Raleigh, N.C., is a booming metropolis that offers a big city feel with Southern charm. It's a smart, modern-meets-historic destination that has a lot to offer and no matter what path you choose on your visit, we know you'll be energized by the fired-up cultural heartbeat fostered by passionate minds of Raleigh. Here are 30 things (in no particular order) you shouldn't miss, the results of people who had a passion for creating something special, something brilliant to be experienced. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

N.C.'s most popular attraction is a museum that teaches visitors about the natural world. The free museum offers more than 25 permanent exhibitions, including looks at N.C.'s Mountain, Piedmont and Coastal Plain region habitats and wildlife along with discoveries found in the sea and underground. Take the path down the skywalk and check out the Nature Research Center, a wing of the museum where you can watch research scientists and get inspired by the field of study. Pullen Park

The first public park in N.C. still stands strong and hosts thousands of visitors throughout the year. The Gustave A. Dentzel Carousel was originally put in place in 1911 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other amusement rides in the park include kiddie water boats, a miniature train and pedal boats. Take a photo next to the famous TVLand "Andy & Opie" statue. North Carolina Museum of Art

One of the premier visual arts museums of the South features an outdoor park with works of art, trails and a live music venue/theater. It also hosts two buildings filled with galleries, education studios and special exhibitions. Permanent collections include ancient Egyptian artifacts, renowned European Old Master paintings, African and Judaic works of art and innovative contemporary art. In the West Building you'll find the Southeast's largest collection of sculpture by Auguste Rodin, the museum store and Iris, the museum restaurant.



Marbles Kids Museum

Make a trip with your little ones (kids ages 10 and under) to Raleigh to experience Marbles, led by one of Raleigh's passionate minds, Sally Edwards. Delivering purposeful play in a big way, the museum offers themed exhibits designed to build imagination through self-led exploration of new ideas and experiences. From the world's first and only kid-driven smart power grid to hands-on STEM learning stations, Marbles educates and inspires children. Take in a movie at the Marbles IMAX, boasting N.C.'s only 3D-capable giant screen-teens and adults can also take in blockbuster hits there! North Carolina Museum of History

Visit the place that preserves local, state and regional history for future generations and visitors to see. One of the more popular permanent exhibits, The Story of North Carolina, traces life in N.C. from its earliest inhabitants through the 20th century. You can see stone tools dating from 12,000 to 1,000 BCE, a real cannon that was recovered from Blackbeard's flagship, a full-size replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer airplane, a lunch counter that played a pivotal role during the Civil Rights Movement and much more. Dining out at Raleigh's best restaurants

Raleigh has quickly become a scene for foodies and has been called one of the "Top 10 Tastiest Towns in the South" by Southern Living. One of the favorites, Bida Manda, was recently named "Best Restaurant in N.C." by Business Insider and celebrates the diverse food traditions and culture of Laos. Passionate mind Ashley Christensen has opened several restaurants after winning the "Best Chef of the Southeast" in 2014 by the James Beard Foundation.





JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University

This internationally-recognized and stunning garden displays more than 6,000 different types of plants from around the world. It's one of the largest and most diverse collections of landscape plants in the Southeast. Free public tours are available every Sun. at 2pm, Mar.-Oct., where you can get an in-depth view of the many distinct gardens, including the rooftop terrace, butterfly garden, rose garden and more. PNC Arena

The 19,700-seat venue hosts an impressive array of major sports, concert tours and events each year. On an annual basis, PNC Arena welcomes more than 1.5 million guests and plays host to more than 150 events including major concert tours and family shows.

Triangle Rock Club

The state-of-the-art indoor climbing and fitness center, led by passionate mind Joel Graybeal and his Raleigh-smart team, features both lead and top-rope climbing, expansive bouldering terrain and a comprehensive fitness area. The Morrisville facility has the largest and tallest climbing structures in the nearest five states and includes 100 climbing lanes and walls spanning to 55 feet. Also, get information on the North Raleigh location here. William B. Umstead State Park

Outdoor lovers can use 22 miles of hiking trails, 13 miles of bridle or mountain bike trails, camp, fish and paddle all within the nearly 6,000-acre urban recreational area. The park is located only 15 minutes outside of downtown Raleigh and is also a habitat for beavers, raccoons, deer and unique bird species, such as the great blue heron.















City of Raleigh Museum (COR Museum)

Housed in a historic former hardware store, the museum is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of N.C.'s capital city while envisioning its future. The museum curates temporary and permanent exhibits about the city's people, places and resources. You'll find a collection of approximately 5,000 artifacts and educational programming and tours. North Carolina Executive Mansion

Known as the "People's House," the home of the Governor, the Victorian-style mansion was built completely from N.C. materials in 1891 and was once recognized for having "the most beautiful governor's residence interior in America" by F.D.R. Tours are available when reservations are made in advance. . North Carolina State Fair (Oct.)

Visitors flock to Raleigh during the month of Oct. to be one of the million attendees of the 11-day N.C. State Fair. The state's largest event features livestock, agricultural, arts and cultural exhibits, amusement midway and nightly musical performances. The fair signals the end of each night with a spectacular fireworks show, a tradition that goes back to the 1950s. Food trucks

Raleigh is home to a growing food truck scene, and you can get a taste of a variety of fare, literally anywhere. Food truck rodeos are held throughout the year, so all the food trucks can pack into one location offering something for everyone. Those that want an adventure can chase down the grub by following the locations of the trucks, usually updated on their websites or Twitter feeds. Shopping around downtown

Shop local! Many Raleigh-based brands are located in the heart of the City of Oaks. For unique t-shirts, bags, koozies and more, House of Swank Clothing Company is creating fun designs with a nod to Raleigh and N.C. Need ideas on the spot? Pam Blondin’s DECO Raleigh is an excellent gift shop featuring all sorts of handmade cards, crafts, home decor and more. Finally, try on a perfect fitting pair of locally made jeans at Raleigh Denim Workshop.

North Hills

Discover an eclectic mix of 130-plus local shops, restaurants, bars and hotels in this outdoor shopping haven. Known for it's upscale finds, and also friendly for the entire family, you'll find it easy to spend a day browsing the racks of designer clothes at Gena Chandler or Vermillion, shopping for china and crystal at Quintessentials and picking out monogrammed stationary at Paperbuzz. After (or in between) shopping stops, grab some food and a handcrafted brew at local favorites like The Cowfish at North Hills, Vivace or Yard House.



