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

If you're looking for a getaway that's fun for the whole family and easy on your pocket, look no further than Raleigh. With more than 20 free attractions, this stately and energetic capital city offers an affordable way to enjoy history, culture and the good old outdoors. Spend the day hopping between the three state museums of art, history and natural sciences: all offer free admission. Visitors are free to wander around the grounds of the State Capitol, where they can also observe the legislative process. Stroll past the graves of Civil War generals at a historic cemetery or meander along cobblestone streets of City Market. Shop for the greenest broccoli, reddest apples and tastiest homemade treats around at the State Farmers Market. With over 150 parks, lakes and green ways in Raleigh alone, there is ample opportunity to enjoy golf, biking, swimming, boating and other outdoor adventures.

Raleigh city in North Carolina, United States. Timezone: America/New_York, current date and time: Sunday, May 05, 2024, 2:56.

Top things to do (27)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Neuse River Trail (249 reviews)
- A jewel in Raleigh's crown!
Hiking Trails

It's a wonderful 33 mile trail that can be picked up in many different spots along the way. Great for walking, running, or bicycling! So much history along the way so if you see a sign...be sure to take the time to read it. See more..
5.0 Reynolds Coliseum (42 reviews)
- Reynolds basketball
Arenas & Stadiums

They have done a marvelous job remaking Reynolds. Called the Kay Yow court and the Valvano arena. How fitting for 2 legendary coaches to be honored. Home of the Wolfpack woman and they are a class act with Wes Moore leading. Go see them. Big bang for your buck. See more..
5.0 Blue Jay Point County Park (41 reviews)
- kindergarten field trip, educational and fun
Parks

My friend's toddler had a school field trip (his first) to this cute park, which is somewhat near his school. We only got to see a limited part of the whole place, as we were on a timeline, but what we saw was nice. And the kids really enjoyed it. We spent most of our time near the education center, where one of the park rangers gave a lesson about "habitat" to the kids. Then, the kids went to search the nearby pond with nets to see if they could find tadpoles, salamanders, snails, frogs, and the like. The ranger did a good job and the kids had some success retrieving specimens from the pond with the nets....... a good learning experience! The children also were able to use one of the playground areas and the picnic area. The only other thing I noticed about the park is that the facilities, including the restrooms, seemed well-maintained and clean. See more..
5.0 Quail Ridge Books (39 reviews)
- Book shopping from a distance
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

I wanted to send some books to my daughter and son-in-law for Easter and didn’t particularly want to buy from an online giant so found Quail Ridge Books after some research. Books were ordered and delivered and my queries answered promptly. Plan on visiting in person when we get to isnt Raleigh again in October. See more..
5.0 Raleigh Furniture Gallery (21 reviews)
- Great quality, great prices
Sunday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Antique Shops

The Raleigh Furniture Gallery offers the Raleigh, NC area complete furnishing solutions for your home. The Raleigh Furniture Gallery specializes in Raleigh used furniture, antique furniture, vintage, antiques, and high end furniture. In realizing that the Raleigh, NC furniture market has a need for antique home furniture needs it is the goal of The Raleigh Furniture Gallery to be the go to solution for individuals and families remodeling their homes. See more..
4.5 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (2.318 reviews)
- A treasure
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Natural History Museums • Science Museums

The Southeast's largest natural history museum features dinosaurs, whale skeletons, live animals, walk-through dioramas, special exhibits, hands-on science education and accessible scientists. IMLS National Medal Finalist, 2014. See more..
4.5 North Carolina Museum of Art (1.827 reviews)
- Really worth visiting!
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Art Museums

One of the leading art museums in the American South, the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) recently completed a major, three-year expansion that places it in the front ranks of museums nationwide. The NCMA offers a permanent collection spanning more than 5,000 years, a variety of celebrated exhibitions and public programs, an amphitheater for outdoor performances, and the nation’s largest museum park—164 acres of trails and parkland containing major works of art. See more..
4.5 Pullen Park (1.289 reviews)
- Great oasis in the city
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Parks

Richard Stanhope Pullen founded Pullen Park on March 22, 1887. Once farmland, Mr. Pullen donated the land as a gift to the City of Raleigh to be used as parkland. He characterized it as on old cow pasture, red and rocky. He intended this land to be used for the recreation use and pleasure of the inhabitants and the visitors to the City of Raleigh. Through his visions, Pullen Park became the first public park in North Carolina. See more..
4.5 Marbles Kids Museum (1.112 reviews)
- What a great find!
Science Museums • Children's Museums • History Museums

