Overview
The capital of North Carolina and the largest city of the Research Triangle, Raleigh is the primary political and economic driver of the metro area. Indeed, business and politics are the main draws to Raleigh, which lacks the more trendy feel or active arts scene of Durham or Chapel Hill to the west. However, a concerted effort to expand the residential base and move events downtown has led to significantly expanded retail and restaurant options in the downtown core. Also, visitors will find many of the state's cultural institutions here, namely a major performing arts center downtown and three state museums, and a college town atmosphere in the neighborhood around the campus of North Carolina State University, the state's largest university.
16 sights · 12 things to do · 27 places to eat · 7 bars & cafés · 14 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Raleigh
City of Raleigh Museum
Local history museum, an excellent place to start your visit to the City of Oaks.
North Carolina State Capitol
Built between 1833 and 1840 and to house the governor's office and cabinet offices. It's now a working capitol and a museum of North Carolina history, especially the period between the building's construction and the Civ…
N.C. Museum of Art
With rotating exhibits, summer outdoor film series, and groovy sculpture garden.
N.C. Museum of History
Extensive museum of North Carolina history, from ancient Native American cultures through colonization and independence up to the World Wars and the Civil Rights Movement. Everything is labeled with thorough and interest…
N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences
Contains a huge wing full of interactive exhibits, the Nature Research Center, with 3-story multimedia globe structure and exhibits such as a 10,000 gallon (40,000 liter) aquarium.
Governor's Mansion
Official residence of the North Carolina governor and family, built in the late 1800s. Group tours are available mid-March to mid-June, but must be booked at least two weeks in advance.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 91°F; winter lows dip to about 32°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Sep and Jul.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- RDU Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Raleigh/Durham — 9 mi away (major hub). Directions
- FAY Fayetteville Regional Airport - Grannis Field, Fayetteville — 59 mi away. Directions
Amtrak provides train services to Raleigh; the Piedmont runs three times per day from Charlotte, a trip of just over three hours. There are also two daily long-distance routes: the Carolinian and Silver Star lines, both of which head north through Richmond, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia to New York City. Southbound, the Carolinian follows the Piedmont south to Charlotte and the Silver Star heads south through Columbia and Savannah to Florida. The new Raleigh Union Station, at 510 W Martin St, has completely replaced the old station.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $75–$75 a night (typical $95), from 2 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $5 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$100, mid-range ~$140, comfortable ~$170.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning City of Raleigh Museum, North Carolina State Capitol, N.C. Museum of History
- Lunch Tonbo Ramen
- Afternoon N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Governor's Mansion
- Dinner Clyde Cooper's BBQ
- Evening The Raleigh Times Bar
Day 2
- Morning N.C. Museum of Art, JC Raulston Arboretum, North Carolina State Fair
- Lunch Neomonde
- Afternoon Carolina Hurricanes, Lake Johnson Nature Park
- Dinner Sushi Nine
- Evening Raleigh Beer Garden
Day 3
- Morning Adventure Landing
- Lunch Watkin's Grill
- Afternoon Sky Zone Raleigh
- Dinner Krispy Kreme
- Evening Big Boss Brewing company
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Due to the large influx of residents from around the USA and the world as well as the large student population, there is a fairly large variety of cuisine available at a wide range of prices. And, being a Southern city, there are still plenty of options for traditional Southern food and a few modern interpretations of those traditional foods. Of course, no visit to North Carolina would be complete without trying some NC-style barbecue pork. There are actually two major styles in the state: Lexington-style (named after Lexington, NC) which uses only the pork shoulder and is served with a tomato and vinegar sauce and Eastern-style which uses the "whole hog" and is served with a vinegar-based sauce. Both styles are available around Raleigh and some restaurants include both types of sauce on the table.
