What To Do in Raleigh NC When VISITORS Come to Town
You’ve just moved to Raleigh, and family is coming to visit, and you have no idea what to do with them to keep them entertained!
Well this video has you covered, and while I can’t cover every scenario and interest, I’ll cover a variety of activities for you to choose from. And at the end, I’ll give you my ideal weekend itinerary to entertain guests.
#1 – Visit a Park
Starting off, you can’t experience Raleigh without experiencing at least some of its’ amazing parks. Which park you go to though greatly depends on the age of your guests, as families may want to do different activities than say, your elderly parents.
Regardless of age, checking out the new Downtown Park in Cary is a must if you’re in the area. There are activities for all ages, including a massive playground for the kids, some weekend nights they have live music playing, and there is even a bar and fire pit to enjoy.
For those wanting to be more active, I would suggest a hike at one of Umstead Park’s many trails, or the Eno River Trails in Durham if that’s closer, a walk around one of Raleigh’s great lakes like Shelley Lake or Lake Johnson, or even go kayaking or sunfish sailing out at Lake Crabtree.
If you have kids to entertain, Pullen Park has a playground, carousel and train ride to enjoy, as well as food on-site for lunch or snacks. Other parks that are great are Raleigh’s Sassafras Playground at Laurel Hills as well as the previously mentioned Downtown Cary Park.
And for those who enjoy calmer walks through nature, I would highly suggest Duke Gardens, the JC Raulsten Aboretum, or on a smaller scale, the WRAL Azalea Gardens. Duke Gardens is truly an amazing place, and it is an experience I would highly suggest for those who appreciate the beauty of nature.
There are also multiple large lakes for boating in Falls Lake and Jordan Lake nearby where you could rent a boat for the day; and, if time allows, you could even take a day trip down to Wilmington to enjoy Wrightsville Beach, which is only a 2 hour drive from Raleigh.
#2 – Entertainment Venues
Beyond just parks, Raleigh has its’ fair share of both indoor and outdoor entertainment venues. Starting with the outdoor venues, Fantasy Lake is one of the area’s newest and extreme experiences for those who don’t mind falling into the water. The floating obstacle course situated in an old rock quarry is a blast and definitely recommended.
For kids, both Phillips Farm in Cary and Hill Ridge Farm in Youngsville are recommended experiences as they both have a variety of farm inspired activities that are great for the whole family to enjoy. They also both have hay rides as well and around holidays, have different themed activities to enjoy like visiting a pumpkin patch.
Frankies Fun Park is an all-around entertainment venue complete with several go cart tracks, putt putt, batting cages, arcade games inside, laser tag, and more!
And for those who are more extreme, places like TreeRunner Adventure Park or Xtreme Park Adventures have fun obstacle courses and zip lines that can accommodate all ages. TreeRunner Adventure Park even has nighttime options!
For indoor entertainment, Jaguar Bolera is one of Raleigh’s newest experiences that offers great food along with self-serve beer, wine, and mixed drink taps, and has a variety of games to play such as duck pin bowling, darts, and more. And Strike and Barrell in Wake Forest is another fun, all-around entertainment venue with a number of indoor games, simulators, and a full-service bar.
ParTee Shack south of Raleigh has very unique mini-golf courses that the kids will love, and Raleigh does now have both Drive Shack and Top Golf, which have a ton of different golf themed games and competitions that make for a great evening out.
There are also a number of indoor trampoline and obstacle course parks around Raleigh and its’ suburbs, such as Urban Air Trampoline Park. And for those looking for a more extreme experience, OC Aerial in Durham has some pretty challenging obstacles.
#3 – Relax and Enjoy Live Music
Moving into music, there are a large number of live music options around Raleigh, many of which are free to attend.
During the late spring, summer, and early fall months, there are quite a few live music events put on by various shopping centers and suburbs around the area. Raleigh’s Live After Five shuts down Fayetteville Street once a month with Live Music, food trucks, wine and beer and more.
North Hills has a variety of different music series depending on the time of year that happen sometimes on a weekly occurrence, and suburbs like Wake Forest have series like Friday Night on White, where they bring in local artists once a month and close the main streets of downtown. These are definitely worth while to check out while family is here.
And if you want some music on a larger scale, the Red Hat Amphitheatre in downtown Raleigh is a great place to experience a concert, and during the summer, has quite a few offerings to choose from.
#4 – Visit a Museum
Moving into museums, Raleigh is known as the Smithsonian of the South, as it has some really great museums that are free to attend even though its’ famed, Smithsonian affiliated North Carolina Museum of History is actually closed for the next 2-3 years for renovations.
