10 minute read
WELCOME HOME, Y'ALL
BY MELISSA WISTEHUFF
Welcome Home, Y'all! W elcome to Raleigh! You’ll soon understand why this area Wake County is consistently named one of the best places to live in America—most recently climbing to No. 2 on U.S. News & World Report’s “150 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2021–2022.” With endless career opportunities and growth potential, top-notch education options and family-friendly neighborhoods surrounded by abundant green space, the City of Oaks welcomes you with open arms. Don’t wait until the last box is unpacked to explore your new town! Here are a few things to do and places to see now that you call Wake County home.
DOROTHEA DIX PARK
Bookmark These Sites:
• midtownmag.com • midtownraleighalliance.org • downtownraleigh.org • visitraleigh.com • raleighnc.gov • shoplocalraleigh.com • wakegov.com
House Hunting
Home buying can be overwhelming, especially with a market as competitive as Wake County’s. If you’re currently renting here but have found a home you’d like to purchase, be prepared to act quickly. “It’s certainly a seller’s market right now, but buyers should stay optimistic,” says LaCole Bailey, a real estate broker with eXp Realty. “Know what you want in a home and be ready to make quick decisions.”
From high-rise city condos to a hideaway in the woods, the Triangle has it all. “Raleigh (and its surrounding areas) is one of the best places in the country to buy real estate,” Bailey says. “Whether you dream of a sprawling estate with room to roam, or you’re seeking a starter home for a young family on a tight budget, Wake County has real estate for everyone.”
Photo by Roger Winstead/visitraleigh.com
GREGG MUSEUM OF ART & DESIGN AT NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
Get Schooled
Wake County Public School System accommodates kindergarten through grade 12, with a mix of traditional and year-round schedules. Parents can also apply for their student(s) to attend magnet, STEM or baccalaureate programs. Visit wcpss.net to learn more about the school system, and wwwgis2.wcpss.net/addressLookup to find a list of school choices based on your home address (make sure the “L” in the URL is capitalized).
Charter schools are public, tuition-free schools that rely on a lottery system for admittance. These schools operate separately from WCPSS. Think free independent school with a private school feel, as well as a unique mission and curriculum. Visit dpi.nc.gov and click on “Districts & Schools” then “Charter Schools” to see which ones are located near you.
Wake County is also home to a wide selection of private schools you can consider sending your child(ren) to. Here are some to explore:
>> Raleigh
• Cardinal Gibbons High School – cghsnc.org • Grace Christian School – gracechristian.net • Governor Morehead School (K–12 public school for the blind) – governormorehead.net • Neuse Christian Academy – neusechristian.com • North Raleigh Christian Academy – nrcaknights.com • Raleigh Christian Academy – raleighchristian.com • Ravenscroft School – ravenscroft.org • Saint Mary’s School – sms.edu • Thales Academy (multiple locations throughout
Wake County) – thalesacademy.org • Wake Christian Academy – wakechristianacademy.com
>> Cary/Apex
• Cary Academy – caryacademy.org • Cary Christian School – carychristianschool.org • St. Mary Magdalene Catholic School – school.stmm.net • Resurrection Lutheran School – rlcary.org • Thales Academy (multiple locations throughout
Wake County) – thalesacademy.org
>> Colleges & Univerisities
• Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins
School of Law – law.campbell.edu • Duke University – duke.edu • Meredith College – meredith.edu • North Carolina Central University – nccu.edu • North Carolina State University – ncsu.edu • Shaw University (the U.S.’s second-oldest historically black college or university) – shawu.edu • St. Augustine’s University – st-aug.edu • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – unc.edu • Wake Technical Community College – waketech.edu • William Peace University – peace.edu
Photo courtesy of North Hills
VILLAGE DISTRICT SHOPPING CENTER
Retail Therapy
Wake County is a shopper’s paradise! Designer names blend with one-of-a-kind shops in these shopping centers. Also, be sure to check out the quaint downtown districts of Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs and Wake Forest when you need some retail therapy.