Thanks to relaxed regulations first in Durham and later in Raleigh, the Triangle area has a lively food truck scene with a wide variety of cuisines available in street food form from burgers and pizza to Chinese dumplings and Belgian waffles, and of course, barbecue. Many have since expanded to brick and mortar locations as well and a few popular restaurants have launched their own trucks. At lunchtime, trucks can usually be found near office parks with few restaurants nearby or on college campuses (there is almost always at least one truck serving weekday lunch on NC State's Centennial Campus). In the evening they often serve dinner at local breweries (see Drink below). Downtown Raleigh hosts occasional food truck "rodeos" featuring over 50 trucks from as far as Charlotte. See their website for upcoming dates and links to truck websites. A partial list of trucks that occasionally serve Raleigh is given below.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
As of 2020, the city had a population of about 468,000, with a metro area population of about 1.4 million.
History
Raleigh is one of the few U.S. state capitals that was specifically established and planned to serve as a capital. Its location was chosen partly for being near the center of the state and partly because it was close to Isaac Hunter's Tavern, where North Carolina legislators and other government officials liked to stay. The story goes that the commissioners couldn't decide on an exact plot of land until Isaac Hunter and his friend Joel Lane had the idea of throwing a big party with plenty of local jam and whiskey. The next morning, the hungover commissioners voted 5–1 for a plot owned by Joel Lane himself.
The new city was established as the state capital in 1792 and was named for Sir Walter Raleigh.
Visitor information
The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau operates the [https://www.visitraleigh.com/ Raleigh Visitor Information Center]. The Visitor Information Center (VIC) is at 500 Fayetteville Street between the Raleigh Marriott City Center and The Raleigh Convention Center. +1 919-834-5900 or +1-800-849-8499. The VIC is open Monday through Saturday, 9AM to 5PM and offers brochures, event calendars, coupons, maps, and other visitor information. Stop by and pick up a brochure or visit the website to view a visitor guide online or order one to be mailed before your trip.
Climate
Raleigh has a four-season humid subtropical climate as with much of the US Southeast. Summers are hot and humid with on average 48 days over 90°F. Heat indices average around 94°F during the day and 72°F at night in the summer months given the humidity, but it's not unheard of for heat indices to climb upwards to 106°F and not go below 77°F on some particularly hot and humid days.
Get in
By plane
Go Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
A former hub of American Airlines and Midway Airlines, the airport today is a fairly large focus city for Delta Airlines and well served by Southwest Airlines. The airport has bus service in the form of GoTriangle Route 100, which stops at the airport on the way from the Regional Transit Center to downtown Raleigh.
By car
- Interstate 40 goes to points west including Durham, Chapel Hill, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Asheville. 2½ hours east on I-40 is Wilmington.
- Interstates 85 and 95, though they do not directly enter Raleigh, provide easy access to the city from up and down the Eastern Seaboard; large access routes from these interstates provide easy access to the city.
- US 1, the East Coast corridor route, cuts through Raleigh on its way from New York to the Florida Keys; within the city limits US 1 is known as Capital Blvd.
By train
Amtrak provides train services to Raleigh; the Piedmont runs three times per day from Charlotte, a trip of just over three hours. There are also two daily long-distance routes: the Carolinian and Silver Star lines, both of which head north through Richmond, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia to New York City. Southbound, the Carolinian follows the Piedmont south to Charlotte and the Silver Star heads south through Columbia and Savannah to Florida. The new Raleigh Union Station, at 510 W Martin St, has completely replaced the old station.
By bus
Get around
Within the I-440 Beltline are mostly fashionable older neighborhoods and the NC State University area. The North Raleigh neighborhoods are aligned along the "spokes of the wheel"—major thoroughfares emanating from the I-440 loop and passing through the northern edge of the much larger I-540 loop.
Downtown Raleigh provides easy travel and access through its grid of one-way streets. If you're just passing through, the major thoroughfare is Capital Boulevard (US 401), which splits into Dawson Street heading south and McDowell Street heading north. From the west, it is Hillsborough Street, interrupted midway by the state Capitol building. To the east, it continues as New Bern Avenue (US 64).
