Visiting Raleigh for the weekend? With award-winning restaurants, diverse museums, beautiful natural areas, and tons of local entertainment, Raleigh has something for pretty much every interest!
If you need help brainstorming a few items for your weekend itinerary, check out our quick weekender’s guide to Raleigh.
Friday Night
Enjoy Local Flavors
Did you know that Raleigh is home to the best chef in the country? Raleigh chef Ashley Christensen has long been a fixture in the city’s culinary community, and this year she took home the James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef. If you want to see what all the hype is about try one of her restaurants like Beasley’s, Death and Taxes, or Poole’s Diner.
There are plenty of other great spots to try in the city, too, like Brewery Bhavana, Bidi Manda, and Oakwood Pizza Box. If you want a variety of options, check out the collection of restaurants at Morgan Street Food Hall and Transfer Food Hall.
Catch a Show
Raleigh is full of talented musicians, and tons of the bars, restaurants, and venues Downtown host live music nights on the weekends. Check out spots like the Pour House, the Lincoln Theatre, Imurj, and Kings, and see what’s on the schedule!
Saturday
Browse the Farmers Market
The State Farmers Market not only has tons of vendors, but also one of the tastiest restaurants in town. Grab a bite to eat, then stroll through the 30,000 square feet of the market—you’ll find everything from fresh fruit and produce to handmade soaps.
Explore the Museums
Fun fact: thanks to its wealth of museums, Raleigh has earned itself the nickname, “Smithsonian of the South.” Conveniently located downtown and right across from each other, the NC Museum of History and NC Museum of Natural Sciences are filled with interesting exhibits that you can spend hours browsing.
Just a few miles away, the NC Museum of Art features a wide variety of works spanning across several centuries. The best part? Admission to all three museums is 100% free. And there are plenty of others to explore, too.
Try a Few Local Breweries
Raleigh is home to tons of breweries, and everybody has their own top picks. If you’re in town for the weekend, you’ll want to see what’s on tap at places like Brewery Bhavana, Crank Arm Brewing, Lynwood Brewing Concern, and Trophy Brewing & Taproom.
Sunday
Grab Brunch
Brunch is one of the most important parts of any weekend. Start your day off with some delicious flavors, and grab a few fresh-baked pastries from Boulted Bread, a tasty omelette at Big Ed’s, and some pancakes loaded with toppings at Humble Pie.
Hit the Arcade
Another critical part of brunch? The mimosas. Boxcar—a popular bar/arcade in Raleigh—regularly runs a Sunday special on their mimosas, and has tons of games to try! Sip on a few drinks, and see if you can master Dance Dance Revolution, skee-ball, or Mario Kart!
Under 21? No problem, just bring along a parent!
Get Outside
Raleigh is a pretty unique city. Even though there’s plenty of hustle and bustle, the city is also surrounded by scenic spots and green spaces. Dorothea Dix Park is a great spot to take in the skyline (especially if you come during the sunflower blooms!). Umstead State Park is right on the edge of the city and features miles of trails and wilderness to explore. And the JC Raulston Arboretum is a nationally acclaimed garden filled with diverse plant life!
Find Your Home in Raleigh
Raleigh is a pretty unique city, and there’s a lot more to explore—certainly enough to fill up a few weekends! The best way to see it all? Find your home here!
Take some time to explore the city using our in-depth guide, check out our resources for buyers, and use our specialized search tool to narrow down your options.
Ready to start seeing a few homes in person? Just give us a call!