Raleigh, N.C

30 Can’t-Miss Things to Do in Raleigh, N.C.

Whether you are traveling through Raleigh, North Carolina, or you live here, there is always something fantastic and exciting to check out throughout the whole year. There are so many fun Raleigh attractions that you will have to come back to again and again just to make sure you visit them all!

At PuroClean Property Restoration, we have a great love for Raleigh, North Carolina, and the surrounding areas in Wake County. Our team is proud to serve the residents and businesses in the area, and we are always happy to offer helpful suggestions of tourist attractions that will entertain the whole family when you visit Raleigh.

The Top Things to Do in Raleigh, North Carolina

Whether it is an arts center or a piece of North Carolina history, the attractions in and around Raleigh are sure to entertain and fascinate your whole group. If you are looking for something to do in Raleigh, North Carolina, here are 30 of the must-see places and activities:

Visit the James B. Hunt Library

Although a library may not be at the top of everyone’s must-see lists, the James B. Hunt Library, opened in 2013, most certainly should be. It is one of the most advanced libraries in the world! The architectural design – interior and exterior – will amaze while the bookBot can fetch you a book from the 1.5 million books in the underground storage facility.

Check Out Pullen Park

For those looking for history and fun, check out North Carolina’s first public park – Pullen Park. It was established in 1887 and is considered one of the world’s oldest amusement park locations. It has a carousel from 1911 (still operational), a miniature train, pedal boats to take around Lake Howell, tennis courts, and the Theatre in the Park performing arts venue.

Tour the Galleries at the North Carolina Museum of Art

If you are looking for some great art, check out the North Carolina Museum of Art. There are outdoor parks as well as indoor galleries with the museum’s permanent collection of Egyptian artifacts, European master painters, African and Judaic works, and the largest Auguste Rodin sculpture collection. Be sure to stop at the museum store and restaurant!

Walk the Hiking Trails at Hemlock Bluff Nature Preserve

For some outdoor family fun, check out the 140-acre park in Cary, NC. There are plenty of walking trails and scenic overlooks.

Hike the Mountains-to-Sea Trail

“N.C.’s hiking trail” awaits you in Raleigh and stretches over 1000 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks. No matter where you are on the trail system, there is surely something to delight you, including the Wilkerson Nature Preserve and the Falls Lake Dam Visitor Center.

Bring the Kids to Marbles Kids Museum

If your kids are 10 years old or younger, spend a day at Marbles. It is designed to educate and delight children while teaching them about imagination building and the STEM fields.

Tour the Pope House Museum

There is always plenty of history to learn in Raleigh, and the Pope House Museum is the only African American house museum in North Carolina. Schedule a free, 30-minute tour to take in some great history!

Have Dinner in Downtown Raleigh, North Carolina

Looking for a bite to eat? Downtown Raleigh has some of the best restaurants around! COVID-19 has affected restaurants all over the country, including Raleigh, but some are still thriving, so be sure to check them out for dinner on an outdoor patio.

Enjoy the Beauty of Nature at the Juniper Level Botanical Garden

You certainly do not have to be a gardener to enjoy the beauty of the Juniper Level Botanic Garden. Over 28-acres, you will find a variety of plants, including some of the rarest ones on Earth!

Get Your Fill of Roses at the Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden

If roses are your favorite flower, you must visit the Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden. You will find over 60 varieties of roses, the gardens are free to tour, and you may even catch a free outdoor movie series event during the summer.

Hike or Bike through William B. Umstead State Park

Hikers and bikers will go crazy for the 22 miles of hiking trails and 13 miles of mountain biking trails at William B. Umstead State Park. You will likely also see plenty of different wildlife while you are on the nature trails.

Go Climbing at the Triangle Rock Club

Love to climb? Joel Graybeal’s Triangle Rock Club boasts the largest and tallest climbing structure in the nearest 5 states, and you can try out lead and top-rope climbing and/or bouldering.

Check Out the 3-Floor Golf Range – Drive Shack

Feel like hitting a bucket of golf balls? The Drive Shack is the place to go! It is a three-story complex with a 260-yard driving range. Whatever your skill level, you are sure to have a great time on the driving range.

