Legends Nightclub: An anchor in the LGBT nightlife scene since 1991, Legends has featured hundreds of entertainers and served many, many thousands of guests over the years. Every exhibition is unique, bold, highly memorable and designed to be thought-provoking and transformative. Capital Club 16: Serving American food with German and European influences, you'll find scratch-made meals using locally-grown ingredients and specialty meats, sauces and beers. Need a weekend getaway with a loved one? Restaurant Week. A “Safer-at-Home” order is in effect in North Carolina.Face coverings are required statewide in public places.For information and helpful resources, visit our COVID-19 response portal. First Night Raleigh (Dec.): A downtown Raleigh New Year's Eve celebration for more than 25 years, First Night Raleigh is an all-day event with more than 100 performances (music, dance, theater, comedy and more) across 35 venues. The downstairs bar on Glenwood Ave. evokes memories of classic jazz clubs where the lights are low, the jazz is hot, the drinks are strong and the nights, full of merriment. Downtown Raleigh loves its barbecue, and they don’t do it by half. Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours: A walking guided tour with visits to five or more restaurants serving innovative food sourced locally (one of the best ways to get a taste of some of Raleigh's best restaurants). Neon lights, music blaring and a crowded dance floor at the norm here. Crank Arm Brewing: A bike-themed brewery that serves award-winning beer, provides lots of games for groups to partake in (larger-than-life Jenga is always a favorite) and often has a late-night hot dog stand out on the patio. A true local favorite. Photos by Brian Strickland: Trophy Tap & Table, Mulino Italian Kitchen + Bar, Bida Manda, Morgan Street Food Hall, Transfer Co. Food Hall, Heirloom Brewshop, Whiskey Kitchen, Trophy Brewing Company, The Pit; Photo by Angie Mosier: Poole's Diner; Photos by Keenan Hairston: CAM Raleigh and Videri Chocolate Factory; Photos Garrett Poulos: Red Hat Amphitheater, Brewgaloo; Photo by Keith Isaacs: Clyde Cooper's BBQ; Boxcar Bar + Arcade photo via Facebook. At the Pit Authentic Barbecue on West Davie Street, only a whole hog roast will do. CAM Raleigh: This striking, non-collecting contemporary art museum, located in downtown Raleigh's rapidly-growing Warehouse District, displays new and emerging work by local and national living artists. Alchemy: A nightclub and lounge with indoor and outdoor space on Glenwood Ave. with a younger crowd and DJs that keep the dance floor hopping (especially after midnight). The Centerpiece: Raleigh’s newest art gallery and latest addition to the N. Person St. neighborhood, The Centerpiece exhibits contemporary art in an array of mediums, provides workshops with renowned artists and offers superior custom framing and art consulting services. Boutique Music Instrument Retail in Raleigh, N.C. Kid-Friendly Activities to Tackle This Fall and Winter in Raleigh, N.C. Terror of the South at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh, N.C. 10 Things to Do Right Now in Downtown Raleigh, N.C. How to Plan A Perfect Fall Bike Ride on the Neuse River Greenway Trail in Raleigh, N.C. A Walking Tour of Historic Oakwood in Raleigh, N.C. Top 'Treat Yourself' Retreats to Book for a Fall Weekend in Raleigh, N.C. A Guide to Visiting Farmers' Markets This Fall in Raleigh, N.C. Eat & … Share a number of small plates (plus a couple bottles of wine) at dinner time or take in a Sun. You can spend hours exploring this museum, as it is the largest museum in the Southeast. If you sign up for our E-magazine, you'll get those, plus all the latest insider content (where to find 30 of the area's best murals to go to home page , for example, or how to take advantage of the Ultimate Summer Bucket List). Crawford and Son: The flagship restaurant from chef Scott Crawford, Crawford and Son—opened in late 2016—has been an immediate hit, earning the 'Restaurant of the Year' designation from Raleigh's The News & Observer in 2018. Today, visitors can still ride the carousel for $1.50 and enjoy the outdoor track, ball courts, grass fields, picnic shelters and playgrounds for free. VAE exhibits the work of more than 1,300 artists in 70-plus exhibitions each year. Transfer Co. Food Hall opened in early 2019 and is a perfect spot for groups big and small. Tons of kids' activities, a 90-foot-tall Ferris wheel and a countdown to midnight (where, yes, a giant acorn drops from the sky as the clock strikes 12) and celebratory fireworks highlight a full day of festivities. Marbles Kids Museum. North Carolina State Capitol: After a fire destroyed the original Capitol in 1831, the present-day building was rebuilt in 1840 and stands today as one of the best-preserved examples of a civic building in Greek Revival-style architecture in the nation. Mordecai Historic Park: This site is home to some of N.C.'s most extraordinary treasures, including the Mordecai House and the birthplace of 17th President Andrew Johnson. Stanbury Centro: The brainchild of Angela Salamanca (originally from Colombia, she's called Raleigh home for more than 20 years now), Centro keeps the vibe casual but sophisticated and a menu stacked with elevated Mexican and Latin American staples (the Mole Poblano is legendary). The Pit: Steeped in Eastern-style barbecue, The Pit serves smoked whole hog goodness, plus baby back ribs, fork-tender brisket, chopped smoked turkey and more (all served with the Southern sides you'd expect, with a bit of a gourmet touch for good measure). In 2014 a New York Times travel story described Stanbury as "serving the most exciting food in Raleigh.". Following the North Carolina state’s traditional method of pit-barbecuing, the Pit serves up pulled pork, racks of ribs in multiple combinations, smoked meatloaf, and blackened salmon. Marbles Kids Museum: With the goal of sparking imagination, discovery and learning through play, kids can go on a jungle safari, get behind a camera and be a reporter, dress up as a forest creature or board a pirate ship at this innovative and wildly-popular children’s museum in downtown Raleigh. For a cozy coffee shop vibe, head up to the second-floor room, with interesting art and a laid-back atmosphere. Raleigh Provisions: A local, gourmet gift shop selling products from hundreds of N.C.