Now comes the part where I realize all that I missed in Raleigh during my berzerk trip to Prince Edward Island in the fall of 2016.
HISTORY
Raleigh was established in 1792 as a planned city and the capital of North Carolina, due to its proximity to the state legislature’s favorite tavern. Named for Sir Walter Raleigh, he of the lost colony of Roanoke, the city was saved from destruction via Sherman’s March to the Sea by some former governors who went and asked nicely. When Sherman found no resistance, he left most of historic Raleigh intact.
Raleigh is now known as the City of Oaks and for its Research Triangle of three major research universities: North Carolina State University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It is also the site of the South’s first historically black university.
THINGS TO DO
Having done my due diligence now on Raleigh, I’m amazed at how many FREE things there are to do here! This definitely bumps Raleigh up on the list of places to re-visit sometime soon. There is a trio of excellent, award-winning (and did I mention FREE) museums, parks, and historic buildings to explore. If you have even a reasonable amount of curiosity about the world, you’ll find a lot here to appreciate.
North Carolina Museum of Art
The furthest out of the Big Three Free museums, the excellent North Carolina Museum of Art features a robust permanent collection including sculptures by Rodin, and African art, Egyptian artifacts, Judaic treasures, American and contemporary artists, etc. etc. etc. Right now, they are also hosting a “You Are Here” special exhibit. A whole floor of large-scale installations that put you in the middle of the artwork. There’s Yayoi Kusama’s seemingly-infinite light show in which you peer via portholes; there’s Janet Cardiff’s 40 Part Motet 40-channel looped audio experience; there are roomfuls of shadow and light and displays that change your image of yourself. It looks so cool. The special exhibit is $15 for adults and you need to (possibly) book a slot ahead of time.
Open 10a-5p, except for Fridays when it’s open until 9 pm. The surrounding park is open from dawn to dusk and features many short paved and unpaved trails. There is also a 6-mile “Art to Heart Corridor” bike path that connects the art museum to the “heart” of downtown Raleigh.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, the Southeast’s largest natural history museum, features dinosaurs, whale skeletons, live animals, interactions with scientists, walk-through dioramas, and hands-on exhibits suitable for all ages. Best of all, it’s all FREE! This is the second of the Big Three Free and it’s in the heart of downtown, next to the Capitol building. The special exhibit right now is mazes and brain games and they always have something fun going on when you visit. Super great option for kids of all ages (and I’m including myself, it sounds awesome!)
Open 9a-5p except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. There are Sensory Friendly Nights for kids who need a quieter experience. Parking is all downtown and will generally run you $2/hour, and it’s $1 for a printed museum guide. Or download the free app for a self-guided tour on your phone. Food and shopping are available on-site.
North Carolina Museum of History
The third of the Big Three Free, the North Carolina Museum of History takes an almost theme-park approach to their exhibits, building WWI trenches to walk through or recreating historic buildings and interiors. There are exhibits on sports, fashion, flight in the time of the Wright Brothers, and a very cool-looking collection of photographs. This is located right next to the Museum of Natural History. Open 9a-5p and closed on major holidays.
Pullen Park
Established in 1887, Pullen Park is the 5th oldest operating amusement park in the United States. “Amusement Park” may be stretching it–here you can find a historic 1911 Dentzel carousel, pedal (what I would call paddle) boats on a lake, a kiddie boat ride and a miniature train. Tickets for each ride are $1 for 13 months and above, 12 months and under is free with a paying adult. There are plenty of open spaces for games and picnic pavilions for family gatherings. And yes, I would go just to ride the train for $1. Because.
JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University
I’m a sucker for botanical gardens and this FREE display at North Carolina State University looks amazing. Here, you’ll see indigenous southern plants in over 6,220 taxa. Free tours are offered Sundays at 2 pm, and the gardens are open 8a-8p April-October; 8a-5p November-March. You can contact the gardens for special guided tours for your groups if arranged at least one month in advance.
North Carolina State Capitol
There is a beautiful State Capitol Building to visit for (again) FREE and take a self-guided tour or get a guided tour for your group. Most visitors report being able to tag along with a larger group if they wanted. Either way, you can visit all three floors: the rotunda, featuring busts of George Washington, Virginia Dare, and women who participated in the Edmonton Tea Party; the house and senate chambers on the second floor; and, most interesting to me, the historic state library and state geologist’s office on the third floor. Outside, one can find statues of George Washington, a WW1 Wildcat memorial, and a Vietnam Veterans’ memorial, among many others. During Christmas, they host an official tree lighting with the governor. There’s a small gift shop that sells postcards and other small items (and I’m always looking for postcards.)
