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Justin & Mikayla

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    Adventures and Eateries

Adventures and Eateries

Please browse this list of places that are fun and local to the area while you're visiting North Carolina for our big day! Many of these amazing places are locations that we either visit regularly, are some of our favorite places, or where we've had some of our best dates :) You'll find places to visit (museums, shopping, hiking) towards the top of the page and some restaurant recommendations towards the bottom.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

2000 Lewis Street, Durham, NC 27705

The Sarah P. Duke Gardens consist of approximately 55 acres of landscaped and wooded areas at Duke University located in Durham, North Carolina. There are 5 miles of allées, walks, and pathways throughout the gardens.

North Carolina Museum of Art

North Carolina Museum of Art

2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607

The North Carolina Museum of Art is an art museum in Raleigh, North Carolina. It opened in 1956 as the first major museum collection in the country to be formed by state legislation and funding. The museum also has a park called The Museum Park, which features both permanent and temporary art installations, environmentally sustainable landscapes, colorful and contemporary gardens, 4.7 miles of recreational trails, and a terraced pond.

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is a natural history museum in Raleigh, North Carolina. The museum is the oldest in the state, and the largest natural history museum in the Southeastern United States. The museum is made up of six facilities, divided between five campuses.

State Farmers Market

State Farmers Market

1201 Agriculture Street, Raleigh, NC 27603

Local farmers bring all manner of fresh produce to this large market with several areas.

Drive Shack

Drive Shack

6901 Play Golf Way, Raleigh, NC 27607

Modern entertainment venue offering interactive golf games, American eats, cocktails & draft brews.

William B. Umstead State Park

William B. Umstead State Park

8801 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27617

North Carolina state park in Wake County, North Carolina in the United States. It covers 5,599 acres nestled between the expanding cities of Raleigh, Cary, and Durham, North Carolina.

ParTee Shack

ParTee Shack

5300 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, NC 27603

Indoor activity center with 3 18-hole miniature golf courses, plus disc golf, an arcade, and a zip line.

American Tobacco Campus

American Tobacco Campus

300 Blackwell Street, Durham, NC 27701

Historic tobacco factory complex and national historic district located in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina. Now this area has shifted into a location full of shopping and great eats.

JC Raulston Arboretum

JC Raulston Arboretum

4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC 27606

10-acre arboretum and botanical garden administered by North Carolina State University, and located in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is open daily to the public without charge.

Crabtree Valley Mall

Crabtree Valley Mall

4325 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612

Crabtree is a regional shopping mall located in Raleigh, North Carolina. At 1,343,109 square feet, it is the largest enclosed mall in the Research Triangle area. The mall features Macy's, Belk, and Belk Men's Store.

Dorothea Dix Park

Dorothea Dix Park

1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603

Sizable city park & events site featuring an off-leash dog area & a seasonal sunflower field.

North Hills

North Hills

Raleigh, NC

North Hills is a mixed use development located in Raleigh, North Carolina that includes stores, restaurants, entertainment, commercial offices, residential living and a continuing care retirement community.

Lafayette Village

Lafayette Village

8450 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh, NC 27615

Major brands host boutique stores at this contemporary village-styled shopping mall.

Museum of Life and Science

Museum of Life and Science

433 West Murray Avenue, Durham, NC 27704

84 acres of science and nature experiences to spark imagination, creativity, and new ways of thinking about our world

Durham Bulls Athletic Park

Durham Bulls Athletic Park

409 Blackwell Street, Durham, NC 27701

Durham Bulls Athletic Park is a 10,000-seat ballpark in Durham, North Carolina, that is home to the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball. Check out a game when you're here!

The Streets at Southpoint

The Streets at Southpoint

6910 Fayetteville Road, Durham, NC 27713

A shopping and dining destination distinguished by award-winning design and a wide selection of retailers. Come discover over 150 shops, dine at distinctive restaurants, enjoy a movie, or relax in our lifestyle area.

Duke Lemur Center

Duke Lemur Center

3705 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27705

The Duke Lemur Center is a non-invasive research center housing over 200 lemurs and bush babies across 13 species. It is located at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. According to the Center, it houses the most diverse population of lemurs outside of their native Madagascar.

Duke University

Duke University

Durham, NC 27708

Experience Duke's beautiful gothic architecture for yourself. Duke University is a prestigious private research university in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present-day city of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892.

Eno River State Park - Fews Ford Access

Eno River State Park - Fews Ford Access

6101 Cole Mill Road, Durham, NC 27705

Eno River State Park is a 4,319-acre North Carolina state park in Durham and Orange Counties, North Carolina. Together with the adjoining West Point on the Eno city park, the two parks preserve over 14 miles of the Eno River and surrounding lands.

