We love Dorothea Dix Park, it is our eternal third wheel; so much so, that we even shot our engagement photos on the premises. Dorothea Dix Park is the site of one of the oldest and most renowned mental hospitals in the country, though the facilities have been out of commission for decades. Regardless, Dix Park offers THE optimal view of our beloved city scape and boasts some rather impressive acreage to boot. Take a stroll through the grounds, breathe in the history and life abundant, and don't forget to snap a few photos along the way.
Let's be honest, absolutely nothing replaces the feel and communality of a well-worn dive bar. If drinks are your thing (and you're not the pomp and circumstance-type) we encourage you earnestly to give the "Cheers" of Raleigh your time, and maybe sink a few. No suits, no ties, no ritzy cocktails...just good people and cold beers. As a side not, this isn't an actual distillery. No one knows why they still maintain the "distillery" moniker...but does it really matter?
Other than Dorothea Dix Park, this museum has been the other consistent go-to for us. The primary gallery is open to the public, and is free of charge. In addition to NCMA's impressive fine art collection, the grounds on which the museum sits offers a lush greenway and a beautiful outdoors experience. By the way, don't skip out on the contemporary collection...you won't regret it.
While we can't promise this isn't a shameless plug for friends (and there will be a few listed), what we CAN promise you is arguably one of the greatest eating experiences in North Carolina. St.Roch has been in our lives for years, and that includes well before employment opportunities. Chef Sunny Gerhart and company offer some of the the most honest, no-nonsense, yet focused and soul-satisfying New Orleans-inspired cuisine in the tri-state area. Simply put, if you pass on St. Roch for any other reason than pertaining to allergies or the like, you are making a grievous error. Need a bigger reason? Beignets. Beignets. Beignets.
Irregardless Cafe has been a staple of Raleigh's vegan and vegetarian community for decades, and their quality and foot traffic proves testament to their staying power. We have become regulars within the past few years, and you can't go wrong with anything on their entire menu. Brunch or dinner, everything is a sure-fire hit. As an added luxury, Irregardless also frequently has live musicians playing in their dining room...and it really does set the mood, especially for us. We recommend (if in season) the veganized mushroom "scallops" for the full experience. If healthier fare isn't your prerogative, the fine folks here also offer a short selection of meat dishes to cover all bases. But trust us, the house plates are far superior.
We are biased, and we don't really care who knows it. Raleigh Brewing Company is the best brewery in the city, and their product line speaks for itself. If in town visiting, you owe it to yourself to try the city of Raleigh's unofficial house beer...Hell Yes M'am. You'll be glad you did, and you may even walk away with a pack or two. With an impressive rotating list of seasonal beers (even a few non-alcoholic brews) and regular food truck cameos, RBC has always been a fun time for all parties involved.
We simply call it "The Arboretum", and we've been coming here since the day we met. Maintained and funded by North Carolina State University's agriculture department, JC Raulston Arboretum is a beautiful and quiet getaway situated in proximity to the North Carolina Fair Grounds. If plant life, or life in general, is what makes you feel closer to contentment then give the Arboretum a visit; and don't forget to keep an eye out for the fall harvest patches...we didn't plan our big day in October for nothing, ya know.
It seems like an odd destination, but trust us...this is how you can experience North Carolina in the best way. Our state farmer's market boasts some of the best produce and food products on the eastern seaboard, and some truly great people as well. Stop by, grab a liter of apple cider and meet some of the best people you'll ever cross paths with. Not to mention, you'd be doing yourself a huge disservice by not grabbing a cup (or in our case, a gallon) of hand-made lemonade from the wonderful ladies at Larger Than Lemons. We're dead serious, it's the greatest lemonade (and various other "-ades") you will ever have.
Full disclosure, we spend a truly obscene amount of time at Cheshire Cat. Without question, this is the best underground antiques gallery in the area. Pretty much anything your heart desires can be found here, including a rather expansive record collection or two. Spend a time treasure hunting to your hearts content, and wander about The Village District (that hurt to type...) on street level for lunch and the like.
We aren't sports people, or even college people...but it doesn't matter, Player's Retreat (or, PR as we say in town) is the kind of family-friendly dive that welcomes everyone. Don't be fooled by the word "dive", this isn't simply a place for a cold one and a handful of stale nuts. We offer three words to you: Mimi's Sausage Dip. Get it, love it, be embraced by all natives alike. The PR is North Carolina State's "official" bar, and for good reason...it's been a pillar of the community for over four decades.
Umstead State Park has been a constant in both of our lives respectively. One of only two legitimate state parks in Raleigh, Umstead has trails for days. If hiking and taking in the scenery is your cup of tea, then you owe it to yourself to give Umstead a try. Just try to pretend you don't hear all the flights from RDU, the airport is in proximity to the park grounds.