Raleigh North Carolina Free Museums Greenways and Barbecue

Why visit Raleigh

Raleigh was planned from scratch in 1792 as a capital city, and its original grid still centers on Union Square and the State Capitol.

The real draw for many visitors is value. The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, the North Carolina Museum of History and the permanent collection at the North Carolina Museum of Art are free to enter, as is the State Capitol.

Raleigh also makes a practical base. Durham, Chapel Hill and the wooded trails of Umstead State Park are all close, and the North Carolina coast and mountains are within reach for a longer trip.

Downtown, the Capitol and the state museums

Most first visits start downtown, where the main state attractions sit within a few blocks of one another. Park once and explore on foot.

North Carolina State Capitol

The granite Capitol, finished in 1840, is one of the best preserved examples of a Greek Revival civic building in the country.

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

This is the largest natural history museum in the Southeast and the one stop most families will not want to skip. The main building covers the state's habitats from mountains to coast, with whale skeletons, a living conservatory and the fossil of Acrocanthosaurus, a large predatory dinosaur.

North Carolina Museum of History

Across Bicentennial Plaza from the science museum, the history museum traces North Carolina from early American Indian cultures through the Civil War, civil rights and the modern era. The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame is inside, and rotating exhibits often focus on music and craft traditions.

Fayetteville Street and Moore Square

Fayetteville Street runs south from the Capitol toward the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts and is lined with restaurants, plazas and public art.

Art, gardens and the west side

West of downtown, around NC State's campus and beyond, Raleigh shows off its greener side.

North Carolina Museum of Art and Museum Park

The museum's permanent collection spans ancient Egypt, European old masters, African art, Judaica and contemporary work, and the light-filled West Building houses an impressive group of Rodin sculptures.

Pullen Park

Opened in 1887, Pullen Park is one of the oldest public amusement parks in the country. Its antique Dentzel carousel, small train, pedal boats on Lake Howell and playgrounds make it a favorite for families, while the shaded lawns suit anyone who wants a slow hour outdoors.

JC Raulston Arboretum

Run by NC State University, this working arboretum showcases thousands of plants tested for Southern gardens, from Japanese maples to perennial borders and a large rose garden. It is free and rarely crowded, and garden lovers can easily spend ninety minutes here.

Historic neighborhoods, big parks and greenways

Some of Raleigh's best moments come from simply walking under the oaks or getting onto a trail.

Historic Oakwood and Mordecai Historic Park

Just northeast of downtown, Historic Oakwood is a neighborhood of restored Victorian homes on quiet, tree-lined streets, ideal for a self-guided stroll. Oakwood Cemetery, at its edge, is the resting place of several governors and is notable for its landscaping and monuments.

Dorothea Dix Park

On a hill just southwest of downtown, Dix Park occupies the grounds of a former state psychiatric hospital and is being developed into a major destination park.

William B. Umstead State Park

Between Raleigh and Durham, near the airport, Umstead protects thousands of acres of forest, creeks and small lakes. Hikers like the Company Mill Trail, which passes old mill remains on Crabtree Creek, while the wide Reedy Creek multi-use trails are popular with runners, cyclists and horseback riders.

Neuse River Trail and the Capital Area Greenway

The paved Neuse River Trail follows the river along the city's eastern edge and forms part of North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail. It is mostly flat and shaded, with boardwalks over wetlands and a suspension bridge.

Food and local flavors

Raleigh sits in Eastern North Carolina barbecue country, and the local style is whole hog, chopped and dressed with a thin vinegar and pepper sauce rather than a thick tomato one.

Beyond barbecue, look for fluffy biscuits at breakfast, fried chicken, shrimp and grits, pimento cheese and sweet potato dishes, a nod to North Carolina's role as the country's top sweet potato producer.

For local produce and specialty foods, head to the State Farmers Market off Centennial Parkway, open year round.

Where to stay

Downtown is the best choice for a first visit. You can walk to the Capitol, the state museums, Fayetteville Street and Moore Square, and you will be close to the Warehouse District for dinner.

Glenwood South, on the northwest edge of downtown, is the nightlife strip, with bars, rooftop lounges and late-night food.

North Hills and Midtown offer a newer, polished district with shopping, restaurants and a cinema, a short drive from downtown.

Near NC State and Cameron Village, you are close to Pullen Park, the arboretum and the art museum, with a neighborhood feel.

Best time to visit

Spring, from late March to May, brings dogwoods, azaleas and comfortable temperatures.

Summer, from June to August, is hot and humid, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms.

Fall is arguably the best season.

Winter is generally mild, with occasional cold snaps and rare snow or ice that can shut down roads.

Getting there and getting around

By air: Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) sits between the two cities, about a twenty to thirty minute drive from downtown Raleigh depending on traffic.

By train: Amtrak trains stop at Raleigh Union Station in the Warehouse District.

By car: I-40 runs through the region from Wilmington toward the Triad and the mountains, and I-87 and US-1 radiate from the city.

Getting around: Downtown is compact and walkable.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Start at the State Capitol, then cross to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and spend the late morning with the fossils and the Nature Research Center.

Second day

Drive or bike to the North Carolina Museum of Art for the morning, then walk the Museum Park trails. Have lunch near NC State, ride the carousel at Pullen Park and stroll through the JC Raulston Arboretum.

Third day

Head out early for a hike at Umstead State Park or a bike ride on the Neuse River Trail.

Practical tips

• Most state museums are free, but special exhibits, films and some tours are ticketed; check the official websites for current hours and fees.
• Some museums and historic sites close one day a week, often Monday, so confirm schedules and save that day for parks and neighborhoods.
• Book hotels well ahead for the State Fair in October, NC State football weekends and big downtown events.
• In summer, carry water, use sunscreen and plan hikes for the morning to avoid heat and storms.
• Ticks are common in wooded areas; stay on trails and check yourself after hiking.
• Rush hour on I-40 and the Beltline can add a lot of time, so schedule airport and day-trip drives outside peak hours.

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