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My husband and I are coming this weekend to visit Raleigh. We are going to be looking at neighborhoods in Raleigh, Apex and Holly Springs. We are not looking at specific houses because we are not ready to buy. We just want to narrow down the field and get a feel to what we want.
My husband is not 100% sold on Raleigh. I want to also spend a lot of time visiting the area. What are places and restaurants that would WOW my husband? He loves history and local food.
Moore Square/City Market in Downtown Raleigh. Nothing like sitting in that park after a good meal in the warm carolina breeze. At least it worked for me! That's where we were when my hubby (after a mere 24 hours) just blurted out "let's do it! I can't go home and live that like knowing I could live like this for less money!" Good luck!!!
The places that clinched it for me were cameron village, the farmer's market, and the open air flea market near NC state. The farmer's market especially - the radiance of all the wonderful trees, plants, flowers and fruit there were the thing that made me think "I'd love to be near this". Cameron village is walking distance from work for me, so the open shopping/kitchy shops/restaurants just seemed to hit all of thie right notes. I find myself stopping by there even during the weekends.
I'm finding more as I stay longer - but those kind of confirmed that I had made the right decision.
For food, I would actually head to Durham - especially if you take MrsSteel's advice and go to a Durham Bulls game. Pops is in the Tobacco Warehouse district, near where the Bulls play, so you get to kill two birds with one stone after the game - a great meal, and plenty of history. Another eating alternative in Durham is Four Square, which is in a restored Victorian house. Great food, and a wonderful atmosphere. Plenty of other alternatives abound for great food in Durham (Nana's Magnolia Grill, etc.), but these are a couple of good ones.
In Raleigh, there are some nice alternatives, although in my opinion none are as good as the Durham eateries. Second Empire (and the downstairs tavern), Bistro 607, Bloomsbury Bistro, and so on.
Clyde Cooper's Barbecue on Davie Street in Raleigh has a fine collection of archive photos of Raleigh. And some kinda good cue, too!
Mecca Restaurant on Hargett Street in Raleigh is like walking into a shift in the space/time continuum. Welcome to 1949!
Sweet potato pudding... Oh, My!
Clyde Cooper's has been there since 1938, and the nice folks at the Mecca will not hesitate to tell you they have been there longer.
And I do like the Italian place in Cameron Village, if I could only recall the name.
I have not yet been to Peak City Grille on Salem Street in Apex, but my wife says it is a must, so I guess I will be there soon. Have heard a lot of good things.
Piccola Italia or something like that. Great place.
Good suggestions all the way around.
Definitely check out the NC History Museum downtown (I especially like the sports section) and then take time to walk around the Capitol building and then down Fayetteville Street a couple of blocks. Cut over two blocks to the left to see City Market/Moore Square.
There are some neat old neighborhoods to check out in Raleigh - Oakwood and Mordecai, Hayes Barton and Five Points, etc. And I recommend checking out some of the smaller, more traditional Southern downtowns. Apex for sure. If you have time, drive out to Pittsboro and check out the antique shops.
I would also suggest going to duke gardens (you can pick up some eats to go at whole foods, or, mad hatter bakery, or francesca's or george's garage or elmo's diner, and have a picnic at duke gardens. I love it there! There is a great open field to hang out in, lots of flowers, etc.
good luck!
Leigh
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