On this visitor put up, Craig Makepeace (co-founder and writer of ThisIsRaleigh.com) shares learn how to spend 24 hours in Raleigh, North Carolina.

I’ve referred to as Raleigh, North Carolina, dwelling for over 10 years. As one of many South’s most vibrant and eclectic burgs, this state capital is perhaps one of many fastest-growing midsize cities within the US. It recurrently tops the “finest locations to dwell and work within the US,” nevertheless it nonetheless affords small-town appeal and Southern hospitality. My spouse and I made a decision to boost our youngsters right here due to this combine.

Nicknamed “the Metropolis of Oaks” for the sheer variety of majestic oak bushes that line the streets, apart from providing ample inexperienced areas and trails, Raleigh is dwelling to wonderful museums, a thriving restaurant scene, limitless craft breweries, enjoyable festivals and occasions, and college-town vibes!

Many guests cease in Raleigh as a part of a street journey or for work and thus don’t at all times have a whole lot of time to totally discover it. Nevertheless, even if you happen to simply have in the future, you may nonetheless see loads.

Beneath is my private information to the perfect issues to do in in the future.

Breakfast: Large Ed’s Metropolis Market

There’s no higher Southern breakfast and introduction to Raleigh than at Large Ed’s in historic Metropolis Market, serving beneficiant parts of Southern consolation meals since 1958.

Right here you’ll take pleasure in a laid-back vibe underneath a set of funky antiques hanging from the ceiling, together with heat Southern hospitality and meals like Grandma used to make. Particularly common are their large pancakes, native nation ham, fried rooster, aged rib-eye steak and eggs, sliced pork loin, fried catfish, fluffy biscuits, and double-brewed candy tea. That is the native expertise you’re in search of.

Alternate breakfast choices embrace The Mecca, Raleigh’s oldest restaurant, based by Greek immigrants in 1930; and the State Farmers’ Market Restaurant, one other common place for locals to get a rustic breakfast and Southern eating expertise!
 

Morning exercise: Museums

After filling up on a hearty meal, absorb a museum. Raleigh has some wonderful ones, and due to the standard and variety of free museums it has, the town has usually been known as “the Smithsonian of the South.”

The incredible Museum of Pure Sciences is North Carolina’s most visited museum. There are over 4 flooring of displays to discover, together with dwell animals, walk-through dioramas, microbes, meteorites, and 3D films, plus a terrific everlasting assortment of dinosaur and whale skeletons.

If historical past is your factor, throughout the road is the North Carolina Museum of Historical past. Based in 1902, it welcomes greater than 400,000 guests a 12 months to see its 150,000 artifacts from over 14,000 years of historical past.

Artwork lovers ought to head to the free North Carolina Museum of Artwork, dwelling to greater than a dozen lovely gallery areas showcasing artwork from all over the world. You possibly can discover by yourself, take a fascinating tour, or see some performing arts. Don’t miss taking a stroll by way of the 164-acre Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park, whose path system by way of pure areas options greater than a dozen commissioned artistic endeavors.
 

Lunch: The Pit Genuine BBQ

North Carolina is a giant barbecue state, and having fun with a plate is one thing they take very critically within the state capital. It’s a kind of “welcome to the South” moments all meat eaters ought to expertise.

In Raleigh, they primarily do Jap-style barbecue, during which the entire hog is slow-cooked over sizzling coals; the meat is then pulled, given slightly chop, and dressed with a vinegar-based sauce. Usually, it’s served as a sandwich or a plated dish, with all the standard Southern sides you may deal with.

The Pit Genuine BBQ is likely one of the hottest such spots in Raleigh. Because the title suggests, it proudly serves genuine whole-hog, pit-cooked, Jap-style barbecue. Positioned within the Warehouse District, it’s well-known for child again ribs and whole-hog chopped barbecue. And for sides, take a look at the Brunswick stew, heirloom cabbage collards, and fried inexperienced tomatoes.

Well-known in NC, Sam Jones BBQ in downtown is one other wonderful choice. It smokes complete hogs on-site day-after-day and is common for its chopped barbecue, fried rooster, ribs, and baked flat cornbread. It additionally serves one in all my favourite sandwiches in Raleigh, the smoked turkey!

