Things to do & places to visit in Cary, North Carolina, United States

Cary city in North Carolina, United States. Timezone: America/New_York, current date and time: Saturday, May 04, 2024, 16:25.

Top things to do (22)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Wynton's World Cooking School (159 reviews)
- Great experience & a Tasty Meal!
Saturday: Spent 2-3 hours Cooking Classes

Wynton's World offers the largest hands-on cooking classes in the triangle for the home chef. If you love to cook, entertain, or just appreciate the pleasure of great food, Wynton’s World is the place to indulge your passions. Designed for both the novice cook and seasoned home chef, Wynton’s World Cooking classes will empower you to cook with confidence. See more..
5.0 The Umstead Spa (129 reviews)
- Wonderful spa experience!
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Spas

The Umstead Spa brings the soothing elements of nature together to restore the mind, body, and spirit. Enter The Umstead Spa, where calming botanical fragrances and soft music greet you. Don a plush robe and take a moment to unwind in one of our lounges or outdoor meditation courtyard. Move throughout the serene lounges, dip into the therapeutic whirlpool tub and unwind in the aromatic eucalyptus sauna or steam room. From there, you'll be ready to embark on the journey to total relaxation. See more..
5.0 Game On Escapes & More (78 reviews)
- Great escape room with great hosts!
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

We offer family friendly escape games and a game show appealing to a variety of ages. Great for corporate events, team outings, and just a fun night out with friends and family. See more..
5.0 Streets Of London Antiques (2 reviews)
- Best antique store in North Carolina! A MUST SEE when passing through Cary
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Art Galleries • Antique Shops

We specialize in selling high quality English and American antique furniture at affordable prices. We sell online, through our own website, Etsy and Chairish and have a 4300 Sq Ft showroom located in Cary, NC. Besides furniture you will find a variety of smaller decorative items, pottery, silver, costume jewelry and much more. See more..
5.0 Sears Farm Road Park (1 review)
- Fun, well-maintained park
Parks

I have visited this park with my two toddler-aged children a couple times over the past year. It's a beautiful park for a short stroll on a nice day. The playground has sections for both younger and older children. There's a big clean sandbox, swings (including infant, adaptive, and standard seats), and lots of slides. I love that in the summer there is a lot of shade over the playground to keep it cooler. The park also has some picnic tables and a basketball court. It's a very nice place to take the family. See more..
5.0 New Life Church (1 review)
- One will leave moved, awake and contemplative.
Spent 1-2 hours Churches & Cathedrals
The single most striking thing was the racial mix of the congregation-almost 50% non-white and 50% white. There was a very nice balance of music and reading of scripture. As a result, one was going to leave moved, awake and contemplative of what was just said. I attended the Christmas Candlelight service which was charming, uplifting and joyful. See more..
4.5 Fred G. Bond Metro Park (293 reviews)
- In-town park with great trails, fields, ball fields, places for dogs
Saturday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Parks

I have been going to Fred Bond since my children were in their early teens (they're in their 40's now). Using the parcourse trail, walking our dog the 2 miles around the lake and through the wooded trails. Watching the eagle fish at the far end of the lake, and the kids fish from the dam. For an in-town park, surrounding by homes in the middle of Cary, it is a great place to go. See more..
4.5 Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve (227 reviews)
- Beautiful trails and occasional wildlife (good and bad types)
Nature & Wildlife Areas

We are fortunate to have some very nice parks and walking trails here in Cary. I am a regular visitor to Hemlock Bluffs ang highly recommend it as a nice place for a shaded nature walk on very well taken care of mulch trails. This is an especially nice place for walking dogs or for trail running. As with any nature area you will occasionally see wildlife - including lots of lizards, deer and if really lucky you may see a fox. You may also see scarier wildlife such as snakes. I have been to Hemlock at least 50 times this year, and had never seen a snake... but this past week i saw copperheads on consecutive days. It seems that with the weather change, they are more active, so walkers should be attentive. I highly recommend visiting Hemlock Bluffs, and this is not meant to deter (ill probably go for a walk there later today). But during this season be alert to the trail ahead of you - especially if visiting with a pet or child. See more..
4.5 Koka Booth Ampitheatre (188 reviews)
- NC Chinese Lantern Festival
Theaters

The Organizers did a Great job in getting people parked and into the Festival. Traffic was heavy getting into the parking lot but there were several people guiding you to open parking. This was Saturday night so it was Busy!! The lines were long but moved at a steady pace. Once in, you could go in either direction. Kids with families were having a nice time and so did we. It was our first time going so we enjoyed it. The show was good and the performers did a good job. It may be better going during the week since the crowds can become heavy and overwhelming. See more..
4.5 Bond Brothers Beer Company (86 reviews)
- Outstanding beer
Saturday: 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM Spent 1-2 hours Breweries