Photo by Rob Laughter/visitraleigh.com
Register to Vote:
• ncsbe.gov
Register to Drive:
• ncdot.gov/dmv
• Crabtree Valley Mall (Raleigh) – shopcrabtree.com • North Hills (Raleigh) – visitnorthhills.com • Waverly Place (Cary) – waverlycary.com • The Streets at Southpoint (Durham) – streetsatsouthpoint.com • Triangle Town Center (Raleigh) – triangletowncenter.com • Village District (Raleigh) – shopvillagedistrict.com
Wake County’s dining scene has become as eclectic as its residents. Named one of America’s “Hottest Food Cities” by Zagat, Raleigh draws both top and novice chefs. “Raleigh’s emerging food scene is diverse and exciting,” says Scott Crawford, acclaimed chef and owner of Crawford and Son, Jolie and Crawford Cookshop. “Newcomers should check out the hidden gems as well as the better-known staples.”
It’s a good thing we have plenty of both! Here are a few gems and staples.
Gems:
• Bida Manda – bidamanda.com • Brewery Bhavana (right next to Bida Manda) –
brewerybhavana.com
• Crawford and Son – crawfordandsonrestaurant.com • Poole’s Diner (2019 James Beard “Outstanding
Chef” award winner Ashley Christensen is at the helm here) – ac-restaurants.com/pooles • Stir – stirraleigh.com • Vieni Ristobar – vieniristobar.com
Food Halls:
• Transfer Co. Food Hall – transfercofoodhall.com • Morgan Street Food Hall – morganfoodhall.com • Boxyard RTP – boxyard.rtp.org
NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES
Staples:
• Angus Barn – angusbarn.com • Clyde Cooper’s Barbeque – clydecoopersbbq.com • Players Retreat – playersretreat.com • The Roast Grill – roastgrill.com • Char-Grill – chargrillusa.com
Photo by Brian Strickland/visitraleigh.com
MORGAN STREET FOOD HALL
Sunday Funday
Take it easy or test your limits. Sundays are for relaxing and having fun, and whether you want a thrill or to chill, Wake County has plenty to offer of whatever you like to do on your day off. Try these places out for size. • The State Farmers Market: Enjoy homemade lemonade inside and shop fresh produce outside.
ncagr.gov/markets/facilities/markets/raleigh/index.htm
• TreeRunner Raleigh Adventure Park:
For a literal change of scenery, scale a series of treetops on these high ropes courses.
treerunnerparks.com/raleigh
• North Carolina Museum of Art: Beauty doesn’t only hang on the interior walls here. After you explore vast collections of prized art, save time to hike the Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park.
ncartmuseum.org
• North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences:
Journey through this museum to connect with nature, see dueling dinosaurs and more.
naturalsciences.org
• North Carolina Museum of History:
Explore North Carolina’s history and, beginning
October 23, view “Downton Abbey” costumes.
ncmuseumofhistory.org
• Howling Cow Dairy Education Center and
Creamery: Don’t miss the chance to try North
Carolina State University’s very own ice cream.
Bet you’ve never had it in such a picturesque location, either—and certainly not with the cows that made it! howlingcow.ncsu.edu
Photo by Eric Knisley/visitraleigh.com
Hit theTown
There are unlimited options for fun throughout Wake County. Whether you like to put the pedal to the metal or have someone else do the driving, here are a few options for a night out on the town. • Rush Hour Karting: With 40 mph karts, axe throwing, arcade games and a tavern,
Rush Hour Karting—just southeast of Raleigh in Garner—offers fun for all ages.
rushhourkarting.com
• The Great Raleigh Trolley: What better way to learn about Raleigh than on a trolley? Hop on one for a tour of the City of Oaks. greatraleightrolley.com • Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing/Boylan Street Bridge: Have a beer and some dinner while taking in an amazing view of downtown Raleigh. wyehill.com • Videri Chocolate Factory: Check out the inside of a real chocolate factory, but don’t forget to indulge! viderichocolatefactory.com • Craft Breweries: Find your new favorite brew at one of Wake County’s countless breweries. Trophy Brewing, Aviator Brewing, Bond Brothers Beer
Company and Bombshell Beer Company are a few of our favorites.
midtownmag.comtriangle-brewery-tour
TROPHY BREWING
Play Ball
From AstroTurf to ice floors, Wake County is host to a number of college and professional sports teams. Get your fill of hockey, soccer, baseball, basketball and more right here in the Triangle. • Carolina Hurricanes: nhl.com/hurricanes • ACC College Sports (NCSU, UNC–Chapel Hill and Duke University): theacc.com • Durham Bulls: milb.com/durham • NC Courage: nccourage.com
> > Turn to page 74 for a feature about parenting youth athletes, which lists local youth recreation and club sports organizations.
