'''Raleigh''' [http://raleighcvb.org] was named for Sir Walter Raleigh, the famed English soldier, adventurer, and poet. It is the capital of North Carolina and home to North Carolina State University, two historically black universities, Shaw and Saint Augustine, and two women's colleges, Peace and Meredith.

With a plethora of things to see and do, Raleigh is a wonderful place to live, work, or visit.

Get in

By plane

  • '''Raleigh-Durham International Airport''' ({{IATA|RDU}}), ({{ICAO|KRDU}}), [http://www.rdu.com/]. A former hub of American Airlines and Midway Airlines, the airport today is one of the larger national airports without official hub status - some 9 million passengers embark and deplane annually, making it one of the nation's fastest-growing airports. American's strong continued presence here gives RDU a direct flight to London Heathrow, and a broad span of carriers (both traditional and low-cost) offering flights to most East Coast and major West Coast cities, 49 non-stops in total. In June 2009, Delta will start a direct service to Paris. Other international flights are available to Toronto, Nassau, and Cancun (service starts in February 2008). The airport is divided into two terminals: Terminal A, which houses Delta, Continental, US Airways, Northwest and the budget carriers Southwest, JetBlue, ExpressJet, America West and Air Tran; and Terminal C, which houses American, United, Air Canada, and Midwest. The first phase of construction is now complete with 19 new gates and Terminal C has been renamed Terminal 2 with the old Terminal A now called Terminal 1. The second phase of construction involves the demolition of the old Terminal C and an additional set of 13 gates. This is expected to be complete by Winter 2011.
  • There are non-stop flights to Raleigh Durham Airport from the following cities (some cities may be seasonal or only offer service certain days of the week): Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Cancun, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, Minneapolis St Paul, Nashville, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, St Louis, Tampa, Toronto and Washington [http://flyhere.com/Raleigh-Durham-Airport-RDU/].

    By car

  • '''Interstate 40''' goes to points west including Durham, Chapel Hill, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Asheville. Two and a half 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''', 320 West Cabarrus Street, [http://www.amtrak.com]. Carolina/Piedmont and Silver Service/Palmetto lines.
  • By bus

  • '''Triangle Transit Authority''', (919) 549-9999, [http://www.ridetta.org/]. The Triangle's inter-city bus service runs routes between Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and RDU, with a hub in the Research Triangle Park. Fares are $2.50 per trip.
  • Get around

    Within the '''I-440''' Beltline are mostly fashionable older neighborhoods and the NC State University area. This clash between "Town" and "Gown" has been of growing concern during the late 1990s early 2000's. The North Raleigh neighborhoods are aligned along what Raleigh residents refer to as the "Spokes of the Wheel," major thoroughfares emanating from the I-440 Loop and terminating along the northern edge of the still under construction 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 can also be confusing: remember that the Inner Beltline runs ''clockwise''; the Outer Beltline ''counter-clockwise''. It's important to know that you must exit I-440 in order to stay on I-440 in some situations. Interesting fact: North Carolina's Department of Transportation is based in Raleigh.

    By bus

    For information on routes, schedules and fares, check GoTriangle.org, [http://www.gotriangle.org] for a helpful trip planner.

  • '''Greyhound''', 314 Jones St., ''+1 919'' 834-8275. [http://www.greyhound.com].
  • '''Triangle Transit Authority''', ''+1 919'' 549-9999 [http://www.ridetta.org]. Routes between Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill as well as Research Triangle Park and the Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
  • '''Capital Area Transit''', ''+1 919'' 828-7228 [http://www.raleigh-nc.org/transit]. Routes within Raleigh city limits.
  • By taxi

    There are 36 licensed taxi operators in Raleigh of varying quality. Spanish speakers will appreciate Velo Taxi, ''+1 919'' 271-5719. also Amigos Taxi, +1 919-862-6162.

