North Carolina’s capital is one of my favorite cities on the east coast. There’s everything: trendy nightlife, comfort food, art murals, and plenty of outdoor activities. What more could you need? It’s a quick 2 ½ hour drive from Richmond, so I love taking day trips down every once in awhile. Every time I’m in the city I fall a little bit more in love! If you’re looking for a short getaway this summer, check out this 24-hour guide to Raleigh.

Getting Around the City

Raleigh is pretty accessible if you plan on driving around the city. The city itself is pretty expansive, so it would be hard to fit everything in without a good source of transportation. There are electric bikes and scooters everywhere, though, so you can get out and explore. I typically like to park near the warehouse district because it’s right downtown and close to the capitol.

Good Eats

If there’s one thing I love about Raleigh, it’s how much of a foodie city this place is. It seems like there’s always some new yummy eatery popping up. These four, though, are essential for your bucketlist.

Morgan Street Food Hall: This food hall is seriously magical. Me and my friends always splurge on meals from a couple different local eateries so we can taste it all! Pictured are: the chicken & waffle sandwich from Iyla’s Southern Kitchen, the El Italiano fries from Buena Papa, the bulgogi cheese steak sandwich from The Katsu, and a lobster roll from Cousins Maine Lobster.

Find it at: 411 W Morgan St.

La Farm: BEST. BAKERY. IN. THE. WORLD. There, I said it. This French-inspired bakery is just outside of Raleigh in the neighboring county of Cary, and it is so worth the drive out there. Their white chocolate baguettes are TO DIE FOR and they have endless loaves of fresh bread. I spend at least $25 on white chocolate bread alone every time I’m here.

Find it at: 4248 NW Cary Parkway

Raleigh Times: This restaurant is a MUST when you’re in Raleigh. Just looking at the menu is enough to get your mouth watering. My favorites are the Times Nachos and the Salmon Fried Rice.

Find it at: 14 E Hargett St.

Heirloom: The American south meets Southeast Asia in this blend of Taiwanese, Japanese, and Laotian cuisine. Try the Taiwanese chicken biscuit or the honey + milk toast (omg yum!) for either breakfast or dinner.

Find it at: 219 S West St.

Nightlife on Glenwood Avenue

Bar hop along Glenwood Avenue, the number one street for nightlife in Raleigh. There’s everything from Irish pubs to sports bars to dance clubs; just walk down the street and you’re bound to find a cool bar!

Pro tip: While it didn’t make my list of favorites, stop by Carolina Ale House and climb the four flights of stairs to the rooftop. The nighttime view of the city is incredible.

Raleigh Beer Garden: The beer garden is truly one of a kind. With over 350 beers on tap and its three bars, this place is the perfect spot to day drink or see the city lights from the rooftop. What I love the most is the inside bar, where a real tree fills the space with some greenery.

Find it at: 614 Glenwood Ave.

Alchemy: One of Raleigh’s most popular nightclubs, this place is open for dancing until 2 am every night of the week. If you’re looking for a sleek vibe and a little bit of house music, this is the place for you.

Find it at: 606 Glenwood Ave.

Milk Bar: This bar is perfect if you want a relaxed vibe but also want a good DJ mix. You can lounge by the open air or play billiards with your friends; whatever your vibe, this place has a little something for everyone. Check out their seasonal frozen cocktails!

Find it at: 410 Glenwood Ave. #101

Boxcar: While not on the main nightlife strip, Raleigh’s arcade bar is definitely worth the ride across town. Boxcar has tons of arcade games, from classics like pinball and Pacman to skeeball and Guitar Hero. They also hold free game tournaments, so check their website to sign up for any upcoming competitions.

Find it at: 330 W Davie St.

Instagram Photo Spots

You can’t come to Raleigh without taking a few pictures . . . okay, a lot of pictures. Here are some of the most photogenic spots in the city!

Midtown Park: This is one of my favorite spots in Raleigh, located in the North Hills neighborhood. The lawn is right between a bunch of shops, so you can grab ice-cream or takeout and watch the nightlife from the grass. They always have fun events happening, like wellness Wednesdays, concerts, and a farmer’s market.

Find it at: 4011 Cardinal North Hills St.

The Dillon: Catch some rooftop views of the city at the Dillon’s public skyline terrace. Go through the public entrance next to the Barcelona Wine Bar and take the elevator up to the 9th floor. The view is one of the most incredible spots in the whole city.

Find it at: 223 S West St.

North Carolina Museum of Art: This museum has art exhibits and a nice walking trail that has unique sculptures along the path. The museum is free and dog friendly on the outdoor walkway.

Find it at: 2110 Blue Ridge Rd.

Dorothea Dix Park: In the summer, this park has a gorgeous sunflower field hidden right in the middle of the city. The tower skyline peaks out from behind the field, making for a unique photo experience. I also recommend checking out the Grove area of the park if you’re looking for more views of the city.

City Market: The market is one of the most magical places in the city, with its cobblestone streets that line an open-air dining and shopping square.

Find it at: 215 Wolfe St.

Final Thoughts

This post doesn’t even begin to cover all the exciting places Raleigh has to offer, but I hope this guide gives you a little bit of insight into one of my favorite cities. North Carolina has some of the trendiest cities in the country, so add them to your bucketlist if you haven’t already. For more on  North Carolina, head on down the mountains to my 7 Unique Experiences in Asheville post.

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