-based small companies. Artsplosure (May): One of the Southeast's premier arts festivals, Artsplosure - The Raleigh Arts Festival attracts more than 80,000 people to downtown Raleigh during the third weekend of May each year. It became the “Birthplace of N.C.’s Capital” when Joel Lane sold 1,000 acres to the state in 1792 to be used as the new state capital. 6:00pm-6:00pm Performances will be Thursdays – Saturdays at 6 pm, 7:45 pm and 9:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, 4 pm an / Burning Coal Theatre Company. Every two weeks, we send out a newsletter that includes the best of the best upcoming events. Inside, a stainless steel counter gives diners a view into the pit where finished shoulders come out like clockwork. Quercus Studio: The boutique and workshop of goldsmith Lauren Ramirez, Quercus showcases Lareun's nature-inspired wares and hand-crafted fine jewelry alongside the wearable art of a few other designers. Whether you're in the mood to eat, shop, learn, or discover something new, Downtown Raleigh has it. Southern Charred: Opened in Oct. 2017, Southern Charred features smoked meat platters, Southern cocktails, an array of regional 'cue sauces and a menu that's served until 2am on weekends (not to mention live music and axe throwing events!). 5:00pm-6:45pm / City of Raleigh Museum. Raleigh Beer Garden: The world record-holder for largest selection of draft beer (Guinness made it official in late 2015; the current number is nearly 400 beers on tap), Raleigh Beer Garden is a massive 8,500-square-foot venue with tons of outdoor space. Lincoln Theatre: Housed in building that dates back to 1939 and has seen a myriad of uses over the years, the 900-seat Lincoln Theatre is today one of Raleigh's most popular indoor live music venues, hosting regional and national acts with a packed calendar. The dance club is open Fri.-Sun., 9pm-close (and everyone is welcome!). Open for self-guided tours Mon.-Sat., with guided tours each Sat. This recently-opened restaurant in the popular Boylan Heights neighborhood owes its name and its view to the ‘wye’ it’s built over—a junction where trains change direction. Hopscotch Music Festival (Sept.): Three days, nearly 150 bands, 12 venues in downtown Raleigh, 50 totally-free day parties and 25,000 fans—it's no wonder why Hopscotch Music Festival is time and time again named one of America's can't-miss music events. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences: One of the Southeast’s most valuable cultural resources and one of the nation’s most awe-inspiring museums about the natural world. Address: 1 Mimosa St, Raleigh, NC 27604, USA. Downtown Raleigh, N.C., is where historic neighborhoods, world-class museums, Southern diners, outdoor green spaces, performing arts venues, local shops, breweries and underground cocktail spots all work together to create one incredible cultural hotspot. Escazú Chocolates: A bean-to-bar chocolate factory opened in 2008, the storefront at Escazú carries truffles, drinking chocolates, vegan options and scratch-made ice cream that demands a stop during the warmer months. as having “the most beautiful governor’s residence interior in America.” Tour opportunities are limited—for 2019, tours will be available on Wednesdays and Thursdays from Sept. 18-Nov. 7, and each day from Dec. 12-15 for the holiday open house. Morning Times: Morning Times is a great place to get updated on the day's news while munching on an omelette, breakfast sandwich, the morning mac (yes, it's super) or another breakfast item fave. Celebrating fine visual art and live music since 1980, the festival puts more than 180 artists' work, using countless mediums, on display for all to see and enjoy during the free festival. 4th Annual Day of the Dead-City of Raleigh Museum. The Museum of History was founded in 1902 and welcomes more than 400,000+ visitors a year. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Try pastry chef and owner Daniel Benjamin’s lemon tart if you want something light and fruity, or the candy bar cake for a more chocolatey treat. Today, you'll find the restaurant filled up at brunch, lunch and dinner enjoying food, drinks and nightly live music. Menconi's latest book,... View More, From the purely educational to the straight up fun, the Raleigh area has plenty of kid-friendly activities to keep you and your... View More, A very rare (and extremely well-preserved) dinosaur skeleton calls the City of Oaks home. Sir Walter Coffee: Whether it’s morning waffles and coffeehouse classics, afternoon espresso and bubble tea or evening cocktails and beer, Sir Walter Coffee is a treat for the taste buds. If you've seen a band at Slim's, you've truly seen that band. Explore Downtown Raleigh. MoJoe's Burger Joint: Put simply, one of the best hamburgers in the City of Oaks (with beers on tap and milkshakes—spiked or not—always available). Visitor Info Center: 500 Fayetteville St., The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is the official and, North Carolina Museum of Art and Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, North Carolina Railway Museum & New Hope Valley Railway, Tourism Economic Development Report & Charts, Raleigh, N.C., Media Accolades and Quotes, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, all shown off beautifully on shop's Instagram page, one of the 10 best ice cream parlors in America, the most exciting park project in America, Citrix Cycle is a docked bikeshare program, African American Cultural Celebration (Jan.), where to find 30 of the area's best murals, take advantage of the Ultimate Summer Bucket List. In the Raleigh area,... View More, The Raleigh area is certifiably farm fresh, with a collection of year-round and seasonal farmers markets showcasing fresh fruits,... View More, The Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance is a division of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau.