Raleigh affords a superb 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 beautiful metropolis to go to our fun-loving native associates, 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 a 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 a terrific place to begin your explorations. It’s residence to fascinating outlets, fashionable eating places, and a few 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 a part of free guided excursions on Saturdays to study extra concerning the state’s political historical past. Test 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 wrestle 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 among 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 Chicken 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 preferred 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 large, don’t really feel pressured to cowl all of it since entry is free. (After all, donations are appreciated!)
Discover outer house, the Earth’s ambiance, human DNA, and extra on this museum’s interactive reveals. Inside the large globe proven above is a multimedia house 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, nevertheless it’s truly two of essentially the most full skeletons of a Triceratops and a Tyrannosaur ever discovered. Along with historic creatures, you may view reside 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 most important exhibit, The Story of North Carolina. I significantly loved seeing a meticulous reproduction 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 achieve perception into this southern state. Or, not less than, it will likely be when it reopens in 2026 or 2027. It closed to the general public in October 2024 for renovations.
5. CAM Raleigh
This modern artwork museum within the metropolis’s Warehouse District options distinctive exhibitions by dwelling artists. You may see work, sculptures, collages, images, or combined media within the ever-changing artwork shows at CAM Raleigh. The free museum solely takes an hour or so to wander by way of and is nicely price your time.
6. Raleigh Murals
Should you like public artwork as a lot as I do, you’ll be happy to study that Raleigh boasts greater than 300 murals! In line with the native WRAL Information, “Murals have an extended and wealthy historical past in Raleigh, courting again to the early twentieth century.”
Many of those artworks may 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 absolutely encounter unbelievable wall murals as you discover Raleigh. For some steering to find a few of these artwork items, check out 35 outside murals that Go to Raleigh recommends looking for out.
7. Videri Chocolate Manufacturing facility
Earlier than leaving the Warehouse District, you 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 wonderful 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 buddy Caroline and I discovered it to be an academic, scrumptious, and enjoyable expertise. (The fellows have been too busy consuming sweets to hitch us.) It’s also possible to join considered one of their weekly moderately priced, longer guided manufacturing facility 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 inventive artwork. This has bought to be the most important sculpture backyard I’ve ever visited, too! The truth is, it spans 164 acres (over 66 hectares). Along with greater than two dozen artwork installations, there are miles of outside 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 finest artwork museum within the state. It’s free to go to daily 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 lots of of Raleigh’s museums are closed. Fortunately, you may learn all about this attraction on our associates’ hyperlocal web site about their adopted hometown, This Is Raleigh. Along with being tremendous enjoyable associates 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 internationally 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 modern structure, the dedication to inclusion and the sheer variety 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 outdoors Raleigh, Cary is understood for its plentiful inexperienced areas, prime 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.
Take pleasure in a strolling path with bridges and gardens full of native crops. For households, there’s a splash pad (open in summer season months) and a darling cardinal-themed playground to honor the state chicken. You may even seize a craft beer or different beverage at The Bark Bar, located subsequent door to the native canine park. On weekends, watch reside music at no cost on Jazz’d Up Sundays on the Nice Garden Pavillion.
Native Outlets
Stroll round Cary, stopping into native outlets. As Gen X-ers, we cherished the vibe at Hunky Dory, a vinyl report retailer that sells new and used albums, in addition to craft brews.
Additionally notable is Good Day Cary, a present store that focuses on hometown objects made by small companies and North Carolina artists. Search for jewellery, art work, barware, paper items, and extra. There was a portray by an area artist that I REALLY wished, however my pocketbook mentioned 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. As we speak, you may go there to observe motion pictures, store in retail shops, and attend reside music and comedy exhibits.
11. Spa Day at The Umstead Resort
For essentially the most romantic and splendid place to remain throughout an grownup Raleigh trip, {couples} will need to mattress down at The Umstead Resort & Spa in Cary. Phil & I have been fortunate sufficient to spend a couple of days at this superb resort (and I do imply GLORIOUS!). Extra on that to return in my full evaluation, however even in the event you don’t keep the night time, you actually ought to plan a spa day at The Umstead.
Surrounded by verdant pine and oak timber, the Umstead Resort Spa exudes tranquility. Begin your spa expertise with a tour of the services. Then, tuck your belongings right into a locker and slip into a luxurious gown. Come early and keep late so you may luxuriate within the spa’s comfortable leisure lounges, indoor and outside sizzling tubs, eucalyptus sauna, and steam room.
Select from quite a lot of remedies, together with facials, massages, and physique remedies. The Twin Falls Therapeutic massage for {couples} seems like a dreamy method to join along with your associate. There are additionally salon providers, equivalent to manicures, pedicures, and waxing.
12. Raleigh Municipal Rose Backyard
A incredible and romantic freebie is the Raleigh Municipal Rose Backyard, positioned close to North Carolina College’s primary campus. It was extremely advisable to my husband and me by an area Lyft Driver who mentioned we merely MUST go to. So we did!
It’s tucked away behind the Raleigh Little Theatre, a reside group theater. The small however beautiful backyard is open daily of the yr from dawn to sundown. This hidden gem options a lovely central fountain, 60 rose beds, and a plethora of different crops. The roses bloom from late Might 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 kids than it’s for grownups. In any case, there’s a practice trip, 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 wood carousel and lease a pedal boat to instrument across the small, picturesque lake. Pullen Park makes a playful addition to a Raleigh trip for adults.
14. State Farmers Market
The energetic 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 conventional Southern meal made out of 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 fashion — 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 associates.
Wye Hill Brewing
Soak up views of the Raleigh skyline whereas sipping native brews at Wye Hill Brewing on an outside patio atop the Boylan Bridge. A well-liked selection 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 obtainable.
To nosh when you sip, this Raleigh-based brewery is happy with its chef-led bar meals like The whole lot Brussels (fried sprouts served with fromage blanc, maple mustard, and every little thing bagel seasoning).
The Parlor
The Parlor at Heights Home Resort evokes the Victorian period with a contemporary twist. Additionally within the Boylan Peak neighborhood, the swanky cocktail lounge is a part of a painstakingly restored 1858 historic mansion.
As a nod to the Italianate fashion of the constructing, the menu affords Italian-influenced inventive cocktails and an all-Italian wine checklist. Native beers from North Carolina can be found, however why not attempt a Bananas & Butter Bourbon or a Rosemary Me cocktail? Within the featured photograph on the prime 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 modern wine bar is all about embracing authenticity. Do you hate it when males inform you to smile? Then that is the place for you. There isn’t any have to placed on a faux completely satisfied face right here. Check out the partitions at RBF full of photographs that includes resting b*tch faces.
Let your RBF fly whereas sipping glowing, crimson, rosé, or orange wine. This can be 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 engaging charcuterie boards will tempt sippers. And, nope, there isn’t a beer to be discovered at RBF.
Discover Extra
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Enjoyable lovers can’t go flawed with an grownup getaway in Orlando full of amusements, themed bars, and nature explorations.
Save These Actions for Adults in Raleigh
For future journey inspiration, maintain this checklist of enjoyable issues for adults to do in Raleigh. Merely pin the picture above to Pinterest. I hope you’ll observe me on Pinterest when you’re at it!
Which of those grownup actions in Raleigh appeals to you most? Tell us within the feedback under!
A Observe 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 have been coated, together with our keep and my spa therapy at The Umstead Resort. I didn’t obtain any financial compensation associated to this weblog publish. All opinions are mine, as at all times.