Location: Wake Forest
Top Things to do in Wake Forest
Countries
The 10 Best Things to Do in Wake Forest, United States
Wake Forest is a town in Franklin and Wake counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina; located almost entirely in Wake County, it lies just north of the state capital, Raleigh. The population was 30,117 at the 2010 census, up from 12,588 at the 2000 census. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the city's population to be 34,752 as of July 1, 2013. In 2007, the town was listed by Forbes magazine as the 20th fastest growing suburb in America, with a 73.2 percent increase in population between 2000 and 2006. Wake Forest was the original home of Wake Forest University for 122 years before it moved to Winston-Salem in 1956.
Restaurants in Wake Forest
1. Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 134 reviews
Reviewed By Dan S - Raleigh, North Carolina
Falls Lake recreation area is a great place to go to do nothing. Its a good place to relax and read a book. There are also places to fish, hike, swim or have a picnic. But its a great place to get our and sit in the sun or shade.
Note that you do have to figure out where to go. There are many miles of shoreline, and access points are somewhat limited. But look them up on Google and you can find options for where to go. A nice place that may not be on the Falls Lake site is Blue Jay Point. That is a great place to go with kids, or go for a family hike. They also have a zip line area that you have to pay for, but looks kinda cool.
2. E. Carroll Joyner Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By Michael S - Wake Forest, North Carolina
This is great local park to get some exercise, relax or in the spring enjoy free concerts when the Town of Wake Forest puts on Six Sunday's in Spring. They've just added some strategically located workout stations along the several miles of rolling walking trails. Take a few minutes to check out the historic buildings that were meticulously restored on site. A walk (or jog) around the outer loop trail is about 2 miles.
There are large grass areas for letting your kids burn off some energy too.
3. Neuse River Trail
Overall Ratings
5 based on 206 reviews
Reviewed By SanNic44 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
...on the Neuse River Trail. I bicycle here sometimes. Others enjoy walking or jogging. There's plenty of varied scenery. Bridges go over the river and back. Asphalt the whole way except for the wooden bridges, which can be slippery depending upon your bicycle. So be careful. Benches to relax as well.
4. Downtown Wake Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By Madeline103119148 - Fayetteville, North Carolina
Set aside a couple hours to walk through the downtown area of Wake Forest. The quaint shops and numerous restaurants line the main street of this slow paced town.
5. White Street Brewing Co.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By Eli T - Texas
The beer is great, the staff friendly. You will not go wrong if you like great tasting beer. Don't leave Wake Forest without coming here.
6. Wake Forest Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By cheryl h - Durham, North Carolina
At this museum you will learn the history of the Wake Forest College (1834) prior to it's move to Winston-Salem. The exhibits cover the law school, the med school, and the sports programs (Arnold Palmer went there). We like to self-tour (to move at our own speed) but there was an older man who followed us and told us everything about each exhibit (reading the signs around the exhibits would have told us the same things). I was slightly annoyed at that.
The Calvin Jones House (the oldest structure in Wake Forest was my favorite part of the tour (I certainly understand having to have a guide with you going through the house and didn't mind that at all). The house is beautiful and you could just imagine the good doctor living there with his family. Even though the hand painted canvas rug in the dining room wasn't original to the house I loved it (I'm now working on a smaller one myself). The property also has gardens and the campus well sits right between the museum and the house.
If you are passing through Wake Forest you should take the time visit the museum and house. I'm sure you will find it very interesting.
7. Winterpast Farm
Overall Ratings
4 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By bunnylady55 - Wake Forest, North Carolina
Farmer Mary has a nice farm full of different animals. She has pigs,emus,goats,chickens and rabbits. You can rent a rabbit for a week to see if you would like to commit to a house pet.
She keeps a facebook page and you can see pictures of the farm and find out the hours of operation.
8. Falls Lake Visitor Assistance Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Jonathan P - Raleigh, North Carolina
Falls Lake Dam & Visitor Center is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the Triange, and experience nature. Driving through the gates, you leave the busy 4 lane "Falls of the Neuse Rd" and enter a well-kept park setting. The front parking lot is open 24/7, and from there you can access a nice paved walking trail, or continue driving until you reach the fork in the road to drive over the dam or continue to the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center & Ranger Station has various exhibits and hands on activities for kids. They have a plethora of brochures that advertise various walking and hiking trails. The Park Ranger will greet you upon your arrival, and is willing to answer any questions. Near the Visitor Center, you will also find a Natural Play Area for Children and an amphitheater that overlooks the Lake. If you take the road to the Dam, you will drive out on the Falls Lake Dam and have a beautiful view of Falls Lake and the Neuse River. Here you will find parking, and trails that head down to picnic shelters, fishing areas and a canoe launch trail. You can also walk down to the Neuse River from on top of the dam, but be mindful of areas that are marked "No Trespassing", and note that the gates to the Dam and Visitors Center close at 5:30pm in the summer, and 4:30pm in the winter. Overall, this is a great place to run, bike, walk, play and take your family.
9. For Old Times Sake Antiques
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By cheryl h - Durham, North Carolina
This antique shop offers a little bit of just about everything. I bought a ceramic pitcher for a Christmas gift. They had a desk that I have never seen before but I didn't have a place to put it. If I can make room for it (and if it is still there) I plan on going back to get it. After shopping you can walk around the quaint small town of Wake Forest and check out what it has to offer.
10. Polar Ice House
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Ryan S - Raleigh, North Carolina
There's only a two hour period on Saturdays for public skating...and it's limited to one of the two ice rinks. It was very crowded in my opinion. Also they was inadequate seating for changing gear and no lockers that I could see. Cost was $33 for one adult and two children for the public skating bracket of two hours.
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