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
The North Carolina Museum of History is precisely what its name implies a museum dedicated to the history of North Carolina. The museum's exhibits include the 20,000 square-foot permanent "Story of North Carolina" that chronicles the history of the state over 14,000 years. Visitors can see everything from two historic homes that are full-size and a life-sized model of the Wright brothers flying plane, known as"the "Wright Flyer." Other exhibits explore themes like sports or Civil War, and there are numerous temporary exhibits that change throughout the museum. Open every day, Monday through Saturday all day, from 9 a.m. until five p.m. On Sundays, the museum is open from noon until 5 p.m. The museum is open for free with two limitations: donations are welcome and certain special exhibits or programs could charge an additional cost. The museum is located in downtown Raleigh located near the State Capitol and the Legislative Building situated along East Edenton Street.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
It is the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is Raleigh's top attraction for a number of reasons. It's free, its cafe serves a selection of delicious and reasonably priced products, and it has a variety of exhibits that have been reported to will appeal to visitors of all ages. The museum provides information on North Carolina through exhibits like "Coastal North Carolina," which showcases all kinds of whale bones to seahorse dioramas, and The "Living Conservatory," which has butterflies fluttering around. There's also a section of the museum devoted to the study of nature which is where people can be a scientist by visiting the "Investigate Laboratory" or just observe scientists at work within the "Windows of research" areas. General admission is free, but special exhibitions as well as the 3D flims for Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. until five p.m. On the first Friday of every month, the main building is accessible for extended hours, from 9:00 p.m. On Sundays, the Museum will be open from noon to 5 p.m.
Pullen Park
Close to the North Carolina State University campus, isn´t just the state's first public park that is public and home to the USA´s fifth-oldest amusement park (and among the world´s top 20 oldest), Nowadays, people come to the park for the low-cost amusements which cost $1 for a ride on the carousel or a ride on paddle boats, and also for its stunning beauty. The fans of Andy Griffith's show Andy Griffith Show are also able to look for this bronze sculpture that depicts "Andy as well as Opie." There are playgrounds and tennis courts, and an indoor swimming pool. The park is situated to the west of downtown and is bordered by Western Boulevard towards the south. Pullen Road towards the west Hillsborough Street to the north, and Ashe Avenue to the east adjacent to North Carolina State University. On weekends, the best spots to park your vehicle are in the Cates Avenue Parking Deck at NC State, which is just a 10-minute walk to the north of the park or at the Governor Morehead School, which is just five minutes east of the park.
William B. Umstead State Park
Between three cities, Raleigh, Cary, and Durham is the William B. Umstead State Park and its 5,579 acres of trails that are wooded and beautiful lakes. It is possible to walk, bike, and hike through it. You can also take the paddleboat or canoe out for a nominal cost. Many travelers are unhappy with the increasing popularity of the area, saying it has lost some of its tranquility. However, most recent travelers highly recommend it. It is possible to access this park free of charge off US 70 (Crabtree Creek entry off Glenwood Avenue) or Interstate 40 (Reedy Creek entrance is exit 287). The easiest way to access the park is by driving twelve miles north from the city of Raleigh until you reach the Crabtree Creek entrance. From December to February, this park's entrance is open between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. In November, it is up until p.m. In the months of March, April, September, and October the park is in operation until p.m. In April and June, the park remains available until p.m.
You can easily book your cheap flights to Raleigh with the Lowest Flight Fares and enjoy a trip.
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