Their recently completed industrial modern space is quickly becoming a popular epicenter in the downtown community. With over 9000 square feet of brewery, taproom and beer garden to enjoy, they have built a destination that matches the quality of their beers. There are 14 unique beers on tap, a robust barrel sour program, monthly guided brewery tours, and a kid/dog-friendly environment. Bond Brothers Beer Company has created a must-see destination in the heart of the Triangle. See more..
4.5 Cary Arts Center (54 reviews)
- So nice to get out to live theatre again!
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM Art Museums

We were happy to get back to see a live performance and Cary Arts is a lovely place to do that. I had ordered tickets well in advance so that the seats were on the aisle and 2 that were separated from other seats. It was perfect - didn’t feel closed in. The show was Good Shot Judy, a jazz group that is very talented and they performed as a group as well as with individual performances. It was very entertaining and I look forward to the next one I purchased in November. See more..
4.5 Apex Community Park (44 reviews)
- A Very Comprehensive City Park with Great Lake Trail
Bodies of Water • Parks • Hiking Trails

Apex Community Park has about every facility available other than a swimming pool. It has two ball fields, two soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, a fitness trail, two playgrounds and a nature trail around a lake. There are also three restroom facilities one near the entrance and one at each end of the lake. The lake trail is a 2 mile long paved trail that is very popular. About 90% of it is shaded making it a good trail to hike during the summer months. Overall the park seems to be well maintained as well. Rated high for the trail and all of the different facilities in it. See more..
4.5 Sri Venkateswara Temple (36 reviews)
- Very Interesting Temple
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks

My daughter and I visited this impressive Hindu Temple near downtown Cary. At the time of our visit on a weekday evening, we observed we were the only non Indian people there. One of the members of the Temple invited us in. The Temple inside is not that large but impressive. Note that photography and videography are not allowed. Also you may not enter the wearing shorts, skirts, or tank tops. You must take off your shoes also. They do have places to store your shoes near the entrance After exiting the Temple you walk around the compound. Everything is very interesting architecturally and there are some gold elephants and another one on a tower. The towers are very impressive but a new one is being built that is about twice as tall as the others. The people there are very welcoming to non-Hindus. This is definitely worth a visit if you are in Cary See more..
4.5 WakeMed Soccer Park (30 reviews)
- Great park for big events
Arenas & Stadiums

went here for a big HS cross country invitational. Easy to get to - plenty of parking great to watch overall a great park See more..
4.5 Downtown Park (19 reviews)
- The fountain has colored light on it at night and makes a beautiful place just to chill and hang out.
Spent 1-2 hours Parks

Cary's Central Park is wonderful. You can walk along Academy Street from the Fountain and the Cary Arts Center down to City Hall and see art and restaurants along the way. The fountain has colored light on it at night and makes a beautiful place just to chill and hang out. See more..
4.5 Marla Dorrel Park (15 reviews)
- Amazing Park!!!
Parks • Playgrounds

It was 95+ degrees when we were there but there is ample shade and plenty to do for the kids so the heat didn’t really matter. There are 3 or 4 smaller parks inside the one big park, but they aren’t that small. We go there every time we’re in Cary. Wonderful park!! See more..
4.5 North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (10 reviews)
- Fantastic festival…don’t miss it!
Spent 1-2 hours Cultural Events

This event was “much bigger and better than I thought it would be!” Amazing colors and lights create a totally immersive experience. Very creative and imaginative lanterns, themes, lighting and fabrics used to create the lanterns. Several clever interactive stations such as smoke bubbles, smoke ring cannon and a kaleidoscope tunnel that makes you think you’re tilting. There’s Chinese lanterns of all kinds of themes, from dragons and peacocks and huge gates to playful pandas and even dinosaurs…truly something of wonder for every age. Excellent snacks…make sure to get the freshly made donut holes! Cool souvenirs that are reasonably priced. Great parking that’s close and included in the ticket price. Excellent traffic control. See more..
4.5 Veterans Freedom Park (6 reviews)
- A nice introduction to Cary
Saturday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Parks

Even though I miss the farm that used to be there, I find this memorial to veterans to be an attractive and impressive to the town of Cary. See more..
4.5 Shirdi sai baba temple (6 reviews)
- Nice and serene place
Points of Interest & Landmarks

I went here twice recently and had great experience. It is very nice and a good place to be along to pray. They had different events for festivals and was good to be part of the events. See more..
4.5 First Baptist Church - Cary NC (5 reviews)
- Good Baptist Church
Spent 1-2 hours Churches & Cathedrals

