Raleigh, North Carolina is a city of history and culture. It has many tourist attractions, including museums and parks.
Whether you’re looking to explore the museums or take in the sights by bike, there are plenty of things to do in Raleigh that will make your trip unforgettable!
For starters, the NC Museum of Art is a great place to visit. There are always new exhibitions to see, and the museum is located in a beautiful city cemetery. Dorton Arena is another great attraction in Raleigh – it’s the perfect place to catch a concert or sporting event.
And of course, no visit to Raleigh would be complete without exploring the state capitol building.
For those looking for a more relaxed experience, Raleigh also has some great farmer’s markets and parks. Pullen Park is a particularly popular spot – it’s perfect for a picnic or a leisurely stroll. And Morgan Street Food Hall is a great place to grab a bite to eat.
So whether you’re looking for a fun-filled day of sightseeing or a relaxing afternoon in the park, Raleigh has something for everyone!
If you are planning to explore North Carolina, Raleigh is the place you can start.
We’ve got you covered with this list of what to do in Raleigh, including everything from parks and museums to shopping destinations and more!
1. North Carolina Museum of Art
If you’re looking for something to do in Raleigh, North Carolina, consider visiting the North Carolina Museum of Art.
Spread over 164-acre Park, this museum is one of the nation’s leading art museums and has exhibits that span more than 5,000 years.
It has a wide range of collections that represent cultures from around the world and across time periods.
The museum is located in the heart of the city and has an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, prints, and drawings. The museum also has special exhibits that change often so you never have to visit twice to see everything they have to offer!
Tickets/Events/Reservations: https://ncartmuseum.org/
Address: 2110 Blue Ridge Road Raleigh, NC 27607
2. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is a great place to explore the natural world and learn more about it. There are exhibits for kids, as well as an IMAX theater. There’s even a planetarium!
There are also several interactive exhibits that you can enjoy while you’re there, including a weather station where you can see how the weather affects plants and animals.
Another exhibit allows visitors to learn about the state’s first inhabitants. There are also many opportunities for children to get involved in hands-on activities.
The museum also offers educational programs for individuals or groups that want to learn more about their surroundings or participate in outdoor activities. If you love nature or want to share it with someone else, this is definitely an attraction worth visiting!
Tickets/Reservations: www.naturalsciences.org
Opening Hrs: Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Address: 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
3. North Carolina State Capitol
The North Carolina State Capitol is a must-see when you’re in Raleigh, North Carolina. This is located just a 3 Km walk from, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
It’s the second largest state capitol building in the country, and it’s just as impressive as it sounds.
The dome and rotunda of this beautiful building are truly stunning, but we love that there are so many awesome activities to do inside too!
It has a dome that is made of copper and stands more than 300 feet tall.
You can take a tour of the building, which includes seeing the House of Representatives Chamber and Senate Chamber. You’ll also learn other fun facts about this impressive structure, like how many people have been born here (over 40 million!).
After your tour, go check out Legislative Hall, where there’s an incredible collection of historic documents from North Carolina’s past. You’ll get an up-close look at some of these important artifacts while also learning more about North Carolina’s history.
Address: E Edenton St, Raleigh, NC 27601, United States
4. Pullen Park
Spread over 66.4 acres, Pullen Park is a great place to go if you’re looking for something fun to do in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Located in the heart of downtown, this park has something for everyone from the sports enthusiast to the nature lover. With its wide variety of activities and facilities, it’s a great place to host a birthday party or just spend some time with friends and family.
The rides include the Pullen Park Carousel, Kiddie boats, C.P. Huntington Train, and best of all even rent a Pedal boats. There is also a playground and picnic areas
The park has several playgrounds for kids, as well as baseball fields, soccer fields, and basketball courts for adults.
You can also rent out picnic shelters or pavilions if you’re planning a larger event at the park.
Address: 520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh, NC 27606
5. Lake Johnson Park
Lake Johnson Park is a place that should be on your list of places to visit in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The park has a lot of natural features and makes for a beautiful day trip with friends or family. It’s also close enough to the city that you can get there during your lunch break if you want to grab some food afterward.
Lake Johnson Park is a park that has many different activities that you can do there. One of the most popular activities at Lake Johnson Park is fishing.
You can fish at Lake Johnson Park with your family and friends or even just by yourself.
This activity is very popular because it’s so hot outside during the summertime, so people like to go swimming because it feels so good on their skin when they’re hot from walking around all day long!