Next door to the History museum is the Museum of Natural Sciences, which has been the more entertaining of the two museums for children. And the NC Museum of Art is also in Raleigh that has some great exhibits both inside and outside.
For kids, Marbles Museum in downtown Raleigh is the go-to interactive kids museum that will keep your children entertained for hours. And in Durham, the Durham Life and Science museum is such a great place for kids, with a massive outdoor treehouse, live animals along with a dinosaur trail, and it even offers train rides.
And if anyone is a major UNC basketball or Michael Jordan fan, the UNC Basketball Museum in Chapel-Hill is worth a trip.
#5 – Go to a Sporting Event
Moving into sports, this may be an obvious one for those who are sports fans, but attending a Carolina Hurricanes game is definitely a fun experience given the atmosphere. And Durham Bulls Triple-A baseball games are also great for the whole family, and many Friday and Saturday nights, they shoot off a really impressive display of fireworks.
And for college sport fans, we have NC State, Duke and UNC right in our backyards, so catching one of those games, especially if they are playing one another, always makes for an enjoyable experience.
#6 – Go Shopping
Now, Raleigh isn’t necessarily known as a mecca of shopping, but there are a few good places to go. Raleigh’s main mall is Crabtree Valley Mall, which will have plenty of name brands that you know and love.
If you’re looking for higher end shopping, both North Hills in Raleigh and Fenton in Cary have plenty of great options, along with some top-notch restaurants to make it an all afternoon event.
#7 – Eat and Drink Well
The last category to cover involves eating, and I could talk all day about places to eat all around the triangle but I’ll give some of my favorites here.
First off, there are a ton of great restaurants downtown that you can’t go wrong with, but I always love recommending the food halls of Morgan Street Food Hall or Transfer Co Food Hall, as they provide such a great variety of food for everyone to enjoy. And for dessert, visit the Videri Chocolate Factory, which has been nominated for the best chocolate shop in the country!
There are also quite a few breweries to check out downtown, such as Wye Hill, which has a great view of downtown Raleigh, and Trophy Brewing and Pizza, which has great Pizza along with great beer. The Raleigh Beer Garden is another great venue, famous for having the world record for most beers on tap at once at 397, and has a variety of atmospheres to enjoy all in the same place.
There’s some great barbeque downtown, which Raleigh is famous for, in Clyde Coopers and Sam Jones BBQ, and if you’re looking for a really neat atmosphere on the fancier side, get reservations to 2nd Empire, a restaurant built inside a historic style Raleigh home.
I couldn’t give a best places to eat list without listing Angus Barn, which has the best atmosphere in Raleigh, especially during Christmas. You will need a reservation, but if you’re willing to show up right when they open to get on the waiting list, you’re usually able to get in within an hour or two.
Outside of downtown Raleigh, the Farmer’s Market is a GREAT place for a southern style breakfast. North Hills also has some great places like Cowfish, which curiously combines burgers and sushi, the Capital Grille for fancier occasions, and Chuy’s Mexican Restaurant is a great place with kids as they can run around in the adjacent open field before or after dinner.
So those are just some of my suggestions for entertaining family when they come to visit, but here is my ultimate itinerary for visitors both with and without kids.
I would start on a Friday night heading out to Downtown Cary to eat some dinner at Di Fara Pizza or Pizzeria Faulisi, and then walking over to Downtown Cary Park to enjoy the park at night.
On Saturday, I would suggest heading to Morgan Street Food Hall in Downtown Raleigh for lunch, and then checking out the Museum of Natural Sciences that is also downtown. If you have young kids, you could consider going to the Marbles Museum downtown instead. Then head over to Jaguar Bolera to eat, drink, and play some duck pin bowling. And if you want some dessert, check out Andia’s Ice Cream that’s also right there at Raleigh Iron Works.
On Sunday, grab brunch at the State Farmer’s Market and then take walk at Lake Johnson, or if you have kids, go to the nearby Pullen Park.
Check out our other blogs on the best things to do in Raleigh NC and the Hidden Gems of Raleigh NC.
If you need help finding your next home in Raleigh, Durham, or anywhere else in the triangle, our team at the W Real Estate Group would love to help!
Please reach out via our contact information below:
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Email: alison@thewgroupraleigh.com
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But every area has its pros and cons- comment “Apex” and I’ll send you the full list of things people love- and don’t love- about Apex.
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📈 Since 2020, I successfully grew a Facebook group to 12,000 engaged members by consistently providing valuable content, fostering community interaction, and sharing local insights.
✅ This approach not only established me as a trusted expert in my area but also created a strong platform for networking and lead generation.
