The way to Spend 24 Hours in Raleigh, North Carolina (Up to date 2024)

On this visitor publish, Craig Makepeace (co-founder and writer of ThisIsRaleigh.com) shares tips on how to spend 24 hours in Raleigh, North Carolina.

I’ve referred to as Raleigh, North Carolina, house for over 10 years. As one of many South’s most vibrant and eclectic burgs, this state capital may be one of many fastest-growing midsize cities within the US. It recurrently tops the “finest locations to reside and work within the US,” nevertheless it nonetheless gives small-town allure and Southern hospitality. My spouse and I made a decision to lift our youngsters right here due to this combine.

Nicknamed “the Metropolis of Oaks” for the sheer variety of majestic oak timber that line the streets, moreover providing ample inexperienced areas and trails, Raleigh is house to glorious museums, a thriving restaurant scene, limitless craft breweries, enjoyable festivals and occasions, and college-town vibes!

Many guests cease in Raleigh as a part of a street journey or for work and thus don’t at all times have a number of time to completely discover it. Nevertheless, even when you simply have sooner or later, you possibly can nonetheless see loads.

Beneath is my private information to the very best issues to do in sooner or later.

Breakfast: Large Ed’s Metropolis Market

There’s no higher Southern breakfast and introduction to Raleigh than at Big Ed’s in historic Metropolis Market, serving beneficiant parts of Southern consolation meals since 1958.

Right here you’ll take pleasure in a laid-back vibe below a group of funky antiques hanging from the ceiling, together with heat Southern hospitality and meals like Grandma used to make. Particularly standard are their large pancakes, native nation ham, fried rooster, aged rib-eye steak and eggs, sliced pork loin, fried catfish, fluffy biscuits, and double-brewed candy tea. That is the native expertise you’re in search of.

Alternate breakfast choices embrace The Mecca, Raleigh’s oldest restaurant, based by Greek immigrants in 1930; and the State Farmers’ Market Restaurant, one other standard place for locals to get a rustic breakfast and Southern eating expertise!
 

Morning exercise: Museums

After filling up on a hearty meal, soak up a museum. Raleigh has some glorious ones, and due to the standard and variety of free museums it has, town has typically been known as “the Smithsonian of the South.”

The implausible Museum of Natural Sciences is North Carolina’s most visited museum. There are over 4 flooring of displays to discover, together with reside animals, walk-through dioramas, microbes, meteorites, and 3D films, plus a terrific everlasting assortment of dinosaur and whale skeletons.

If historical past is your factor, throughout the road is the North Carolina Museum of History. Based in 1902, it welcomes greater than 400,000 guests a yr to see its 150,000 artifacts from over 14,000 years of historical past.

Artwork lovers ought to head to the free North Carolina Museum of Art, house to greater than a dozen stunning gallery areas showcasing artwork from around the globe. You may discover by yourself, take an attractive tour, or see some performing arts. Don’t miss taking a stroll by the 164-acre Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park, whose path system by pure areas options greater than a dozen commissioned artworks.
 

Lunch: The Pit Genuine BBQ

North Carolina is a giant barbecue state, and having fun with a plate is one thing they take very severely within the state capital. It’s a type of “welcome to the South” moments all meat eaters ought to expertise.

In Raleigh, they primarily do Japanese-style barbecue, during which the entire hog is slow-cooked over scorching coals; the meat is then pulled, given just a little chop, and dressed with a vinegar-based sauce. Usually, it’s served as a sandwich or a plated dish, with all the standard Southern sides you possibly can deal with.

The Pit Authentic BBQ is without doubt one of the hottest such spots in Raleigh. Because the identify suggests, it proudly serves genuine whole-hog, pit-cooked, Japanese-style barbecue. Situated within the Warehouse District, it’s well-known for child again ribs and whole-hog chopped barbecue. And for sides, try the Brunswick stew, heirloom cabbage collards, and fried inexperienced tomatoes.

Well-known in NC, Sam Jones BBQ in downtown is one other glorious choice. It smokes entire hogs on-site day by day and is standard for its chopped barbecue, fried rooster, ribs, and baked flat cornbread. It additionally serves considered one of my favourite sandwiches in Raleigh, the smoked turkey!

