Raleigh affords a wonderful number of actions for adults. From distinctive museums and picturesque parks to a vibrant bar scene, you’ll discover it in North Carolina’s capital. My husband, Phil, and I ventured to this gorgeous metropolis to go to our fun-loving native buddies, who confirmed us a few of their favourite spots. We took time to ourselves to take pleasure in Raleigh’s romantic issues to do, too. Be part of us as we discover the grownup aspect of Raleigh!
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1. North Carolina State Capitol
Within the coronary heart of downtown, Raleigh’s Capital District makes an important place to start out your explorations. It’s residence to attention-grabbing retailers, fashionable eating places, and a number of the metropolis’s most visited museums. The centerpiece of the Capital District is the North Carolina State Capitol.
Accomplished in 1840, this constructing is a powerful instance of Greek Revival structure. A lush inexperienced garden and shady oak timber encompass it. (That’s becoming since Raleigh’s nickname is The Metropolis of Oaks!)
Historical past buffs ought to head inside to view the Home and Senate chambers, the Supreme Court docket, and the Governor’s workplace. Be part of free guided excursions on Saturdays to be taught extra concerning the state’s political historical past. Verify their web site for particular instances. If that’s not your jam, take a pic and carry on strolling!
2. North Carolina Freedom Park
Not removed from the Capitol Constructing, the 1-acre North Carolina Freedom Park is a tribute to the African American battle for freedom and equality within the USA. Learn 20 highly effective quotes from Black leaders and historic figures of North Carolina. These Voices of Freedom are etched on the low partitions encircling a metallic sculpture named the Beacon of Freedom.
Well-known creator, poet, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou is likely one of the North Carolinians quoted. She lived within the state from 1982 till she died in 2014. Proven under, her quote on the park is from Angelou’s debut memoir, I Know Why the Caged Fowl Sings.
The caged chicken sings
with a fearful trill
of issues unknown
however longed for nonetheless
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged chicken
sings of freedom.Maya angelou
3. North Carolina Museum of Sciences
What’s the most well-liked attraction in North Carolina? The North Carolina Museum of Sciences! Courting again to 1879, it’s additionally the oldest and largest museum within the state. Though this attraction within the Capital District is big, don’t really feel pressured to cowl all of it since entry is free. (After all, donations are appreciated!)
Discover outer area, the Earth’s ambiance, human DNA, and extra on this museum’s interactive reveals. Inside the large globe proven above is a multimedia area the place you may watch motion pictures and lectures about science. Don’t miss the Dueling Dinosaurs, which I believed appeared like an animatronic show, however it’s really two of essentially the most full skeletons of a Triceratops and a Tyrannosaur ever discovered. Along with historic creatures, you may view stay animals like snakes, a two-toed sloth, and tropical butterflies.
4. North Carolina Museum of Historical past
Proper subsequent door to the science middle, the North Carolina Museum of Historical past options reveals on The Tar Heel State, together with African American Life and Tradition, Ladies Making Historical past, and the biggest exhibit, The Story of North Carolina. I significantly loved seeing a meticulous duplicate of the glider utilized by the Wright brothers throughout their early experiments in flight in Kitty Hawk, NC (about 200 miles east of Raleigh).
The North Carolina Museum of Historical past is a superb spot to realize perception into this southern state. Or, a minimum of, it is going to be when it reopens in 2026 or 2027. It closed to the general public in October 2024 for renovations.
5. CAM Raleigh
This up to date artwork museum within the metropolis’s Warehouse District options distinctive exhibitions by dwelling artists. You may see work, sculptures, collages, pictures, or blended media within the ever-changing artwork shows at CAM Raleigh. The free museum solely takes an hour or so to wander via and is properly price your time.
6. Raleigh Murals
Should you like public artwork as a lot as I do, you’ll be happy to be taught that Raleigh boasts greater than 300 murals! In response to the native WRAL Information, “Murals have a protracted and wealthy historical past in Raleigh, relationship again to the early twentieth century.”
Many of those artworks will be discovered within the Warehouse District. For instance, No Damsel (proven above) is a mural of reimagined Disney princesses. Created by artist and feminist Dorian Lynde, you’ll discover it proper throughout the road from CAM Raleigh.
You’ll certainly come upon unbelievable wall murals as you discover Raleigh. For some steerage to find a few of these artwork items, check out 35 out of doors murals that Go to Raleigh recommends looking for out.
