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Explore 37 parks in Raleigh

People looking at the Freedom Park beacon.

There are plenty of spots to sit and soak in the park’s many testimonies. | Photo by RALtoday

Whether you’re looking for a place to play with the kiddos or to decompress with some off-screen time, Raleigh features more than 200 parks and recreational spots for you to enjoy.

Ready to plan your trip to the park? Grab your shades and trusty water bottle — here are some of the City of Oaks’ best:

Nature parks

Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park, NCMA, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd.
Picnic on the rolling hills surrounded by art installations, take a stroll along the 4.7-mile path while reading informative trail-side signs, or participate in an interactive scavenger hunt.

Blue Jay Point County Park, 3200 Pleasant Union Church Rd.
With 236 acres of hiking trails, open fields, fishing spots, and even a treetop adventure park, there is lots of scenery to take in from below… and above.

Family parks

Dorothea Dix Park, 1030 Richardson Dr.
One of Raleigh’s largest parks offers downtown skyline views, a summer sunflower field, and special events like Dreamville Music Festival. Flowers Field features daffodil blooms in early spring and is the perfect spot for a family picnic.

John Chavis Memorial Park, 505 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.
This park is on the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places and has a wide variety of kid-friendly amenities. The playground is equipped with rubber safety surfacing and there is a splash pad available for the warmer months.

Two girls picnicking in a large field. — City Editors Cat and Anne love to picnic at Dix Park.

Dog parks

Carolina Pines Dog Park, 2305 Lake Wheeler Rd.
Dog parents can enjoy picnic tables while their companion runs around the small or big dog area; the area is lit at night.

Millbrook Dog Park, 1905 Spring Forest Rd.
Raleigh’s oldest dog park, which opened in 2003, features agility equipment, drinking fountains, picnic tables, and shade structures.

Sports parks

Buffaloe Road Athletic Park, 5900 Buffaloe Rd.
Used for many NCAA sports and special events, facilities include an aquatic center, outdoor track, fields, trails, and playgrounds.

Lions Park, 516 Dennis Ave.
With 41 acres, this community park features a fitness center, lighted basketball and tennis courts, athletic fields, and a BMX race track.

Ready to visit these local parks but don’t know where to start? We’ve created this handy map so you can find all of these featured parks.

25 MORE PARKS TO EXPLORE

Click here to have your event featured.

Monday, Jan. 23

Pathogenesis & Ninth Realm | Monday, Jan. 23 | 8 p.m. | The Pour House Music Hall, 224 S. Blount St., Raleigh | $12-$15 | Listen to these metal bands rock out.

Tuesday, Jan. 24

Notre Dame vs. NC State | Tuesday, Jan. 24 | 7 p.m. | PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh | $15-$45 | Cheer on the Pack’s men’s basketball team as they take on the Fighting Irish.
Virtual Trivia Tuesday | Tuesday, Jan. 24 | 6-7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Learn something new at this interactive trivia night presented by the NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

Wednesday, Jan. 25

Drink and Draw | Wednesday, Jan. 25 | 7 p.m. | The Wicked Witch, 416 W. South St., Raleigh | $12 | Practice your drawing skills with a live model and enjoy drink specials.
Top Secret Stand Up Confidential | Wednesday, Jan. 25 | 8 p.m. | Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd., Raleigh | $20-$28 | See which classified stand-up comedians come to perform.

We have a calendar filled with events and 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

Weather

51º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain ⛅

Closed

The Rockford, Glenwood South’s first restaurant, closed last week. The second-story hideaway opened in 1994 and changed ownership in 2019. (The News & Observer)

Arts

Raleigh Arts is seeking an Artist in Residence to explore environmentally-focused art forms in Raleigh’s nature preserves. The chosen artist will serve for one year and will have a $55,000 budget for supplies, events, and a stipend. Apply here. 🎨

Older Adults

Razzmatazz Senior Dance Troupe is holding auditions on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at A Step To Gold International Ballroom (6278 Glenwood Ave. Ste. 200). The group is looking for women 58 and older with previous dance experience. Email the group if you’re interested in becoming a dancing queen.

Try This

Catalyst Sports and Triangle Rock Club are teaming up to host Adaptive Rock Climbing clinics. The first event, open to people of all ages with a physical disability, will kick off on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Morrisville location. Adaptive equipment and a trained team will be there to assist. Are you belay certified? Sign up to volunteer.

Today Is

The first day of Triangle Restaurant Week. Check out some of our favorite deals happening now through Sunday, Jan 29. 🍽️

Wellness

Did you know? It’s recommended to change your skincare routine with the seasons. Synergy Face + Body offers a variety of skincare products like cleansers, creams, serums + more. Not sure where to start? Request a consultation.*

Travel

Scott’s Cheap Flights is going, going... Going. The travel membership that saves you hundreds on flights has a new name, and in honor of the rebrand, you can get 30% off a Premium membership with code 6AMCITY30. What you’ll get: last minute weekend trips, mistake fares, and early deal alerts. Hurry — this offer ends tomorrow, Jan. 24. ✈️*

Featured Job

Strike & Barrel is hiring for multiple positions, including Full-Time Bar and Front of House Managers and a Head Chef for their Wake Forest-based Learn more + apply.*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

I can’t go out *cough* I’m sick

Create a get well soon basket locally

Tin Roof Teas sells more than 250 tea variations. | Photo by RALtoday

We are in the midst of cold and flu season and sick baskets, or “get well soon” gifts, are the perfect way to ease someone’s discomfort. Create your own basket of remedies with these local buys.

Pick up a hearty chicken velvet soup from Carroll’s Kitchen.
Shop a large collection of loose leaf herbal teas at Tin Roof Teas to soothe a sore throat.
Order honey straight from the source from Bee Downtown; antioxidants and antibacterial properties in honey help fight cold symptoms.
Grab a cold-pressed juice with immune support from Raleigh Raw.
No one wants to stress over making dinner while sick — stop by Viv’s Fridge for a ready-to-heat meal.
Complete the basket with a sweet treat from The Cupcake Shoppe, just because.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Cat.

Editor’s pick: On the topic of parks: When my niece came to visit we took her to Greystone Recreation Center, a free indoor playground with a rock climbing wall. It was the perfect escape from the cold weather. 🧗‍♀️

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? André Leon Talley’s personal collection will soon be up for auction.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Cat George, Anne Tate, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Charis Painter | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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