The I-440 Beltline was once denoted with "Inner" and "Outer" labels, but they have been phased out in favor of "East" and "West." I-440 West used to be the Outer Beltline, and I-440 East used to be the Inner Beltline. I-440's concurrency with I-40 through the souther portion of Raleigh has also been removed; therefore, the Beltline no longer loops back on itself.
Raleigh is known for particularly aggressive parking enforcement and towing, so be sure to follow all parking signs and rules. Most parking meters have been converted to electronic pay stations that accept coins and MasterCard/Visa. Most metered areas are only enforced on Monday-Friday from 8AM-5PM. Some parking garages are free on evenings and weekends as well, but "special event" rates are common during major downtown events regardless of the time or day.
By bus
For information on routes, schedules and fares, check GoTriangle.org, for a helpful trip planner.
Regional Passes are available by GoTriangle and can be purchased at the Regional Transit Center (901 Slater Road, Durham), and one-day passes can be purchased on buses. (Tell the driver you want to purchase a day pass before inserting money into the farebox.) Regional Passes will work on GoTriangle, GoRaleigh, GoDurham, and GoCary buses.
GoRaleigh offers a lower cost alternative to the Regional Day Pass what will work only on GoRaleigh buses called the GoRaleigh Day Pass. GoRaleigh Day Pass can be purchases directly from the bus driver or at the GoRaleigh Station in Downtown Raleigh.
By taxi
There are 36 licensed taxi operators in Raleigh of varying quality. Spanish speakers will appreciate Amigo taxi +1 919-862-6162.
See
See North Carolina State Capitol
Built between 1833 and 1840 and to house the governor's office and cabinet offices. It's now a working capitol and a museum of North Carolina history, especially the period between the building's construction and the Civil War. Several rooms are restored with furniture and items from the era so you can see how they might have looked, including original legislative rooms, a collection of geological specimens, and a library. Full of plaques and informational signs. Gems include spittoons (for tobacco) in the legislative rooms, and a big statue of George Washington in the style of a Roman soldier. Guided tours are available Saturdays at 11AM and 2PM or by appointment for large groups, or take a self-guided tour whenever the building is open.
See N.C. Museum of History
Extensive museum of North Carolina history, from ancient Native American cultures through colonization and independence up to the World Wars and the Civil Rights Movement. Everything is labeled with thorough and interesting interpretive signs, and some sections have little theater rooms showing videos with more details. Includes a genuine slave cabin rebuilt in the museum, a recreated 1920s drugstore, galleries of North Carolina military history, a children's discovery gallery, and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, which exhibits personal items donated by approximately 360 inductees. Also has a gift shop. Closed for renovation through fall 2028.
See Joel Lane Museum House
A Georgian-style manor plantation house built circa 1770 by Colonel Joel Lane, patriot, statesman, and planter, Col. Lane's home has been faithfully restored and is filled with period artifacts. The site houses three historic structures, including a very simple circa 1790 middle-class home interpreted as a kitchen and a circa 1840 Visitors Center.
Historic neighborhoods
Do
Do Carolina Hurricanes
Raleigh's NHL hockey team plays at Lenovo Center. A loud yet friendly atmosphere make this an excellent place to spend an evening during fall and winter. The 'Canes have won the Stanley Cup twice (in 2006 and 2026) and have become famous for their fun "Storm Surge" celebrations after home wins. The Hurricanes have also been one of the NHL's best teams since 2019, and as a result of this success, tickets have risen in price moderately with Lenovo Center filling up close to capacity for most games. Current ticket prices tend to start between $50 and $60 and can be more expensive depending on the opponent and the day of the week. The regular season runs from early October to mid-April, with the playoffs running as late as mid-June.
