Raleigh, NC

[Anonymous]

Due to DH having a meeting at NC State during Spring Break, that looks like where we are going. Please recommend things to do, see, places to eat & stay.

[Anonymous]

How old are kids?

[Anonymous]

BBQ and sweet tea.

[Anonymous]

Really depends on how old the kids are, but:

Marbles Children's Museum
Pullen Park
Downtown Cary Park
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
NC Museum of Art (check their programming - they often have kids programs and there is a beautiful sculpture park where you can picnic)
Raleigh Fire Museum
Visit Duke and Duke Lemur Center (super cool but must pre book)
Visit Chapel Hill and the basketball museum (check opening dates and times)
Day trips to Wilmington (battleship, botanical garden, walk on the beach) or Pinehurst if you like golf
Shopping at Streets of Southpoint or North Hills (nice outdoor malls, my tween loves)
Hiking - Umstead State Park, Neuse River

Follow NC Eat and Play or NC tripping on Instagram / look at their websites for more ideas

You definitely need a car and if you can, stay at the Umstead in Cary. It's gorgeous and you will feel like you are on a resort vaca. (Will make it a slightly longer drive to the DT Raleigh stuff but not terrible)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really depends on how old the kids are, but:

Marbles Children's Museum
Pullen Park
Downtown Cary Park
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
NC Museum of Art (check their programming - they often have kids programs and there is a beautiful sculpture park where you can picnic)
Raleigh Fire Museum
Visit Duke and Duke Lemur Center (super cool but must pre book)
Visit Chapel Hill and the basketball museum (check opening dates and times)
Day trips to Wilmington (battleship, botanical garden, walk on the beach) or Pinehurst if you like golf
Shopping at Streets of Southpoint or North Hills (nice outdoor malls, my tween loves)
Hiking - Umstead State Park, Neuse River

Follow NC Eat and Play or NC tripping on Instagram / look at their websites for more ideas

You definitely need a car and if you can, stay at the Umstead in Cary. It's gorgeous and you will feel like you are on a resort vaca. (Will make it a slightly longer drive to the DT Raleigh stuff but not terrible)

Oh, and check DPAC and Koka Booth to see if there are any shows while you are here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really depends on how old the kids are, but:

Marbles Children's Museum
Pullen Park
Downtown Cary Park
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
NC Museum of Art (check their programming - they often have kids programs and there is a beautiful sculpture park where you can picnic)
Raleigh Fire Museum
Visit Duke and Duke Lemur Center (super cool but must pre book)
Visit Chapel Hill and the basketball museum (check opening dates and times)
Day trips to Wilmington (battleship, botanical garden, walk on the beach) or Pinehurst if you like golf
Shopping at Streets of Southpoint or North Hills (nice outdoor malls, my tween loves)
Hiking - Umstead State Park, Neuse River

Follow NC Eat and Play or NC tripping on Instagram / look at their websites for more ideas

You definitely need a car and if you can, stay at the Umstead in Cary. It's gorgeous and you will feel like you are on a resort vaca. (Will make it a slightly longer drive to the DT Raleigh stuff but not terrible)

Oh, and check DPAC and Koka Booth to see if there are any shows while you are here.

And also - Carolina Tiger Rescue in Pittsboro (again, absolutely have to prebook) and there are a million trampoline/adventure parks. We usually go to SkyZone Apex but there is a new one in Durham that is supposed to be nice.

[Anonymous]

Dinner at the Angus Barn - classic

[Anonymous]

The museum of Life and Science is excellent. Great indoor and outdoor exhibits.

[Anonymous]

I've heard there's an amazing library there. I love libraries and can't wait to visit.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for all these recs! The Umstead was way to $$$ for our budget so I'm still trying to book a hotel close to NC State that is nice but not outrageous as we need 2 rooms with a 9yo boy and 16yo girl. It sounds like there is so much to do and great places to eat though!

[Anonymous]

The NC zoo is also really nice if your kids like zoos and isn't too far (an hour and a half).

[Anonymous]

With a 9 year old and 16 year old I’d pop over to Chapel Hill. Maybe see if there is anything playing at Carolina Performing Arts. In Raleigh—the art museum and the Raulston Arboretum. Maybe eat at Dos Taquitos if your 9 year old would be interested in having his tacos delivered by toy train.

[Anonymous]

The museum of Life and Science is excellent. Great indoor and outdoor exhibits.

this place saved my LIFE in the almost 10 years i had to live there with young kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The museum of Life and Science is excellent. Great indoor and outdoor exhibits.

this place saved my LIFE in the almost 10 years i had to live there with young kids.

and they have lemurs from the lemur center. no booking necessary.

[Anonymous]

There is a family friendly restaurant called Cowfish. Burgers and sushi! Both kid favorites! No rez though. You have to put your name on a waitlist.