After setting up a life in a nice residence that fulfills you, there is almost always a desire to enjoy the place you live and spend your leisure time doing things you enjoy and discovering new ways to enhance your life. People who search for homes for sale in Raleigh and Raleigh real estate are doing so because they know the area will have a lot to offer them once they settle into their new property. Recreational, cultural, and relaxational opportunities abound in and around Raleigh. There is a reason why many people who come here stay for years or even the rest of their lives. Let’s take a look!
Culture
The enjoyment of higher culture is something many people long for. Raleigh has a lot to offer in this arena, and with traveling exhibits and different types of shows, you will never run out of opportunities. Here are a few favorites among Raleigh locals:
Museums
Photo courtesy of Visit Raleigh
Raleigh has a plethora of amazing museums that are perfect to stroll through and get a glimpse of old and new alike. Suffice to say, you can visit a museum or historical building each month and not run out of things to do. The crown jewel of art in the area is the North Carolina Museum of Art. With events, rotating exhibitions, and a permanent collection, this gem of culture will keep you coming back to experience some of the greatest visual art on the East Coast.
Music
The Coastal Credit Union Music Park is an outdoor venue that hosts large concerts, so there's sure to be an artist or band you will love to see performing live. The number of acts that have come through this venue is astounding, including some of the biggest names in music and some of the acts that have influenced the world of music the most.
Theater
If you’re a literary lover, then there are opportunities to see theater performances by American and international playwrights alike. Be it William Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, or Anton Chekhov, the list of plays will always change, exposing you to more and more old favorites and new loves as the seasons pass by. There are several small theaters for a more intimate experience, such as Raleigh Little Theatre, which is also home to the beautiful Raleigh Rose Garden, as well as high-capacity theaters such as the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. Go get your bard on, and be entertained by wordsmiths who tell eternal stories that encompass the human spirit.
Recreation
There are many exciting things to do in Raleigh, NC, both in recreational buildings and wild places that are out in nature. From climbing to skating to archery and much more, Raleigh is not short on fun activities to enjoy with your loved ones. Here are some favored suggestions:
For the kids
There are many exciting locations where kids can have a great time that will wear them out so the evenings can be relaxed for their parents! Outdoor activities such as BMX and skating abound in and around Raleigh. There are also miniature golf courses and go-kart tracks kids can visit to create beautiful memories or host birthday parties.
Downtown Raleigh is also full of fun for your little ones! Located in the heart of downtown, Marbles Kids Museum is all about making play fun and educational with hands-on exhibits and programs as well as an IMAX Theater. The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is also popular with kids and kids-at-heart alike, featuring fascinating exhibits on everything from dinosaurs to astronomy to natural sciences, and even features a living conservatory and arthropod zoo!
With all of these activities, it’s no wonder homes for sale in Raleigh are so sought after, making it a great place to raise kids and have a family with ample activities for all.
Parks
Photo courtesy of This is Raleigh
One of the greatest ways to rejuvenate and cleanse the spirit after a long work week is to enjoy the calmness and serenity of nature. Raleigh has a great number of parks that make you feel like you are not even in the city—spanning 5,500 acres, William B. Umstead State Park is a well-known and loved park that is popular with hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, and kayakers, who take to the waters at Big Lake. Lake Johnson Park is another great place to spend several hours soaking up the surroundings. The trails are wonderful and relaxing, and there is nothing quite like being near the water for a sense of stillness and serenity.
Restaurants
Photo courtesy of Jay Wennington on Unsplash
One of the joys of living in a major metropolitan area is having access to a wide variety of cultural delights. Having a range of healthy meals all in one area is one of the nicest things about urban living. With many restaurants in the area, you will have plenty of options from cuisines all over the world.
For just a sample of the many wonderful and noteworthy restaurants that make up Raleigh’s delectable dining scene, make sure you pay a visit to Vidrio for colorful, Mediterranean-inspired sharable plates and artsy cocktails; Vivace for incredible Italian meals on their stunning patio; Bida Manda, a Laotian restaurant and bar serving dynamic Lao dishes influenced by Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, and French cooking techniques; Poole’s Diner, a contemporary American joint with seasonal menus that is owned by chef Ashley Christensen; Morgan Street Food Hall, a bustling marketplace brimming with a diverse array of local eateries, restaurants, and food retailers (that’s also looking for vendors!); and Big Ed’s Restaurant in Downtown Raleigh, which is a local favorite serving scrumptious country cooking and fall-off-the-bone BBQ with a side of Southern hospitality.
Take the first step
You can’t go wrong in this sensational city, largely because of the wonderful homes for sale in Raleigh. If you’re ready to start your search, reach out to a professional like Sharon Evans with Triangle Experts to help you find the perfect home here. Sharon is an area native and will be ecstatic to help you in your home buying process.