Do William B. Umstead Park
Referred to as Umstead park, this state park is accessible by car, bus, or bike, Umstead is a natural haven from the Triangle's urban zones, next to RDU Intl. Airport. Miles of trails, both paved and unpaved, provide access for hikers, campers, bikers and joggers to three lakes and over 5380 acres.
Do NC State Wolfpack
The sports teams representing North Carolina State University, competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference along with 17 other schools ranging from the East Coast to the San Francisco Bay Area. Football and basketball games are popular in addition to other sports. Most venues are on campus, but the men's basketball team shares Lenovo Center with the Hurricanes.
Do Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
The performing arts center includes 3 primary venues. Memorial Auditorium is the largest and hosts diverse events such as the Carolina Ballet and traveling theater productions of Broadway Series South. Meymandi Concert Hall is home to the North Carolina Symphony. Fletcher Opera Theater is a more intimate setting and hosts events such as Raleigh Chamber Music Guild concerts.
Do Yates Mill County Park
A 174 acres park only a few miles from downtown. Over 2 mi of trails, a visitor center with family activities, and a large pond for fishing. The park also contains the last water-powered grist mill in Wake county. Restored to operating condition, the mill offers guided tours on weekends.
Buy
Shop Village District (Cameron Village)
The first shopping center between Atlanta and DC, Village District is today a major destination point. Home to many of Raleigh's oldest boutique stores, the development also includes restaurants, a grocery store, and one of Wake County's public libraries. Hours vary depending on the store.
Shop North Hills Shopping Center
North Hills has transformed itself from a drab 1960s mall to a mixed-use center. Along with Cameron Village, the complex houses a large number of trendy boutiques in Raleigh; the center also is home to a grocery store, movie theater, Target, JC Penney, and a variety of restaurants and retail. Hours vary according to the store.
Shop City Market
Home to art galleries, restaurants and specialty shops. Cobblestone streets lit by lamps give the area a 19th-century feel.
Eat
Due to the large influx of residents from around the USA and the world as well as the large student population, there is a fairly large variety of cuisine available at a wide range of prices. And, being a Southern city, there are still plenty of options for traditional Southern food and a few modern interpretations of those traditional foods. Of course, no visit to North Carolina would be complete without trying some NC-style barbecue pork. There are actually two major styles in the state: Lexington-style (named after Lexington, NC) which uses only the pork shoulder and is served with a tomato and vinegar sauce and Eastern-style which uses the "whole hog" and is served with a vinegar-based sauce. Both styles are available around Raleigh and some restaurants include both types of sauce on the table.
Budget
Eat Big Ed's
Big Ed's signature breakfasts are the Southern standards: homemade biscuits, grits with red-eye gravy, etc. Come Saturday mornings for live Dixieland jazz. Second location on Falls of Neuse Road and Millbrook in Quail Ridge Shopping Center.
Eat Farmer's Market Restaurant
Solid, hearty food with fresh ingredients from the state farmer's market right next door. Serves breakfast and lunch.
Eat Guasaca
Local chain for Venezuelan arepas. Two locations in Raleigh, vegetarian and vegan options available.
Eat Krispy Kreme
The popular Winston-Salem-based doughnut maker is a landmark that nearby residents use to give directions. Look for the "Hot Doughnuts Now" sign for a little round piece of glazed heaven. Quite popular with the students of nearby Broughton and Enloe High Schools, especially in the early morning hours, so plan accordingly.
Eat Neomonde
A delicious Mediterranean market and deli. Their fantastic hummus and baba ghanouj with pita bread alone make any meal great.
Eat Roast Grill
If you're looking for a hot dog and a bottle of Coke, this is the place in downtown Raleigh. If you're looking for ketchup, though, you may just be asked to leave. Run by a family of Greek immigrants since 1940, in a tiny room added to the front of their house.
Eat Watkin's Grill
Greasy-spoon with Civil War memorabilia on the walls. Cash only.
Eat Clyde Cooper's BBQ
Traditional NC-style barbecue. A Raleigh institution since 1938.