Marbles Kids Museum is a hands-on, interactive destination that inspires children to be creative thinkers, active learners and confident individuals in today's world. With five galleries and two outdoor escapes, there is no shortage of activity for kids birth to 12 and their families. The campus also features the Wachovia IMAX Theatre at Marbles Kids Museum. This 267-seat giant-screen experience is the only 3D capable IMAX theatre in North Carolina. See more..
4.5 North Carolina Museum of History (927 reviews)
- Excellent museum
Sunday: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums

Explore more than 14,000 years of North Carolina history, from the state's earliest inhabitants through the 20th century. The major exhibition The Story of North Carolina features fascinating artifacts, multimedia presentations, and an interactive format for all ages. Other exhibits highlight the state's military history, sports heroes, decorative arts and more. Monthly programs include children's programs, craft demonstrations and family events. The Museum Shop, featuring North Carolina crafts, and the on-site restaurant Pharaoh's at the Museum are open daily. Admission is free, although some special exhibits require a fee. Free parking is available on weekends in the Jones/Edenton Street lot. Museum hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. See more..
4.5 PNC Arena (775 reviews) from $60.31
- saw Hurricanes play at Arena, nice sports location
Sunday: Arenas & Stadiums

I know that this is part of NCSU's sports complex, but we went in December to see the Hurricanes play the New Jersey Devils there. The PNC Arena looked to be almost full. It was a good game, the Canes scored in the first 30 seconds and, then, led throughout the game, winning 4-1 at the end. The Arena is nice. Seating is OK. Staff are mostly helpful. You can still get excellent seats (i.e., near the ice without being behind the goals) for around $120/seat. Parking is expensive and somewhat of a pain, so you have to look for alternatives. Good lighting shows and good audio throughout the facility. I noticed they even had recycling bins around. See more..
4.5 Umstead State Park (462 reviews)
- Tree art
State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas

Sandwiched between downtown Raleigh and the airport, this oasis of green features a stand of 300 year-old hardwood trees, more than 32 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, camp sites and lots more for nature lovers. See more..
4.5 JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University (362 reviews)
- Activities Galore
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Gardens

Part of the North Carolina State University, this eight-acre garden contains a wide variety of cold hardy temperate zone plants. See more..
4.5 State Farmers Market (302 reviews)
- Great place to Visit
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Flea & Street Markets

Seven days a week, serious food connoisseurs and regular folks, carefully pick through mounds of gorgeously presented fresh local produce at this popular open market, which is owned by the State of North Carolina. See more..
4.5 Historic Yates Mill County Park (277 reviews)
- Great 2 Hour Experience
Sunday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Parks

Yates Mill is the last operating, water-powered gristmill in NC's capital county. The 18th century mill was restored, and the 174-acre park developed, through a partnership among the County of Wake, Yates Mill Associates, and NC State University. The park is open 361 days per year, from 8 am to sunset. The visitor center with its 2,200 square feet of exhibit space is open 8:30 am to 5 pm. The historic mill is open for guided tours Mar-Nov each year for public tours on weekends (fee: $3-5) and also by appointment on weekdays for organized groups. See more..
4.5 Crabtree Valley Mall (236 reviews)
- Amazing mall !!!
Sunday: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Shopping Malls

I live in Wilmington NC and its an outdoor beach community and its so refreshing to find an indoor mall. They are quickly becoming the dinosaurs of our lifetime but I truly enjoy an indoor climate controlled shopping experience in our humid environment. Bravo Raleigh...Take note wilmington!!!!!!! See more..
4.5 Lake Johnson Park (213 reviews)
- Wonderful 4.5 mile trail
Sunday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Parks

Beautiful trail around the lake. It's about 4.5 miles. We started on the east end where it is paved and great views of lake and continued to west side which is unpaved and not as many views of the lake. The last part of the west side has signs which depict each type of tree. Wonderful hiking! See more..
4.5 North Carolina State University (210 reviews)
- amazing campus
Educational sites

the lawn is perfectly maintained and the buildings have a history behind them. the greenway goes behind the buildings leading to a beautiful lake where people fish, exercise, and simply enjoy the scenery. love also the new buildings on the centennial campus and the many beautiful libraries See more..
4.5 Mordecai Historic Park (159 reviews)
- Guided tour with Erin
Sunday: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Historic Sites • Gardens

Erin , our tour guide was fantastic Knowledgable, passionate and polite. She truly brought the history of the Mordacei family to life .A credit to her employer I was visiting from Ireland with very limited knowledge of local Rayleigh history and found your tour very informative and well organised. I would highly recommend this tour. My sister and family who live in Cary also attended tour for first time and were very impressed See more..
4.5 Historic Oakwood Cemetery (137 reviews)
- Beautiful and Historic
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Cemeteries

