Downtown Cary Park’s splash pad is one of the newest water play places in the Triangle. | Photo by RALtoday
Kids are out on summer break, and it’s getting hot, hot, hot in the City of Oaks. Raleigh is home to splash pads and eight public pools for folks to dip their toes in.
Splash pads
John Chavis Memorial Park, 505 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | Open daily, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. | A new aquatic center is coming to the park soon, too
Moore Square, 201 S. Blount St. | Open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Interactive water feature open until November
Coming soon: Gipson Play Plaza, 715 Biggs Dr. | This park will include a waterfall inspired by Western North Carolina and a full fountain plaza.
Jack Smith Park, 9725 Penny Rd., Cary | Open daily, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Cary’s first splash pad
Downtown Cary Park, 327 S. Academy St., Cary | Open daily, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Check out the Bark Bar and other top-rated playground equipment
Raleigh Brewing Run Club with Fleet Feet | 6:30-8 p.m. | Raleigh Brewing Company | Free | Run three to four miles with this friendly group — and grab a brew after.
Thursday, May 22
Goodnights Presents: Matthew Broussard | Through Friday, May 23 | Times vary | Goodnights Comedy Club | $28+ | You know him from his viral social media videos — see him live in Oak City.
HOPPY HOUR | 4-6 p.m.|Big Frog Custom T-shirts & More | Free | Network with other Raleighites — and get a custom T-shirt while you’re at it.
Kevin Wilson | “Run for the Hills” | 7 p.m. | Quail Ridge Books | $35 | Meet the New York Times-bestselling author of this new book about a moving road trip.
Friday, May 23
Early Birds | 5:45-9 a.m. | Prairie Ridge | Free | Drop in to see the unique birds Prairie Ridge has to offer.
The Canes faced off against the Florida Panthers at home last night, the first game of the Eastern Conference Final of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. See how the Canes fared against Florida — and if they notched their first Eastern Conference Final win since 2006. (ESPN)
Try This
This weekend is NC Darkness Rising, a Moore Square block party from Darkness Rising Project that provides free mental health resources to people of color. Expect DJs, interactive art, wellness workshops, a community health fair, and the biggest line dance party in Raleigh on Saturday, May 24, from 2 to 6 p.m.
Pets
Cannoli is known as an escape artist — but the beagle is ready for a home that keeps its doors shut. Cannoli is available for adoption through Triangle Beagle Rescue, and despite his past as a fugitive, he’s a bubbly + smart pup with a big heart. (The News & Observer)
Edu
Cue “Pomp and Circumstance.” High school graduation is here, and The News & Observer has every local graduation covered for families of graduates and traffic-avoiders alike. Most Wake County high schools will graduate at the Convention Center downtown.
Real Estate
This Triangle home could be yours for $100 — meet the 2025 St. Jude Dream Home in Fuquay-Varina. The winner of this four-bed, four-bath home will be announced on CBS 17 on June 16. Buy your raffle ticket now.
North Carolinian
Did you know Zach Galifianakis was nearly an NC State graduate? The North Carolina native is in the live-action remake of “Lilo and Stitch” — read The News & Observer’s conversation with the actor ahead of the movie’s release.
Giveaway
We’re partnering with euphoria Food, Wine & Music Festival to give away two tickets to Aged to Perfection, Party in the Park, and Feast by the Field + a three-night stay at Residence Inn/SpringHill Suites in Greenville, SC. Enter to winnow through Tuesday, May 27.*
The “Jewel of South Carolina,” aka, Lake Murray Country, is full of outdoor activities — from tubing, hiking, and fishing to award-winning attractions and museums. Supported by DiscoverSC, this laid-back destination is the perfect place to stay + play.*
Real Estate
House hunting around the Triangle for a perfect blend of nature, neighbors, and new construction? Homes are now available in Wake Forest’s Holding Village. (Bonus: They’re built by the second most trusted builder in America.)*
Finance
What if building a house could be as simple as building a car? Inspired by Ford and Tesla’s manufacturing process, BOXABL’s mission is to makeupscale, low-cost housing available globally by bringing assembly line automation to the housing industry. Learn more.†‡*
Category
Trending
Keith Lee says bye to NC
Keith Lee gave A Place at the Table’s chicken and waffles an eight out of 10. | Screenshots via TikTok, collage by RALtoday
Earlier this month, viral restaurant critic Keith Lee announced a trip to the Carolinas, and he just finished up in North Carolina. Here’s where he went when — and wish he could have gone — in Oak City.
Although Lee was unable to visit Madame B’s on Atlantic Avenue personally, owner Shanae Bryant was so excited about Lee’s Raleigh visit that Lee had to give her a personal shoutout, even without a taste test. According to her TikTok, Bryant has already seen some of the Keith Lee effect over her baked goods.
Although he might be done in Raleigh, keep an eye on the food reviewer’s Carolina travels using our handy Keith Lee tracker, including your top recommendations for the viral foodie.
The Buy
A teeth whitening pen that can eliminate surface stains to provide results within just 10 minutes. With continued use, it may even help your teeth become up to 10 shades brighter.
Y’all — I can’t tell you the last time I had a true pool day. While refreshing today’s story, I was already making plans for a day of soaking up the sun. Plus — I can’t wait for that new aquatic center at John Chavis Memorial Park.
‡This is a paid advertisement for BOXABL’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.boxabl.com. Reserving a Nasdaq ticker does not guarantee a future listing on Nasdaq or indicate that BOXABL meets any of Nasdaq’s listing criteria to do so.
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