    By light rail

    '''The Triangle Transit Authority''' [http://www.ridetta.org] had hoped to build a 35-mile light-rail line from Durham to Raleigh, but is canceled due to federal funding problems. The diesel-electric rail system would have had 16 stations, including Research Triangle Park, Morrisville and Cary.

    See

  • '''City of Raleigh''' [http://www.raleighnc.gov]
  • Neighborhoods

  • '''Boylan Heights''' [http://www.boylanheights.org]
  • '''Cameron Park''' [http://www.mindspring.com/~wason/CameronPark/home.html]
  • '''Five Points''' [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FivePointsCAC/]
  • '''Glenwood/Brooklyn''' [http://www.glenwoodbrooklyn.com]
  • '''Oakwood''' [http://www.historicoakwood.org]
  • Do

  • Triangle Segway. 27 Blake Street. n historic City Market, downtown Raleigh.. 19-828-1988. ttp://www.trianglesegway.com. ue-Su 10AM-6PM. Triangle Segway offers guided Segway tours of downtown points of interest and historic sights. All tours are fully narrated. Advance purchase required.

  • '''Carolina Hurricanes''' (NHL Ice Hockey), 1400 Edwards Mill Road, ''+1 919'' 861-2323 or +1 866-NHL-CANES, [http://www.caneshockey.com]. Raleigh's NHL hockey team plays at the [http://www.rbccenter.com RBC Center]. Winners of the 2006 Stanley Cup.
  • '''N.C. Museum of Art''', 2110 Blue Ridge Road, ''+1 919'' 839-6262, [http://www.ncartmuseum.org]. With rotating exhibits that are occasionally interesting and a great summer movie series on the lawn.
  • '''N.C. Museum of History''', 5 East Edenton Street, ''+1 919'' 807-7900, [http://ncmuseumofhistory.org/]. Free.
  • '''N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences''', 1 W Jones St, ''+1 919'' 733-7450, [http://www.naturalsciences.org]. Free.
  • '''Marbles Kid's Museum''', 201 E Hargett St, ''+1 919'' 834-4040, [http://www.marbleskidsmuseum.org/]. The former Exploris museum has merged with Playspace to form Marbles, an interactive kid's museum, still with an IMAX theater. $5 for adults and kids (1-99), prices for the IMAX theater vary. Closed Mon, open Tues-Sat 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5pm.
  • '''Pullen Park''', 520 Ashe Ave., ''+1 919'' 831-6468. Outdoor plays, a 1911 carousel and, of course, an excellent aquatic center.
  • '''William B. Umstead State Park''', 8801 Glenwood Ave., [http://www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/wium/home.html]. Picnic, hike, go fishing, or just rent a canoe and relax. A nice quiet place near Raleigh-Durham airport.
  • '''NC State University''', [http://www.gopack.com]. Football and basketball games are popular in addition to other sports.
  • '''Carolina Mudcats''', [http://www.gomudcats.com/]. Minor-league baseball. About a 20-minute drive east of town. Tickets are affordable at $3-$9; unlike the nearby Durham Bulls baseball stadium, Mudcats' parking is ample.
  • '''North Carolina State Fair''' One of the largest fairs of its kind in America, this ten day long event draws over 100,000 to the State Fairgrounds to sample North Carolina produce, attend concerts, ride fair rides and feast on deep-fried Twinkies.
  • Lake Johnson Nature Park. 601 Avent Ferry Rd.. 919) 233-2121. ttp://www.raleigh-nc.org/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_306_209_0_43/http%3B/pt03/DIG_Web_Content/category/Leisure/Parks_and_Facilities/Lakes/Lake_Johnson/Cat-Index.html. pen during daylight every day of the week. ree. A pleasant nature trail winds about 3.5 miles around the eastern half of the lake, and another dirt trail exists on the northwestern shore of the lake. Ideal for hiking and biking. Paddle boats can also be rented for money.
  • Joel Lane Museum House. 60 South Saint Mary's Street. orner of St. Mary's & Hargett Streets. 19-833-3431. ww.joellane,org. ary. 5, $4, $3. 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 stuctures, including a very simple circa 1790 middle-class home interpreted as a kitchen and a circa 1840 Visitors Center. It is open for tours led by costumed docents Wednesday through Friday at 10:00, 11:00, noon, and 1:00 pm and on Saturdays at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 pm. Groups may schedule other itmes by appointment. Email address is joellane@bellsouth.net. </do>