Eat Albaraka Market and Grill
Albaraka Market and Grill in Raleigh is a Mediterranean restaurant with a grocery store. They offer halal food and baked goods.
Mid-range
Eat The Fiction Kitchen
Thoughtfully prepared vegan and vegetarian cuisine from a 100% vegetarian kitchen. Very popular among touring music artists playing at the nearby Red Hat Amphitheater.
Eat Casa Carbone Ristorante
A family restaurant with an extensive menu that includes everything from classic spaghetti and lasagna, to more intricate entrees such as grouper puttanesca and beef braciole. Excellent wine choices as well. Affordable and delicious.
Eat Irregardless Cafe
A Raleigh institution since the 1970s, the Irregardless offers an eclectic menu including creative vegetarian options. Jazz music every night and dancing on Saturday nights.
Eat Lilly's Pizza
Part hippie, yuppie, bohemian, and retro, Lilly's is an experience all to its own. It's in the popular Five Points district so parking can be a problem, especially when a popular film is screening at the nearby Rialto theater. If you're adventurous, you can access Five Points by the number 2 CAT bus.
Eat Sushi Nine
A great selection of BOGO sushi rolls offered all day everyday. Also offers a mix of Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, and Chinese entrees. Full bar.
Eat The Village Draft House
Don't forget the pickle chips!
Eat The Pit
Somewhat upscale whole-hog barbecue. Popular with out-of-staters, but of questionable authenticity.
Eat Poole's Downtown Diner
Sourced almost entirely from local farmers and artisan producers, the menu can change on a daily basis. The executive chef, Ashley Christensen, won the 2014 James Beard award for Best Chef in the Southeast.
Splurge
Eat Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern
Gourmet fare in the restored Dodd-Hinsdale House, built in 1879 in the Second Empire Victorian style.
Eat The Angus Barn
Fine dining with house-aged steaks.
Food trucks
Thanks to relaxed regulations first in Durham and later in Raleigh, the Triangle area has a lively food truck scene with a wide variety of cuisines available in street food form from burgers and pizza to Chinese dumplings and Belgian waffles, and of course, barbecue. Many have since expanded to brick and mortar locations as well and a few popular restaurants have launched their own trucks. At lunchtime, trucks can usually be found near office parks with few restaurants nearby or on college campuses (there is almost always at least one truck serving weekday lunch on NC State's Centennial Campus). In the evening they often serve dinner at local breweries (see Drink below). Downtown Raleigh hosts occasional food truck "rodeos" featuring over 50 trucks from as far as Charlotte. See their website for upcoming dates and links to truck websites. A partial list of trucks that occasionally serve Raleigh is given below.
Eat American Meltdown
Gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and melts on locally baked bread.
Eat Baguettaboutit
Locally-produced sausage and freshly-made sauce served inside of a fresh-baked baguette. Vegetarian options available.
Eat Belgian Waffle Crafters
Liege (dough-based) and Brussels (batter-based) waffles. Both sweet and savory toppings available. Try the "Choco-waffle", a Liege waffle with chocolate pieces in the dough.
Eat Chirba Chirba
Chinese dumplings and dipping sauces. Always a crowd favorite at food truck rodeos.
Eat OnlyBurger
Made-to-order burgers and fresh-cut fries.
Drink
Southwest Raleigh, particularly the area along Hillsborough Street, resembles a college town, so there are plenty of places to find a drink. What is more, the city has a number of microbreweries. For cheaper places, try near the campus of North Carolina State University on Hillsborough Street. (A scene in "Bull Durham" was filmed in Mitch's Tavern.) The downtown area known as Glenwood South has a few more upscale bars and is located between Glenwood Ave and Harrington Street and between Peace Street and Hillsborough Street just northwest of downtown. The City Market area around Moore Square and the area around Fayetteville Street also offer a good mix. Those not from the American South should be sure to order "sweet tea". Sweet tea, along with Sundrop and Cheerwine, has long been considered a native beverage, and is served in most restaurants. The sweetness will vary in accordance with the locale, but is nevertheless much sweeter than any tea served elsewhere in the nation.
