Regardless of the type of traveler you may be, Downtown Raleigh has an abundance of activities to partake in. This energetic and creative city has something to offer for everyone.
From historical sights and antique markets to shopping, dining, and nightlife options, you’ll never run out of things to do in this city. This historic district also holds one of the largest art collections in North Carolina, which makes exploring interesting museums easy from your hotel room.
Here’s our list of some great things to do in Downtown Raleigh, North Carolina
The 95 Most Popular Things To Do In Downtown Raleigh, North Carolina
95. Raleigh Water Tower
4.0 (1 review)
Credit: Jmturner, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 117 W Morgan Street Raleigh NC
Web Address: https://nps.gov/nr/travel/raleigh/wtr.htm
94. Andrew Johnson Birthplace
3.0 (1 review)
Credit: Kevin Hicks, Google Maps
Location: 1 Mimosa Street Raleigh NC
Web Address: https://presidentsusa.net/ajohnsonbirthplace.html
93. Agriculture Building
5.0 (1 review)
Credit: Jimmy Emerson, DVM, License, Flickr
Location: 2 W Edenton Street Raleigh NC
Web Address: http://ncagr.gov/
92. Conservation Trust for North Carolina
5.0 (3 reviews)
Location: 1028 Washington Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 828 4199
Web Address: http://ctnc.org/
91. Wake County Parks & Recreation
4.5 (4 reviews)
Location: 337 S Salisbury Street # 1000 Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 856 6670
Web Address: https://wakegov.com/departments-government/parks-recreation-open-space
90. City Cemetery of Raleigh
5.0 (4 reviews)
Credit: Mel Bramble, License, Flickr
Location: 17 S East Street Raleigh NC
89. St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church
5.0 (5 reviews)
Location: 402 W Edenton Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 832 2709
Web Address: https://stpaulamechurchraleighnc.org/
88. North Carolina Legislative Building
3.3 (8 reviews)
Credit: Chanilim714, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 16 W Jones Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 733 4111
Web Address: https://ncleg.gov/About/VisitorInfo
87. Fayetteville Street
4.4 (11 reviews)
Credit: Bz3rk, License, Wikimedia commons
86. Christ Church on Capitol Square
5.0 (14 reviews)
Location: 120 E Edenton Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 834 6259
Web Address: http://christchurchraleigh.org/
85. Artsplosure
4.4 (19 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 19 W Hargett Street Suite 310 Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 832 8699
Web Address: http://artsplosure.org/
84. Oakwood Cemetery
4.6 (21 reviews)
Credit: Scott Thompson, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 701 Oakwood Ave Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 832 6077
Web Address: http://historicoakwoodcemetery.org/
83. Heck-Andrews House
4.7 (33 reviews)
Location: 309 N Blount Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 3285
Web Address: https://heck-andrews.com/
82. Nature Research Center
4.9 (34 reviews)
Credit: Panowork.com魔鬼哥哥, Google Maps
Location: 121 W Jones Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 707 9800
Web Address: http://naturalsciences.org/exhibits/permanent-exhibits/nature-research-center
81. Pope House Museum
4.8 (42 reviews)
Credit: Jaylen Lewis, Google Maps
Location: 511 S Wilmington Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 2220
Web Address: http://raleighnc.gov/parks/content/PRecRecreation/Articles/HRMPope.html
80. Living Conservatory
4.7 (43 reviews)
Credit: Paul Ingersoll, Google Maps
Location: 11 W Jones Street Raleigh NC
Web Address: http://naturalsciences.org/living-collections/living-conservatory
79. Falls Lake Trail
4.8 (45 reviews)
Credit: Yelizaveta Petrova, Google Maps
Location: 11900 11924 Raven Ridge Road Raleigh NC
78. Shelley Lake
4.7 (55 reviews)
Credit: VARUN GANOTRA, Google Maps
77. Prairie Ridge Ecostation
4.9 (56 reviews)
Credit: Prairie Ridge Ecostation, Google Maps
Location: 1671 Gold Streetar Dr Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 707 8888
Web Address: http://naturalsciences.org/prairie-ridge
76. Mordecai House
4.6 (60 reviews)
Location: 1 Mimosa Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 4364