Lake Johnson Park also has some great hiking trails for you to check out. There are lots of different trails available for you to choose from depending on how much time you have before heading back home again today!
Address: 4601 Avent Ferry Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606
Can you swim in Lake Johnson?
Swimming is not allowed in Lake Johnson. However, Lake Johnson offers both paved and natural surface trails, fishing spots, public programs such as summer camps for children or seniors recreation classes; you can rent watercrafts during some seasons.
There’s also a swimming pool available to the public all year round in this facility
6. Rose Garden
The beautiful Rose Garden is just one of the many things to do in Raleigh, North Carolina.
There are sixty rose beds on the grounds, featuring varieties of hybrid teas and floribundas. Surrounding these beds is an arboretum of evergreen and deciduous trees that grow in a variety of shapes some tall, some squat but all majestic.
The Raleigh Rose Garden, which was dedicated in 1951 as the finishing touch to the WPA landmark of Raleigh Little Theatre, also served as a highlight for many community celebrations.
The Raleigh Rose Garden has offered a display of flowers, trees and perennial plants throughout the year.
The rose season generally lasts from Mother’s Day to the first hard freeze of autumn, which normally takes place around mid-November.
Address: 301 Pogue St, Raleigh, NC 27607
7. Marbles Kids Museum
The Marbles Kids Museum is a place for kids of all ages to learn and play.
You can also watch a show or movie at Imax with kids.
The museum features a wide variety of hands-on exhibits, including the “Grossology” exhibit, where children can learn about how their bodies work.
They’ll learn about math, science, and technology in a hands-on way. You can also get your kids to exercise while having fun!
The museum also has an art studio where children can create works of art using various materials. The museum offers birthday parties and even educational field trips for schools.
Opening Hours: Monday- Sunday: 10 am-5 pm
Tickets: www.marbleskidsmuseum.org
Address; 201 East Hargett Street Raleigh, NC 27601
8. North Carolina State Farmer Market
If you’re looking for a place to go, look no further than the North Carolina State Farmer’s Market.
This market is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and it is absolutely filled with great local produce and crafts. You can find anything from fresh flowers to homemade jams and jellies.
There are also plenty of people who will be at this market selling their own handmade items as well.
The best part? They are all very reasonably priced! So if you’re looking for something unique and local then this is definitely the place to go!
There are also live musicians playing throughout the day and lots of great food vendors selling delicious options like sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, and more.
Address: 1201 Agriculture St, Raleigh, NC 27603
The Farmer Market is open year-round on from Monday to Sunday 9 am -5 pm
9. JC Raulston Arboretum
Spread over 10 acres, the JC Raulston Arboretum is a beautiful place to visit in Raleigh, North Carolina currently administered by North Carolina State University.
It’s one of the oldest municipal arboretums in the country, and it offers an amazing view of the city.
The arboretum has multiple different collections of Plant species from over 50 countries.
In its collections, the garden has more than 6,000 total taxa of annuals (plants that live for only one growing season), perennials (plants that grow for multiple seasons), bulbs (underground stems containing roots and leaves attached to an onion-shaped structure) vines, ground covers, shrubs, and trees.
You can spend hours exploring this area and learning about the different types of plants here, or you can just sit back and enjoy the scenery.
There are also several walking trails that wind through the arboretum, so if you want to get some exercise while enjoying nature then this is a great place for you!
Address: 4415 Beryl Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606, United States
10. William B. Umstead State Park
William B. Umstead State Park is a prime spot for outdoor adventure!
The park has over 5,599 acres of land and is perfect for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Here are a few of our favorite things to do there:
Hike the trails: The park has over 70 miles of trails that range from easy to moderate difficulty levels. You can also rent bikes and go biking on the trails or horseback riding if you want to take a break from walking.
Rent a canoe: The lake is great for canoeing and kayaking—you might even see some wildlife! And if you don’t have your own equipment, there are plenty of places nearby where you can rent all sorts of boats (and even fishing poles if that’s your thing).
Take a dip in the pool: If swimming isn’t your thing, but lounging by the water is, then try out one of their four pools! They’re open year-round and are heated during cooler months so that swimmers can enjoy them no matter how cold it gets outside.
Address: 8801 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27617, United States
11. Historic Yates Mill County Park
Yates Mill is a fully restored 18th-century gristmill that sits on the banks of New Hope Creek in Historic Yates Mill County Park, five miles south of downtown Raleigh.
The Historic Yates Mill County Park is a great day trip for anyone visiting Raleigh, North Carolina. Located just 20 minutes away from downtown Raleigh, this park offers a wide variety of activities and experiences.
