Things To Do
Howling Cow Ice Cream
The Howling Cow Creamery is one of our favorite places to get ice cream. It is unique because it is located near the NC State University farms, and you can watch the cows while you eat your ice cream.
Dorthea Dix Park
Dix Park is very close to the Cathedral where we are getting married, so it could be a good place to check out in between the wedding ceremony and reception. It has 5 acres of Sunflowers and the brand-new Gipson Play Plaza: Raleigh’s newest destination with 18.5 acres of amazing playgrounds, gathering spaces, beautiful gardens, spectacular art, and sweeping skyline views. The play plaza is the largest adventure playground in the Southeast, including a waterfall and splashpad. Open every day from sunrise to sunset.
Pullen Park
Pullen Park is a large park next to NC State University and close to the Cathedral. It has some short trails, train rides, peddle boats, and a large playground area.
WRAL Azalea Garden
The WRAL Azalea Gardens are another good place to explore between the wedding ceremony and reception. They're right next to the Cathedral, although you should move your car into their parking lot if you end up going.
Morgan Street Food Hall
Morgan Street Food Hall is a great place to find lunch or dinner because it has a large variety of food options.
State Farmers' Market
The State Farmers' Market has a variety of local vendors and two restaurants. It is a good place to explore if you're looking for something to do while you're in town.
Museum of Life and Science
The Museum of Life and Science - or the "Butterfly Museum" as we called it as kids- is worth a trip to Durham. It has a huge butterfly house, train ride, indoor and outdoor activities, and animals including bears, lemurs, wolves, and farm animals. Admission cost: General – $24, Seniors (Ages 65+) – $22, Children (Ages 3 – 15) – $19, Children (Ages 2 and under) – Free, U.S. Military (with ID) – $22. Karen (Madeleine's mom) and Christopher (Madeleine's brother) both have EAA memberships, which get them free admission. If you're interested in going, you can ask to borrow their card in order to get free admission as well.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences has free admission and a large variety of exhibits, including dinosaur fossils and a small aquarium.
North Carolina Museum of Art
The North Carolina Museum of Art features a large gallery and a free outdoor area with walking trails and sculptures. Most of the galleries are generally free as well, but some of the special exhibits have an associated cost. There is also a good resturant onsite.
Videri Chocolate Factory
The Videri Chocolate Factory offers free self-guided tours and $15 guided tours. Although we've never been on one, we've heard that they are well-recommended. The guided tours are only offered on Wednesdays and Fridays, and it is recommended that you reserve the tour at least a day in advance.
JC Raulston Arboretum
The JC Raulston Arboretum is a nationally acclaimed botanic garden with one of the largest and most expansive collections of landscape plants in the southeast United States. It's not far from the Cathedral and has free admittance.
North Carolina Botanical Garden
The NC Botanic Garden is another good place to visit, if you're willing to make the drive. It has a large garden area and also some walking trails It is open Tuesday - Sunday, 9am - 5pm.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Duke Gardens is a 55-acre World-class botanic garden in the heart of Duke University. Note: Check the Website before you go! Current construction of the Garden Gateway (Feb. 2025-spring 2026). The outdoor areas of Duke Gardens will remain open, but the main entrance, visitor center and parking lots are closed. Visitors may enter the Gardens through a temporary pedestrian entrance located at 2000 Lewis St., one block north of the main entrance. Importantly, there is no visitor parking on Monday through Friday. Parking is available to visitors on weekends only in the Duke University H lot, which is adjacent to the new pedestrian entrance on Lewis St.