Guides,  North Carolina

The Best Things to Do in Downtown Raleigh, NC

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Looking for the perfect US weekend getaway? How about North Carolina’s capital, Raleigh! It is an up & coming city in the southeast region of the USA. Raleigh has a safe, bustling downtown with a lot of history, delicious southern restaurants and some of the friendliest people! I kept chuckling to myself when strangers would smile and say hello to me on the streets. I’ve visited a lot of big cities in the last few years and this was a strange, yet nice occurrence! Continue reading to find out the best things to do in Downtown Raleigh, as well as where to eat and where to stay.

Downtown Raleigh Without a Car 

Transportation in Raleigh

How to Get to Raleigh

You can easily get to Raleigh by flying into Raleigh – Durham international airport. It’s about a 20 minute drive to downtown Raleigh from the airport. You can also take the Amtrak to the train station downtown. The train station is one of the nicest I have been to. It seems fairly new and has nice, clean bathrooms and free WiFi. I really enjoy traveling by Amtrak train as well. Greyhound isn’t my favorite way to travel, but you can reach Raleigh by bus as well. 

How to Get Around Raleigh

If you are staying downtown Raleigh you most likely will not need any transportation to get around. If you are staying outside of the downtown areas you can take Lyfts or public transportation. The buses in Raleigh are very easy to use. You either pay $1.25 for a one way trip or $2.50 for a day pass. Make sure to have the correct amount of cash. While the majority of locals in Raleigh don’t use the buses, I always felt safe taking them. On google maps check the bus times because the buses don’t run that frequently especially later in the evenings.

What to Do in Downtown Raleigh

North Carolina Museum of History 

Downtown Raleigh museums

A museum visit or a walking tour is always the perfect thing to do when touring a new city. In downtown Raleigh that is the North Carolina state history museum. It is one of America’s great history museums. It has an excellent exhibit on the history of the state. This permanent exhibit starts with the first inhabitants of the state and continues with sections on different time periods and events in history until about the 1960s. It ends with a short video with some statistics on present day North Carolina.

The museum is similar to other US state museums, but focuses on the events that are the most relevant to North Carolina. The exhibits are displayed in chronological order. The information and artifacts are presented well. The NC Sports Hall of Fame is also part of the museum. You can see items from many of the athletes who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Several additional exhibits are also included in the free admission of the museum. My favorite was the toys from the 50s and 60s. I was surprised with how many of those toys are still around today.

Where: 5 E Edenton St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Tickets: Free!

Time Needed: I spent almost four hours in the museum and had a good amount of time!

City of Raleigh Museum

what to do in Downtown Raleigh

After learning about the state overall make time to visit the City of Raleigh Museum to learn all about the history and culture of just the city. It’s a smaller museum that has one main exhibit on Raleigh’s history and several temporary exhibits.

When I visited there was an exhibit on the political cartoonist, Duane Powell. I have always thought of cartoons as something for children and not something that gives a deep message to adults. The exhibit gave me a whole new meaning to cartoons.

Where: 220 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Cost: Free!

Time Needed: I spent a little over an hour in the museum and had plenty of time.

North Carolina State Capitol

What to Do in downtown Raleigh

Take a guided tour or a self-guided tour of North Carolina’s capitol right here in downtown Raleigh. It’s not the biggest state capitol and there is not a whole lot to see inside. There’s a few monuments, signs to read and rooms to look inside.

Where: 1 E Edenton St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Cost: Free!

Time Needed: I spent about 15 minutes in the capital and had plenty of time. Guided tours usually take about 50 minutes.

Mordecai Historic Park

The best places to go in Raleigh

Mordecai Historic Park is a little north of downtown Raleigh. It’s the oldest house and plantation in its original location in Raleigh. The park contains the original Mordecai house, some of the other original historical buildings on the property and a visitor center with a small exhibit. Typically you can take guided tours through the park. When I visited the tours were not available because a school group was visiting. After walking through the exhibit and learning about the history of the house and the role of the slaves within the plantation I was really disappointed I wouldn’t be able to take a tour. Call 919-996-4364 on the day you want to visit to make sure there isn’t a school group and you don’t miss out.

Where:1 Mimosa St, Raleigh, NC 27604

Cost: $7 for adults (it’s free to visit the exhibit and walk around the park)

Time Needed: I spent about 30 minutes at the exhibit and walking around the park. The tours take about 50 minutes.

N Blount St & Historical Homes

Places to visit in Raleigh, NC
North Carolina Executive Mansion

From Mordecai Historical Park walk a few blocks over to N Blount St. Make your way back to downtown Raleigh while enjoying all the historical homes on N Blount St. Each historical home with significance has a sign that describes who lived in the home, what their role in society was and when they lived in the home.

