Raleigh is the capital city of North Carolina. It’s known for its universities, including North Carolina State
University. The number of technology and scholarly institutions around Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Durham make the area known as the Research Triangle. The North Carolina State Capitol is a 19th-century Greek Revival–style building with a statue of George Washington.
Raleigh is the second-most populous city in North Carolina. There are a lot of Oak trees in Raleigh, so it is called the “City of Oaks” for its many Oak trees. Founded in 1792, Raleigh was named after Sir Walter Raleigh, who had created the lost Roanoke Colony.
There are numerous fun things to do in Raleigh, cutting across visiting some of the state’s notable attractions,
these include North Carolina State University, North Carolina State Capitol, North Carolina Museum of Art, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, North Carolina Museum of History, and more. The city covers a land area of 147.6 square miles and has a population of 474,069.
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Places To Visit In Raleigh
1. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
The North Carolina State Capitol is an old building built in 1840, since then till now, it has gone through major renovation and restructuring over the years.
The North Carolina State Capitol is the former seat of the legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina which housed all of the state’s government until 1888.
The Capitol was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1973.
In the rotunda is a statue of George Washington, located on the south side of the capitol.
Despite its numerous renovations, it still maintains its original Greek Revival architectural pattern, which portrays the old style.
The building is open for a tour for those who wish to know more about the government in North Carolina.
The building is open from Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m for those who wish to visit.
Visiting the North Caroling state Capitol is free of charge.
Address: 1 E Edenton St, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA
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2. Raleigh Little Theater
Raleigh Little Theatre is a community theatre in Raleigh, North Carolina, that produces 10 to 11 full productions annually and conducts youth and adult theatre education programs.
Raleigh Little Theater is a live theater that was established in 1936 with the purpose of enriching, educating, entertaining, and engaging visitors.
The theater offers lots of entertainment with its classic community theater productions, which feature several talented actors.
Some of the famous shows hosted in this theater include Charlie Brown Christmas, as “SPAMALOT,” and “The Tempest.”
It is advisable to visit this place at night, there you will have the chance to witness live entertainment and performance. Feel free to add Raleigh Little Theater to your list of things to do in Raleigh.
Address: 301 Pogue St, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
3. Videri Chocolate Factory
If you love eating chocolates, then Videri Chocolate Factory should be your next stop.
Videri Chocolate Factory which is located at W. Davie Street Sweet 100. Raleigh offers a taste of sweetness to its visitors. They also offer self-guided tours of the space from 11 am-6 pm.
Videri Chocolate Factory produces some of the best organic chocolates in North Carolina free of chemicals or additives. Videri Chocolate Factory was founded by three iconic chocolate lovers: Sam Ratto, Starr Ratto, and Chris Heavener.
The factory takes not more than 10 visitors or participants at the cost of $20 per person showing them around the factory and how the delicious chocolates are being produced.
Videri Chocolate Factory produces different types and flavors of chocolates which includes Blueberry and Dark Chocolate, Strawberry Anise Ganache, and more.
Address: 327 W Davie St, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA
4. Pope House Museum
Pope House Museum is a historic house once owned by Dr. Manassa Thomas Pope. The building was constructed in the year 1901 and was later restored as a museum to honor his legacy.
In the time of segregation, Dr. Manassa Thomas Pope was the first practicing Black doctor in North Carolina, He was an officer and surgeon in the Spanish American War in 1898, he was also the first black candidate for mayor of Raleigh in 1919. He is a significant figure in the black community
The Pope House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. His house features lots of paintings and artifacts that shades light on what he believes in.
Tours are available in the building on Saturdays, during which you will be taken through a series of exciting stories about Dr. Manassa Thomas Pope.
5. Pottery at Klaystation
For those that are into the art of moulding, or love moulding things into different shapes, visiting Pottery at Klaystation should be one of the fun things to do in Raleigh. Klaystation, is a pottery venue that allows visitors to mould a mug or any other item.
Klaystation pottery offers visitors pre-fired earthenware and stoneware and different tools like idea books, brushes, paints, sponges, and lots more to make their desired masterpiece.
After molding the desired masterpiece, Klaystation pottery studio glazes the craftwork and dries it up in the kiln for it to be ready to be picked up in about a week.
Klaystation pottery is the perfect place to visit with your family. I am sure your Kids will love to mould images seen in their textbooks.
Address: 10511 Shadowlawn Drive #113, Raleigh, North Carolina
6. The Mordecai House
The Mordecai House is the first and the oldest building in Raleigh. It was built in 1785 and is a registered historical landmark and museum in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The birthplace and childhood home of U.S. President Andrew Johnson is located in the park. The Mordecai House was built by Joel Lane and was initially a plantation many years ago before being transformed into a beautiful park and museum. The park covers an area of 3.9 acres of land.
The Mordecai House is the perfect place to visit, there you will learn how the plantation was originally owned by Lane and why Lane is considered the founder of Raleigh after he sold 1000 acres from his plantation as the site of the city.
You will also learn about the late president, Andrew Johnson, his life at the plantation, and how slaves worked on the plantation. Visiting the Mordecai House is both fun and educative.
Address: 1 Mimosa St, Raleigh, NC 27604, USA
7. The North Carolina Executive Mansion
The North Carolina Executive Mansion is another historic structure in Raleigh for tourist attractions.
The building was built in the year 1883 and was designed by architects A.G. Bauer and Samuel Sloan in a fine Victorian architectural pattern.
This mansion is built on 9 acres of land, and it is the official residence of different governors of North Carolina and their families.
If you have plans on visiting this mansion, do well to make a reservation two weeks before the day of visitation. Tours must be scheduled about two weeks ahead of time.
According to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, this mansion has the finest governor’s residence interior in America.
Address: 200 N Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA
8. Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours
North Carolina is a place where lots of locally and delicious meals are made.
Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours are agencies that take participants through some of the best food locations in the entire North Carolina.
Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tour doesn’t just cover the best restaurants in Raleigh, Greensboro, and other places in North Carolina, but they also share the history and background behind the places you tour.
Some of the tours categories carried out by this tour agency include Raleigh’s Downtown Speakeasies: The Craft Cocktail Tour, Raleigh Downtown Dinner & Drinks Tours, and Raleigh Downtown Tasting Tour: Foodies, Food Halls, and Food Shops
If you are visiting Raleigh and you are a foodie, do well to visit Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours. I hope you enjoy your visit as you tour around the different eatery.
9. The North Carolina Museum of History
To know more about North Carolina, visit the North Carolina Museum of History. The museum has a lot of fascinating history about Raleigh and the state of North Carolina.
The museum portrays some significant artifacts from over a thousand years ago.
The “Carbine” Williams’s workshop by inventor David Marshall and the “1920s Drugstore” are also amoung the historical exhibition in the museum. Visitors are usually delighted by the stories of the wars and North Carolina’s origins.
The North Carolina Museum of History is open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Sundays, it’s open from noon to 5 p.m
Address: 5 E Edenton St, Raleigh, NC 27601, United States
10. Marbles Kids Museum
The Marbles Kids Museum is a fun and educative place to take your kids. The Marbles has a lot of exciting exhibitions, and it is recognized as one of the most famous attractions for kids.
Marbles Kids Museum was founded in 2007 and it is a nonprofit children’s museum located in downtown Raleigh.
Some exciting features at Marbles Kids Museum include “Sun Sprouts,” which educates kids on every necessary information about gardening, and the “Treetunes,” which focuses primarily on music and solving playful brainteasers in STEMosphere.
If you are looking for a place where the children can engage in educative activities and have fun, then visit Marbles Kids Museum.
Address: 201 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA 29
