6AM City In-house

We’ll take “Raleigh” for 400 🏙️

15 interesting facts about the City of Oaks
Raleigh's skyline lit up at night.
True or False: Raleigh is the greatest city. | Photo by RALtoday
Did you know that Raleigh was named after Sir Walter Raleigh or that we are also called the City of Oaks?

Nah, just kidding. If you know us, you know we’re here for the deep cuts — and there’s plenty of interesting factoids to go around. As connoisseurs of the quirky and unconventional, we put together a list of Raleigh’s history, oddest characteristics, and more. Maybe you’ve lived here your whole life and know some of this, or maybe you’ll learn something new.

Either way, test your local knowledge with these 15 interesting facts.

1. Pullen Park is the oldest public park in NC, the 5th oldest operating amusement park in the US, and the 16th oldest in the world. Bonus: The park’s carousel celebrated 100 years of operation in 2020.

2. The Raleigh area has the most live music venues concentrated here than anywhere else in the state and is looking to up the ante with a new state-of-the-art concert venue coming to Downtown South.

3. The NC Museum of Natural Sciences is the largest natural science museum in the Southeastern US with artifacts spanning over 14,000 years. With over 1 million visitors a year, it’s also the state’s most visited museum.

4. Founded in 1865, we are home to Shaw University, the first historically black university in the South. Notable alumni include civil rights activist Ella Baker and James E. Shepard, the founder of what is now NC Central University in Durham.

5. The NC Symphony, founded in 1932, was the first state-supported symphony in the US.

Your turn. Think you can get one over on us? Let us know your favorite local trivia tidbit and you just might make it into the newsletter.
10 MORE FACTS THIS WAY

Did our fun facts surprise you?
  1. Yes, I didn’t know any of these
  2. I knew a few but there were still some surprises
  3. I know my city well and knew all these already
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Click here to have your event featured.

Today
  • Dark Raleigh Walking Tour | Thu., Oct. 27 - Fri., Oct. 28 | 5:30 p.m. | City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh | $20.00 | This interactive tour highlights the city’s statesmen, leaders, and residents who had a dark and troubled past.
  • Spencer Bland & Jordan Scott Huggins | Thu., Oct. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Goodnights Pop-Up Club, 511 Woodburn Rd., Raleigh | $5.00 - $28.00 | See the comedic duo behind Neptunes Comedy perform live.
Friday, October 28
  • Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders | Fri., Oct. 28 | 7 p.m. | PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh | $36.00 - $267.00 | Watch the Canes take on the Islanders at home.
  • Haunted History Tour | Fri., Oct. 28 - Sun., Oct. 30 | Times vary | Raleigh Walking Tours, LLC, 200 N. Blount St., Raleigh | Free | Learn about the history of some of Raleigh’s most important landmarks accompanied by a ghost story at each stop.
Saturday, October 29
  • Halloween Spooky Ride | Sat., Oct. 29 | 7-9 p.m. | Crank Arm Brewing, 319 W Davie St, Raleigh | Free | Decorate your bike to join this ghostly ride through the city — the best decorations and costume will earn a prize.
  • Raleigh Zombie Walk | Sat., Oct. 29 | 7 p.m. | Moore Square, 200 N Blount St., Raleigh | Free | Walk among the undead while limping through the city in a zombified form.
  • Spirits of Boxcar Halloween Party | Sat., Oct. 29 | 12 p.m. | Boxcar Bar + Arcade, 330 W. Davie St., Raleigh | Free | Bring your furry friends to compete in the Boxcar Bowows costume contest (12-5 p.m.) and enjoy themed cocktails.
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS
Lowes Foods

Lenovo’s ThinkPad turns 30 🎂

Lenovo ThinkPad
Watch the video to flashback to the 1990s with Lenovo in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the ThinkPad. | Photo provided by Lenovo
It’s time to blow out the candles. Lenovo’s ThinkPad is celebrating 30 years.

Since 1992, the IT icon has pushed the boundaries of what a laptop could do — as proved by its long list of firsts (think: first laptop with CD-ROM, first foldable PC + more).

Lenovo has called NC home for nearly two decades — and during that time, the ThinkPad has undergone major upgrades and advancements. Basically, it’s really grown up.

Want to celebrate? Test your 90s knowledge and watch Lenovo’s new blast-from-the-past video.*
FLASHBACK TO THE 90s

Weather
  • 70º | Mostly sunny | 0% chance of rain ☀️
Civic
  • Yesterday, Wake County secured $61.6 million in funding from Truist, First Horizon, and Wells Fargo for the Affordable Housing Preservation Fund. This will allow the preservation of 3,170 affordable housing units over the next 15 years. Check in on Raleigh’s affordable housing goal.
Sports
  • The NHL announced that more tickets for the Canes’ outdoor game on Feb. 18 at Carter-Finley Stadium are now available. The first round of tickets sold out earlier this month, but the capacity for the game has increased to ~51,500. Purchase tickets. 🏒 (WRAL)
Community
  • First Night Raleigh, a New Year’s Eve celebration presented by Artsplosure, is looking for volunteers. Open positions include children’s art assistant, surveyor, general helper, and venue supporter. Volunteers will receive free admission to all events and rides. Sign up.
DYK
Shop
  • Revolver, a downtown consignment boutique, changed locations. Now next door to Char-Grill at 610 Hillsborough Street, look for the waving mannequin dressed to the nines and pop in for designer resale items.
  • Looking to relieve muscle soreness without dropping $150+ a month on a deep tissue massage? Enter: the RENPHO massage gun. It has 17,000+ five-star reviews and is on sale for $99 (down from $249) for a limited time.*
Try This
Seasonal
  • Friendsgiving is right around the corner and Mandolin is celebrating on Nov. 20 and Nov. 21 with a family-style feast. The fall-focused menu will feature three courses with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Now Serving. Secure your spot ($95 per guest). 🍽️
Eat
Stat
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The Blood Connection

Life-gourd on duty 🎃

Don’t miss the Pumpkin Flotilla in Cary, NC
RAL-PumpkinFlotilla-Oct22
Jack-o'-lanterns will illuminate Bond Lake. | Photo by @theamandabittner
It’s that time of year again — get ready to set sail to your jack-o’-lanterns and watch them light up the water. The Pumpkin Flotilla at the Bond Park Boathouse (801 High House Rd., Cary) is Friday, Oct. 25 from 4-7 p.m.

Planning to participate? Be sure to drop off your pumpkin creation on Thursday, Oct. 24 from 4-6 p.m. Floats are available on a first come, first served basis, so try to arrive as early as possible. If you need a pumpkin — use our guide to pumpkin picking.

The event will also feature live music and food trucks. Plus, boat rentals will be available. Pro tip: Bring a blanket or chair so you can sit on the edge of the lake and watch the lit-up pumpkins float by.

Can’t make the pumpkin send off? The jack-o'-lanterns are typically left floating on the lake and re-lit the following nights.
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Cat.

Editor’s pick: I’ve been enjoying my daily walks around downtown even more now that most businesses are decked out in Halloween decor. So far, my favorite displays have been The Avenue’s massive growling animatronic skeleton (my dog Tucker was unimpressed) and Brasco’s conference room exhibit with Darth Vader holding a chicken and a skeleton hard at work.

Let me know if there are any other Raleigh businesses crawling with creepy decorations I should stroll by this week. 👻

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Grow your plant family with these six local plant shops.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Cat George, Anne Tate, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Charis Painter | Advertise with us.
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