Web Address: https://raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/Mordecai.html
75. Clemmons Educational State Forest
4.6 (63 reviews)
Credit: Clemmons Educational State Forest, Google Maps
Location: 2256 Old U S Hwy 70 Clayton NC
Tel: 919 553 5651
Web Address: http://ncesf.org/
74. Joel Lane Museum House
4.3 (69 reviews)
Credit: Warren LeMay, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 160 S Street Mary’s Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 833 3431
Web Address: http://joellane.org/
73. Downtown Raleigh
4.4 (78 reviews)
Credit: XeresNelro, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 300 Fayetteville Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 3000
Web Address: http://godowntownraleigh.com/
72. Lake Lynn
4.7 (80 reviews)
Credit: Алина Кузнецова, Google Maps
71. All Saints Chapel
4.6 (84 reviews)
Location: 110 S East Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 459 3212
Web Address: https://allsaints1875.com/
70. Lake Crabtree
4.8 (87 reviews)
69. Lake Raleigh
4.7 (96 reviews)
Credit: Gerry Dincher, License, Flickr
68. Gregg Museum of Art & Design
4.7 (99 reviews)
Credit: Gregg Museum of Art & Design, Google Maps
Location: 1903 Hillsborough Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 515 3503
Web Address: http://gregg.arts.ncsu.edu/
67. Chatham Hill Winery
4.2 (120 reviews)
Credit: David Hustace, Google Maps
Location: 8245 Chapel Hill Road Cary NC
Tel: 919 380 1310
Web Address: https://chathamhillinc.com/
66. Neuse River Trail – Capital Area Greenway
4.8 (176 reviews)
Credit: George Randy Bass, Google Maps
Location: 6008 Mial Plantation Road Raleigh NC
65. Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve
4.5 (178 reviews)
Credit: Don Childrey, Google Maps
Location: 7800 Holly Springs Road Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 908 8809
Web Address: http://triangleland.org/what-we-do/nature-preserves/swift-creek-bluffs
64. Page-Walker Arts & History Center
4.6 (191 reviews)
Credit: Samantha Guillén, Google Maps
Location: 119 Ambassador Loop Cary NC
Tel: 919 460 4963
Web Address: https://townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/facilities/page-walker-arts-and-history-center-1440
63. Sal’s Branch Trail
4.7 (192 reviews)
Location: Unnamed Rd. Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 571 4170
Web Address: https://ncparks.gov/william-b-umstead-state-park/trail/sals-branch-trail
62. Juniper Level Botanic Garden
4.8 (196 reviews)
Credit: Juniper Level Botanic Garden, Google Maps
Location: 9241 Sauls Road Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 772 4794
61. Boylan Bridge
4.7 (205 reviews)
Credit: Pedro Picasso, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 234 S Boylan Ave Raleigh NC
60. Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest
4.6 (209 reviews)
Credit: Adam Wood, Google Maps
Location: Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 515 7576
Web Address: https://cnr.ncsu.edu/fer/about/forests-and-facilities/
59. Sacred Heart Church
4.8 (215 reviews)
Credit: Warren LeMay, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 200 Hillsborough Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 832 6030
Web Address: https://raleighcathedral.org/content.cfm
58. Robertson Millpond Preserve
4.7 (233 reviews)
Credit: Truett Preslar, Google Maps
Location: 6333 Robertson Pond Road Wendell NC
Tel: 919 604 9326
Web Address: http://wakegov.com/parks/robertsonmillpond
57. Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park
4.9 (273 reviews)
Credit: Danda Naveen, Google Maps
Location: 1800 Blue Ridge Road Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 839 6262
Web Address: https://ncartmuseum.org/visit/the_park
56. Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve
4.7 (277 reviews)
Credit: Jim French, Google Maps
Location: 2900 Horse Shoe Farm Road Wake Forest NC
Tel: 919 996 2271
Web Address: http://raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/HorseshoeFarm.html
55. North Carolina Museum of Art Parking
4.8 (289 reviews)
Credit: Matt Mahon, Google Maps
Location: 1900 Blue Ridge Road Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 839 6262
Web Address: https://ncartmuseum.org/visit/plan-your-visit/
54. Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park