• Holly Springs Salamanders:
salamandersbaseball.com
• Carolina Mudcats: milb.com/carolina-mudcats • Wake County Speedway: wcspeedway.com
Photo by Brian Strickland/visitraleigh.com
WILLIAM B. UMSTEAD STATE PARK
Fresh Air & Photo Ops
Wake County is home to countless green spaces, making it easy to plan your escape to nature. Whether you want to exercise and socialize, picnic, or lie in the sun and meditate, you’ll find the perfect spot at one of these outdoor spaces. • Neuse River Greenway Trail: The longest greenway trail in North Carolina features several river crossings and two suspension bridges. The 10-foot-wide asphalt path is perfect for bikers and runners. raleighnc.gov/places/
neuse-river-greenway-trail
• William B. Umstead State Park: Take advantage of extensive hiking and multiuse trails amongst a scenic backdrop just steps from Interstate 40 and U.S. 70.
ncparks.gov/william-b-umstead-state-park/home
• JC Raulston Arboretum: Step into this stunning botanical garden in the heart of the city and you’ll feel like you have been transported into a fairytale. jcra.ncsu.edu • Historic Yates Mill County Park: Learn about Wake
County’s last standing mill, walk the serene trails and fish from designated areas. You’ll quickly figure out why this is a popular family photo spot. wakegov.com (search
for “Yates Mill”)
A few other don’t-miss spots include: WRAL-TV Azalea Gardens (wral-gardens.com), Lake Johnson Park (raleighnc.gov/places/ lake-johnson-park), and the Lake Pine Loop at Apex Community Park (apexnc.org/795/apex-community-park). For a full list of parks and recreational spaces, visit wakegov.com.
Picnics & Play Dates
Kids will never need to be left out of the fun, as Wake County is home to endless playgrounds and picnic spaces. Every family has their favorites; here are some of ours. • Marbles Kids Museum: Build with giant Legos and watch as little ones unleash their inner pirate.
This children’s museum is filled with indoor and outdoor play spaces where kids can let their imagination go wild. marbleskidsmuseum.org • Dorothea Dix Park: Find plenty of room to spread out a picnic blanket or fly a kite. This park also offers the perfect spot to enjoy a view of downtown Raleigh.
dorotheadixpark.org
• Pullen Park: The oldest park in North Carolina offers a 1910 Dentzel carousel, train, pedal boats, kiddie boats, a traditional playground and scenic picnic spots. raleighnc.gov/places/pullen-park • Sassafras All Children’s Playground at Laurel
Hills Park: Designed with structures that allow children of all physical capabilities to join in the fun, this playground is surrounded by athletic fields, a recreation center, a basketball court and a pond. raleighnc.gov/places/laurel-hills-park
Photo by Dan Whittaker/visitnc.com
The in-person 2021 IBMA World of Bluegrass Festival will also feature a virtual component.
NC ZOO, ASHEBORO
Day Trip Destinations
Being in central North Carolina means you’re just a short car ride away from either Wilmington-area beaches or the mountains, so buckle up and enjoy the ride—and view! • Raleigh to Wilmington: 130 miles • Raleigh to Boone: 189 miles • Raleigh to the NC Zoo: 73 miles • Raleigh to Charlotte: 149 miles
Photo by Michael Robson/visitraleigh.com
Fun Festivals & Can’t-Miss Events
• Hopscotch Music Festival: September 9–11. Enjoy all genres of music with shows spread out between City Plaza,
Moore Square, Red Hat Amphitheatre and various clubs.
hopscotchmusicfest.com
• Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival: September 10–11.
Experience a whole hog pickin’ at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. Use the souvenir glass you’ll receive upon entering to sample bourbon and beer. beerandbourbon.com • Brewgaloo: September 17-18. This two-day festival in downtown Raleigh features over 110 craft breweries from all over North Carolina, as well as food trucks, music and other local vendors. shoplocalraleigh.org/brewgaloo • IBMA World of Bluegrass Festival: September 28–October 2.
Enjoy performers like Sierra Hull, The Del McCoury Band,
Steep Canyon Rangers and others during this in-person event, which will also feature a virtual component. ibma.org • Phillips Farms’ Haunted Farm: Friday and Saturday evenings, beginning the last weekend of September through
October. Get spooked on The Field of Lost Souls and The
Rebellion Trail. If screams aren’t your thing, enjoy scare-free daytime activities. phillipsfarmsofcary.com • North Carolina State Fair: October 14–24. This annual event showcases everything that makes North Carolina special, from livestock and agriculture to food, rides and talent.