If pork barbecue is just not your factor however you continue to desire a Southern eating expertise, Beasley’s Chicken + Honey is a well-liked lunch restaurant by famed chef Ashley Christensen that focuses on fried rooster and sandwiches.
 

Afternoon exercise: Umstead State Park

Time to stroll off lunch! Only a 15-minute drive from downtown is without doubt one of the hottest locations in Raleigh, and considered one of North Carolina’s most visited state parks: William B. Umstead State Park, which is well accessible from Interstate 40 and US-70. Its greater than 5,000 acres of forest encompass three man-made lakes and comprise over 22 miles of trails, starting from simple to average. Should you love nature trails, biking, operating, picnicking, canoeing, and even horseback driving, put Umstead in your itinerary.

An excellent introductory path is the two.8-mile Sal’s Department Path loop, which is usually shaded and flat, with tall timber and a lake view. Should you’re up for a woodland stroll, the Sycamore Path is a 7.2-mile loop and the longest path. One other standard path is the six-mile Firm Mill Path loop.

Alternatively, Lake Johnson, only a 10-minute drive from downtown, is my favourite of the lakes in Raleigh. The three-mile paved greenway loop across the western facet is standard with NC State college students and locals. There’s a 700-foot-long boardwalk throughout the middle of the lake, a boathouse, a small seaside space, and picnic shelters.
 

Pre-dinner drinks: Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing

One of the best view of the Raleigh skyline might be had from Wye Hill and its excellent outside patio. Take all of it in whereas having fun with refreshing craft beers and distinctive cocktails. There’s a superb small-plate menu too!

Whiskey lovers can head to the attractive open area and hip venue Whiskey Kitchen, that includes a repurposed industrial vibe during which to take pleasure in any of over 300 whiskies, plus craft cocktails, beer, and wine. Talking of wine, Vita Vite Art Gallery + Wine Bar doubles as an artwork gallery and gives an awesome collection of wine in an aesthetic and relaxed ambiance.
 

Dinner: Stanbury

Stanbury might be essentially the most distinctive eating expertise in Raleigh and one I can’t cease speaking about. It has excellent meals, a beautiful ambiance in a unusual, rustic venue, and wonderful service! The menu, which modifications every day, options trendy delicacies (together with the very best steak I’ve had in Raleigh), plus craft cocktails.

Bida Manda is hands-down the very best of the Asian restaurants in Raleigh. Its presumably my favourite Southeast Asian restaurant in North Carolina, if not the US. It’s famend for its genuine Laotian delicacies, together with ample vegetarian and gluten-free choices.

In search of Mexican meals in Raleigh? Gringo A Go Go is a former gasoline station and now one of many extra standard downtown eating places, given its colourful outside patio space and genuine Mexican meals. The menu is a tribute to the household’s Central Mexican heritage, with recipes handed down from the Guadalajara highlands.
 

After-dinner drinks: Watts & Ward

Watts & Ward is my favourite (underground) bar in Raleigh, a craft cocktail place infused with the spirit of the Twenties. Suppose leather-based seating, cozy nooks, rustic tables, dim lighting, and bookshelves stuffed with historical past. It gives an creative cocktail menu and low-key jazz occasions.

However you probably have dinner at Stanbury, close by is my different favourite cocktail bar, William and Firm, or Willco to the locals. This cozy neighborhood cocktail bar on the sting of historic Oakwood serves up contemporary and distinctive craft cocktails created by top-notch bartenders.

Should you benefit from the idea of a dessert bar — a spot the place you will get bourbon along with your pie or champagne along with your cake — then take into account Bittersweet, the place I like to go for an espresso martini and Irish espresso.

Should you solely have 24 hours in Raleigh, this one-day itinerary is what I counsel for first-time guests who wish to get an actual really feel for the Metropolis of Oaks — its tradition, historical past, food and drinks scene, and sense of Southern group. (After all, I counsel you keep longer, as there are many cool issues to do in Raleigh, together with superior festivals and sporting occasions.)

Craig Makepeace is the co-founder and writer of ThisIsRaleigh.com, a web site devoted to sharing all the very best issues to do in Raleigh. Initially from Australia, he first moved to Raleigh in 2004 and fell in love with town of oaks. He’s a journey addict, sports activities fanatic, seaside lover, and passionate craft beer drinker. You may observe him on Instagram at @ThisIsRaleigh.