The Ultimate Guidebook
Parks & Nature
The loop around the park is about 1 mile long with paved and wooded trails, perfect for a mid-day walk.
6 locals recommend
Crowder County Park
4709 Ten-Ten RdThe loop around the park is about 1 mile long with paved and wooded trails, perfect for a mid-day walk.
The park offers affordable kayak rentals. There's also a little-known spot to watch the sunset.
23 locals recommend
Lake Wheeler
The park offers affordable kayak rentals. There's also a little-known spot to watch the sunset.
Harris Lake County Park
2112 County Park DrThe disc golf course here is fully wooded and beautiful!
We love going to Dix park to walk through the historic buildings and open fields. Flower's field has the most amazing view of the city.
91 locals recommend
Dorothea Dix Park
1985 Umstead DrWe love going to Dix park to walk through the historic buildings and open fields. Flower's field has the most amazing view of the city.
Beautiful place to take photos! Also has a pretty impressive trail around the pond and more intense trails that span several miles.
Yates Mill Museum Entrance
4620 Lake Wheeler RdBeautiful place to take photos! Also has a pretty impressive trail around the pond and more intense trails that span several miles.
Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve
2616 Kildaire Farm RdVery pretty trails and hills that overlook creeks.
Drinks & Nightlife
Full liquor bar with a few drafts and several can options, but you HAVE TO get a hot dog. The buns are texas toast and the toppings are awesome.
7 locals recommend
The Cardinal Bar
713 N West StFull liquor bar with a few drafts and several can options, but you HAVE TO get a hot dog. The buns are texas toast and the toppings are awesome.
Great beer selection, 2 house wines. They have a different food truck every evening and two on the weekend. Also have a monthly vintage pop-up market
19 locals recommend
Trophy Brewing & Taproom
656 Maywood AveGreat beer selection, 2 house wines. They have a different food truck every evening and two on the weekend. Also have a monthly vintage pop-up market
The Haymaker
555 Fayetteville StBond Brothers Beer Company
202 E Cedar StExcellent food truck selection
Pharmacy Bottle + Beverage
120 E Chatham StArts & Culture
The museum curates beautiful art, but the real draw is the walking trails. There's stunning pastures with art features, wooded trails, and a cafe.
437 locals recommend
North Carolina Museum of Art
2110 Blue Ridge RdThe museum curates beautiful art, but the real draw is the walking trails. There's stunning pastures with art features, wooded trails, and a cafe.
Red Hat Amphitheater
500 S McDowell StLincoln Theater
126 E Cabarrus StThe Ritz
2820 Industrial DrCineBistro
525 New Waverly PlLarge, comfy chairs and reserved seating.
The Cary Theater
122 E Chatham StAlamo Drafthouse Cinema Raleigh
2116-D New Bern AveFood Scene
lucettegrace
235 S Salisbury StSpectacular selection of macrons, pastries, coffee and light fare.
Kabab and Curry
2412 Hillsborough StExcellent Indian food, great naan and service.
Chef's Palette
3460 Ten-Ten RoadVery special, upscale restaurant with incredible menu.
They make the most incredible breads and pastries, both sweet and savory.
52 locals recommend
Boulted Bread
328 W South StThey make the most incredible breads and pastries, both sweet and savory.
This is where we take all of our out-of-town friends and guests for an incredible, southern meal.
107 locals recommend
Beasley's Chicken + Honey
237 S Wilmington StThis is where we take all of our out-of-town friends and guests for an incredible, southern meal.
Mi Rancho
2549 S Saunders StExcellent, authentic Mexican food.
State Farmers Market Restaurant
1240 Farmers Market DrGo here for a super southern meal!
Top notch southern food and very beautiful restaurant. They also have a small farm stand in the summer! We sit at the bar, and hopefully Alissa is the bartender!
22 locals recommend
Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen
7307 Tryon RdTop notch southern food and very beautiful restaurant. They also have a small farm stand in the summer! We sit at the bar, and hopefully Alissa is the bartender!
Garibaldi Trattoria-Pizza- Pasta
900 N Main StExcellent Italian food and pizza
The Mason Jar Tavern
305 S Main StA small place with a great American menu, all great dishes.
Poole's
426 S McDowell StThe Mac and Cheese is huge and amazing.
Death and Taxes
105 W Hargett StAn expensive dining experience, but amazing.
Golden Pig
815 W Chatham StExcellent, very authentic Korean food.
Lilly's Pizza
1813 Glenwood AveA little hole in the wall with amazing, fluffy pizza!
China Won
8109 Fayetteville RdThe best, and closest Chinese take-out!
Scratch Kitchen and Taproom
225 N Salem StDelicious, fresh food. Make a reservation!
Essentials
LL Urban Farms
8225 Holly Springs RdSuper cute farm stand, great for veggies and fruits!
Entertainment & Activities
Bentwinds Country Club
6536 Dornoch PlKnights Play Golf Center
2512 Ten-Ten RdEagle Ridge Golf Club
565 Competition RdLochmere Golf Club
2511 Kildaire Farm RdTing Park
101 Sportsmanship WyHome of the Holly Springs Salamanders!
This center has a quirky disc golf course, baseball fields, and soccer areas.
Middle Creek Community Center
125 Middle Creek Park AveThis center has a quirky disc golf course, baseball fields, and soccer areas.
Harris Lake County Park
2112 County Park DrAwesome, fully wooded disc golf course!
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Nautical Excursions Boat Adventures
Nautical Excursions offers fishing charters, sunset cruises, relaxing boat charters, and/or a day of swimming at Shearon Harris Lake, just southwest of Raleigh, NC. www.nauticalexcursions.com