Visitors can take a tour of the historic mill, which was one of the first mills in North America to use steam power to grind grain into flour.
They can also climb up the mill’s observation tower and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Other options include canoeing on Lake Johnson, hiking the trails through the woods, or playing pick-up volleyball or softball games in one of several areas designated for recreational use.
Nowadays there are many activities available at Historic Yates Mill County Park including hiking trails, fishing holes (including one where you can catch catfish!), picnic areas with BBQ pits available for rent as well as playgrounds where kids can play safely while parents relax nearby on benches or even watch them while they run around on their own off-leash.
Address: 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd, Raleigh, NC 27603, United States
12. Frankie’s of Raleigh
If you’re looking for something to do in Raleigh, North Carolina, look no further than Frankie’s of Raleigh!
Frankie’s is an entertainment center with go-karts, laser tag, batting cages, bumper boats, flight simulators, mini-golf, arcade games & more. In fact, they have over 100 activities on site!
You can play games all day long without having to leave the building—and it’s just as much fun for adults as it is for kids.
If you’re looking for a place to go with friends or family members who have a wide range of ages and interests, Frankie’s is the perfect place for you. It’s affordable and fun for everyone!
is a great place to eat and hang out with friends or family. It’s a classic pizza joint with an old-school vibe that offers both indoor and outdoor seating areas, as well as delivery!
The menu includes many different options including appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and pizzas. All of the food is fresh and made from scratch daily by their chefs.
If you are feeling hungry there is Frankie Cafe inside perfect If you’re looking for a quick meal, With delicious options like pizza and burgers as well as salads, sandwiches and wings—you won’t want to miss out! This is also a great place to hang with friends or family while your kids play.
Frankie’s Café offers Open Seating so that you can find a table to suit your needs. You may want to sit in the Raised Dining Area where you will have a nice view of the Arcade, or else just sit outside on our shaded patio while your kids ride around in their Go-Karts.
13. Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
If you’re looking for a fun day out in Raleigh, North Carolina, look no further than Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek. This park has everything you need to make your day really special:
-A beautiful lake with a place to rent paddle boats and kayaks
-An amphitheater that hosts concerts, plays, and other performances throughout the year
-A concert venue that features live music all summer long
-A driving range where you can hit balls at targets or just hit balls!
14. Neuse River Trail
If you’re looking for things to do in Raleigh, North Carolina, then look no further than the Neuse River Trail. It’s a beautiful place to walk or bike, and it’s also perfect for running!
The 34.5-mile long Neuse River Trail is North Carolina’s longest paved greenway and passes through the capital city of Raleigh on its way to Clayton, a town along the banks of the river that bears its name.
The trail is located along the banks of the Neuse River. You can start at any point along the trail and go either north or south.
You’ll get to see some amazing views on your trek—you’ll pass through woods and wetlands, as well as fields of tall grasses that are home to many different types of wildlife. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot a deer or an owl!
This trail is great for anyone looking for something active to do in Raleigh, whether it’s just a day trip or an extended vacation.
It makes for a great workout without being too strenuous and it’s also beautiful enough that it will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed afterward!
15. CAM Raleigh
CAM Raleigh is a museum that explores contemporary art, design, and architecture. It’s also a place to learn about the history of Raleigh, North Carolina.
The museum has an amazing collection of pieces by local artists, as well as traveling exhibitions from around the world. And if you’re interested in learning more about how buildings are made, they offer tours of their own construction facility.
Opening Hours:
Monday- Thursday: Closed
Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
Reservations/Website: www.camraleigh.org
Address: 409 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27603
16. Dorothea Dix Park
Dorothea Dix Park is an urban park located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The park is named after Dorothea Dix, a social worker who dedicated her life to improving conditions for mentally ill patients. While the park itself is not very large, it’s full of things to do!
There are several trails throughout the park that lead you through trees and fields. You can also find a playground for kids to play on and even a small lake for fishing (or just looking at). The park also has a golf course and picnic areas where you can sit down and relax with your family or friends.
The best part about this park? It’s free! So if you’re looking for something fun to do in Raleigh without spending any money, look no further than Dorothea Dix Park.
Final Thoughts
Raleigh, North Carolina is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a city with lots to see and do.
The city has a rich history and culture that can be explored at any time of the year. If you’re looking for something different than what you’ve already done in other parts of the world, then Raleigh is definitely worth checking out.
we hope this article helped you decide whether or not Raleigh is the place for you.