If pork barbecue will not be your factor however you continue to desire a Southern eating expertise, Beasley’s Hen + Honey is a well-liked lunch restaurant by famed chef Ashley Christensen that makes a speciality of fried rooster and sandwiches.
 

Afternoon exercise: Umstead State Park

Time to stroll off lunch! Only a 15-minute drive from downtown is likely one of the hottest locations in Raleigh, and one in all North Carolina’s most visited state parks: William B. Umstead State Park, which is definitely accessible from Interstate 40 and US-70. Its greater than 5,000 acres of forest encompass three man-made lakes and include over 22 miles of trails, starting from simple to average. When you love nature trails, biking, operating, picnicking, canoeing, and even horseback using, put Umstead in your itinerary.

An amazing introductory path is the two.8-mile Sal’s Department Path loop, which is usually shaded and flat, with tall bushes and a lake view. When you’re up for a woodland stroll, the Sycamore Path is a 7.2-mile loop and the longest path. One other common path is the six-mile Firm Mill Path loop.

Alternatively, Lake Johnson, only a 10-minute drive from downtown, is my favourite of the lakes in Raleigh. The three-mile paved greenway loop across the western aspect is common with NC State college students and locals. There’s a 700-foot-long boardwalk throughout the middle of the lake, a boathouse, a small seaside space, and picnic shelters.
 

Pre-dinner drinks: Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing

The perfect view of the Raleigh skyline will be had from Wye Hill and its excellent outside patio. Take all of it in whereas having fun with refreshing craft beers and distinctive cocktails. There’s a superb small-plate menu too!

Whiskey lovers can head to the gorgeous open house and hip venue Whiskey Kitchen, that includes a repurposed industrial vibe during which to take pleasure in any of over 300 whiskies, plus craft cocktails, beer, and wine. Talking of wine, Vita Vite Artwork Gallery + Wine Bar doubles as an artwork gallery and affords an excellent number of wine in an aesthetic and relaxed ambiance.
 

Dinner: Stanbury

Stanbury might be probably the most distinctive eating expertise in Raleigh and one I can’t cease speaking about. It has excellent meals, a beautiful ambiance in a unusual, rustic venue, and superb service! The menu, which modifications day by day, options fashionable delicacies (together with the perfect steak I’ve had in Raleigh), plus craft cocktails.

Bida Manda is hands-down the perfect of the Asian eating places in Raleigh. Its probably my favourite Southeast Asian restaurant in North Carolina, if not the US. It’s famend for its genuine Laotian delicacies, together with ample vegetarian and gluten-free choices.

On the lookout for Mexican meals in Raleigh? Gringo A Go Go is a former gasoline station and now one of many extra common downtown eating places, given its colourful outside patio space and genuine Mexican meals. The menu is a tribute to the household’s Central Mexican heritage, with recipes handed down from the Guadalajara highlands.
 

After-dinner drinks: Watts & Ward

Watts & Ward is my favourite (underground) bar in Raleigh, a craft cocktail place infused with the spirit of the Nineteen Twenties. Suppose leather-based seating, cozy nooks, rustic tables, dim lighting, and bookshelves filled with historical past. It affords an creative cocktail menu and low-key jazz occasions.

However you probably have dinner at Stanbury, close by is my different favourite cocktail bar, William and Firm, or Willco to the locals. This cozy neighborhood cocktail bar on the sting of historic Oakwood serves up contemporary and distinctive craft cocktails created by top-notch bartenders.

When you benefit from the idea of a dessert bar — a spot the place you will get bourbon along with your pie or champagne along with your cake — then contemplate Bittersweet, the place I like to go for an espresso martini and Irish espresso.

When you solely have 24 hours in Raleigh, this one-day itinerary is what I counsel for first-time guests who wish to get an actual really feel for the Metropolis of Oaks — its tradition, historical past, food and drinks scene, and sense of Southern neighborhood. (In fact, I counsel you keep longer, as there are many cool issues to do in Raleigh, together with superior festivals and sporting occasions.)

Craig Makepeace is the co-founder and writer of ThisIsRaleigh.com, an internet site devoted to sharing all the perfect issues to do in Raleigh. Initially from Australia, he first moved to Raleigh in 2004 and fell in love with the town of oaks. He’s a journey addict, sports activities fanatic, seaside lover, and passionate craft beer drinker. You possibly can comply with him on Instagram at @ThisIsRaleigh.