Executive Mansion
The gubernatorial Executive Mansion is located near both history museums and the Capitol building and offers FREE tours if you plan over two weeks in advance. This Victorian-Style home was described by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as “the most beautiful governor’s residence interior in America” so it’s worth a look! Especially when it’s decorated for the Christmas holidays. Contact the Capitol Area’s Visitor Center for tour times and dates at 919-733-7862.
Joel Lane Historic House
This plantation manor was once described as the “The best house for 100 miles.” Take a tour for a slice of revolutionary-era life. The house is surrounded by formal gardens. Guided tours begin at select hours and last for 45 minutes. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $4 for students, free parking.
Historic Oakwood Cemetery
I’m a fan of historic cemeteries and the Historic Oakwood Cemetery looks beautiful. Founded in 1869, its 65+ acres include a Confederate cemetery and a Hebrew cemetery, both given to the city by Henri Mordecai in 1967.
Capital Area Greenway Trail System
One thing that I find fascinating about central/downtown Raleigh is that it is all connected via the Capital Area Greenway Trail System! The Art Museum is connected to Pullen Park, which is connected to the Capitol, the History and Natural History Museums and goes by several of the colleges. I’m not sure I would use it for transportation from one to the other on a day trip, but it gives the opportunity to discover nature in the middle of downtown. There are over 100 miles of trails to explore, including an Art to Heart corridor, connecting the NC Art Museum to the rest of downtown.
FESTIVALS
As a special bonus, here are a few events during the year that look really interesting. Now I want to live here!
NC State Fair
The annual State Fair, which this year goes from Oct 11-21, features carnival food vendors, amusement rides, agricultural contests and exhibits, craftsmen, entertainment, and fireworks. If pricing is the same as 2017, adult admission is around $8-10, depending on how far in advance you buy. Then individual ride tickets and unlimited-ride wristbands can be purchased for $1 a ticket (most rides taking 5-6 tickets) or $25-35 for a wristband, again, depending on if you buy in advance or not.
This fair has been a North Carolina staple since 1853 and at its present site since 1923.
Freedom Balloon Fest
Memorial Day weekend, May 25-28 sees the Freedom Balloon Fest in nearby (~30 min) Fuquay-Varina, featuring free parking and live entertainment plus loads of beautiful hot air balloons! You can ride in a balloon, but you must contact each balloon’s pilot to schedule, so I’m not sure how much it costs. There is a “mass ascension” twice during the day and a “balloon glow” in the evening dusk. It sounds amazing!
Food Truck Rodeo
I love this name! The Food Truck Rodeo takes place four times a year–May 6, June 10, Aug. 5 (evening rodeo) and Oct. 14, 2018. 50 food trucks stretched over 11 city blocks makes this one big food fest! This is one of those events where you need to take a friend just so you can eat more!
World of Bluegrass
Raleigh has other music festivals, but my favorite is the World of Bluegrass Festival held Sept 25-29. The Streetfest part of the festival is free, but tickets to the mainstage cost from $50-$160, depending on your level of access. Ticket prices go for a good cause, however. Half of all ticket sales go to bluegrass musicians in times of need.
Raleigh Christmas Parade
Christmastime in Raleigh kicks off with a huge 2-hour parade through downtown Raleigh on November 17. It features “marching bands, dancers, classic cars, superheroes and more” whatever that means! It sounds like fun!
First Night Raleigh
On New Year’s Day, downtown Raleigh celebrates all day long with 100 performances across 25 venues, a ferris wheel, and a giant acorn that drops at midnight. The night is capped off by a huge fireworks show. All-day passes are $11 in advance, $15 day of.
FOOD
With thousands of restaurants in Raleigh, it would be hard to recommend just a few, and this post is long enough. Top offerings include Laotian, French, and Lebanese, and great barbecue is readily available. Healthy, gluten-free, and vegetarian options seem to abound.
Some cheaper eats I’d like to try include Big Ed’s City Market, Guasaca Venezuelan, Mami Nora’s Peruvian, and Sassool Lebanese. Plenty of burger and hot dog joints round out that menu as well. But what I’d really love to do is that Food Truck Rodeo! #foodcoma
hm, interesting 🙂