Things To Do In Raleigh, NC

Modern technology meets rich cultural history: This is the essence of Raleigh, NC, a blossoming Southern city on the forefront of innovation with deep roots in art, food, architecture and so much more.

When you visit Raleigh, NC, you feel an energy that reminds you of a big city, but with the warmth and charm of your hometown. The StateView Hotel wants to be the first stop on your journey, welcoming you with luxurious rooms, decadent dining and modern amenities. After you unpack, get ready to explore the rich bounty of cultural attractions, an awe-inspiring landscape and fun things to do in Raleigh, NC.

North Carolina State University

NC State University

Phone: (919) 515-2434
Address: Raleigh, NC

Are you visiting with a prospective student? Are you an alumnus coming back for homecoming weekend? Exploring the largest four-year institution in North Carolina might take some time, but it’s well worth it. From NCAA games to the Centennial Campus and historical Holladay Hall, the StateView Hotel is conveniently located to provide easy access to all NC State University has to offer. Book a guided visit or explore on your own – our staff can point you to the most historic, iconic and unique places on the NCSU campus.

PNC Arena North Carolina

PNC Arena

Phone: (919) 861-2300
Address: 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh, NC

If you’ve never been to a National Hockey League game, your next Raleigh visit is a perfect time. Carolina Hurricane fans are as passionate as they are polite, and soon you’ll be on your feet cheering along with the rest of the crowd! A wide range of performances also takes place at Raleigh’s PNC Arena as well. From headliners like Taylor Swift to family events like Disney on Ice, the PNC Arena brings world-class entertainment to the City of Oaks every year.

Coastal Credit Union Music Park

Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek

Phone: (919) 831-6400
Address: 3801 Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh NC

When was the last time you gazed up at a starry night sky, surrounded by good friends while listening to music from your favorite band? It’s time to recreate that moment with a visit to the Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek. From Weezer to Zac Brown Band and Journey, you’ll find your favorites old and new delivering electric performances throughout the year. Check the iconic amphitheater’s outdoor concert calendar – you won’t be disappointed!

North Carolina Museum of Art

North Carolina Museum of Art

Phone: (919) 839-6262
Address: 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC

As the first major museum formed in the nation by state legislation and funding, the NC Museum of Art is no stranger to breaking new ground. With more than 40 galleries and a dozen major artworks, this is a must-see for all Raleigh visitors, and admission to the permanent collection is always free. Within the gallery walls, the museum houses works of art from Ancient Africa, Judaic culture, the Italian Renaissance, ancient people groups and much more. Be sure to make time for a walk through the Museum Park featuring art installations created to engage visitors with the natural landscape.

Carter Finley Stadium, NCSU

Carter Finley Stadium

Phone: (919) 834-4000
Address: 4600 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC

Get tickets to the next NC State Wolfpack game and see for yourself how they earned the name! With seating for more than 57,000 die-hard fans, Carter Finley Stadium is the home of NCSU’s legendary football program. Whether you’re a loyal Wolfpack fan or traveling to cheer on the visiting team, you’ll quickly get caught up in the buzz of energy that reverberates throughout the stadium on game day.

North Carolina State Fairgrounds

North Carolina State Fairgrounds

Phone: (919) 821-7400
Address: 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC

The exciting North Carolina State Fair runs for 10 days each October, but don’t fret if you missed it – there are plenty more events taking place on the state fairgrounds throughout the year. Flea markets, horse shows, Christmas celebrations, car auctions – you name it, the NC State Fairgrounds has it all!

Yates Mill In Raleigh, North Carolina

Historic Yates Mill County Park

Phone: ​​(919) 856-6675
Address: 4620 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC

For more than 200 years, the Yates Mill proudly served Wake County as a water-powered gristmill and social gathering place for rural populations. Today, Yates Mill is the only gristmill still in working condition. Visitors to the Historic Yates Mill County Park can tour the mill learning about the evolution of milling in the area and see first-hand demonstrations. The A.E. Finley Center for Education & Research is also located within the park offering educational programs, summer camps and a permanent exhibit of local history.

Raleigh, North Carolina, Downtown Skyline

Downtown Dining

If you’re planning a downtown dining experience in Raleigh, there is no doubt you will find the right dish to satisfy your taste buds with nearly 200 restaurants nearby. To name a few… Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar serves hand-tossed pizzas and freshly-made pasta and meatballs in their trendy outdoor dining room. Good Day Good Night has it all, serving delicious coffee and pastries each morning and decadent entrées and drinks each evening. If there isn’t enough time to try them all, consider starting with one of the top 10 restaurants near NCSU.