7. Videri Chocolate Manufacturing facility
Earlier than leaving the Warehouse District, you will need to pop into the Videri Chocolate Manufacturing facility, a chocolate lover’s paradise. Along with artisanal chocolate bars and bonbons, this café and chocolate manufacturing facility sells espresso and soft-serve ice cream, making it a superb place for a day pick-me-up!
Embark on 15-minute, self-guided excursions concerning the chocolate-making course of at no cost. Should you full their scavenger hunt type, you get a free chocolate sweet. My pal Caroline and I discovered it to be an academic, scrumptious, and enjoyable expertise. (The fellows had been too busy consuming sweets to affix us.) You can too join one in every of their weekly moderately priced, longer guided manufacturing unit excursions.
8. Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park
The Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park combines two of my favourite issues into one whimsical expertise: nature and artistic artwork. This has bought to be the biggest sculpture backyard I’ve ever visited, too! In actual fact, it spans 164 acres (over 66 hectares). Along with greater than two dozen artwork installations, there are miles of out of doors recreation trails, fairly gardens, and a terraced pond for energetic adults to take pleasure in.
This superior park is a part of the North Carolina Museum of Artwork, which is lauded because the greatest artwork museum within the state. It’s free to go to on daily basis of the yr from daybreak till nightfall.
9. North Carolina Museum of Artwork
Don’t make the identical mistake as my husband and me by making an attempt to go to the North Carolina Museum of Artwork on a Monday, when this and plenty of of Raleigh’s museums are closed. Fortunately, you may learn all about this attraction on our buddies’ hyperlocal web site about their adopted hometown, This Is Raleigh. Along with being tremendous enjoyable buddies who confirmed us round city, Caroline and Craig are world vacationers and bloggers from Australia who fell in love with Raleigh and determined to maneuver the world over to make this metropolis their residence.
In her information to the North Carolina Museum of Artwork, Caroline says, “The superb artwork items, the cautious curation of installations, the revolutionary structure, the dedication to inclusion and the sheer range of its assortment, are just a few the reason why the NC Museum of Artwork is price visiting.” Plus, it’s free!
10. Downtown Cary
Positioned simply exterior Raleigh, Cary is thought for its ample inexperienced areas, top quality of life, and candy downtown middle. Plan to spend a day exploring the middle of this North Carolina enclave.
Downtown Cary Park
The gorgeous Downtown Cary Park is smack within the middle of this charming suburb. I actually was delighted by the playful design of this 7-acre (2.8-hectare) park.
Get pleasure from a strolling path with bridges and gardens stuffed with native vegetation. For households, there’s a splash pad (open in summer time months) and a darling cardinal-themed playground to honor the state chicken. You possibly can even seize a craft beer or different beverage at The Bark Bar, located subsequent door to the native canine park. On weekends, watch stay music without spending a dime on Jazz’d Up Sundays on the Nice Garden Pavillion.
Native Outlets
Stroll round Cary, stopping into native retailers. As Gen X-ers, we beloved the vibe at Hunky Dory, a vinyl document retailer that sells new and used albums, in addition to craft brews.
Additionally notable is Good Day Cary, a present store that makes a speciality of hometown gadgets made by small companies and North Carolina artists. Search for jewellery, art work, barware, paper items, and extra. There was a portray by a neighborhood artist that I REALLY wished, however my pocketbook stated no. 😥
The Cary Theater
In-built 1946, The Cary Theater was the city’s first indoor movie show. After a 13-month renovation, the theater reopened in 2014. At the moment, you may go there to observe motion pictures, store in retail shops, and attend stay music and comedy reveals.
11. Spa Day at The Umstead Lodge
For essentially the most romantic and opulent place to remain throughout an grownup Raleigh trip, {couples} will wish to mattress down at The Umstead Lodge & Spa in Cary. Phil & I had been fortunate sufficient to spend just a few days at this superb resort (and I do imply GLORIOUS!). Extra on that to return in my full overview, however even for those who don’t keep the evening, you actually ought to plan a spa day at The Umstead.
Surrounded by verdant pine and oak timber, the Umstead Lodge Spa exudes tranquility. Begin your spa expertise with a tour of the amenities. Then, tuck your belongings right into a locker and slip into an opulent gown. Come early and keep late so you may luxuriate within the spa’s soft rest lounges, indoor and out of doors scorching tubs, eucalyptus sauna, and steam room.
Select from a wide range of remedies, together with facials, massages, and physique remedies. The Twin Falls Therapeutic massage for {couples} feels like a dreamy strategy to join together with your accomplice. There are additionally salon providers, resembling manicures, pedicures, and waxing.
