Raleigh provides 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 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 excellent place to start out your explorations. It’s house 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 Courtroom, and the Governor’s workplace. Be part of free guided excursions on Saturdays to be taught extra in regards to the state’s political historical past. Test their web site for particular occasions. 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 writer, poet, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou is without doubt 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 Chook 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 environment, human DNA, and extra on this museum’s interactive reveals. Inside the enormous 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 assumed gave the impression of an animatronic show, nevertheless it’s truly two of probably the most full skeletons of a Triceratops and a Tyrannosaur ever discovered. Along with historical 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, Girls Making Historical past, and the most important exhibit, The Story of North Carolina. I notably 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 good spot to achieve perception into this southern state. Or, at the least, 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 modern artwork museum within the metropolis’s Warehouse District options distinctive exhibitions by dwelling artists. You would possibly 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 effectively 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 line with the native WRAL Information, “Murals have an extended and wealthy historical past in Raleigh, relationship 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 certainly encounter 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 searching for out.
7. Videri Chocolate Manufacturing unit
Earlier than leaving the Warehouse District, you will need to pop into the Videri Chocolate Manufacturing unit, 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 in regards to 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 blokes had been too busy consuming goodies to hitch us.) You may as well join one among 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 artistic artwork. This has received to be the most important sculpture backyard I’ve ever visited, too! Actually, 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 day by day 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 internationally to make this metropolis their house.
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 range of its assortment, are just a few the explanation 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 attractive 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 crammed with native vegetation. For households, there’s a splash pad (open in summer season months) and a darling cardinal-themed playground to honor the state chicken. You’ll be able to 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 without spending a dime on Jazz’d Up Sundays on the Nice Garden Pavillion.
Native Retailers
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 focuses on hometown objects made by small companies and North Carolina artists. Search for jewellery, paintings, barware, paper items, and extra. There was a portray by an area artist that I REALLY needed, however my pocketbook stated no. 😥
The Cary Theater
Inbuilt 1946, The Cary Theater was the city’s first indoor movie show. After a 13-month renovation, the theater reopened in 2014. Immediately, you may go there to look at motion pictures, store in retail shops, and attend reside music and comedy reveals.
11. Spa Day at The Umstead Lodge
For probably the most romantic and opulent place to remain throughout an grownup Raleigh trip, {couples} will need to mattress down at The Umstead Lodge & Spa in Cary. Phil and I had been fortunate sufficient to spend a number of days at this superb lodge (and I do imply GLORIOUS!). Extra on that to come back in my full assessment, 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 a luxurious 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 quite a lot of therapies, together with facials, massages, and physique therapies. The Twin Falls Therapeutic massage for {couples} seems like a dreamy option to join together with your accomplice. There are additionally salon companies, akin to manicures, pedicures, and waxing.
12. Raleigh Municipal Rose Backyard
A unbelievable and romantic freebie is the Raleigh Municipal Rose Backyard, positioned close to North Carolina College’s major campus. It was extremely really helpful to my husband and me by an area Lyft Driver who stated we merely MUST go to. So we did!
It’s tucked away behind the Raleigh Little Theatre, a reside neighborhood theater. The small however beautiful backyard is open day by day of the yr from dawn to sundown. This hidden gem options a horny central fountain, 60 rose beds, and a plethora of different vegetation. 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 youngsters than it’s for grownups. In spite of everything, there’s a practice experience, carnival video games, and truthful 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 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 contemporary 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 created from farm contemporary 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 type — fear not! There are many methods for adults to quench their thirst in The Metropolis of Oaks. Listed here are the highest spots from our a number of days of debauchery in Raleigh with our native buddies.
Wye Hill Brewing
Soak up views of the Raleigh skyline whereas sipping native brews at Wye Hill Brewing on an out of doors patio atop the Boylan Bridge. A preferred 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 accessible.
To nosh whilst you sip, this Raleigh-based brewery is pleased with its chef-led bar meals like All the pieces 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 type of the constructing, the menu provides Italian-influenced inventive cocktails and an all-Italian wine checklist. Native beers from North Carolina can be found, however why not strive 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 is analogous to an Italian Spritz. Easy charcuterie boards are the one choice 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 let you know to smile? Then that is the place for you. There is no such thing as a have to placed on a fake joyful face right here. Check out the partitions at RBF crammed with photographs 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 creative, 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 any beer to be discovered at RBF.
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Save These Actions for Adults in Raleigh
For future journey inspiration, preserve 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 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 coated, 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 all the time.