Together at Last

Downtown Drinks

Feeling thirsty? No matter what time of day, you are sure to find the right libation to quench your thirst. Within an hour of Raleigh, there are 10 local wineries, some with their own vineyards on-site. Raleigh also boasts more than 25 brewing companies in the city – no wonder it’s ranked one of the top ten cities for beer lovers. If the sun has just risen and you’re craving caffeine, explore the numerous coffee shops scattered around the City of Oaks.

Buildings in Raleigh, North Carolina

Downtown Shopping

With more than a dozen art galleries and endless furniture, clothing, and antique boutiques, you’ll never run out of places to shop in downtown Raleigh. Ask the front desk staff for their local recommendations, and you’ll be shopping like a local in downtown Raleigh!

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Phone: (919) 707-9800
Address: 11 W Jones Street, Raleigh, NC

Visit the incredible North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences located in the heart of Raleigh. Not only is this building an architectural beauty, but what’s housed inside is fun and educational for all walks of life. Their permanent exhibits include Prehistoric North Carolina, Snake of North Carolina, Tropical Connections and an Arthropod Zoo. Make the NC Museum of Natural Sciences an all-day adventure, grabbing lunch at one of their two cafes and finishing the day with a movie at the WRAL 3D Theater. Fun fact: NC Museum of Natural Sciences is also a research center where visitors can ​​watch museum scientists study the natural world in real-time.

JC Raulston Arboretum in NC

JC Raulston Arboretum

Phone: (919) 515-3132
Address: 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC

Part of North Carolina State University, the JC Raulston Arboretum is one of the Southeast’s largest collection of gardens. The arboretum houses 18 breathtaking gardens including a Japanese Garden, Butterfly Garden and Color Trials Garden. Each is unique to the arboretum, but all are free for the public to enjoy. JC Raulston Arboretum also offers free guided tours of the grounds every Sunday from March through October. The Arboretum is located next to the North Carolina State Fairgrounds and is open daily (hours vary based on season)

Woman at Raleigh Farmers Market

Raleigh Farmers Market

Phone: (919) 733-7417
Address: 1201 Agriculture Street, Raleigh, NC

Enjoy the fresh produce, meats, cheeses and unique crafts at the Raleigh Farmers Market. The market is open seven days a week. In the Farmers Building, you’ll find fresh produce and plants. The Market Shoppes is a 15,000-square-foot climate-controlled building filled with vendors selling fresh cheeses, meats, baked goods, crafts and more! The Raleigh Farmers Market also features 3 restaurants: Market Grill, NC Seafood Restaurant and State Farmers Market Restaurant.

Red Hat Amphitheater Downtown Raleigh

Red Hat Amphitheater

Phone: (919) 996-8800
Address: 500 S McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC

If you’re in the mood for live entertainment, head over to the Red Hat Amphitheater. Located in the heart of downtown you’ll find an open stage, seats and the gorgeous Raleigh skyline. This amphitheater offers several ways to experience the show including lawn seating, traditional seating and premium box seating. Food and beverage service is available for premium boxes as well as a VIP area. Upcoming and past concerts have included Death Cab For Cutie, Vampire Weekend and Greta Van Fleet.

Bridge Over Lake in Pullen Park

Pullen Park

Phone: (919) 996-6468
Address: 520 Ashe Avenue, Raleigh, NC

Pullen Park is a local favorite in the downtown Raleigh area. This beautiful 66-acre property features rides, a cafe, a theatre, covered picnic areas, fields, playgrounds and more. Bring the family to enjoy a day in Pullen Park filled with carousel rides, kiddie boat rides and live performances at the children’s amphitheater. You can even enjoy lunch at the Pullen Place Cafe. The cafe serves up seasonal soups, salads and sandwiches, along with festival fares like hot dogs and nachos!

Marbles Kids Museum, Raleigh NC

Marbles Kids Museum

Phone: (919) 834-4040
Address: 201 E Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC

The name says it all! Marbles Kids Museum is just for kids and features a play-losophy style of education through hands-on fun. This museum features exhibits for all ages! To name a few: Toddlers Hollow is a woodland-themed exhibit designed to encourage exploration and curiosity for crawlers and walkers; Kids will learn all about the ocean and the creatures found within at the Splash exhibit; The Sun Sprouts exhibit teaches kids about the power of the sun with a solar-powered flower and a first-hand gardening experience. Marbles also features an IMAX theater, cafe and gift shop.

