Cary is one of the largest towns in North Carolina, a leafy, fast-growing community just west of Raleigh in the Research Triangle. It is known for its parks, greenways, outdoor concerts and a newly revitalized downtown.
AT A GLANCE
Best time
April to June and September to October, for outdoor concerts, festivals and mild weather.
How long
One to two days covers downtown, the parks and an evening concert.
Getting there
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is about 15 minutes north, and Amtrak stops at the Cary Depot.
Why visit Cary
Cary began in the 1850s as a railroad stop called Page's Turnout and was later named after Samuel Fenton Cary, a prohibition advocate. It stayed a small town until the growth of nearby Research Triangle Park in the 1960s turned it into one of the fastest-growing places in the state.
For visitors, Cary is a calm, green base for exploring the Triangle. It has an outstanding network of parks and greenways, a lively downtown with a new park and library, and major venues for concerts and soccer, all within easy reach of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.
Downtown Cary
Downtown Cary has been transformed in recent years and is easy to explore on foot.
Downtown Cary Park
Opened in 2023, Downtown Cary Park is a seven-acre urban park with a tree canopy walk, splash pads, a playground, gardens, a dog park and a stage for events. It has quickly become the town's main gathering place.
Page-Walker Arts and History Center
Built in 1868 as a railroad hotel, the restored Page-Walker building now houses a local history museum, art exhibits and event space.
Cary Arts Center and Academy Street
The Cary Arts Center, in a restored 1939 school, hosts performances and classes, and Academy Street is lined with sculptures, shops and restaurants.
Cary Theater
The restored Cary Theater on Chatham Street screens independent and classic films and hosts live performances.
Parks, gardens and greenways
Cary has more than 80 miles of greenway trails and many large parks.
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Set beside Symphony Lake in Regency Park, this outdoor amphitheater hosts the North Carolina Symphony's summer series, concerts and movies under the stars, plus the popular Chinese Lantern Festival in winter.
Fred G. Bond Metro Park
Bond Park is one of the largest municipal parks in Wake County, with a 42-acre lake, boat rentals, a ropes course, sports fields and wooded trails.
Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve
This nature preserve protects a rare stand of eastern hemlock trees on north-facing bluffs above Swift Creek, far east of their usual mountain range. Boardwalks and trails lead to overlooks, and the Stevens Nature Center has exhibits.
White Oak Creek Greenway
This long paved greenway links Cary to the American Tobacco Trail, making it possible to ride or walk through woods and wetlands for many miles.
Sports and events
Cary is a busy center for amateur and professional sports.
WakeMed Soccer Park
WakeMed Soccer Park is home to the North Carolina Courage of the National Women's Soccer League and North Carolina FC, and it regularly hosts college championships.
USA Baseball National Training Complex
USA Baseball's national training complex hosts national team events and youth tournaments throughout the season.
Lazy Daze and seasonal festivals
Cary hosts arts festivals, the Spring Daze festival at Bond Park and holiday events downtown throughout the year.
Food and local flavors
Cary's restaurant scene reflects its diverse population, and it is one of the best places in North Carolina for Indian food, with many South Indian restaurants and grocery stores. Eastern North Carolina barbecue and Southern biscuits are also easy to find.
Downtown Cary has a growing number of restaurants, breweries and coffee shops around Chatham and Academy Streets, and the Cary Downtown Farmers Market runs on Saturday mornings.
Popular dishes to try in Cary
On WiserMap
Local businesses in Cary
Trutech Wildlife Service
Trutech Wildlife Service is a wildlife removal business serving Durham, NC. Trutech Wildlife Service provides humane wildlife removal including raccoons, squirr...
You First Repairs LLC
You First Repairs LLC is an appliance repair and handyman service business serving Wake, Durham, and Johnson Counties. It provides service repairs for major hom...
Adam's Pest Solutions LLC
Adam's Pest Solutions LLC is a pest control business serving Cary, Raleigh, and Wake Forest, NC. It provides residential, commercial, multi-housing, and warehou...
Where to stay
Downtown Cary puts you within walking distance of the park, the theater and restaurants.
Crossroads and Walnut Street, near the Beltline, has many hotels and shops.
Park West and Weston, near Interstate 40, are convenient for the airport and Research Triangle Park.
Regency Park is close to the Koka Booth Amphitheatre and Symphony Lake.
Best time to visit
Spring brings flowering trees, festivals and the start of the concert season.
Summer is hot and humid, with outdoor concerts and soccer.
Fall is mild and colorful, ideal for greenways.
Winter is mild, with the Chinese Lantern Festival lighting up Koka Booth.
Getting there and getting around
By air: Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is about 15 minutes north.
By train: Amtrak's Carolinian and Piedmont trains stop at the Cary Depot downtown.
By car: Interstates 40 and 540 and US 1 run through or near the town.
Getting around: A car is the easiest way to get around; GoCary buses serve major routes and downtown is walkable.
A suggested itinerary
First day
Start at Downtown Cary Park, then visit the Page-Walker Arts and History Center and browse Academy Street. In the afternoon, walk the boardwalks at Hemlock Bluffs, and end with a concert at Koka Booth Amphitheatre.
Second day
Rent a boat or walk the trails at Bond Park, then bike part of the White Oak Creek Greenway, or take a short drive into Raleigh or Durham.
Practical tips
- Check the Koka Booth Amphitheatre schedule and buy concert tickets early in summer.
- Many parks and greenways are free and open from dawn to dusk.
- Rush hour on Interstate 40 can be heavy, so plan airport trips outside peak times.
- Bring insect repellent for wooded trails in the warmer months.
Find local businesses in Cary on WiserMap
Looking for an Indian restaurant, a coffee shop downtown or a bike shop near the greenways?