12. Raleigh Municipal Rose Backyard
A improbable and romantic freebie is the Raleigh Municipal Rose Backyard, situated close to North Carolina College’s major campus. It was extremely really useful to my husband and me by a neighborhood Lyft Driver who stated we merely MUST go to. So we did!
It’s tucked away behind the Raleigh Little Theatre, a stay group theater. The small however pretty backyard is open on daily basis of the yr from dawn to sundown. This hidden gem options a pretty central fountain, 60 rose beds, and a plethora of different vegetation. The roses bloom from late Could till mid-fall.
13. Pullen Park
Based in 1887, that is the primary public park within the state of North Carolina. It might sound that Pullen Park is extra of an attraction for youngsters than it’s for grownups. In spite of everything, there’s a practice journey, carnival video games, and honest meals for households to take pleasure in.
However if you wish to really feel like a child once more, then take a spin on the classic picket carousel and lease a pedal boat to device across the small, picturesque lake. Pullen Park makes a playful addition to a Raleigh trip for adults.
14. State Farmers Market
The full of life colours, scrumptious flavors, and pleasant of us on the State Farmers Market Restaurant in Raleigh perked me proper up. Buy a bouquet of colourful flowers or seize some recent produce for healthful journey snacks from the array of native distributors. Then, head to the onsite State Farmers Market Restaurant for a standard Southern meal produced from farm recent meals.
15. Drinks for Adults in Raleigh
Craft beer is king, with over 40 breweries in Raleigh, spectacular in a metropolis of lower than 500,000 residents. If wine, cocktails, or mocktails are extra your model — fear not! There are many methods for adults to quench their thirst in The Metropolis of Oaks. Listed below are the highest spots from our a number of days of debauchery in Raleigh with our native buddies.
Wye Hill Brewing
Absorb views of the Raleigh skyline whereas sipping native brews at Wye Hill Brewing on an out of doors patio atop the Boylan Bridge. A well-liked alternative amongst beer connoisseurs is Sea Change, a West Coast IPA recognized for its hoppy but refreshing taste. Ciders, wine, cocktails, and a few mocktails are additionally out there.
To nosh whilst you sip, this Raleigh-based brewery is pleased with its chef-led bar meals like Every thing Brussels (fried sprouts served with fromage blanc, maple mustard, and the whole lot bagel seasoning).
The Parlor
The Parlor at Heights Home Lodge evokes the Victorian period with a contemporary twist. Additionally within the Boylan Top neighborhood, the swanky cocktail lounge is a part of a painstakingly restored 1858 historic mansion.
As a nod to the Italianate model of the constructing, the menu affords Italian-influenced artistic cocktails and an all-Italian wine record. Native beers from North Carolina can be found, however why not attempt a Bananas & Butter Bourbon or a Rosemary Me cocktail? Within the featured picture on the high of this text, I’m sipping a Capri Spritz mocktail, which has similarities to an Italian Spritz. Easy charcuterie boards are the one possibility for hungry drinkers.
RBF, Your Genuine Champagne Bar
Whereas in Cary, you completely should go to RBF, Your Genuine Champagne Bar. This woman-owned revolutionary wine bar is all about embracing authenticity. Do you hate it when males let you know to smile? Then that is the place for you. There isn’t any have to placed on a faux comfortable face right here. Check out the partitions at RBF stuffed with pictures that includes resting b*tch faces.
Let your RBF fly whereas sipping glowing, pink, rosé, or orange wine. It is a fabulous spot for mocktail lovers, too, with a number of ingenious, zero-proof choices to select from. (Add a couple of dollars to make them into glowing wine cocktails as an alternative.) A number of attractive charcuterie boards will tempt sippers. And, nope, there is no such thing as a beer to be discovered at RBF.
Discover Extra
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Enjoyable lovers can’t go mistaken with an grownup getaway in Orlando stuffed with amusements, themed bars, and nature explorations.
Save These Actions for Adults in Raleigh
For future journey inspiration, hold this record of enjoyable issues for adults to do in Raleigh. Merely pin the picture above to Pinterest. I hope you’ll observe me on Pinterest whilst you’re at it!
Which of those grownup actions in Raleigh appeals to you most? Tell us within the feedback under!
A Word from Colleen: Go to Raleigh partially hosted my go to to the Metropolis of Oaks with my husband. A few of our meals and actions had been lined, together with our keep and my spa remedy at The Umstead Lodge. I didn’t obtain any financial compensation associated to this weblog submit. All opinions are mine, as at all times.
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