    Buy

  • '''Cameron Village''', [http://www.shopsofcameronvillage.com/] located inside the Beltline on Oberlin Road between Hillsborough Street and Wade Avenue, ''+1 919'' 821-1350. The first shopping center between Atlanta and DC, Cameron Village is today a major destination point. Home to many of Raleigh's oldest boutique stores, the development also includes restaurants, a grocery store, and the Wake County's flagship public library. Hours vary depending on the store.
  • '''Crabtree Valley Mall''', on Glenwood Avenue (''just outside the Beltline'')[http://www.crabtree-valley-mall.com]. Su noon-6PM, M-Sa 10AM-9:30PM. Belk, Macy's and Sears anchor.
  • '''Triangle Town Center''', on Capital Boulevard (''just south of I-540''), ''+1 919'' 792-2222 [http://www.triangletowncenter.com]. Su noon-6PM, M-Sa 10AM-9PM. Includes Dillard's, Belk, Macy's, Sears and North Carolina's only Saks Fifth Avenue
  • '''North Hills Shopping Center''' [http://www.northhillsraleigh.com/] 4217 Six Forks Rd. Recently transformed into a mixed-use center, North Hills has transformed itself from a drab 1960s mall to a mixed-use mecca. Along with Cameron Village, the complex houses a large number of of trendy boutiques in Raleigh; the center also is home to a grocery store, movie theater, Target, JC Penny, and a variety of restaurants and retail. Hours vary according to the store.
  • Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts. East South St. owntown between Salisbury and Wilmington streets, 5 blocks south of the State Capitol. 19.831.6060. ttp://www.progressenergycenter.com. 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.