Walkthrough History at the North Carolina State Capitol

For some more history, check out the 1796 National Historic Landmark, the North Carolina State Capitol building. The original building was burned in a fire in 1831, and the current building was completed in 1840. It is still in use and can be toured for free all year.

Get Your Need for Speed at a Go-Kart Track

Want to fulfill your need for speed? Race around the 1/3-mile track at Rush Hour Karting at nearly 40mph with your friends and family.

Tour the Historic Yates Mill County Park

For more hiking adventures as well as participating in a mill tour, check out the 174-acre wildlife refuge and environmental research center called the Historic Yates Mill. You can learn the “farm-to-fork” process and watch the corn grinding procedure.

Bike the Neuse River Greenway Trail

If scenic biking sounds like a thrill, you will love the 27.5-mile paved greenway of the Neuse River Greenway Trail, part of the over 100-mile Capital Area Greenway System. You will see winding boardwalks, suspension bridges, wetlands, and much more.

Go Shopping at North Hills

For the quintessential day of shopping, eating, and having fun, visit North Hills. From upscale to family-friendly, you are sure to find a place to shop or eat.

Live It Up at a Festival

From April through November, you may be able to catch a variety of different festivals that are free or low-cost. Some of these include the Dreamville Festival, Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival, Brewgaloo, and Out! Raleigh Pride.

Go Paddling

To paddle through a beautiful forest-like setting, go to Robertson Millpond Preserve. It is the only bald cypress habitat in the Raleigh area, so you certainly don’t want to miss out.

Attend the North Carolina State Fair in October

If you happen to be in North Carolina on October 13-23, 2022, check out the state fair. You will find lots of exhibits, an amusement midway, nightly musical performances, and fireworks every night.

Walkthrough History at the Historic Oakwood Cemetery

There is no better place to see a vision of history than to walk through a cemetery. The Historic Oakwood Cemetery has generations of families, and you can be awestruck by the Victorian landscaping and mortuary art examples.

View Great Artwork at the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM Raleigh)

If you love local and national living artists, the Contemporary Art Museum in Raleigh’s Warehouse District is the place to go. It is free to visit, and you will always find something amazing to look at.

Shop the Raleigh Farmers’ Market

For the freshest groceries and other great specialty goods, the State Farmers’ Market, Raleigh is the place to go with over 30,000 square feet of shopping.

Feel like Tarzan with a Treetop Adventure Course

Ever want to know what it felt like to be like Tarzan swinging from ropes among the trees? Now you can at Go Ape and TreeRunner Adventure Park. It is fun for the whole family!

Enjoy an afternoon at Lake Crabtree County Park

Lake Crabtree was the first county park established in Raleigh and offers 520-acres of shore to hikers, kayakers, and mountain bikers. When you want outdoor recreational activity, head to Lake Crabtree!

Shop Homemade Crafts at the Raleigh Flea Market

Every weekend since 1971, over 600 vendors come out to the Raleigh flea market and offer their wares to customers. We know you will find a handmade gift for a loved one…or yourself!

Have a Drink at the Raleigh Beer Garden or Travel the Raleigh Beer Trail for a Brewery Tour

Thirsty? There are over 25 local breweries in Raleigh, and you can easily put together a brewery tour on the Raleigh Beer Trail. Plus, many breweries offer free tours! Also, be sure to stop by the Raleigh Beer Garden to sample some of their 350 beers on tap!

Grab a Bite at Morgan Street Food Hall or Transfer Co. Food Hall

There is no way anyone can go hungry in Raleigh, especially with the Morgan Street Food Hall and the Transfer Co. Food Hall. No matter what you are craving, the Raleigh food scene is sure to have what you want. Make your own North Carolina gourmet food tours in Raleigh.

Get Pampered at the Umstead Hotel and Spa

For a weekend of complete luxury and pampering, book a stay at the Umstead Hotel and Spa. The hotel has been awarded several prestigious accolades, including Five-Diamond property from AAA, the 3rd best hotel in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler, and triple Five-Star status from Forbes Travel Guide. How can you resist that?

Contact Us for More Information about Our Property Damage Services

If you are dealing with a property damage situation or you simply want more information on the most popular Raleigh attractions, contact PuroClean Disaster Response Services. We are happy to recommend places like the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and historic sites through any historic neighborhood. Call now to find out more.