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Cary began in the 1850s as a railroad stop known as Page's Siding and took its name from a temperance speaker, which is why the town banned liquor for nearly a century. Growth took off after Research Triangle Park opened next door in 1959, and today Cary is home to about 180,000 people, the software company SAS and some of the most carefully planned neighborhoods in the state. It is still officially a town, the largest in North Carolina.
Downtown has been reborn around Downtown Cary Park, which opened in 2023 with gardens, fountains, a big playground and a canopy walk. Nearby, the 1868 Page-Walker Hotel is now an arts and history center, the old Cary High School building has become the Cary Arts Center, and the restored 1946 Cary Theater shows independent and classic films.
Parks are a big part of Cary's appeal. Hemlock Bluffs protects rare eastern hemlock trees on cool north-facing slopes, Bond Park wraps a lake with trails and boat rentals, and paved greenways connect neighborhoods across town. Koka Booth Amphitheatre hosts summer concerts and a winter lantern festival, and WakeMed Soccer Park is home to professional women's soccer.
WiserMap travel guideCary North Carolina Downtown Park and Koka Booth ConcertsPlan a Cary, North Carolina trip with Downtown Cary Park, the Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Bond Park, Hemlock Bluffs, WakeMed Soccer Park and miles of greenways.Read the guide
A modern park in the heart of downtown Cary, opened in 2023, with a children's play area, a splash pad, a shaded tree canopy walk, lawns, gardens and a café. It hosts concerts and events year-round. It is next to Academy Street, so combine it with the arts center and shops nearby.
Cary's largest park, built around Bond Lake, with boat rentals, a lakeside trail, playgrounds, sports fields, a ropes course and picnic shelters. It is a favorite for families on weekends. The loop trail around the lake is easy and shaded. Rent a canoe or pedal boat in the warmer months.
A nature preserve with steep north-facing bluffs along Swift Creek where eastern hemlock trees grow, far from their usual mountain range. Boardwalks, stairs and trails lead to overlooks. The Stevens Nature Center has exhibits on local ecology. Trails are short but include steps, so wear good shoes.
A paved greenway through woods and wetlands in western Cary, part of a longer route that links toward the American Tobacco Trail. It is popular for cycling, running and walking. Look for herons and turtles near the creek. Several trailheads have parking. Go early on summer days to avoid the heat.
A restored 1868 railroad hotel near the downtown tracks, now an arts and local history center with exhibits, art classes and events. Its Friends of the Page-Walker run a small history museum about Cary. The gardens around it are pleasant. Check exhibit hours, as they are limited on some days.
A community arts center in a restored former school on Dry Avenue, with a theater, galleries and art classes for all ages. It sits near Academy Street, downtown Cary's main stretch of shops, cafés and public art. Look at the season program for shows, and walk the street for its sculptures.
A small restored movie theater on Academy Street from the 1940s, run by the town, showing independent films, classic movies, documentaries and live performances. Tickets are inexpensive. It is a nice evening plan combined with dinner downtown. Check the calendar, as screenings change weekly.
An outdoor amphitheater set among tall pines by Symphony Lake, hosting concerts, movies, festivals and the North Carolina Symphony's summer series. Bring a blanket or chair for the lawn seats. Picnics are allowed at many shows. Check bag and cooler rules before you go, and arrive early to park.
A soccer complex with a main stadium that is home to the North Carolina Courage women's professional team and North Carolina FC, plus practice fields for youth tournaments. Matches have an easy family atmosphere and affordable tickets. Check the schedule, and arrive early for parking on game days.
The home of USA Baseball's national teams, with several fields that host national team training, college games and major youth tournaments. Watching a game here is relaxed and inexpensive. It is next to Thomas Brooks Park. Check the event calendar for games open to the public before you visit.
A long-running juried arts and crafts festival held each August in downtown Cary, with hundreds of artists, food vendors, music and children's activities spread along the streets. It is free to attend. Go early in the day to beat the heat and the crowds, and bring water and a hat.
A winter festival at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary where giant handmade silk lanterns shaped like animals, dragons and scenes glow along paths around Symphony Lake, with cultural performances. It runs most evenings from late fall into winter. Buy timed tickets ahead and dress warmly.
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North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
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