Friendly, vibrant, and outdoorsy, the Tarheel State´s capital (pop. around 468,000) is filled with attractions for all types of visitors, especially lovers of museums (as home to several fine insitutions of this type); of Victorian and other late-19th and early-20th'century architecture (thanks to its Historic Oakwood neighborhood of gracious Victorian to early-20th-century homes set amid the oaks for which Raleigh is known); of nightlife and culture (it´s home to 11 colleges and universities, so say no more); and the great outdoors (with beautiful parks and other green spaces around and beyond town). Here´s just a quick sampling of what the city has to offer:
Marbles Kids Museum
That name? It´s because the museum's creators encourage children to use their "marbles" (aka brains) to learn new things through imagination, discovery, and play- and in fact, the wall surrounding the museum is lined with more than one million of them, which glow afterdark. The place museum has exhibits ranging from an "Art Loft" where kids can make arts and crafts as well as paint and sculpt to a "Power for Play" exhibit, where kids can play with a range of sports equipment that is kid-sized. There's also a cafe as well as an IMAX cinema.
Neuse River Trail
Also known as the Rleigh Greenway, this wide path is a 28-mile hiking and biking trail (bikes available for rent) that runs from Falls Lake Dam in nrarby Wake Forest down to the town of Clayton, runs along the Neuse River over woods and wetlands. It also runs through Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve and offers a number of canoeing, kayaking, and fishing opportunities.
Justin Doub
North Carolina Museum of Art
Opened in 1956, its gleaming white galleries are home which are adorned with works by Andrew Wyeth, such as "Winter 1946" and "The Holy Family with St. Anne" by Peter Paul Rubens and Workshop, are stunning in their own right. However, visitors are also extremely raving about the museum's rotating exhibits, its gorgeous sculpture garden, as well as the informative tours and special activities. The restaurant of the museum, Iris, is also beautiful with its ceiling-to-ceiling windows, and wall-mounted sculptures. It is accessible from Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. However, on Fridays, it is in operation until p.m. Admission is free, except for some special exhibitions.
North Carolina Museum of History
At the center of this Smithsonian-affiliated museum, located downtown near the state Capitol, is the 20,000 square-foot permanent "Story of North Carolina," chronicling its history over 14,000 years, with highlights such as two full-size historic homes and a life-sized model of the Wright brothers flyer from Kitty Hawk. Other exhibits explore themes like sports or Civil War, and there are numerous temporary exhibits that change throughout the museum. Admission is free except for some special exhibits.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Raleigh's top attraction houses a variety of exhibits that appeal to visitors of all ages, including "Coastal North Carolina," from seahorse dioramas to whale bones, and "Living Conservatory," a charming garden where visitors are surrounded by fluttering butterflies. There's also the "Windows of Research" where visitors can observe scientists at work, and "Investigate Laboratory," where they can can play scientist themselves for a bit.. Admission is also free with the exception of 3D films and selected exhibits, and there´s also a nice little café.
North Carolina State Capitol
Built in 1831 and these days occupied by the state´s executive branch, and this Greek Revival manse with its stately pillars is open for self-guided and guided tours daily except Sunday.
Pullen Park
West of downtown close to North Carolina State University´s main campus, these 66 lanscaped acres (above) is the state's first public park that as well as home to the USA´s fifth-oldest amusement park (and among the world´s top 20 oldest).The rides today are fairly modest - a vintage arousel (1921), train, and kiddie boats - and visitors can also rent paddle boats on the small lake. Other features include playgrounds, a half dozen tennis courts, picnic areas, a café, an indoor swimming pool, an arts center, and the acclaimed Theater in the Park.
William B. Umstead State Park
Halfway between Raleigh (a 20-minute drive away) and neighboring Durham, these 5,579 acres of wooded hills are dotted with beautiful lakes, and it´s fantastic for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. It´s also possible to camp, swim, and rent canoes and kayaks, and a visitors center has some interesting nature exhibits.
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Comments
A highly underrated destination, for sure!