Things To Do in Raleigh
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Raleigh Attractions
For the best possible tour of the capital city, make the Capital Area Visitor Services your first stop. The staff starts you off with an orientation film, arms you with brochures, and coordinates walking or driving tours. Most of the attractions listed in this section are within easy walking distance of the state capitol.
- Landmark
State Legislative Building
Allow about 30 minutes to go through this striking contemporary building, designed by Edward Durrell Stone. But take longer if you happen to be here when the legislature is in session. You'll be able to watch the proceedings and perhaps even spot a young, postmillennial Jesse Helms… - Park/Garden
The Hobbit Garden
Willie Pilkington and John Edward Dilley created a "secret garden" on a small plot of land in 1978. Their garden is dedicated to growing unusual plants -- from carnivorous pitcher plants to evergreen dogwoods -- many of which were thought impossible to cultivate in North Carolina.… - Landmark
The State Capitol
This stately Greek Revival structure (constructed 1833-40) is a National Historic Landmark. All state business was conducted here until 1888. The building now contains the offices of the governor and lieutenant governor, as well as restored legislative chambers. Beneath the…
Raleigh Shopping
Raleigh, with its population of up-and-coming financiers, computer experts, and yuppies, is known for an elegant array of home decorating stores, many of them specializing in antiques. A dense cluster of antiques stores lies along Fairview Road in the suburban neighborhood known as Five Points because of its intersection of five different streets. One of the most appealing is Antiques at Five Points, 2010 Fairview Rd. (tel. 919/834-4900), which focuses on mid-19th- to mid-20th-century American, English, and European antiques and paintings. A nearby competitor loaded with French and English antiques, many of a higher quality than those available from less upscale competitors, is Acquisitions, Ltd., 2003 Fairview Rd. (tel. 919/755-1110).
Peché du Chocolat, 305 S. Blount St. (tel. 919/754-1112; www.pechechocolat.com), is the finest chocolate shop in Raleigh, a tastefully upscale, European-style venue for confections that derive from Belgium, Italy, France, Turkey, and Lebanon. Many of the chocolates are artfully wrapped, come in differing degrees of darkness, and are often deliciously studded with delicacies like hazelnuts, pistachios, and candied fruits.
Raleigh Nightlife
The elegantly renovated Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 1 E. South St. (tel. 919/831-6011; www.progressenergycenter.com), is the home of the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra and the North Carolina Theatre. The orchestra gives around 50 performances annually in Raleigh; Gerhardt Zimmermann is its conductor laureate. Critics have hailed the North Carolina Theatre as "the best it gets this side of Broadway." It specializes in large-scale Broadway musicals such as Hello, Dolly. This is the state's only resident professional musical theater. The box office is open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm.
The hottest sports tickets in a sports-crazy town are for seats to a Carolina Hurricanes game (http://hurricanes.nhl.com). The Raleigh hockey franchise catapulted to greatness when it won its first Stanley Cup in 2006, defeating the Edmonton Oilers. The Canes play in the RBC Center, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd. (tel. 919/861-2300; www.rbccenter.com). For tickets, call tel. 866/645-2263.
