North Carolina Museum of Art - permanent collection, special exhibits, outdoor amphitheater, sculpture park and greenway
Progress Energy Center for the Preforming Arts -Broadway shows, Symphony, Ballet, Opera, Concerts
North Carolina Museum of History - State and Regional History, Gift Shop of NC centered items, Sports Museum, Special Exhibits
Martin Luther King Gardens -Memorial Gardens and water sculpture
North Carolina Museum of Natural Science -Dinosaurs, natural beasties, snack bar overlooking the Capitol and Legislature
Marbles Kids Museum– IMAX – Hands on, activity oriented center for children, includes an IMAX and gift shop
Raleigh City Museum -On the new Fayetteville Street with local history exhibits and gifts
Pullen Park -aquatic center, tennis courts, picnic pavilions, Turn of the Century Carousel, kiddie rides, paddle boats, great urban park five minute walk away
Raulston Arboretum - NC collection of growing things with interpretive materials
Burning Coal Theater -Innovative, cutting edge theatre, professional company
Rialto -Genuine movie theatre, only one screen, good popcorn and cold beer
Charley Goodnight's Comedy Club -Travelling comedians stop here. Big names.
Comedy Worx -local Improv comedy, afternoon Family shows too.

Falls Lake – Raleigh’s water supply also supplies swimming, boating, hiking, nature trails
Umstead Park - 5000+ acre State Park in the middle of the urban area
North Carolina Farmer’s Market – buy fresh veggies, fruits, plants; chow down on authentic country cookin’
Sarah P.Duke Gardens – Durham beauty spot, year ‘round
Nasher Art Center – region’s newest art collection, building by Vinoly, cafe
North Carolina Botanical Gardens -Chapel Hill locale, statewide collection
UNC – Chapel Hill - classic college town, Franklin Street, oldest state university in continuous service
Pinehurst -Golf mecca, great walking village, arts, antiques, ice cream
Seagrove -NC Pottery Center, hundreds of potters, spend the day

Irregardless -first non-smoking, vegetarian restaurant in the Capitol city of the Tobacco State. Now serves steak, as well as inventive chicken and fish dishes. Best value wine list in town
Frazier's -cozy, fine dining. Among the best in the Triangle
Porter's -informal bistro with good range of choices, chic bar
Piccolo Italia -neighborhood Italian in Cameron Village
The Flying Biscuit -Cool, Hip, Southern chic
Cameron Bar & Grill -Cameron Village’s newest contribution to casual dining
The Village Draft House - Burger's and Beer (good salads too) Lots of TV's for sports
Player's Retreat -authentic 50's college tavern, good food and right across the street
Red, Hot and Blue – newest purveyor of BBQ – eastern, western, Memphis, Texas

The Raleigh Downtown Alliance website has more information on many of these establishments here

Glenwood South/Powerhouse Square - upscale collection of drinking and dining establishments. Vin, Second Empire, Sullivan's, 42nd Street, Zelly and Ritz, and the Globe are good bets
City Market/Moore's Square - First "dining district" in Raleigh, center of arts and music. Big Ed's, Caffé Luna, Duck and Dumpling, Mo's Diner for food; Pour House, Lincoln Theater, Slim's, Raleigh Times for music and booze
Warehouse District - edge and elegance meet: The Pit, White Collar Crime, Humble Pie, Flying Saucer, The Borough, Jibarra
Fayetteville Street - See the old street born anew. Fins, Big Easy, the Mint, Poole's Diner is Nearby
North Hills - suburban urbanity, includes dozens of new restaurants, movies, and three Starbucks. Vivace is new Italian bistro; Coquette's Brasserie
Durham/Chapel Hill -some truly fine dining (Magnolia Grill, Nana's, Crook's Corner) lots of fun places too