    Eat

  • '''Armadillo Grill''', 439 Glenwood Ave, ''+1 919'' 546-0555, [http://www.armadillogrill.com]. "A taste as big as Texas!" Awesome tacos, etc., although not very traditional Mexican food. Great atmosphere and cheap (plus free refills on drinks and chips)!
  • '''BBQ''', [http://www.oletime.citysearch.com/]. There are several excellent choices for eastern-style barbecue in the Raleigh area. One of the local favorites. New place is Falls River Smokehouse @ 8320 Litchford Rd in Litchford Village.9199541190.Check out Review.http://hkentcraig.com/BBQ65.html. Open Wed- Sat 7 am to 9pm.
  • '''Big Ed's''', 220 Wolfe St, ''+1 919'' 836-9909. Closed Su. A must-visit for presidential candidates and reg'lar folks alike, Big Ed's signature breakfasts are the Southern standards: homemade biscuits, grits with red-eye gravy, etc. Come Saturday mornings for live Dixieland jazz. No credit cards.
  • '''Farmer's Market Restaurant''', 1240 Farmer's Market Dr, ''+1 919'' 833-7973. Closed Su. Solid, hearty food with fresh ingredients from the state Farmer's Market right next door. Serves breakfast and lunch.
  • '''The Irregardless Cafe''', 901 W. Morgan St, ''+1 919'' 833-8898, [http://www.irregardless.com]. 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.
  • '''Krispy Kreme,''' 543 North Person St, ''+1 919'' 833-3682. For now, the only one of the popular Winston-Salem-based doughnut maker in the Triangle 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 High School, especially in the early morning hours, so plan accordingly.
  • '''Lilly's Pizza''', 1813 Glenwood Ave, ''+1 919'' 833-0226, [http://www.lillyspizza.com]. Part hippie, yuppie, bohemian, and retro, Lilly's is an experience all to its own. Located in the popular Five Points district means that parking can be a problem, especially when a popular film is screening at the nearby Rialto theater. If you're adventerous, you can access Five Points by the number 2 CAT bus.
  • '''Mellow Mushroom''', 601 W Peace St, ''+1 919'' 832-3499, [http://www.mellowmushroom.com].
  • '''Mojoe's Burger Joint''', 620 Glenwood Ave, ''+1 919'' 832-6799.
  • '''Mura''', 4121 Main (''at North Hills St''), Suite #110, ''+1 919'' 781-7887. Japanese Fine Dining - Kobe Beef, Fusion Cuisine, and Sushi. Serves world renowned Kobe beef, a variety of steaks, seafood, fusion cuisine and the finest grade sushi with many one of a kind rolls and visually pleasing artistic presentations.
  • '''Roast Grill''', 7 South West St, ''+1 919'' 832-8292. 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 in a tiny room added to the front of their house since 1940.
  • '''Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern''', 300 Hillsborough St, ''+1 919'' 829-3663, [http://www.second-empire.com]. Enjoy gourmet fare in the restored Dodd-Hinsdale House, built in 1879 in the Second Empire Victorian style.
  • '''Third Place''', 1811 Glenwood Ave, ''+1 919'' 834-6566, [http://www.thirdplacecoalition.com].
  • '''The Village Deli''', 500 Daniels S, ''+1 919'' 828-1428. Soups and sandwiches in the heart of Cameron Village. There's no end to the diversity of shoppers who frequent the popular spot. Really awesome chili!
  • '''The Village Draft House''', 428 Daniels St, ''+1 919'' 833-1373. $3 wings on Sundays. They're the best ever. Don't forget the pickle chips!
  • Falls River Smokehouse. 320 Litchford Rd Ste 110. orner Harps Mill and Litchford Rds. 199541190. rsh.biz. ed & thur 10a to 9p, fri to sat 7a to 9p, Sun 7a to 2p. 5 - $15. Falls River Smokehouse is the long awaited dream of its owner Vernon Griffin. Vernon is a native of North Carolina with over 25 years in the business managing restaurants from Boone to Wilmington. Our BBQ is a little bit Eastern NC style with a smidgen of Western NC thrown in to make it interesting.

    We at Falls River Smokehouse hope you enjoy your dining experience today and make us a part of your family_fs eating out tradition. Come be a part of our loyal following.</eat>

    Drink

    Raleigh is considered a college town, so there are plenty of places to find a drink. 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 roughly between Glewood Ave and Harrington Street between Hillsborough and Peace Street, Northwest of downtown. The City Market area around Moore Square also offers a good mix of both.

    One of the best places for a good beer selection is the Flying Saucer located on 328 West Morgan Street. They have a great variety of beer on tap and in bottles.

    The Triangle also has three thriving craft breweries (microbreweries) that conduct free tours.

  • '''Carolina Brewing Company''' [http://www.carolinabrew.com] - 140 Thomas Mill Rd 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.
  • '''Big Boss Brewing company''' [http://www.bigbossbrewing.com] - 1249 Wicker Dr in Raleigh - 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 not located 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.
  • '''Triangle Brewing Company''' [http://www.trianglebrewery.com] - 918 Pearl Street in Durham and conducts semi-monthly Saturday tours. Triangle's brews can be found in a growing number of places around the triangle.
  • If not from the South, be sure to ask for *sweet tea* in a local establishment. 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.

  • Falls River Smokehouse. ictory Catering Company. 320 Litchford Rd Ste 110. orth Raleigh. 199541190. rsh.biz. -15. Falls River Smokehouse 110 Litchford Village 8320 Litchford Rd Raleigh, NC 27615

    Falls River Smokehouse is the long awaited dream of its owner Vernon Griffin. Vernon is a native of North Carolina with over 25 years in the business managing restaurants from Boone to Wilmington. Our BBQ is a little bit Eastern NC style with a smidgen of Western NC thrown in to make it interesting.

    We at Falls River Smokehouse hope you enjoy your dining experience today and make us a part of your family_fs eating out tradition. Come be a part of our loyal following.

