We’re officially two days away from closing votes. Don’t miss out on telling us who your top picks are here for best of the best in RAL. Voting ends this Friday, Sept. 20.
Cooler temperatures bring changing leaves. | Photo by RALtoday
As autumn’s first day approaches this Sunday, Raleigh transforms into a montage of fall colors and festive activities. Whether you’re eager to pick the perfect pumpkin, savor seasonal treats, or simply enjoy the crisp air, Raleigh offers a variety of experiences to celebrate the season.
Pumpkin picking at local farms
Visit farms like Page Farms or Millstone Creek Orchards, each ~1 hour from Raleigh, to pick out pumpkins for carving or decorating, and enjoy fall activities like hayrides and apple picking.
Explore the gardens at JC Raulston Arboretum
Wander through the arboretum to see autumn blooms, colorful leaves, and prepare for your own fall gardening through its workshops like the upcoming fall gardening checklist.
Attend a local festival or wine tour
Visit Chatham Hill Winery or breweries for fall-themed tastings and Falling for Local at Dix Park on Saturday, Oct. 5, offering a chance to sample seasonal NC craft brews and food trucks. Try this: Chatham Winery’s pomegranate + peach wine.
Visit Raleigh’s farmers market for produce
Browse the NC State Farmers market for seasonal items like apples, sweet potatoes, and cider to make seasonal dishes like apple pie + sweet potato casserole.
Enjoy a bonfire or outdoor movie
Plan an evening at a Raleigh hangout and enjoy a bonfire at Longleaf Hotel or Raleigh Beer Garden. Take the outing a step further by catching a flick at select First Friday events + Village District’s Outdoor Movie Series.
Attend the NC State Fair
Experience the annual event — Oct. 17 through Oct. 27— featuring rides, games, deep fried treats + family friendly activities of all kinds.
Wine + Weeds | Wednesday, Sept. 18 | 6-7 p.m. | Raleigh City Farm | Pay what you can | Gather with farm friends, sip wine, and learn about regenerative agriculture.
Scratch Made Staples | Wednesday, Sept. 18 | 6-8 p.m. | Home for Entertaining, Cary | $99 | Learn how to make fresh ricotta, basil marinara sauce, and whipped cream from scratch in this immersive chef-led class.
End of an Era Move Out Sale | Thursday, Sept. 19 | 4-7 p.m. | Pop-Up Shops at Martin Street | Price of purchase | Shop and sip at this move-out sale where everything must go — furniture, art, and decor will be on sale.
Dr. Edge Wine Tasting | Thursday, Sept. 19 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Westgate Wine Bar | $15+ | Taste limited edition Dr. Edge wines with the founder and winemaker Peter Dredge.
Pollinator Station: Honey and Wildflowers | Thursday, Sept. 19 | 6-7 p.m. | NC Museum of Art | Free | Learn about pollinators, discover honey varieties by taste, and pot your own perennial wildflower seeds to take home.
Glenwood South is getting a new bar, Embargo, made from shipping containers. Set to open early next year, it will offer a three-level space with six bars and various food vendors. The new spot aims to add to the neighborhood’s lively vibe with this flexible, outdoor-friendly venue. (Axios Raleigh)
Biz
Jewelers Mutual Group has secured a full floor at One North Hills Tower, leasing 31,553 sqft. The Wisconsin-based insurance company is investing $5.85 million and plans to hire 200 people. (Triangle Business Journal)
Kids
The Wake County Board of Commissioners greenlit the Marbles Kids Museum courtyard expansion, investing $2.72 million in the $6.14 million project. The upgrade will add 2,600 sqft of exhibit space, a rooftop courtyard + new amenities, boosting the museum’s capacity for dynamic, educational experiences.
Sports
Guess who’s going pro. NC State standout DJ Burns has signed with the Sono Skygunners of the Korean Basketball League. The forward will play center for the team in Goyang, South Korea. Burns aims to help the Skygunners win their first KBL Championship since the 2015-16 season. (The News & Observer)
Arts
Dix Park Conservancy is calling for NC artists to apply for its new Artist in Residence program hosted by the historic Physician’s House. The year-long residency offers an $80,000 budget and aims to support environmentally focused art. Applications are open until Friday, Sept. 27.
Try This
Try the new Ripple Effect art series at Lake Wheeler on Saturday, Sept. 28 for an outdoor watercolor painting session. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., adults and teens can explore watercolor techniques, share ideas, and work on their projects in a creative, round-table setting.
Listen
Picture natural sound all around you — from bustling cafes to quiet parks. With advanced directional microphones, these tiny hearing devices focus on what you want to hear, and soften what you don’t. Hear what all the fuss is about.*
This Saturday, Sept. 21, is the Grand Opening of Elm Park, the new townhome community near Crabtree Valley Mall. If you enjoy touring luxe spaces, free swag, and food + drink, RSVP for the festivities.*
Correction
Yesterday, we mistakenly shared the wrong voter registration deadline. In order to vote on Nov. 5, you need to be registered by Oct. 11 — learn more about how to cast your ballot.
Plans include relocating Red Hat Amphitheater. | Rendering by LMN Architects
It’s decided, folks. After a city council vote, Red Hat Amphitheater will remain downtown. As part of the Raleigh Convention Center’s plans for expansion, the music venue is planning to move one block south and expand by 1,000 seats — increasing its capacity from 6,000 to 7,000.
Originally built in 2010 as a temporary venue, Red Hat Amphitheater is set to move by 2026 to 205 W. Lenoir St. and will feature additional backstage space and concession areas. The move will also permanently shut down the adjacent block of South Street.
If the amphitheater were to shut down or move out of downtown, there may have been a significant economic impact — the venue’s 2023 shows reportedly generated $17.5 million for the city. Plus, many downtown businesses rely on shows + events like Crank Arm Brewing, who told The News & Observer they see business double to triple on event days.
I’m excited for Glenwood South’s newest edition, Embargo, partially because I’m fascinated with the concept of turning shipping containers into a entertainment spaces.
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