Things to do in Raleigh, North Carolina (NC): The Best Sights & Landmarks

February 13, 2022 Leida Jutras

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. Melrose Knitting Mill

309 N Dawson St, Raleigh, NC 27603-5950 +1 919-674-3681 http://www.trinity-partners.com/listing/melrose-knitting-mill/
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5 reviews

Melrose Knitting Mill

2. Reynolds Coliseum

E Dunn Ave, Raleigh, NC +1 919-513-1362 http://gopack.com/facilities/
Excellent
85%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 41 reviews

Reynolds Coliseum

Reviewed By jcornwell10 - Fuquay-Varina, United States

Post renovation Reynolds is something to see. The old barn is sleek and modern feeling with a ton of amenities. Visit for the Hall of Fame and be sure to buy a ticket for the Kay Yow Game and see Wolfpack Women’s Hoops. Some patience is needed for leaving the parking lot but a visit to nearby Talley Student Center can make the wait worthwhile.

3. James B. Hunt Jr. Library

1070 Partners Way, Raleigh, NC 27606 +1 919-515-7110 http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/huntlibrary
Excellent
83%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 36 reviews

James B. Hunt Jr. Library

4. Joel Lane Museum House

160 S Saint Marys St, Raleigh, NC 27603-1618 +1 919-833-3431 [email protected] http://www.joellane.org
Excellent
71%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 31 reviews

Joel Lane Museum House

Built circa 1770, Joel Lane’s home is a jewel of Georgian mid-Atlantic colonial architecture. It was fully restored and furnished in the 1970s and is open for tours led by costumed docents. The site consts of three buildings and gardens: the museum, an adjacent 1790 middle-class dwelling, called the "Kitchen," beautiful herb and formal neo-colonial gardens, and a circa 1840 Visitors Center beckon visitors to enter a by-gone world. The buildings are filled with period furnishings and artifacts and paint a vivid picture of Colonel Joel Lane (1739-1795) and colonial life in the Carolina backcountry of 1770-1795.

5. Cree Shimmer Wall

500 S Salisbury St Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, NC 27601-2114
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Cree Shimmer Wall

6. Historic Oakwood

Franklin Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 +1 919-733-3456 [email protected] http://www.historicoakwood.org/
Excellent
55%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 123 reviews

Historic Oakwood

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this scenic neighborhood features restored Victorian-style homes built between 1870 and 1912.

Reviewed By FoodieYum198

not a welcoming location I was only happy when i saw the old Krispy Kreme shop and memories of my youth came flooding back.

7. Historic Oak View County Park

4028 Carya Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610-2913 +1 919-250-1013
Excellent
52%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 27 reviews

Historic Oak View County Park

Nineteenth-century farmstead tells the story of America's agricultural and rural heritage, featuring a 19th-century farmhouse, history interpretive center, Cotton Museum and a 170-acre pecan grove.

Reviewed By Jaycie_1995

This was an amazing stop for my husband and I while we were on a short trip to Raleigh. We loved touring the buildings and the historical stories behind each, which had great signs to describe what "life was like" when this was an active farm. Bonus was that the pecan harvest had just begun so we got to go into the orchards and gather pecans. Would be a great spot for kids, families, and most anyone!! Some nice walking paths and I loved petting the goats!!

8. Mordecai Historic Park

1 Mimosa St, Raleigh, NC 27604-1203 +1 919-996-4364 http://www.raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/Mordecai.html
Excellent
58%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 154 reviews

Mordecai Historic Park

Reviewed By orchiddoc - Skillman, United States

Excellent small museum where you learn about the early history of Raleigh. There is also a walking tour with a very knowledgeable guide of the structures and local history He was excellent. The only problem was we thought the tour would be about 1 hour. Unfortunately it almost 2. Lots of great info but toooooo long. Found it very interesting that the original owners were Jewish from Bonn Germany.

9. PNC Arena

1400 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607-3624 +1 919-861-2300 [email protected] http://www.thepncarena.com
Excellent
50%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 766 reviews

PNC Arena

Reviewed By pamhays1 - Pawleys Island, United States

Great venue for a concert. They have traffic control in and out of the parking areas down to a science...super organized and kept things moving.

10. Historic Yates Mill County Park

4620 Lake Wheeler Rd, Raleigh, NC 27603-3912 +1 919-856-6675 [email protected] http://www.wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill/Pages/default.aspx
Excellent
59%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 268 reviews

Historic Yates Mill County Park

Yates Mill is the last operating, water-powered gristmill in NC's capital county. The 18th century mill was restored, and the 174-acre park developed, through a partnership among the County of Wake, Yates Mill Associates, and NC State University. The park is open 361 days per year, from 8 am to sunset. The visitor center with its 2,200 square feet of exhibit space is open 8:30 am to 5 pm. The historic mill is open for guided tours Mar-Nov each year for public tours on weekends (fee: $3-5) and also by appointment on weekdays for organized groups.

Reviewed By 430sherrim - Southern Pines, United States

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit there. Well maintained walking trails, knowledgeable staff, and a nice visitor center. Recommend the $5 mill tour. Looking forward to returning for the weekend events of Sept 21st!

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