Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Things to Do in Downtown Raleigh

Things to Do in Downtown Raleigh

Whether you live in Raleigh or you are just visiting, there are plenty of Things to do in Downtown Raleigh. The downtown area has seen a great revival in the last 10 years. More and more restaurants, housing and businesses are springing up and creating a hip and vibrant place to live, work and play.

We have been living downtown for almost a year now and we are always discovering Things to do in Downtown Raleigh. From events, to getting to know local business owners to even taking a walk at different times of the day, living here is a unique experience.

MUSEUMS

Mordecai Historic Park, once the site of the largest plantation in Wake County offers several events during the year in addition to a Raleigh Trolley Tour. It's a wonderful place to learn about Raleigh's history.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is a fun way to spend a hot afternoon. The new wing has a lot of nice interactive exhibits for the kids including several labs for learning. The older section of the museum if also informative and great for the family.

Just across the plaza is the North Carolina Museum of History. Even long time NC residents will learn something new here.

You can also learn more about the capital city at the City of Raleigh Museum.

Marbles Kids Museum is fun for young and old alike. If you become a member, you can enjoy special events and come in anytime you like. Perfect cure for rainy day boredom. There is also an IMAX theater here.

RESTAURANTS

One of the many great things about living downtown are the fabulous choices in restaurants and nightlife. Many cities fold up at night, but we are lucky that downtown Raleigh has a pretty vibrant dinner scene too. Here are some of our Favorite Restaurants in Downtown Raleigh.

EVENTS

We look forward to First Friday every month! It has become a vibrant and exciting scene that brings a lot of life and interest to downtown. Meander through interesting gallery spaces, try a new restaurant, listen to live music and meet new friends or catch up with old friends. It's really fun!

Red Hat Amphitheater runs shows throughout the year. Check the website for upcoming events. Before or after events you can easily walk to local bars and restaurants, making for a fun night on the town.

Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo holds several events throughout the year featuring the City's best food trucks all in one place. Check their site for upcoming dates.

The Historic Glenwood Brooklyn neighborhood holds two fun events each year. The Garden Tour in the Spring and the Historic Home Tour during the Holidays are two ways to explore this unique Raleigh neighborhood and see beautiful homes.

Check out the Raleigh Convention Center Calendar to find upcoming events open to the public such as home shows, festivals and more.

Come downtown for first class Raleigh Performing Arts at Duke Energy Center. Take in a show and have dinner at one of the many fabulous restaurants downtown.

JUST FOR FUN

Downtown Raleigh Farmer's Market is held every Wednesday from 10-2 on City Plaza.

Walking Food Tours are a unique way to sample local restaurants and get a feel for what downtown has to offer. Bonus, you get to pick up fun facts along the way and see downtown architecture up close and personal.

Cameron Village is a trendy place to spend some time strolling around and popping into the boutique shops and tasty restaurants. There is also a nice public library there with children's programming.

Begun in 1936, Raleigh Little Theatre is now one of the oldest continuously operating community theatres in the country. In addition to great performances, they also offer classes, summer camps, costume sales and volunteer opportunities. Don't miss the adjacent rose garden too!

Pullen Park is the 5th oldest operating amusement park in the US and 16th oldest in the world. Recently refurbished, the park is a real Raleigh treasure and fun for the whole family.

LIVING IN DOWNTOWN RALEIGH

New housing developments such as Blount Street Commons, new apartments and Downtown Condos being built are creating more options for living in Downtown Raleigh. One of the plus sides of downtown Raleigh, compared to many other urban centers is that parking is not a challenge for the most part, so you can easily come downtown and enjoy what it has to offer. Downtown Raleigh Neighborhoods offer a unique mix of historic homes and new homes that blend to create a vibe that is truly Raleigh.

If you would like to learn more about living in or near downtown Raleigh, give us a call, we'd love to show you what this area has to offer. If you are considering selling your Downtown Raleigh home, we have buyers ready and waiting to buy! Contact Us Today!

To find more Things to Do in Downtown Raleigh - Use this handy Raleigh Map Explorer provided by Visit Raleigh.