American Tobacco Trail

American Tobacco Trail

American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC

The American Tobacco Trail (ATT) is a 22.6-mile (36.4 km) long Rails-to-Trails project located in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina, running along an abandoned railroad bed originally built for the American Tobacco Company in the 1970s. The route crosses through portions of Durham County (including the City of Durham), Chatham County, and Wake County (including the Town of Cary, North Carolina).

Boxcar Bar + Arcade

Boxcar Bar + Arcade

621 Foster Street, Durham, NC 27701

Lively industrial area hangout offering classic & modern arcade games, plus many TVs & beer choices.

Fenton

Fenton

201 Fenton Gateway Drive, Cary, NC 27511

Mixed-use development with a mix of restaurants, shops, a movie theater, and an ice skating rink.

Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area

Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area

625 Virginia Cates Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area is a North Carolina state park in Orange County, North Carolina in the United States. Located adjacent to the town of Hillsborough, it covers 221 acres and includes Occoneechee Mountain, the highest point in Orange County and a settlement of the Occaneechi tribe.

North Carolina Botanical Garden

North Carolina Botanical Garden

100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517

The North Carolina Botanical Garden is a botanical garden operated by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The primary goal of the Garden is to research, catalog, and promote the native plant species of North Carolina.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States. Chartered in 1789, the university first began enrolling students in 1795, making it the oldest public university in the United States. Come check out where Mikayla completed her Master's Degree!

The Carolina Inn, a Destination by Hyatt Hotel

The Carolina Inn, a Destination by Hyatt Hotel

211 Pittsboro Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

On the University of North Carolina’s renowned campus, The Carolina Inn has captured the vibrant spirit, unforgettable charm, and rich traditions of Chapel Hill for more than a century. With heartfelt warmth and an atmosphere of celebration, this iconic hotel is a true Carolina treasure—steeped in history, ever stylish, and always a gracious host. They have a DELICIOUS restaurant that is great for brunch or dinner!

Lake Crabtree County Park

Lake Crabtree County Park

1400 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC 27560

Lake Crabtree County Park is a park in Wake County, North Carolina. It is a forested area between Cary, Morrisville, and Raleigh-Durham International Airport, bounded by the northeastern shore of Lake Crabtree, I-40, and Aviation Parkway.

Downtown Cary Park

Downtown Cary Park

327 South Academy Street, Cary, NC 27511

Downtown Cary Park spans seven acres in the heart of Cary. The Park has been intentionally designed with amenities and programming that everyone can enjoy. From active recreation at Park Street Courts to the respite of the botanical gardens, you can find what you are looking for here.

Lake Lynn Park

Lake Lynn Park

Lynn Road, Raleigh, NC 27613

Park with paved trails, boardwalks, and a wooden bridge, plus turtles and plenty of birds.

Durham Food Hall

Durham Food Hall

530 Foster Street, Durham, NC 27701

Food hall featuring laid-back eateries, cafes & a central bar in chic, contemporary surroundings.

Moe's Original BBQ

Moe's Original BBQ

2014 Hillsborough Road, Durham, NC 27705

Easygoing chain serving Alabama-style pulled pork & other meats smoked in-house. This place will show you more of the NC style bbq vs. Texas style bbq. The sauces are more vinegar based, but it's delicious! We definitely recommend getting ribs and their coleslaw.

Sushi Mon

Sushi Mon

3800 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612

Extended counter seating in a modern setting with a menu of elevated takes on sushi & Japanese fare. The BEST sushi we've had in North Carolina.

So Hot HotPot- Cary

So Hot HotPot- Cary

1937 High House Road, Cary, NC 27519

An array of hot pot bases & mix-ins with table heaters in a relaxed setting fit for large groups.

Barsa New Indian

Barsa New Indian

105 West Morgan Street, Durham, NC 27701

Casual, family-friendly Indian restaurant featuring comfort food and cocktails.

STIR

STIR

4242 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609

Modern, relaxed restaurant featuring international cuisine, an oyster bar & cocktails.

Dashi

Dashi

415 East Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC 27701

Ramen shop with a second-floor izakaya featuring Japanese small plates plus beer, wine & cocktails.

Morgan Street Food Hall

Morgan Street Food Hall

411 West Morgan Street, Raleigh, NC 27603

Bustling marketplace showcasing local eateries with diverse, casual offerings, plus food retailers.

Umami Japanese Steakhouse Sushi

Umami Japanese Steakhouse Sushi

8411 Brier Creek Parkway, Raleigh, NC 27617

Sushi, teppanyaki, and other Japanese fare prepared on hibachis in a casual space.