I have family that attend church here. Have always felt welcome. Plenty of parking. Close to downtown Cary. See more..
4.0 Chatham Hill Winery (70 reviews)
- Memorial Day Fun
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Wineries & Vineyards

My husband and i ended up in the area on Memorial day. We love wineries so we searched to see which ones would be having something special on that day. Chatham happened to be having a special Filipino lunch and a wine tour. Geronimo was the name of the caterer and it was fabulous. He is opening a food truck in that area this next month. Go visit him if you get the chance. We did the $10 wine tasting and enjoyed them immensely. We bought us a bottle to have with some lunch and waited for our wine tour. The tall younger man there did our tour and he was so funny. He did a great job and was very informative. We will definitely go back there. See more..
4.0 Phillips Farms of Cary (31 reviews)
- Phillips Farm in Cary, NC
Farms

Phillips Farms is a real, working farm where we provide clean, wholesome fun for the entire family. Our corn maze and haunted farm is open every fall. Our pick your own strawberry patch opens in late spring. Our Christmas Tree Lot is open from Thanksgiving to Christmas. We also rent the farm for private events. No matter the season, Phillips Farms is sure to have something to make your family smile. See more..
4.0 Jack Smith Park (14 reviews)
- Great small child adventure!
Parks

This is a beautiful park, especially for kids 8 or younger. It has a splash pad, playground, rock wall and nice walking trails. We went on a Saturday afternoon and it wasn’t too crowded. It was a wonderful adventure for our 5 year old. See more..
4.0 Symphony Lake Greenway (3 reviews)
- Nice paved trail around the lake
Biking Trails • Hiking Trails
Ran a race here over Labor Day weekend. Nicely kept up trail around the lake. Good distance for one lap around the lake. See more..
4.0 Robert V Godbold Park (2 reviews)
- We brought our kids, now our granddaughter here to play
Saturday: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Parks
This park has been part of North Cary since the early 1980s and has always been a great little park to bring kids to, play tennis, or skateboard since the early 2000's. The big wooden fort my kids played in has been replaced by a smaller toddler-friendly fort with slides and tunnels. Part of the greenway runs through it, and past a fine dog park at one end. Happy place for small children, tennis players, boarders, and pups. See more..
4.0 Higgins Greenway (1 review)
- Sunday excursion with the dogs
Biking Trails • Jogging Paths & Tracks
Hidden gem of a Greenway accessible from a couple of different places in Cary. We started from the entrance on Union Street in downtown Cary. It's not long (.8 miles) but there are boardwalks & lots of nature. See more..
4.0 Farmer Ganyard Upchurch Farm (1 review)
- Fun way to spend a day
Spent 2-3 hours Farms
Visiting a pumpkin farm in autumn is a great way to celebrate the changing seasons. We went to Farmer Ganyard Upchurch Farm with two children under 9. They both had a blast, and it was enjoyable for the adults, too. The kids got to bounce on an inflatable, jump in a pit full of corn kernels, climb a haystack mountain and tunnel through tubes. For smaller children, there is a hay maze. There were barnyard animals like bunnies, goats, and donkeys. We took a hayride to a corn maze and then to a large pumpkin patch where everyone got to pick their own pumpkin. There was also a small cotton field where you could pick cotton. The attractions would appeal to children from toddler through elementary school age. Picnic tables are available, and there is a small farm store with items for purchase. See more..
3.5 Carpenter Park (3 reviews)
- Engaging playground for all ability levels
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks • Playgrounds

I enjoy bringing my two children here after story time at the library down the street. The equipment is non-traditional, consisting of more rope climbing equipment and high places rather than steps and platforms. But my 3 year old loved learning how to play in a new way. There is a section for younger children that my 10 month old enjoyed too. Pros: Big well-maintained sandbox, soft surface under the equipment (not mulch), swings for babies, big kids, and seat harness swings, two sections for younger and older kids, and a covered picnic table shelter. Cons: Not a lot of shade in the summer. It gets very hot! But it's a great park for a cooler day when the sunshine is more welcome. See more..
3.0 Jump! Zone (18 reviews)
- Nice place for kids
Amusement & Theme Parks

My girls, ages 8,8, and 4 all enjoy going to Jump Zone. I don't find it as comfortable for me as other bouncy house places in the area. But, my girls have fun and that is most important. See more..
The Shepherd's Church (0 review)
Saturday: Spent 1-2 hours Churches & Cathedrals

Beautiful church campus with Colonial architecture that has vibrant ministries for children, students, college and adults. Church services meet on Sundays at 9:30 & 11 am. See more..