Believe it or not, we were on a segway tour and were led into this cemetery. What a way to see it! Lots of history there and beautiful. See more..
4.5 Historic Oakwood (125 reviews)
- Best way to see Oakwood is on a Segway tour
Historic Sites • Neighborhoods • Historic Walking Areas

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this scenic neighborhood features restored Victorian-style homes built between 1870 and 1912. See more..
4.5 Raleigh Little Theatre Rose Garden (124 reviews)
- Gorgeous roses!
Sunday: Spent 2-3 hours Gardens

Scenic garden adjacent to a popular community theater is used frequently for weddings and other special events. See more..
4.5 Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts (118 reviews)
- Beautiful Venue
Theaters

Experience the most elegant, immersive suite of live-performance venues in the Southeast. Indulge your love of theater, opera, ballet and other live entertainments, in performance halls and centers designed around each unique art-and always under the care of our highly trained, dedicated staff. See more..
4.5 North Carolina Symphony (91 reviews)
- Very enjoyable experience!
Symphonies

As part of the OLLI program of classes you have abreviated symphony events available at noon on certain Fridays. If you can't attend the symphony in the evening - this is great for a sampling. This time we saw Swing Is the Thing - with symphony and special musicians as well as dancers and singers - really entertaining! After seeing this we are ready to try the Mowtown event later this Spring. The quality of the performers and performances is outstanding and varied. It is worth checking on line to see what is coming in the future. See more..
4.5 Shelley Lake Park (83 reviews)
- A reprieve
Parks

Stopped in here for a short escape. Beautiful park with 2 miles of paved pathways around the lake. Passes over little bridges, a few inclines and through an amazing canopy of trees. There's a fishing dock and also children's playground. Lots of parking complete with new washrooms. See more..
4.5 North Hills (39 reviews)
- Love North Hills
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Shopping Malls

I love North Hills! If you visit Raleigh you must go to this area. We stayed at the AC Hotel which is awesome and in the center of everything. Upscale shops and restaurants make this area worth the visit. Plenty of security all around. And if you are in to it, you will see plenty of cars costing way over $100,000. See more..
4.5 Joel Lane Museum House (34 reviews)
- Joel Lane House is Informative and Fun
Sunday: Historic Sites

Built circa 1770, Joel Lane’s home is a jewel of Georgian mid-Atlantic colonial architecture. It was fully restored and furnished in the 1970s and is open for tours led by costumed docents. The site consts of three buildings and gardens: the museum, an adjacent 1790 middle-class dwelling, called the "Kitchen," beautiful herb and formal neo-colonial gardens, and a circa 1840 Visitors Center beckon visitors to enter a by-gone world. The buildings are filled with period furnishings and artifacts and paint a vivid picture of Colonel Joel Lane (1739-1795) and colonial life in the Carolina backcountry of 1770-1795. See more..
4.0 Frankie's Fun Park (401 reviews)
- lots of fun things to do even in winter (outdoor activities closed because of tiny amount of remaining snow)
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Amusement & Theme Parks

Frankie's serves up Great Rides, Great Food, and Great Times. Go-Karts, Miniature Golf, Bumper Boats, Amusement Rides, Laser Tag, Batting Cages, and an awesome Arcade are part of our mega mix of fun. We've got it all. Sized up for little kids, big kids, and those who still think they're kids.Frankie's also features Frankie's Restaurant with a full service bar! Great food to go with great times!Frankie's... the Triangle Area's premier place for FUN.Call ahead for Group Rates and Reservations!Open late every night during the summer!! See more..
4.0 North Carolina State Capitol (337 reviews)
- A historic state capital
Sunday: Architectural Buildings • Government Buildings

The State Capitol building, built in 1840, is an excellent example of a civic structure in Greek Revival-style architecture. Though recently renovated, the building does contain some original furniture. See more..
4.0 Raleigh Convention Center (183 reviews)
- Awesome venue and an outstanding concert
Sunday: Convention Centers

The Raleigh Convention Center (RCC) is a bustling hub for the culture, commerce, and technologies that make the Triangle one of the most admired and sought-after regions in the United States. Our modern 500,000 square-foot facility includes a stunning granite lobby with dramatic windows and downtown views, an elegant 32,000 square-foot ballroom, and a massive exhibit hall, all with outstanding tech amenities and award-winning culinary delights. With Red Hat Amphitheater and the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts only steps away, our visitors enjoy conventions, meetings, concerts, and theater performances all within a three-block stretch in Downtown Raleigh. See more..