    Check out our review at http://hkentcraig.com/BBQ65.html

    </drink>

    Sleep

    Downtown, there are three major hotels: the Clarion, Marriott City Center, and the Sheraton.

  • '''AmeriSuites Raleigh/RDU Airport-RTP''', 200 Airgate Drive. ''+1 919'' 405-2400, [http://www.amerisuites.com/reservations/locationdetail.asp?facid=3942]. Adjacent to Raleigh Durham International Airport and the Research Triangle Park.
  • '''Clarion Hotel''', 320 Hillsborough St., ''+1 919'' 832-0501. [http://www.clarionhotel.com/hotel-raleigh-north_carolina-NC376] The 20-story hotel is undergoing its first major renovation since the 1960s. Try to get a room on the lower floors, which are being fixed up first.
  • '''Days Inn''', 300 North Dawson St., ''+1 919'' 828-9081. Closest to Glenwood South, where many bars and restaurants are located.
  • '''Sheraton Hotel''', 421 South Salisbury St., ''+1 919'' 834-9900. Another 20-story hotel, a touch fancier, but located on the mostly uninteresting Fayetteville Street Mall.
  • '''Fuquay Mineral Spring Inn and Garden''', [http://www.fuquayinn.com]. Bed and Breakfast.
  • '''Microtel Inn & Suites Raleigh''', 1209 Plainview Dr. (New Bern Ave.). ''+1 919'' 832-9712, [http://microtelinn.com/reservations/locationdetail.asp?facid=268].
  • '''Oakwood Inn - Bed & Breakfast''', 411 North Bloodworth Street. ''+1 919'' 231-0002, [http://www.oakwoodinnbb.com/]. Historic Neighboorhood, B&B.
  • '''Ramada Blue Ridge Hotel''', 1520 Blue Ridge Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607 ''+1'' 919-832-4100, [http://blueridge.pmcproperties.com/].
  • Renaissance Hotel. 100 Main . t North Hills St.. ttp://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/rdurn-renaissance-raleigh-hotel-at-north-hills/.

  • Raleigh Marriott City Center. 00 Fayetteville St.. 19.833.1120. ttp://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/rdumc-raleigh-marriott-city-center. Attached to the new Convention Center.

    Contact

  • '''Helios Coffee Co.''', 413 Glenwood Ave., ''+1 919'' 838-5177 [http://www.helioscoffee.com]. Open W-Sa until midnight. A coffee shop in Glenwood South with many hipsters. Beer and wine also available. Free wireless access.
  • '''Panera Bread''', 4421 Six Forks Rd Ste 119, ''+1 919'' 781-1112. Free wireless access.
  • Stay Safe

    Raleigh crime is average for an American city of its size, but one still must be cautious and intelligent. In particular, stay to the busy and well lighted 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 dinner hours, but use the university_fs public safety escort service late at night or in the early hours of the morning. Throughout Raleigh, you should think before using an automated teller machine (ATM) after dark, unless it's located in a mall or other heavily traveled, well-lit area.

    Get out

  • '''Umstead Park''', easily accessible by car, bus, or bike, Umstead is a natural haven from the Triangle's urban zones, centrally located 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.
  • '''Fearrington Plantation''', [http://www.fearrington.com/] located in Pittsboro, is an ideal weekend getaway to the countryside. Home to one of only a few AAA four-diamond hotels in the state, this inn (and complementing village of shops) can run heavy on the wallet, but the luxurious experience is more than worth it. Perfect for a romantic weekend getaway.
  • '''Carolina Mudcats''' Minor-league baseball [http://www.gomudcats.com/], about a 20-minute drive east of town. Tickets are affordable at $3-$9; unlike the nearby Durham Bulls baseball stadium, Mudcats' parking is ample.
  • Chapel Hill, about 25 miles 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 miles away, the home of Duke University. Durham has many trendy cafes, bars, theaters, art locations and four star restaurants.