7 Nature & Wildlife Areas in Raleigh That You Shouldn't Miss

November 19, 2021 Karren Gelb

If you're looking for a getaway that's fun for the whole family and easy on your pocket, look no further than Raleigh. With more than 20 free attractions, this stately and energetic capital city offers an affordable way to enjoy history, culture and the good old outdoors. Spend the day hopping between the three state museums of art, history and natural sciences: all offer free admission. Visitors are free to wander around the grounds of the State Capitol, where they can also observe the legislative process. Stroll past the graves of Civil War generals at a historic cemetery or meander along cobblestone streets of City Market. Shop for the greenest broccoli, reddest apples and tastiest homemade treats around at the State Farmers Market. With over 150 parks, lakes and green ways in Raleigh alone, there is ample opportunity to enjoy golf, biking, swimming, boating and other outdoor adventures.
Restaurants in Raleigh

1. Annie Louis Wilkerson Nature Preserve

5229 Awls Haven Dr Off Raven Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27614-9803
Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Annie Louis Wilkerson Nature Preserve

2. Umstead State Park

8801 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27617-7501 +1 919-571-4170 http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/wium/main.php
Excellent
65%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
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4.5 based on 457 reviews

Umstead State Park

Sandwiched between downtown Raleigh and the airport, this oasis of green features a stand of 300+ year-old hardwood trees, more than 32 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, camp sites and lots more for nature lovers.

Reviewed By 17campbellf - Raleigh, United States

Beautiful Umstead State Park is beautiful, quiet and refreshing on a hot Raleigh day (don’t forget your bug-spray!) and full of fall splendor when that time comes. Biking, hiking and walking trails abound and you’ll see determined bikers as well as families with littles enjoying the park.

3. JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University

4415 Beryl Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606-1457 +1 919-515-3132 http://jcra.ncsu.edu
Excellent
69%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
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4.5 based on 349 reviews

JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University

Part of the North Carolina State University, this eight-acre garden contains a wide variety of cold hardy temperate zone plants.

Reviewed By 565elizabetham - Raleigh, United States

Lovely place to walk in any season. It’s small enough to cover most of it is about an hour. Benches located in pretty settings (e.g. rose garden!)

4. Fletcher Park

802 Clay St, Raleigh, NC 27605-1423
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
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4.5 based on 9 reviews

Fletcher Park

Reviewed By DonN263 - Raleigh, United States

This is Raleigh's crown jewel of city parks (not nature parks which is a different category). Fletcher park is well.maintainedcwith beautiful flowers and beautiful trees. This is a great place to have a picnic. There are many benches to sit on throughout the park. There is also a trail around the park. Many of the trees are unusual for this area. The upper end of the park is really beautiful. There is a ballfield, picnic shelter, playground and basketball court on lower end of the park. There also is a water garden but that isn't as in as good a shape as the upper end of this park. My daughters and I like coming to this peaceful tranquil park.

5. Anderson Point Park

20 Anderson Point Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610-1573 +1 919-996-5994 https://www.raleighnc.gov/home/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/AndersonPoint.html
Excellent
20%
Good
80%
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4.0 based on 5 reviews

Anderson Point Park

6. Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve

7800 Holly Springs Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606-9632 http://www.triangleland.org/explore/nature-preserves/swift-creek-bluffs-nature-preserve
Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

7. Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest

Raleigh, NC 27607
Excellent
50%
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50%
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4.0 based on 2 reviews

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