Many of the homes offer guided tours but they have limited hours and often require advanced booking. The L.L. Polk House and the North Carolina Executive Mansion are two places you may want to schedule tours.

Where: N Blount St

Cost: Free (tours of the historical homes cost extra)

Time Needed: About a 20 minute walk (extra time needed to tour any of the homes).

Pullen Park

What to do in Raleigh, NC

Pullen Park is not located directly downtown, but is close enough that I thought it was relevant to include! It is about a 30 – 45 minute walk, 10 – 15 minute bus ride or 10 min taxi drive. Read below to see why I recommend walking from downtown.

The park itself has a central area with playgrounds, concessions, a family train ride around the park and a carousel. There is a large lake where you can rent a paddle boat. Several paths weave around the park as well. I’m sure it gets very busy in the summer, but when I visited on a sunny January afternoon it was very peaceful.

Where: Pullen Park, 520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh, NC 27606

Cost: Free! (Activities within the park such as the carousel and train ride cost extra)

Time Needed: I spent about 30 minutes in the park walking around and relaxing on a park bench.

FYI: There are bathrooms near the main entrance.

Walk on Hillsboro Street

Things to see in Raleigh, NC
St. Mary’s School

To get to Pullen park from downtown Raleigh I recommend walking on Hillsborough street. Depending where you are coming from the walk will take about 40 minutes. It’s a really easy walk that has a mix of historical sights and new modern apartment buildings. Along various parts of the walk are signposts describing a historical event that happened in that spot or nearby decades ago.

On the walk you pass by St. Mary’s school and if you continue all the way to Pullen Rd you can walk by North Carolina’s university. Both have pretty campuses. It’s not the most touristy thing to do in Raleigh, but if you love to walk and explore new cities I would recommend it!

Where: Start at the NC Capitol building and walk west on Hillsboro Street. I walked all the way to Pullen Rd where I turned left. When leaving the park I went up Ashe Ave and turned right on Hillsboro Street to head back downtown.

Cost: Free!

Time Needed: About 1.5 – 3 hours (including time at Pullen Park)

Videri Chocolate Factory

Videri Chocolate Factory

Videri is a small chocolate factory downtown Raleigh that you can tour on your own. Throughout the week (10am – 3pm) during the day you can see each step of the chocolate making process firsthand. If you visit when the factory is not in use you can still see the equipment, look through the viewing windows and read the informational signs that explain the steps.

Let’s be honest the best part is the free samples at the end!

Where: 327 W Davie St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Cost: Free!

Time Needed: About 15 minutes

Raleigh Street Art

What to see in Raleigh, NC

Street art in cities around the world is really big right now. Usually I don’t get too excited about it, but the street art in downtown Raleigh really caught my attention. Most pieces either conveyed a meaningful message or where just plain clever, like the little train station that pointed to the real train station in Raleigh. You can learn more about the murals through Raleigh Murals Project.

Where: Downtown Raleigh

Cost: Free!

Time Needed: You can see it in a couple minutes as you walk between other things to do in downtown Raleigh.

Traveling to Raleigh with children? Get some more ideas of what to do in Raleigh with kids

Where to Eat in Downtown Raleigh

One of the best things to do in Downtown Raleigh is to eat! I was really impressed with the food scene in Raleigh.

Beasely’s Chicken & Honey

Beasley's Chicken + Honey

Beasely’s is the place to go for southern classics with a bit of a twist. Chicken & Waffles was of course my selection, but there are a variety of ways to order your chicken (and a few non-chicken options as well).

The Pit Authentic Barbecue 

The Pit Authentic BBQ

As the name says you can find some seriously good BBQ at the Pit! What really surprised me was how good the sides are. I ordered the green beans, a fairly simple side, but they had some seasonings that made them so flavorful! The sweet potato casserole is more of dessert than a side, but is oh so good. Also hush puppies and biscuits come with every meal. If it’s not clear already, you will be very full at the end of the meal.

Transfer Co Food Hall

Food Halls in Raleigh

Transfer Co Food Hall has a great selection of international places to eat. I went for the empanada and Indian places, but it was really hard to choose. Would you expect anything else from a trendy food hall built in a former garage?

Happy & Hale

Where to eat in Raleigh

After all the heavy southern cooking and fried food you might be craving something healthier. Happy & Hale, a counter service place, is just the ticket for a meal that your body will thank you for later. You can order salad and grain bowls with a wide selection of vegetables and proteins mixed in. It gets very busy during lunch time.

I sat outside and enjoyed a leisurely lunch for about an hour. In that time at least 50 people came in and it was at the end of the typical lunch period. This might make you want to avoid the restaurant, but to me it shows two things. First of all that it is delicious because a lot of people want to eat there (local business people mostly) and second that the produce is very fresh! There are only a few tables outside. Most people appear to take their lunch to go.