4.8 (293 reviews)
Location: 5229 Awls Haven Dr Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 6764
Web Address: https://raleighnc.gov/places/annie-louise-wilkerson-md-nature-preserve
53. Green Hills County Park
4.6 (294 reviews)
Credit: Sandoval Delgadillo, Google Maps
Location: 9300 Deponie Dr Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 856 6670
Web Address: https://wakegov.com/departments-government/parks-recreation-and-open-space/all-parks-trails/green-hills-county-park/green-hills-hours-information
52. Neuse River Trail
4.7 (413 reviews)
Credit: James Willamor, License, Flickr
Location: Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 3285
Web Address: https://raleighnc.gov/places/neuse-river-greenway-trail
51. Historic Yates Mill County Park
4.7 (419 reviews)
Location: 4620 Lake Wheeler Road Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 856 6675
Web Address: http://wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill/Pages/default.aspx
50. TreeRunner Adventure Park Raleigh
4.7 (435 reviews)
Credit: TreeRunner Adventure Park Raleigh, Google Maps
Location: 12804 Norwood Road Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 410 7347
Web Address: http://treerunnerparks.com/raleigh
49. Oakwood Dog Park
4.6 (448 reviews)
Credit: Steven Stemkowski, Google Maps
Location: 910 Brookside Dr Raleigh NC
Web Address: https://raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/Oakwood.html
48. Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center
4.4 (496 reviews)
Credit: Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center, Google Maps
Location: 5908 Buffaloe Road Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 5600
Web Address: https://raleighnc.gov/buffaloe-road-aquatic-center
47. Marsh Creek Park
4.4 (508 reviews)
Credit: Marsh Creek Park, Google Maps
Location: 3050 N New Hope Road Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 4920
Web Address: http://raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/MarshCreek.html
46. Rose Garden
4.8 (522 reviews)
Credit: karl martin, Google Maps
Location: 301 Pogue Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 821 4579
Web Address: https://raleighlittletheatre.org/visit-us/rose-garden/
45. Fred Fletcher Park
4.7 (532 reviews)
Location: 820 Clay Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 6833
Web Address: https://raleighnc.gov/places/fred-fletcher-park
44. Nash Square
4.5 (565 reviews)
Credit: Chanilim714, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 200 S McDowell Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 3285
43. Historic Oak View County Park
4.8 (569 reviews)
Credit: Marc Macenko, Google Maps
Location: 4028 Carya Dr Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 250 1013
Web Address: https://wakegov.com/departments-government/parks-recreation-open-space/all-parks-trails/historic-oak-view-county-park
42. Buffaloe Road Athletic Park
4.6 (606 reviews)
Location: 5812 Buffaloe Road Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 5600
Web Address: https://raleighnc.gov/places/buffaloe-road-athletic-park
41. Crowder County Park
4.7 (649 reviews)
Credit: Dan Thompson, Google Maps
Location: 4709 Ten Ten Road Apex NC
Tel: 919 662 2850
Web Address: http://wakegov.com/parks/crowder/Pages/default.aspx
40. Jack Smith Park
4.6 (666 reviews)
Credit: Matthew Meyer, Google Maps
Location: 9725 Penny Road Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 469 4061
Web Address: http://townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/parks-greenways-environment/parks/jack-smith-park
39. Sassafras All Children’s Playground
4.9 (679 reviews)
Credit: Panowork.com魔鬼哥哥, Google Maps
Location: 3808 Edwards Mill Road Raleigh NC
Web Address: https://raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/LaurelHills.html
38. Marla Dorrel Park
4.8 (688 reviews)
Location: 111 Thurston Dr Cary NC
Tel: 919 469 4061
Web Address: http://townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/parks-greenways-environment/parks/marla-dorrel-park
37. John Chavis Memorial Park
4.7 (691 reviews)
Credit: Bryan Tomlinson, Google Maps
Location: 505 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 6590
Web Address: http://raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/Chavis.html
