Plus, seasonal coffee drinks.
 
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Today’s Forecast

51º | Cloudy | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:25 a.m. | Sunset 5:17 p.m.
 

👻 Who’s ready to get spooked?

Take a haunted tour with the Built Story app
Skeletons, creatures, and a "Happy Halloween" sign at an Oakwood house.
Don’t miss the Oakwood Halloween house — the yard is filled to the brim with scary creatures. | Photo by RALtoday
Have you heard of Built Story? The Durham-based app offers self-guided tours through storytelling and geography that are created and published by members of the community. Since Halloween is creeping in, we are highlighting a few ghastly tours and reader suggestions with over-the-top decorations that are sure to spook.

Note: Each Built Story tour costs $10 to purchase and includes turn-by-turn instructions.

Three comprehensive guides created by long-time Raleighite Al Parker, or his alter-ego, Perry Normal:
The Built Story app pulled up on a phone.

Try one of Built Story’s comprehensive Halloween tours.

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Photo provided by Built Story

Two more spooktacular Built Story guides:
Five free haunts (not on the app):
  • Neighbor Amy C., 4412 Densmore Pl., Raleigh | This spooky house collects donations for a charity that supports combat veterans. This year, folks can help support and donate to Warhorse SCUBA, whose mission is to prevent veteran suicide.
  • Editor’s pick, 10839 Bedfordtown Dr., Raleigh | Stop by “Deadford Manor” to see an animatronic singing skeleton show and whimsical displays.
  • Editor’s pick, 504 Oakwood Ave., Raleigh | This Oakwood house is a Halloween must-see featuring a creature-filled yard.
  • Neighbor, Lauren A., 4008 Jockey Club Circle, Cary | “I hand-painted everything in the last few years to fit my Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” theme,” said reader Lauren A.
  • Neighbor Amanda G., 220 Pointe Park Circle, Holly Springs | “Our neighbors create a new theme every year and it is magazine worthy,” said reader Jenn F.
 
Events
Tuesday, Oct. 24
  • Carolina Ballet Presents Frankenstein | Tuesday, Oct. 24-Sunday, Oct. 29 | Times vary | Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh | $30-$100 | Watch a spooky ballet adaptation of this literary classic live on stage, perfect for autumn.
  • Comedy Night at The Cidery | Tuesday, Oct. 24 | 8-10 p.m. | Bull City Ciderworks, 210 E. Chatham St., Cary | Free | Grab a cider and laugh along with four local comedians.
Wednesday, Oct. 25
  • Stargazing at The Willard: The Return of Jupiter | Wednesday, Oct. 25 | 7-9 p.m. | The Willard Rooftop Lounge, 9 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh | Free | Join the Raleigh Astronomy Club to take a peek through their telescopes at the almost full moon.
Thursday, Oct. 26
  • Hub RTP Open House | Thursday, Oct. 26 | 6-8 p.m. | The Experience Center (XPC), 300 Park Offices Dr. Research Triangle Park, Raleigh | Free | Grab a drink, explore the Hub RTP Experience Center, share your input on community initiatives, enjoy live music, and listen to President and CEO Scott Levitan talk about the HUB RTP project.
  • Pumpkin Spice Floral Design Class | Thursday, Oct. 26 | 6:30-8 p.m. | The English Garden Raleigh Florist, 6308 Angus Dr., Ste. A, Raleigh | $55 | Make a beautiful bouquet with fall blooms in a cream or orange ceramic pumpkin.
Friday, Oct. 27
  • GOAT + Friends Halloween Charity Bash | Friday, Oct. 27 | 7-11 p.m. | Split Raleigh, 403 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh | $10 | Help raise money for St. Jude, grab a drink from the cash bar, and enjoy a photo booth + games while dressed in your favorite costume.
Saturday, Oct. 28
  • Crowded Table Club: Halloween Party | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 4-6 p.m. | Dram & Draught, 1 Glenwood Ave., Ste. 101, Raleigh | $30-$45 | Grab your goulfriends and wear your Halloween best for this night of crafts, tarot, and sips.
Find an event + try something new
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Travel

Feel at home this holiday season in Greenville, SC
A crowd of ice skaters at an outdoor rink in Greenville, SC.
Enjoy seasonal activities in a new city that still feels like home. | Photo provided by VisitGreenville SC

Experience magical moments in Greenville, SC this season with affordable accommodations and festive fun without the crowds.

