There’s more than one way to enjoy Raleigh. | Photo by @jnholt
Whether you’ve lived here for 50 years or are visiting for the holidays, there are plenty of exciting activities + areas to explore in Raleigh. If you can find them. Instead of turning to Google this time, let your dedicated RALtoday City Editors offer up some alternatives to well-known spots.
Raleigh’s museums
Raleigh is known as the Smithsonian of the South for its 17 top-notch museums, most of which have free entry and are perfect for guests, a day off, or learning something new. But if you really want to learn about Raleigh, explore some local oddities + historical locations off the beaten path.
Warm & Cozy Pasta From Scratch | 6-8 p.m. | Home for Entertaining, Cary | $99 | Fall is for pumpkin and pasta — learn how to make noodles + two seasonal sauces from scratch.
Sound Bowl Meditation in the Barn | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Haven Farm, Knightdale | $25+ | Embrace the zen at this soothing meditation class.
THE DESSERTERY — A Holiday Dessert Café | Friday, Nov. 22-Monday, Dec. 23 | Times vary | Kennedy Theatre in the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts | $15+ | Enjoy all-you-can-eat holiday sweets and hot cocoa, plus live entertainment on select nights at this family-friendly dessert café.*
Country singer + Grammy nominee Marcus King will be the Grand Marshal for the 80th Raleigh Christmas Parade on Saturday, Nov. 23. King joins Scotty McCreery and Clay Aiken, among others, and he even proposed to his now-wife at Red Hat Amphitheater.
Number
The 18th annual City of Oaks Marathon last weekend drew 7,500 runners, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars being donated to charity. To visualize that number, 7,500 runners could fill both Red Hat Amphitheater and The Ritz with ~100 folks listening outside. (CBS 17)
Cause
Raleigh’s arts community is continuing to come together to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts, including toy drives, concert fundraisers, and a youth choir show. Read more ways to help WNC through arts in Raleigh.
Fun Fact
Did you know? North Carolina is home to zero Michelin-starred restaurantsand it’s not for lack of trying. In short, the Michelin Guide hasn’t spent time in the Tar Heel State, but local foodies can travel to Washington, D.C. or Atlanta for a taste of what Michelin calls the best-of-the-best. That doesn’t mean Raleigh’s food scene isn’t hot — check out the most recent batch of local James Beard Award nominees. (CBS 17)
History
What lies underneath Mordecai Historic Park? Melissa Timo from the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology will come to the park on Saturday, Nov. 23 to speak about local + statewide preservation efforts for sites like Mordecai. This lecture is free and advanced registration is encouraged.
Opening
Schedule those appointments, RAL — Vista Oral Surgery & Implants is opening soon. The expertly-led specialty dental care office will host a grand opening + facility tour on Monday, Nov. 18 at their new office on Leesville Rd. Learn more + book your consult.*
Pets
Furniture gets scratched, shoes get chewed, toys go missing. These are regular occurrences in life with pets. But a $10,000 emergency surgery? That’s a whole other ball game. Fetch Pet Insurance could help you offset some of these nightmare scenarios by providing comprehensive coverage and up to 90% reimbursement.*
Category
Try This
☕️ Take a sip
The cherry marzipan latte is a unique offering from Iris. | Photo by RALtoday
For richer or pour over, Raleigh’s coffee shops are what keep us going in the morning. If you’re having trouble deciding on a spot, gather some brews clues with our guide to 40 of the best coffee shops in Raleigh.
Jubala Coffee, multiple locations | This fan-favorite coffee shop roasts its own beans at its North Hills location and is set to open another cafe downtown.
Morning Times, 10 E. Hargett St. | Order a house-made bagel and iced coffee before heading to the upstairs art gallery and sitting area — or, snag a spot on the streetery.
Iris Coffee Lab, 725 Tucker St. | This hip hangout features seasonal lattes like bourbon + butterscotch. We also love their menu of sandwiches featuring Union Special Bread.
A one-year Costco membership — because for a limited time, you can get a $45 Digital Costco Shop Card when you sign up. Snag the deal and get ready to load up your cart with Kirkland’s finest.
The idea of Raleigh-style pizza has my gears turning. Would vinegary pulled pork and pimento cheese translate to pizza? What about a flaky biscuit crust? If you have any more ideas for a pizza made for Raleigh, drop into our inbox, and I just might try to make it happen at home.