36. Apex Community Park
4.8 (739 reviews)
Credit: Latha Pamarthi, Google Maps
Location: 1808 Lake Pine Dr Cary NC
Tel: 919 249 3402
Web Address: https://apexnc.org/795/Apex-Community-Park
35. Raleigh-Durham International Airport Observation Park
4.5 (743 reviews)
Credit: Jon Matyi, Google Maps
Location: W International Dr Morrisville NC
Tel: 919 840 2123
Web Address: http://rdu.com/travelinfo/obpark.html
34. Clayton Community Park
4.6 (759 reviews)
Credit: Clayton Community Park, Google Maps
Location: 1075 Amelia Church Road Clayton NC
Tel: 919 553 1550
Web Address: http://townofclaytonnc.org/Residents/Recreation_CommunityPark.aspx
33. WRAL Azalea Garden
4.8 (794 reviews)
Location: 2619 Western Blvd Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 821 8773
Web Address: http://wral-gardens.com/
32. Anderson Point Park
4.6 (820 reviews)
Credit: Anderson Point Park, Google Maps
Location: 20 Anderson Point Dr Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 5994
Web Address: https://raleighnc.gov/home/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/AndersonPoint.html
31. White Deer Park
4.8 (870 reviews)
Credit: Christopher Winkler, Google Maps
Location: 2400 Aversboro Road Garner NC
Tel: 919 661 6982
Web Address: http://garnernc.gov/departments/parks-recreation-and-cultural-resources/parks-facilities/parks/white-deer-park
30. Dorothea Dix Park
4.7 (1,005 reviews)
Credit: Reba Spike, License, Flickr
Location: 1030 Richardson Dr Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 3255
Web Address: https://dixpark.org/
29. Millbrook Exchange Park
4.5 (1,008 reviews)
Location: 1905 Spring Forest Road Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 4156
Web Address: http://raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/Millbrook.html
28. Durant Nature Preserve
4.7 (1,010 reviews)
Credit: Nathan Gregory, Google Maps
Location: 8305 Camp Durant Road Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 878 9116
Web Address: http://raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/Durant.html
27. Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve
4.8 (1,093 reviews)
Credit: Abdallah Fawzi, Google Maps
Location: 2616 Kildaire Farm Road Cary NC
Tel: 919 387 5980
Web Address: http://townofcary.org/hemlockbluffs
26. Lake Wheeler Park
4.6 (1,102 reviews)
Credit: Christopher Winkler, Google Maps
Location: 6404 Lake Wheeler Road Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 662 5704
Web Address: https://raleighnc.gov/places/lake-wheeler-park
25. Downtown Cary Park
4.7 (1,172 reviews)
Credit: Ashley Edgell, License, Flickr
Location: 319 S Academy Street Cary NC
Tel: 919 469 4000
Web Address: http://townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/parks-greenways-environment/parks/downtown-park
24. Laurel Hills Park
4.8 (1,221 reviews)
Credit: Eric Meddaugh, Google Maps
Location: 3808 Edwards Mill Road Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 2383
Web Address: http://raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/LaurelHills.html
23. William B. Umstead State Park
4.7 (1,324 reviews)
Credit: Sandoval Delgadillo, Google Maps
Location: 8801 Glenwood Ave Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 571 4170
Web Address: http://ncparks.gov/william-b-umstead-state-park
22. Lake Benson Park
4.7 (1,362 reviews)
Location: 921 Buffaloe Road Garner NC
Tel: 919 773 4442
Web Address: http://garnernc.gov/departments/parks-recreation-and-cultural-resources
21. Shelley Lake Park
4.7 (1,449 reviews)
Location: 1400 W Millbrook Road Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 2329
Web Address: http://raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/ShelleyLake.html
20. JC Raulston Arboretum
4.8 (1,785 reviews)
Location: 4415 Beryl Road Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 515 3132
Web Address: https://jcra.ncsu.edu/
19. Lake Crabtree County Park
4.7 (1,860 reviews)
Location: 1400 Aviation Pkwy Morrisville NC
Tel: 919 460 3390
Web Address: http://wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree/Pages/default.aspx
18. Adventure Landing
4.1 (1,929 reviews)
Credit: itsmebecka, Google Maps
Location: 3311 Capital Blvd Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 872 1688
Web Address: https://raleigh.adventurelanding.com/
