RDU is the Triangle’s connection to 70+ nonstop destinations across the nation and globe. | Photo by Brady Lambert via Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority
Got an upcoming trip? As summer winds down, we’re itching for one last sunny sojourn before fall, and Raleigh-Durham International’s 75+ nonstop routes are calling our names. Here’s what you need to know before you jet set.
TSA | According to RDU’s website, it takes ~30 minutes to get through security during off-peak hours, but could take longer during peak hours. RDU recommends arriving at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.
Reminder| As of May 7, 2025, you need a REAL ID to board commercial flights in the US sans passport or another certain federal ID.
Flight status | While we recommend staying updated via your respective airline, you can also check the airport’s dashboard for your flight status in a pinch.
Cary Art Swarm | Thursday, Sept. 4-Sunday, Sept. 7 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Downtown Cary, Cary | Free | This is Cary‘s first-ever regional event celebrating art makers and the art-making process, and everyone’s invited.
Hopscotch Music Festival | Thursday, Sept. 4-Saturday, Sept. 6 | Downtown Raleigh | $180+ | Celebrate 15 years of Hopscotch with headliners Earl Sweatshirt, My Morning Jacket, Sparks, and more indie rockers throughout downtown Raleigh.
Walter Magazine WINnovation 2025 | 4-9 p.m. | The Umstead Hotel and Spa | Free | Learn from some of the Triangle’s top women leaders like Sara Abernathy from Wye Hill Hospitality and Dallas Bonavita from Note in the Pocket.
Copperline Curiosities | 5-9 p.m. | Copperline Plant Co | Free | Search through a selection of curated vintage homewares from across NC.
Nine Inch Nails - Peel It Back Tour 2025 | 7:30 p.m. | Lenovo Center | $44.50+ | Rock out to “Closer” and “The Hand That Feeds” when this acclaimed alternative band comes to Raleigh.
Bobby Lee | Friday, Sept. 5 + Saturday, Sept. 6 | Times vary | Raleigh Improv, Cary | $45+ | Laugh along with this “Mad TV” cast member in Raleigh.
Saturday, Sept. 6
83rd NC Gourd Festival | Saturday, Sept. 6-Sunday, Sept. 7 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Holshouser Building at NC State Fairgrounds | $5 | Oh my gourd! This fest features gourd classes, gourds from across the world, competitions, gourd vendors, and more.
City Market has a new tenant coming from a Southern Pines favorite. KOKORO Ramen & Izakaya will open in the former Royale space as soon as next spring. From the folks behind Neko Thai & Sushi, expect slurpable ramen and Japanese small plates. (Raleigh Magazine)
Coming Soon
After the closure of Mandolin, chef Sean Fowler + his wife will open a sensory deprivation biz in North Raleigh. Float Spa North Raleigh will offer float tanks, cold plunges, and more wellness services near North Ridge Country Club on Falls of Neuse Road. We’ll let you know when it opens.
Kids
Village District will welcome a beloved children’s store in early 2026. Littles of Cary will open a new location near My Eye Dr. and Jeni’s Ice Cream with the same curated selection of high-quality kids clothes found at the Chatham Street store.
Try This
The Fenton Art Festival is coming to the flourishing shopping district on Sunday, Sept. 14 with art from over 50 fine artists. Plus, expect live art demonstrations, a meet-and-greet with Disney Master Artist Kevin-John, and bee hive painting. Don’t miss this.
Read
Allie here — I love this comic from WUNC’s Brian Burns about how to conquer Hopscotch like a pro. Read up before you hit up the music festival.
Edu
A proposed student reassignment plan would shuffle hundreds of elementary school students in southern Wake and affect 24 schools for the 2026-2027 school year. Learn which students may be affected + attend a virtual meeting about the potential changes. (WRAL)
When some of the big investors who backed companies like Uber and eBay before they IPO’d invest in a new company, people take note. That’s the case with Pacaso — 10,000+ everyday investors are already in. But the chance to join them ends Thursday, Sept. 18. Learn more about the opportunity.†‡*
Aside from megapacks and weekly coupons, did you know several retailers offer customers 55+ hefty discounts — sometimes up to 20% off? Learn about key Senior discounts and several more savings hacks older adults should know about to continue saving and building wealth at age 50+.*
As if the new Canes away jerseys weren’t cool enough, this hype video has us ready to take on any opponent. Inspired by the Stadium Series kit, these jerseys have details like an NC flag on one shoulder and a Walking Tuffy-inspired Stormy on the other. We’ll take two.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
It’s day one of Hopscotch! You’ll catch me at Moore Square for Frog and Built to Spill today, and if you don’t have a wristband, check out what’s happening for free today.
‡‡Finance “investment method” disclaimer: This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the Nasdaq is subject to approvals. Comparisons to other companies are for informational purposes only and should not imply similar success. Under Regulation A+, a company has the ability to change its share price by up to 20%, without requalifying the offering with the SEC.