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@postinowinecafe in the @shopvillagedistrict of #raleigh is a vibrant wine café that has quickly become a beloved spot.
Known for its inviting atmosphere and eclectic decor, @postinowinecafe offers a unique blend of rustic charm and modern flair.
The menu showcases a selection of wines, complemented by a variety of artisanal bruschetta and shareable plates, making it a perfect place for social gatherings or cozy date nights!
With its outdoor seating and community-focused events, Postino captures the essence of the neighborhood, creating a welcoming environment where people can unwind and enjoy good food and great company.
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Spending an afternoon in Raleigh? Start with a delicious coffee from one of our local roasters, then take a stroll through Nash or Moore Square to soak up the City of Oaks feel. Next, take your pick of several popular museums, including the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and the North Carolina Museum of History, both conveniently located along Fayetteville Street. You’ll also find the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) Raleigh and Marbles Kids Museum, which offers interactive exhibits for families. Grab an afternoon bite at City Market (Vic’s Ristorante is one of the best spots in town for pizza) or head up to Beasley’s for southern fare. Walk by the historic State Capitol. Cap it all off by catching a breathtaking skyline view at The Dillon or 10th and Terrace and then winding down the evening with craft cocktails at the hidden speakeasy, The Greenlight.
Spending an afternoon in Raleigh? Start with a delicious coffee from one of our local roasters, then take a stroll through Nash or Moore Square to soak up the City of Oaks feel. Next, take your pick of several popular museums, including the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and the North Carolina Museum of History, both conveniently located along Fayetteville Street. You’ll also find the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) Raleigh and Marbles Kids Museum, which offers interactive exhibits for families. Grab an afternoon bite at City Market (Vic’s Ristorante is one of the best spots in town for pizza) or head up to Beasley’s for southern fare. Walk by the historic State Capitol. Cap it all off by catching a breathtaking skyline view at The Dillon or 10th and Terrace and then winding down the evening with craft cocktails at the hidden speakeasy, The Greenlight.
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Have you been to The Shiny Diner?
@theshinydiner in #raleighnc brings me back to my childhood and sparks nostalgia.
Stepping inside, the retro chrome and neon lights transport me back to Saturday nights as a kid. I remember enjoying their massive milkshakes and chocolate chip pancakes that seemed to melt in my mouth.
But even now, @theshinydiner remains a beloved gem and there’s nothing else like it in the Raleigh area.
Have you been to The Shiny Diner?
@theshinydiner in #raleighnc brings me back to my childhood and sparks nostalgia.
Stepping inside, the retro chrome and neon lights transport me back to Saturday nights as a kid. I remember enjoying their massive milkshakes and chocolate chip pancakes that seemed to melt in my mouth.
But even now, @theshinydiner remains a beloved gem and there’s nothing else like it in the Raleigh area.
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Have you been to The Shiny Diner?
@theshinydiner in #raleighnc brings me back to my childhood and sparks nostalgia.
Stepping inside, the retro chrome and neon lights transport me back to Saturday nights as a kid. I remember enjoying their massive milkshakes and chocolate chip pancakes that seemed to melt in my mouth.
But even now, @theshinydiner remains a beloved gem and there’s nothing else like it in the Raleigh area.
Comment “diner” and I’ll send you more information about this unique spot in #raleigh
Have you been to The Shiny Diner?
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Plan your next date night at @viderichocolate in Raleigh’s Warehouse District. 💕This bean-to-bar destination offers a unique peek into the chocolate-making process, from roasting and grinding to molding. Enjoy in their organic, handcrafted chocolates on your next date night for a truly sweet experience. 🍫
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🌟 Are you of pouring hours into content with little to show for it? 😩
Are you feeling drained by:
❌ Low Views
❌ Zero Engagement
❌ and a Silent Inbox … you’re not alone!
Many agents struggle with this. 💬 But what if you could flip the script?
👉 Now, imagine this:
✅ You wake up to messages from real leads reaching out, ready to work with you.
✅ You’ve built a thriving Facebook group that acts like a 24/7 lead funnel, connecting you with buyers and sellers who already trust you.
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Instead of chasing leads, they come to you.
🎯 It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing the right things.
💡 Let me help you turn your social media frustration into a system that brings in leads consistently and grows your business.
👉 Are you ready to stop posting aimlessly and start creating a strategy that actually gets you results?
🔥🔥 Let’s make it happen.
⬇️ Comment “Facebook” below and I’ll share information on a step by step guide on how I went from 0 sales to over $250 million in the last 5 years from this strategy ALONE!
#realestate #realestatemoms #realestateagent #realestatelife #realtor #coaching #realestatecoach #socialmediamarketing #socialmediaqueen