17. Knightdale Station Park
4.8 (1,967 reviews)
Credit: Greg Borchardt, Google Maps
Location: 810 N First Ave Knightdale NC
Web Address: https://knightdalenc.gov/departments/parks-recreation-and-cultural-programs/parks-greenways-and-facilities/knightdale-0
16. Fred G. Bond Metro Park
4.8 (2,630 reviews)
Credit: Ashley Edgell, License, Flickr
Location: 801 High House Road Cary NC
Tel: 919 462 3970
Web Address: https://townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/parks-greenways-environment/parks/fred-g-bond-metro-park
15. Koka Booth Amphitheatre
4.7 (3,508 reviews)
Credit: Edward Wire, Google Maps
Location: 8003 Regency Pkwy Cary NC
Tel: 919 462 2025
Web Address: http://boothamphitheatre.com/
14. Lake Johnson Park
4.7 (3,848 reviews)
Location: 4601 Avent Ferry Road Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 3141
Web Address: http://raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/LakeJohnson.html
13. Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
4.4 (4,280 reviews)
Credit: Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, Google Maps
Location: 3801 Rock Quarry Road Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 831 6400
Web Address: https://livenation.com/venue/KovZpZAEkeaA/coastal-credit-union-music-park-at-walnut-creek-events
12. Pullen Park
4.7 (6,922 reviews)
Credit: Ashley Edgell, License, Flickr
Location: 520 Ashe Ave Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 6468
Web Address: http://raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/Pullen.html
11. North Carolina State Farmers Public Market
4.7 (7,633 reviews)
Location: 1201 Agriculture Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 733 7417
Web Address: http://ncagr.gov/markets/facilities/markets/raleigh/
10. North Carolina Museum of Art
4.8 (8,227 reviews)
Location: 2110 Blue Ridge Road Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 839 6262
Web Address: http://ncartmuseum.org/
Our Top picks
9. City of Raleigh Museum
4.5 (182 reviews)
Credit: Warren LeMay, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 220 Fayetteville Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 2220
Web Address: https://cityofraleighmuseum.org/
8. North Carolina Executive Mansion
4.3 (277 reviews)
Credit: Warren LeMay, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 200 N Blount Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 733 3871
Web Address: https://ncdcr.gov/things-do/historic-sites/triangletriad/north-carolina-executive-mansion
7. Artspace
4.7 (281 reviews)
Credit: Scott Thompson, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 201 E Davie Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 821 2787
Web Address: https://artspacenc.org/
6. Mordecai Historic Park
4.6 (406 reviews)
Credit: Josiah Ruhl, Google Maps
Location: 1 Mimosa Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 4364
Web Address: https://raleighnc.gov/places/mordecai-historic-park
5. CAM Raleigh
4.6 (451 reviews)
Credit: James Willamor, License, Flickr
Location: 409 W Martin Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 261 5920
Web Address: http://camraleigh.org/
4. North Carolina State Capitol
4.6 (790 reviews)
Credit: Warren LeMay, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1 E Edenton Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 733 4994
Web Address: https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/n-c-state-capitol
3. Moore Square
4.3 (1,094 reviews)
Credit: Scott Thompson, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 201 S Blount Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 996 6484
Web Address: https://raleighnc.gov/places/moore-square
2. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
4.8 (1,727 reviews)
Credit: Mark Lee, License, Flickr
Location: 11 W Jones Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 707 9800
Web Address: http://naturalsciences.org/
1. Marbles Kids Museum
4.8 (5,314 reviews)
Credit: Panowork.com魔鬼哥哥, Google Maps
Location: 201 E Hargett Street Raleigh NC
Tel: 919 834 4040
Web Address: http://marbleskidsmuseum.org/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Downtown Raleigh, North Carolina! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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