Choose from favorites, like:
  • Rooftop igloos and outdoor ice skating
  • Seeing dazzling lights (even Santa’s elves flock to Main Street to see this)
  • Live performances + free, family-friendly events
  • And more holly jolly happenings to spread seasonal cheer
Thinking about spending the season in Greenville? Request a free Visitor’s Guide.
Book a seasonal stay
News Notes
Announced
  • J. Cole’s Dreamville Festival will be back in the City of Oaks April 6 and April 7, 2024. Sign up to be one of the first to get your presale password.
Number
  • 926,425. That’s how many people attended the NC State Fair this year. While it didn’t beat last year’s attendance of 960,172, the fair’s busiest day was last Saturday, Oct. 21 with a 135,545 turnout. See ya next year.
Drink
  • Incendiary Brewing Company is hosting its grand opening Saturday, Nov. 4 at Bloc (83). From 12 to 11 p.m., celebrate the Winston-Salem based brewery’s first Raleigh location with music, games on the jumbo tv, bites from food trucks and Vic’s Pizzaria, and yard games.
Community
  • The City of Raleigh wants the community’s input on five options that were recently presented for Six Forks Road improvements. Raleighites can take an online survey or attend one of the three upcoming meetings. There is a meeting today, Oct. 24 from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. at the BPAC Planning Committee Meeting.
Real Estate
  • $120,004. That’s the annual income needed to purchase the average home in the Raleigh area, according to Redfin. It could be worse — our friends at SJtoday need to make $402,287 annually to afford the average home.
Ranked
  • Apex was the only city in NC to make WalletHub’s list of the “Best Small Cities in America” in the 99th percentile — these cities represent the top one percent of small cities in America. Apex was ranked 12th on the list and fifth for economic health. The study broke down key factors like safety, affordability, and quality of life. (Triangle Business Journal)
Feel Good
  • Earlier this month, The Blood Connection hosted its third annual Blood Bowl between ECU and NC State. Totaling over 1,800 units, and potentially saving up to 5,400 lives, the initiative more than doubled last year’s collection. The Wolfpack collected over 1,150 units, winning over the 650 units at ECU. Schedule an appointment to potentially save a life.
Seasonal
  • Oh my gourd — check out the finalists for our RALtoday Pumpkin Carving Contest. Vote for your favorite jack-o’-lantern by Wednesday, Oct. 25 + be sure to read our newsletter on Friday, Oct. 27 to see which pumpkin wins.
Try This
Cause
  • The Raleigh Police Department is partnering with Crabtree and the American Cancer Society in the ongoing battle against cancer. In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness month, officers are wearing pink badges which were unveiled at Crabtree earlier this month.*
Beauty
  • Kick off fall wedding season strong. From a subtle glow to looking like you lived at the beach all summer, Oak City Sunless can give you your ideal bridal — or wedding guest — look. Appointments book up fast in preparation for bridal showers, portraits, bachelorette parties and the big day, so get glowing.*
 
Seasonal

Seasonal flavors 🤝 local coffee shops

A local’s guide to the best coffee shops in Raleigh
Someone is holding a Pumpkin King Cold Brew in front of Sir Walter Raleigh Coffee.
You can’t go wrong with a Pumpkin King Cold Brew. | Photo by Sir Walter Coffee
Pumpkin spice latte season is in full swing, but our local coffee shops boast much more than this popular fall flavor. Here are a few of our caffeinated picks:

42 & Lawrence | There are a ton of seasonal bevs to taste at this downtown spot like a honey bee latte or the headless horseman dirty chi.

Morning Times | Along with a rotating selection of sweet decorated treats, order an apple-brown sugar latte.

Sir Walter Coffee | This downtown barista bar features creative seasonal coffee drinks like the ghostface cold brew with toasted marshmallows and craft cocktails.

The Optimist | This “local haunt” is decked out for Halloween — try the Jack-o-latte and the Stacy seasonal latte with honey, cinnamon, and vanilla.

The City of Oaks has no shortage of masterful baristas, aromatic roasts, and foamy lattes. But if you’re having trouble deciding on a spot, gather some brews clues with our guide to 30+ of the best coffee shops in Raleigh at the link below.
30+ coffee stops
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The Wrap
 
Cat George in a black turtleneck sweater

Today’s edition by:
Cat
From the editor
The Halloween house in Oakwood is a terrifying work of art — I can’t even imagine how long it takes to set up such an elaborate display. Some of my favorite creatures this year are the larger-than-life scarecrow, the werewolf representing the Wolfpack, and the two giant pumpkin-head skeletons standing guard of the home.

Pro tip: If you walk down to Elm Street, you’ll find a few more spin-chilling yards.
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