7 Awesome Activities for a Weekend in Raleigh, North Carolina

A Few Days Exploring Raleigh, The City of Oaks

Raleigh, North Carolina is a small city surrounded by Universities and filled with tons of museums and parks. Also known as the Research Triangle area, there is great wisdom to be found within its boundaries. After you’ve gained some knowledge, try out some of the local bars and restaurants for some unique delicacies. Most of the attractions are centrally located and can all be seen in a few short days. The best part is that most of these activities are absolutely FREE. Here’s 7 activities that will make your weekend getaway to the city of knowledge an awesome trip.

7. North Carolina Museum of History

Kick off your tour of Raleigh with some insight into North Carolina’s not so distant past. The display areas include information on the Civil War, contributions during the space race, the Wright Brothers, and a Sports Hall of Fame. One of my favorite exhibits was dedicated to the pirate Edward Teach. Better known as the notorious Black Beard, this display has the ambiance of a wooden pirate ship. The North Carolina Museum of History is open from 9am-5pm most days of the week.

6. North Carolina State Capitol

The State Capitol is another spot to learn more interesting details about North Carolina’s past. The building was complete in 1840 and hosts a vintage architecture. Go on one of the guided tours for some extra valued insights. Admission is free, and guided tours are on Saturday at 11am and 2pm.

5. Barhopping Downtown Raleigh

After the sunsets, Raleigh gets lively with its downtown bar scene. Most of them are huddled close by so there’s plenty of options to choose from. Coglin’s Raleigh is a vibrant 90s themed bar with a retro design, plenty of throwbacks, and a lively dance floor. The Big Easy Raleigh is a New Orleans themed spot with great drinks and live jazz music. Foundation is an underground speakeasy with local brews and inventive specialty cocktails. Boxcar Bar is a cool barcade where you can play tons of classic video games. Each bar has a different vibe so stop by whatever you’re in the mood for.

4. Riding Around Electric Scooters

Not technically Exclusive to Raleigh, but it is a great place to zoom around in some scooters. Despite enforcement of stricter policies, electric scooters are still loads of fun. It’s the most efficient way to see all the downtown landmarks. Download the Lime app and the Bird app using these links to get a few free rides! They are located at almost every street corner. You have to ride them on the roads, but there isn’t too much traffic so its all good.

3. Raleigh, North Carolina Barbecue

If you’re a traveling foodie who loves tasting bold new flavors, then Raleigh is an excellent destination. The Carolinas are famous for their variety of barbecue sauces. The Eastern North Carolina style is a very light, vinegar-based sauce with a bit of spices added in. The Lexington-style dip is a thicker tomato-based sauce that’s tangy with a hint of sweet. Both amazing flavors can be tried at the Pit, one of the best restaurants for smoked meats in downtown Raleigh. Enjoy the distinct flavors of both sauces as you chow down on some authentic Southern dishes! (I think it’s far enough south to be considered “The South”)

*Here’s a few outstanding Gluten friendly restaurants if you are cursed with the affliction; The Pit, Garland, Lilly’s Pizza, and Kai Sushi and Sake Bar.

2. North Carolina Museum of Art

My analytical engineer brain may not always be able to appreciate contemporary art. But any art gallery with an Infinity Mirrors exhibit is worth visiting. Yayoi Kusama’s art pieces are world famous and usually contain illusions with mirrors and lights. The NC Museum of Art also has hundreds of painting, portraits, and statues to behold. Some of the artwork is even outside surrounded by beautiful gardens. The best part is that everything is free to enjoy.

1.North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Adding to the reservoir of knowledge is the awesome Museum of Natural Sciences. A huge collection of natural phenomena ranging from planet earth’s smallest animals to the depths of outer space. It’s easy to spend an entire day at this multi-leveled museum so check their hours here. The museum contains a conservatory of animals and even impressive fossils of dinosaurs. The main attractions are all free, with access to featured exhibits for a small fee.

Raleigh is a great city where a lot of things can be seen in just a few days. A wealth of knowledge and history can be found all around the city. The best part is most of the museums and events are of no charge. I hope you enjoyed this short bucket list tour of Raleigh. As always thanks for reading and keep leveling up!

Here’s a short vlog from my time at the infinity mirrors exhibit and Museum of Natural Sciences. Enjoy!