Can’t decide where to eat in downtown Raleigh? Then go on a food tour!

Where to Stay in Raleigh

Comfort Suites Raleigh - Knightdale

I actually don’t recommend staying in downtown Raleigh unless you have no budget. The same quality of hotels are available about 10 minutes from downtown for significantly cheaper. Even with the cost of taking taxis downtown, hotels further out are still cheaper. I wouldn’t recommend paying to park downtown either.

I stayed at Comfort Suites – Knightdale and loved my stay! The rooms are large and contain a sink, microwave & mini fridge area. The WiFi was very easy to connect to and worked the entire time of my visit. Friendly staff and nice breakfast buffet made my stay complete.

From the hotel you can get to downtown Raleigh by bus. About 2 minutes away from the hotel is the #15 bus stop that gets you to downtown in 20 – 30 minutes. At $2.50 for an all-day pass it is super affordable.

I hope this guide makes you ready to explore Raleigh and check out some of the best places to go in downtown Raleigh! 

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33 Comments

  • Jane Dempster-Smith

    Raleigh has always been on my list of places in the US to visit. Your article has just confirmed I should make plans to visit sooner than later, thanks. Where to start? I love street art, the history and of course a visit to Chocolate at Videri would be a must. The restaurants and the cuisine looks inviting as well.

  • Iuliana Marchian

    I absolutely love those historic mansions that you have mentioned in the guide. I was always passionate about this kind of homes, that give you a sense of peace and serenity (not to mention That I dream to live in one some day). Also, the museum in Railegh seems pretty interesting and I would love to visit it one day. I don’t know when I am going to venture over the ocean and visit these places but who knows.

  • Mijia Eggers

    USA is so big that even I have been there so many times, I have not been to this state. Thanks for sharing the tips here. I will have idea what to see and to do when I am around.

  • daniel

    Great post!! I have always had Raleigh on my list but never did actually visit it but your post gives me a really good insight of what I should do when I do visit. As a chocolate lover, I have to add the chocolate factory on the list, and the food indeed looks great and super appetizing.

  • Manjiri Chitnis

    I have heard so much about NC from friends and relatives who have lived there for a short while or have family there that am very tempted to visit. I like how you have covered some of the best attractions and places to eat at. I really want to see the chocolate factory and try the tempting BBQ – sounds like a hearty meal to end a day of sighseeing!

  • Agnes

    I don’t know North Carolina at all, so I appreciate your guide. I would like to see this state one day, too. I add Raleigh to my travel list. I would like to see the Museum of History to learn about the area. And for sure, Videri, a small chocolate factory, sounds fantastic for me, as I am a fan of chocolate. Pit BBQ looks excellent for lunch.

  • Josy A

    Fab post! It is refreshing to find out about American cities that you can explore so easily without a car. Raleigh looks great fun. I reeeally like that street art that points to the station, that is genius!

  • Medha Verma

    I am not a big fan of museums so if I ever find myself in downtown Raleigh, I’d probably head first to the chocolate factory and the Pullen Park for a stroll. I am a total foodie so I’d love to head for an authentic barbecue at the Pit. Also, exploring the historical homes on N Blount St sounds like a good plan.

  • Ami Bhat

    Raleigh sounds like Cambridge in the UK. I somehow, am getting the same vibes as I did when I visited there – a place that slows you down and makes you feel calm. I love the picturesque settings of the various buildings – the schools, the homes and the park itself. I like the sound of house-hopping in Historical Park. I bet there are plenty of stories within those homes to amuse you. Raleigh does make a perfect weekend get-away.

  • Carryn

    I’m yet to visit the US but Raleigh keeps popping up in my search feed and I take this as a sign! Looks like an amazing city to explore and I’m so happy to hear there’s a great food scene – I’m all about those waffles and BBQ’s!

  • Alaine

    That southern charm and architecture in Raleigh looks so interesting! I actually spent an entire summer living in Durham but never made it to Raleigh. Really fond memories of that summer

  • Val

    I have never thought of Raleigh as a weekend destination but you convinced me! Thanks for the detailed guide- I especially liked the street art and the murals project! Added on my bucket list!

  • Sandra // BlueMarble Vagabonds

    Sounds like an interesting place! I always like to start my exploring with a History Museum to get to know the place better, so that’s a really good suggestion! And those historical houses look amazing! 😀

  • Rachel Abi

    I have been in this city for longer than I’d like to admit and I find it amazing and wonderful that you have hit a place that I still haven’t: the Raleigh museum. Thank you for sharing your journey! Great post

  • Gid

    It is crazy how many things there are to do in Raleigh and if you come on the first weekend of the month in downtown there is a whole fun “First fridays” local artist and events, it’s a blast. Love this post so many great spots you listed

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