One Great Weekend: The Best Things to Do in Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh may best be known as North Carolina’s capital and a college town but in recent years a new creative vibe has taken hold. A long tradition of southern hospitality has inspired a new wave of chefs making Raleigh one of the most exciting food cities in the country, and with multiple James Beard nominations people are taking notice. That same creative spirit has also influenced a community of artists and makers re-imagining Raleigh’s roots. There’s never been more exciting time to visit Oak City and a weekend is just enough time to discover Raleigh.

I was graciously hosted by Visit Raleigh but as always all opinions remain my own. The Casual Travelist contains affiliate links, when you make a purchase or book a hotel through these links the Casual Travelist receives a small commission that helps support this site at no additional cost to you.

Our base for the weekend was the Residence Inn Downtown Raleigh, a modern yet comfortable hotel convenient to everything downtown Raleigh has to offer. Rooms are spacious and come complete with a kitchen (though with all of the amazing restaurants in downtown Raleigh you certainly don’t need one) as well as a fantastic rooftop views of downtown.

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Downtown Raleigh is compact and walkable making it a perfect city for a weekend getaway. Steve and I spent time exploring Raleigh’s museums (which are free to boot!), and the new creative vibe that’s taken hold in the Warehouse District. What we found was a relaxed city that’s high on southern charm and some seriously good eats. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Raleigh.

Where to eat in Raleigh

A Place at the Table

The folks at A Place at the Table shows just what can happen when good food does good for the community. A pay-what-you-can cafe, A Place at the Table aims to provide healthy, delicious food and a sense of community for everyone regardless of means. In the past year alone over $136k worth of meals has been paid forward.

And the food?

Well the food is amazing. The fried green tomato Benedict with pimento cheese and tomato jam brings together all the best flavors of the south and pairs perfectly with a cardamom rose latte.

Sir Walter Coffee

Whether you’re looking for a killer cup of joe or a well crafted cocktail Sir Walter Coffee has you covered. This modern cafe in downtown Raleigh is a great place to get your latte fix but their espresso old fashioned ( served over the good ice ) proved that bitters and an orange twist take make my espresso even better. Fancy something a bit on the boozy side? Take a look at their artful list of cocktails like the Jaded Flower; a mix of strawberries, rum and white tea that’s almost too pretty to drink.

Beasley’s Chicken and Honey

Nothing says southern food quite like a good fried chicken but Beasley’s Chicken and Honey takes comfort food to the next level. Take a fluffy biscuit, top it with crispy fried chicken a pickled green tomato and a spicy-sweet hot honey dijon and you’ve got just one reason chef Ashley Christensen won a James Beard award for Best New Chef in the Southeast. Don’t sleep on the sides at Beasley’s either, I’m still dreaming about the pimento mac-n-cheese custard and the roasted beets with orange and white balsamic vinaigrette will change the way you think about beets.

The Pit Authentic Barbecue

You can’t come to North Carolina and not get barbecue and it doesn’t get much better than The Pit in Raleigh’s warehouse district. North Carolina raised free range pork is used for traditional whole-hog, pit-smoked barbecue and word has gotten out just how good the ribs and chopped pork at The Pit are. The authentic North Carolina style barbecue has been featured on the Today Show, Travel Channel and the Food Network.

Brewery Bhavana

When one of the best breweries in North Carolina also has a cute book and flower shop and also serves amazing Laotian food, this can only be Brewery Bhavana. Named as one of the prettiest breweries in the United States by Conde Nast Traveler the taps at Brewery Bhavana serve a delicious array of Belgian inspired brews that pair perfectly with Bhavana’s all-too-addicitve dumplings.

Little City Brewery

If pretty little breweries that are both design and beer forward are your thing then Raleigh is your kind of town. The light filled tasting room is industrial chic with pops of green and wouldn’t be out of place in Copenhagen but Little City Brewery is proud of it’s North Carolina roots. The compact beer list is always changing with a roster of easy-to-drink IPAs and experimental brews like their pomegranate gose and koldbrew kolsch.

Whiskey Kitchen

A relaxed industrial vibe, creative drinks, southern inspired bites and an awesome patio has made Whiskey Kitchen one of Raleigh’s favorite hangout spots. Featuring over 200 varieties of whiskey from around the world this is a true whiskey lover’s joint; sample your favorite whiskeys neat with a flight or enjoy Whiskey Kitchen’s latest in-house barrel aged cocktail.

Lucettegrace

This petite French patisserie in downtown Raleigh has a case full of buttery croissants and macaron in every color of the rainbow but I was drawn to Lucettegrace’s array of artful pastries. With an almond shortbread crust and a creamy apricot mousse one bite of the Baska transports you to the French Rivera while the Religieuse, with its sinfully good fillings of chocolate and caramel creams, is a transcendent version of the cream puff.

Mandolin

At Mandolin chef Sean Fowler takes global inspiration to re-imagine North Carolina favorites for an updated take on Southern cuisine. What isn’t grown on Fowler’s own farm is sourced from the best North Carolina purveyors to delicious effect. While the menu changes based on the season Mandolin’s elevated version of chicken and waffles, with truffle honey and an ethereal bacon-mushroom foam, is a revelation.

Art and Shopping in Raleigh

North Carolina Museum of Art

A 15 minute drive from downtown Raleigh, the North Carolina Museum of Art is widely regarded as one of the best art museums in the country. With the largest collection of Rodin in the south and over a dozen galleries featuring works ranging from Greek classical to contemporary African the North Carolina Museum of Art has something to suite any artistic taste. Art isn’t restricted to the confines of four walls either; the Anne and Jim Goodnight Museum Park has 164 acres of walking trails, sculptures and an outdoor amphitheater.

CAM Raleigh

Located in the Warehouse District CAM Raleigh wants to change how you think about art with a focus on the non-traditional. Exhibits are always changing at CAM Raleigh and they host a First Friday event with food trucks and local entertainment.

Deco

Featuring eclectic gifts and decor from over 80 makers and artists from across North Carolina, Deco is the place to find one-of-a-kind souvenirs or a little something you didn’t know you needed.

Raleigh Denim Workshop

An American icon, a well crafted pair of jeans is a staple in every wardrobe. Raleigh Denim Workshop handcrafts every item they sell; with each shirt, jacket and pair of jeans designed to look good and be lived in.

Videri Chocolate Factory

Every chocoholic wants to live out their Willy Wonka fantasies but at Videri Chocolate Factory you won’t need a golden ticket to visit. Videri is committed to supporting sustainable cacao farms to make their small-batch high quality chocolate. Take a self-guided tour of the chocolate making process before treating yourself to a frozen hot chocolate or one of their decadent truffles.

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