North Carolina Capitol Building

North Carolina State Capitol

Phone: (919) 733-4994
Address: One East Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC

History comes to life at the North Carolina State Capitol. This National Historic Landmark has proudly served the capital city since its completion in 1840. All of the state’s government, the Supreme Court and the State Library were housed within the building until 1888. Today, the state governor’s office is still found within. The Capitol offers free self-guided tours and guided school tours.

Lake Raleigh, North Carolina

Lake Raleigh Recreation Area

Free Parking: (1) Park Alumni Center – 2450 Alumni Drive, Raleigh, NC
(2) Centennial Campus Middle School – 1900 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, NC
(3) Main Campus Drive –

Around Lake Raleigh
Step outside, breathe in the fresh North Carolina air and enjoy one of Raleigh’s best outdoor activities. Located in the backyard of the StateView Hotel, the picture-perfect Lake Raleigh offers a serene setting for a scenic stroll, calm waters for canoeing and kayaking and two piers for fishing. Take a quiet morning walk alongside Lake Raleigh on the Centennial Greenway, where you’ll find picturesque views, paved walkways and exercise stations.

William B. Umstead State Park Hiking

William B. Umstead State Park

Phone: (919) 571-4170
Crabtree Creek Access & Visitor Center: 8801 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC

Reedy Creek Access: 2100 N. Harrison Avenue, Cary, NC
If you’re looking for an immersive outdoor experience, don’t miss the 6,000-acre William B. Umstead State Park, located just 20 minutes from the StateView Hotel. With gorgeous hiking trails, rowboat and canoe rentals and shady picnic areas with fire pits, Umstead State Park offers some of Raleigh’s best outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts. Walkers, runners, bicyclists and equestrians will find more than 20 miles of trails to explore.

Foliage at Durant Nature Preserve

Durant Nature Preserve

Phone: (919) 878-9116
Address: 8305 Camp Durant Road, Raleigh, NC

The Durant Nature Preserve is 237 acres of natural Raleigh beauty. This preserve offers 5 miles of trails to hike or mountain bike, 3 covered picnic areas, a volleyball court and a playground. The property also features a serene lake and stream to hike along. If you’d like to hike with your furry friend, be sure to keep him/her on a leash at all times. Durant is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to dusk.

Neuse River Greenway Trail Raleigh, NC

Neuse River Greenway Trail

Address: 20 Anderson Point Drive, Raleigh, NC

The Neuse River Greenway Trail is part of the Mountains-to-Sea trail and Capital Area Greenway System. This trail offers 27.5 miles of paved paths, boardwalks and suspension bridges through the gorgeous greenery of Raleigh, NC. You’ll encounter many families enjoying a walk on the north end of this trail, and the farther south you head the more secluded it becomes. The Neuse River Greenway Trails’ difficulty is rated as easy.

Public Parking Lots Along The Trail:

  • Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve – 2900 Horseshoe Farm Road, Wake Forest, NC
  • WRAL Soccer Park – 7700 Perry Creek Road, Raleigh, NC
  • Greenway Parking – Trailhead Lane, Raleigh, NC
  • Buffaloe Road Canoe Launch – 4901 Elizabeth Drive, Raleigh, NC
  • Buffaloe Road Athletic Park – 5900 Buffaloe Road, Raleigh, NC
Hikers at Swift Creek Bluff Nature Preserve

Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve

Phone: (919) 908-8809
Address: 7800 Holly Springs Road, Raleigh, NC

Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve is a small 23-acre preserve with some short but scenic trails for hikers. This property features 5 trails: Stairway to Heaven Trail, Speight Branch Greenway, Swift Creek Loop Trail, Creek Trail and Swift Creek Greenway. The two longest trails are 1.3 miles each (Speight Brand and Swift Creek), and the remaining trails are 0.6 miles or less. Don’t let the short trails fool you, you can expect to see a ton of wildlife and native plants at this preserve.

Shelley Lake Park, Raleigh NC

Shelley Lake Park

Phone: (919) 996-2329
Address: 1400 W Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC

Shelley Lake Park is a beautiful park with 2 miles of paved trails. The lush greenway takes you around the lake making for a refreshing walk or run. If you’d like to take your four-legged friend with you to Shelley Lake be sure they are leashed at all times. On this scenic trail, you can enjoy views of the lake or bird watching for native birds like eagles, geese, mallards and more.

Dog walking on Lake Lynn Trail

Lake Lynn Trail

Address: 7370 Leesville Rodd, Raleigh, NC

Lake Lynn Park offers an easy to moderate 2.6-mile loop to walk or hike. This trail is paved (some areas are boardwalks) with a beautiful Raleigh greenway to enjoy along the way. Dogs are allowed in this park as long as they are leashed. During your trip to Lake Lynn Park, you can expect to see herons, turtles, geese, ducks and more wildlife.

Lake Johnson in Raleigh, NC during fall season

Lake Johnson Park & Nature Preserve

Phone: (919) 996.3141
Address: 5611 Jaguar Park Drive, Raleigh NC

Lake Johnson Park spans across 500-acres of Raleigh’s natural beauty. Within the park, visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, paved and natural surface trails, a public swimming pool, wildlife viewing, educational programs and more. Leashed pets are always welcome at Lake Johnson Park.

Lonnie Poole Golf Course Raleigh, NC

Lonnie Poole Golf Course

Phone: (919) 515-6527
Address: 1509 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, NC

Does the name Arnold Palmer sound familiar? Break out your clubs for a casual round of 18 holes designed by the legend himself! You’ll love swinging against a backdrop of the Raleigh skyline at Lonnie Poole Golf Course. This high-caliber collegiate course is situated on North Carolina State University’s campus and is home to both the men’s and women’s varsity golf teams. The best part? It’s located just steps from our hotel’s front door!

River Ridge Golf Club Raleigh, NC

River Ridge Golf Club

Phone: (919) 661-8374
Address: 3224 Auburn Knightdale Road, Raleigh, NC

River Ridge Golf Club offers a unique landscape designed by Chuck Smith, for seasoned golfers to enjoy. Take in the rolling hills of Raleigh, as you make your way through 18 holes. The lush Bermuda greens are accompanied by marshland, lakes and large rocks making this course more challenging. Rates vary based on day and time, but special rates are offered to seniors, students, juniors and public safety personnel.

Raleigh Golf Association, NC

Raleigh Golf Association

Phone: (919) 772-9987
Address: 1527 Tryon Road, Raleigh, NC

The Raleigh Golf Association offers a public golf course for residents and visitors to the area. Eighteen of their 27 holes are open to the public, while the other nine are for members only. Throughout the year RGA offers contests and tournaments, as well as lessons and clinics. Their rates vary based on time and day, be sure to check out their website for the most up-to-date rules and rates.

Wildwood Green Golf Club, Raleigh NC

Wildwood Green Golf Club

Phone: (919) 846-8376
Address: 3000 Ballybunion Way, Raleigh, NC

If you’re looking for a course for all skill levels with a serene landscape you’ll want to schedule a tee time at Wildwood Green Golf Club. Wildwood Green features a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, wetlands, and wooded areas as the backdrop of their 18-hole course. Rates do vary based on weekday and weekend availability, and discounts are offered to juniors and seniors (except for weekend play).

They love golfing

Hedingham Golf Club

Phone: (919) 250-3030
Address: 4801 Harbour Towne Drive, Raleigh, NC

The 18-hole championship course, Hedingham Golf, was designed by David Postlethwait, an internally renowned golf architect. The lush greens are speckled with shimmering lakes and ponds, chiseled sand traps and undulating fairways. Hedingham Golf Club offers membership leagues, tournaments, practice facilities, golf lessons and an on-site restaurant, Mission Beef & Brews. Easily book tee times and see the current season’s rates online.

Women practicing at golf studios.

Dogwood Country Club

Phone: (919) 327-9707
Address: 301 W Cabarrus Street Suite 201, Raleigh, NC

Play more than 60 championship courses from around the world at Dogwood Country Club. Offering indoor and outdoor facilities, Dogwood harnesses the power of golf simulator technology to offer a unique and fun environment for experienced pros and newbies to enjoy. Dogwood Country Club boasts an on-site golf shop and offers golf lessons with Dave Nastalski, owner and Class A PGA certified instructor. Beverages are served on-site and catering by Tobacco Road Sports Cafe is available by request.