorites to get you started!
Where you can find seven floors of interactive exhibits spanning two city blocks? Right in the heart of downtown Raleigh at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, the largest natural history museum in the Southeast! Come see for yourself why this is North Carolina’s most visited museum and be sure to allow plenty of time to explore the Nature Research Center and Nature Exploration Center which boast a diversity of permanent and special exhibits, educational films, interactive exhibits, live presentations given by top scientists and state-of-the-art laboratories. Stare in awe at a massive Blue Whale skeleton, take a prehistoric walk through time with dinosaur fossils, including a Giant Ground Sloth that is over 1.5 million years old and wander around the living conservatory where tropical butterflies flutter around! A discovery room for kids offers hands-on experience with the fun of natural science where they can touch fossils, watch a busy beehive, feel bird wings and much much more. To top it all off, admission is free!
Escape to a horticultural paradise at JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State. Located in west Raleigh, two miles from the university’s main campus, this nationally acclaimed garden showcases a diversity of amazing plant collections. Stop by the Bobby G. Wilder Visitor Center to pick up a map and self-guided tour, then explore gardens of all types and designs, from the Rooftop Terrace garden to the Butterfly Garden to the Finely-Notthingham Rose Garden which highlights hundreds of old and new rose cultivars. Savor the calm of the Japanese Garden and soak up all the vivid beauty of the Color Trials where flowering annuals and perennials are evaluated. Wander through the Klein-Pringle Garden which offers a Southern take on the classic English Garden complete with Victorian gazebo. Be inspired by new ideas for your own home garden and landscape; the gardens are regularly redesigned so you can always find new ideas! The Arboretum is open all year and offers free guided tours every Sunday, March through October. Want to know what’s flowering right now? Check out the Arboretum’s Showtimes for a visual listing of what is currently blooming.
Looking for a larger than life play space to take your little ones to? Marble Kids Museum will ignite their imagination through innovative hands-on exhibits and playful educational programs. Create music as you dance along a musical playground, go on a jungle safari, board the U.S.S. Science Submarine and even climb up to the crow’s nest of a pirate ship! Themed exhibits invite children and caregivers alike to let their creativity run wild through discovery and play. Plan enough time to include an immersive movie experience at IMAX and don’t forget to check out the unique wall wrapping around the museum – it is filled with more than a million marbles that light up at night! Admission is $7; every Thursday and on First Fridays, the museum is open until 7 pm with $3 admission after 3 pm.
Head five miles south of downtown Raleigh and explore Historic Yates Mill County Park, an excellent reflection of the rich cultural and natural resources of the Triangle. The park features a 174-acre wildlife refuge, environmental research center and the last operable water-powered gristmill in Wake County. The historic grain mill has stood since 1756, making it one of the oldest buildings in Raleigh. Guided tours and costumed corn-grinding demonstrations are offered March through November, offering you the chance to dive deeper into history. The park hosts a variety of public programs, including discovery tables, Art in the Park, guided walks and hikes as well as unique special events.
Indulge your love for live performance at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, a dazzling venue that welcomes a rich variety of the dramatic arts. Be swept away by the world-class Carolina Ballet. Sit in awe of the talented performers on stage with the North Carolina Theatre. Allow the North Carolina Symphony to captivate you with musical splendor. Witness stories come to life with Theater Raleigh. A diverse calendar bursting with talent offers the opportunity to be entertained by world-renowned visiting performers and guarantees a memorable experience.
Sample local flavor at the State Farmers Market. Located in the heart of Raleigh, the market is full of North Carolina farmers selling homegrown produce, plants and other specialty items. Stroll through the open air market, bustling with friendly vendors and find the freshest and widest variety of fruits and vegetables in the area. Explore the Market Shoppes where old-fashioned candies and scrumptious baked goods beckon, along with local meats and cheeses. Discover the perfect gift among artisan crafts, soaps and lotions, and North Carolina wines. Worked up an appetite? No problem! Grab something quick at the Market Grille or walk a few steps over to the NC Seafood Restaurant. If soft, buttery biscuits are calling your name, then head over to the State Farmers Market Restaurant for a menu filled with southern goodness.
Feast your eyes and mind upon the captivating exhibits at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Home to an impressive permanent art collection, the museum also hosts numerous special exhibits sure to inspire. Explore the 164-acre Museum Park where public art installations connect art and nature amidst contemporary gardens, recreational trails and a terraced pond. Feed your creativity with engaging programs designed for all ages that invite families to experience art together. Admission to the museum’s permanent collection and Museum Park is free. For full details on the museum’s current special exhibits and programs, check out their calendar.
These amazing attractions are just a small sample of the veritable treasure trove of cultural resources that Raleigh has to offer. So, get out the door and start exploring!
NC Pro Realty is brokered by eXp Realty and proud to highlight the best of the regions we serve. We love where we love and want the same for you!