Angus Barn

Angus Barn

9401 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27617

Sprawling upscale steakhouse in a barnlike setting with an opulent wine cellar, lounge & cigar bar. We personally love this place for apps and drinks rather than a full dinner!

Mr Tokyo Japanese Restaurant

Mr Tokyo Japanese Restaurant

1722 Fordham Boulevard, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Casual eatery serving unlimited portions of sushi, hibachi fare, and other Japanese eats. All you can eat sushi and hibachi for only $14.99 for weekday lunch!!

Sassool

Sassool

9650 Strickland Road, Raleigh, NC 27615

Mediterranean cafe & gourmet food market serving fresh breads from its affiliated wholesale bakery. We love their kabobs and pizettes! Definitely also check out their Mediterranean chicken salad and their jalapeño cilantro hummus. Our fav!!!

Enzo's Pizza Co.

Enzo's Pizza Co.

2608 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27705

Casual shop serving pizzas, sandwiches & salads from family recipes & local ingredients. We love the heritage honey pizza or buffalo chicken pizza! We also recommend their greek salad with chicken :)

First Watch

First Watch

7011 Fayetteville Road, Durham, NC 27713

Cafe chain for health-minded breakfast, brunch & lunch options such as omelets, salads & soups. This restaurant has many locations throughout the Triangle, so if this location is not close to where you're staying then there may be one closer!

Hawkers Asian Street Food

Hawkers Asian Street Food

201 South Estes Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Casual eatery serving small plates of Asian street food, plus beer, sake, and cocktails.

Boxyard RTP

Boxyard RTP

900 Park Offices Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

Modern dining and shopping complex made up of repurposed shipping containers with a pavilion, beer, and live music.

Shiki Sushi

Shiki Sushi

207 West North Carolina 54, Durham, NC 27713

Sushi & Pan-Asian dishes served in a sleek, contemporary setting in the Homestead Shopping Center.

Chubby's Tacos

Chubby's Tacos

4711 Hope Valley Road, Durham, NC 27707

Casual Mexican restaurant in the Woodcroft Shopping Center serving tacos, quesadillas, nachos, and other favorites with beer and cocktails.

The Nomad At The Osbunn

The Nomad At The Osbunn

122 West King Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Neighborhood spot serving reimagined ethnic fare and unique cocktails in a cozy setup.

M Sushi

M Sushi

311 Holland Street, Durham, NC 27701

Dimly lit, industrial-chic space turning out traditional Japanese seafood, plus sushi options. I think this place requires a reservation!

PRESS Coffee Crêpes Cocktails

PRESS Coffee Crêpes Cocktails

359 Blackwell Street, Durham, NC 27701

Airy hangout with outdoor tables & a relaxed vibe, offering a menu of European-inspired snacks.

Cucciolo Osteria Durham

Cucciolo Osteria Durham

601 West Main Street, Durham, NC 27701

Warm, brick-clad outpost with high ceilings serving modern Italian cuisine alongside wine.

Carajillo's mexican kitchen 2

Carajillo's mexican kitchen 2

6675 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27615

Casual Mexican restaurant in a shopping center serving burritos, seafood, and sushi.

bartaco

bartaco

201 South Estes Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Hip eatery for tacos & rice bowls, plus Latin cocktails, in a beachy setting with a large patio.

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

425 Oberlin Road, Raleigh, NC 27605

An all-day menu of Southern comfort food with a creative twist, plus craft beers & cocktails.

K-Town Market (Kim's Asian Market) | Asian grocery store, Korean food NC

K-Town Market (Kim's Asian Market) | Asian grocery store, Korean food NC

6014 Duraleigh Road, Raleigh, NC 27612

Choi’s kitchen is a restaurant inside of Ktown market and we serve authentic Korean food. Our restaurant is another reason why customers keep coming back! Choi’s kitchen has been a prominent part of our market, providing customers with fresh and delicious food. Many customers enjoy our freshly served side dishes provided with each meal; one side dish people relish is our freshly made kimchi. Our dining area contains coffee, tea, and water in order to quench your thirst. We provide take out and door dash in hopes to accommodate our customers’ convenience. The MOST authentic Korean food in the area!

The Goat Brier Creek

The Goat Brier Creek

5600 Primary Drive, Durham, NC 27703

Lively restaurant and sports bar featuring classic dishes, craft drinks, volleyball courts, and live music.

Shanghai Alley

Shanghai Alley

1148 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, NC 27511

Chinese restaurant serving dishes from Shanghai, plus sushi, and other Asian fare, in informal surroundings. Really good dim sum! We also love getting the peking duck.

Thai Station Restaurant

Thai Station Restaurant

201 East Main Street, Carrboro, NC 27510

Popular Thai restaurant serving popular dishes in a trendy setting that includes converted train cars.

For all the days along the way
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