Lifestyle
Dive right into big-city living in beautifully contemporary Raleigh. Here, at every turn, you'll find all the modern conveniences expected from a metropolitan area, along with that Southern charm that draws so many to North Carolina. The state's capital city has countless things to see and do - you better plan to stay a while! WalletHub recently ranked Raleigh as No. 2 on their Top 10 places to live in all cities with a population of 300,000 or more.
Shopping in Raleigh is at its premium with several locales. Crabtree Valley Mall is the largest enclosed mall in the Triangle with over 200 shops and dozens of eateries throughout its property. With the Apple Store for dad, Disney Store for the kids and Bailey's Fine Jewelry for mom, shop all day and dine when the urge hits you. In North Raleigh, Triangle Town Center houses 165 stores including numerous dining options on two levels. Saks Fifth Avenue, Belk, Dillard's, Sears and Macy's anchor this shopping center. Cameron Village, which first opened in 1949, is your unique shopping experience featuring exclusive shops and restaurants. A great chic place to shop for that hard-to-buy-for or they-already-have-it-all friend or relative. North Hills, which has undergone major renovations and expansion, possesses the trendy shopping experience, fabulous dining options and entertainment opportunities that are all accessible within walking distance.
If your appetite is whet for an awesome dining experience, you have picked the right city. Raleigh is home to the iconic Angus Barn, Second Empire Restaurant in downtown Raleigh, the legendary 42nd St. Oyster Bar that is walking distance from the state capital, and home of Char-Grill, a fave for flame-cooked burgers. You will never run out of dining options, guaranteed.
Want to explore indoors for a weekend in the downtown area? The North Carolina Museum of Art highlights permanent collections and exhibitions, family-friendly events and more. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is a phenomenal place to delve into and Marbles Museum is right around the corner, and not far from the North Carolina Museum of History. Map out your course and then set off for an adventure.
Are outdoor, sports or cultural events more your nature? Walnut Creek Amphitheatre showcases major outdoor music concerts and festivals for crowds of up to 20,000, while the Red Hat Amphitheater offers a smaller, more intimate setting. The PNC Arena is also home to the NHL Carolina Hurricanes, the North Carolina State Wolfpack Men's Basketball team and hosts a wide variety of shows, concerts and sporting events throughout the year. There's also the Carolina Ballet, North Carolina Theatre, the North Carolina Symphony...and the list goes on and on.
Raleigh is a tremendous city with something to suit everyone's fancy. The beltline and interstate make access easy for your commute to work. Centrally located, the road is never too far to venture out to the beautiful beaches on the coast or head west to the mountains in North Carolina.
History
A bill creating Wake County was passed in 1771. In November of 1792, the North Carolina General Assembly chose the name Raleigh to be the state's capital city. Raleigh was named in honor of Sir Walter Raleigh, a famous privateer and sponsor of the original Roanoke colony. In 1800, Raleigh's population was just over 660. Raleigh is now the second largest city in North Carolina with over 431,000 residents, following Charlotte.
Check out this showcase video of Downtown Raleigh!
Fun Facts
The first state fair is held near Raleigh in October 1853.
Andrew Johnson, who was born in Raleigh and became the 16th Vice President of the United States, is sworn in as president following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln on April 15, 1865.
In 1889, the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts opens, which was later named North Carolina State University.
In 1899, The Tucker Building is erected and is Raleigh's first skyscraper. There are now over 18 buildings downtown that are 14 floors or higher.
Raleigh installs its first parking meters on Fayetteville Street in the fall of 1939.
The Research Triangle Park opened in 1959.
Money magazine named Raleigh as one of the five best retirement cities in America (Jan. 2015).
Things to Do
North Carolina State Fair takes place October at the N.C. State Fairgrounds.
Krispy Kreme Challenge race takes place in February, from the campus of N.C. State University through historic downtown and back.
Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus is coming to the PNC Area in February.
Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series takes to the streets to downtown Raleigh.