Drink Carolina Brewing Company
In Holly Springs - CBC conducts weekly tours on Saturday afternoons, and it's best to arrive anywhere from 15-30 minutes early to make sure you get a sample of their beer both prior to the tour. No fear if you arrive late, however, as the taps are typically open for an hour afterwards as well. CBC brews an India Pale Ale, a Nut Brown Ale, and the Carolina Pale Ale year round (available at the brewery, in local stores, and in many local bars and restaurants) and usually has one or two seasonal beers available only at the brewery or on tap at select local establishments.
Drink Big Boss Brewing company
Big Boss conducts monthly tours on Saturday afternoons, and it's usually best to check the website to find out exactly when. As with CBC, it's a good idea to get there a bit early, as there's usually a pretty good crowd there. Big Boss brews an assortment of seasonal beers that are distributed locally in addition to their year-round Bad Penny Brown Ale, Helles Belle Belgian Blond, and Angry Angel Kolsch Ale that are also sold in bottles at local stores. Big Boss also features an on-site pub called Horniblows Tavern. Though it's not in one of the trendy areas of town, Horniblows is a great place for knocking back a couple of brews and solving the world's problems with your mates.
Drink Lonerider Brewing Company
Near the airport and Brier Creek. One of the area's nearest breweries, it has quickly penetrated the market. Often considered a brewers brewery, they offer a handful or more of well-crafted beers. Brewery tours fairly regularly at about once a month.
Drink The Raleigh Times Bar
Snug in the offices of the former Raleigh Times newspaper, this broadsheet turned gastropub is the place for people watching over a pint (or a half pint) of craft-brewed beer.
Drink Crank Arm Brewing
Brewpub in the warehouse district that opened in 2013.
Drink Fox Liquor Bar
A trendy, upscale bar featuring traditional and creative cocktails along with a small, but interesting selection of craft beers.
Drink Raleigh Beer Garden
Popular spot with a huge selection of beer on tap: North Carolina beers on the first floor and beers from around the world on the second floor. Interesting decor too, with a tree growing in the middle of the first floor.
Sleep
There are many hotels in the Raleigh area:
Stay safe
Raleigh's crime rate is below average for an American city of its size (and one of the lowest in the Southern USA), but one still must be cautious and intelligent. In particular, stick to the busy and well-lit parts of downtown after dark, and avoid the neighborhoods immediately south or east of downtown after dark. The NC State University campus and vicinity are safe and heavily trafficked during the day and evening, but use the university's public safety escort service in the early hours of the morning. Throughout Raleigh, you should think before using an automated teller machine (ATM) after dark, unless it's in a mall or other heavily travelled, well-lit area.
Go next
In the Triangle
- Chapel Hill, about 25 mi from Raleigh, is home to the University of North Carolina (UNC-CH). Chapel Hill has many good restaurants and bars on Franklin Street, adjacent to the UNC campus.
- Durham about 25 mi away, the home of Duke University. Durham has many trendy cafes, bars, theaters, art locations and four-star restaurants.
- Pittsboro, home to a tiger sanctuary, and the tiny nearby town of Bynum on the Haw River
- Wake Forest, about 18 mi away, features access to the vast Falls Lake Park Recreation Area and boasts a small downtown carefully preserved in time.
Further afield
Nearby
Cary
City / town · 20 listings · 9 mi away
Wake Forest
City / town · 19 listings · 13 mi away
Apex
City / town · 10 listings · 13 mi away
Fuquay-Varina
City / town · 3 listings · 18 mi away
Durham
City / town · 53 listings · 19 mi away
Chapel Hill
City / town · 68 listings · 23 mi away
Smithfield-Selma
City / town · 10 listings · 27 mi away
Pittsboro
City / town · 15 listings · 31 mi away
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