Planning a trip. (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill: chapel, hotels, taxes)
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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What kind of "tourist attractions" are you looking for...other than the state museums in downtown there isn't much in Raleigh that would be considered a tourist attraction. Including Chapel Hill and Durham in your itinerary adds a few things, but not a whole lot. Raleigh isn't really a tourist destination.
next weekend, the big event is the NC State v Clemson game - it will either be 3:30 or 7 pm Saturday. Traffic will build 3 hours before the game on Wade Avenue, the Beltline nearby, and I40 East nearby.
UNC will host Miami next Saturday too, at noon. 40 Westbound between the airport and Chapel Hill will be busy from 10:30-12, and then eastbound from 3:30-6. That will nicely coincide with the State traffic if the game is 7 pm, so avoid I40 East between Durham and Raleigh if the State game is 7 pm.
The best place to stay is probably at a hotel in the Brier Creek area.
Museums are largely concentrated in Raleigh, especially downtown. The NC Museum of Art is near the football game.
The Hunt Library on NC State Centennial Campus is spectacular.
The State Farmers Market is close to the library.
Durham, you'd want to check out Duke Campus, especially the gardens and the Chapel. I'd check the internet for basketball games at Duke and UNC for next weekend.
American Tobacco campus in Durham is definitely worth an hour or more of your time to wander around, and eat.
I think the best attraction in Raleigh is just the downtown area itself. Crank Arm Brewery for some drinks, one of Ashley Christenson's restraurants for dinner (especially Death&Taxes or Poole's Diner), something sweet at Lucette Grace, another beer at Brewery Bhavana, then hit the sack at one of the hotels right downtown (even though they are $$$ compared to staying out at a mall or a shopping center on the edge). Wake up and get coffee at Sir Walter Coffee. See the museums downtown and walk the capitol grounds next door. Then leave downtown for a bit and head over to the NC Museum of Art. Walk around inside at both wings, then spend some time outside walking the trails. Then head back downtown and catch a breather before heading back out. Stop in at Landmark Tavern and let Gary pour you a stiff drink. Then maybe sit outside at Raleigh Times for a bit and people watch on the sidewalk. See who is playing at King's or Pour House. Pop into the best dive bar in the state, Slim's Downtown Distillery.
I think I will be visiting Raleigh next weekend. Where is the best place to stay to take advantage of tourist attractions ? Are there any must sees?
Raleigh and the surrounding area is pretty spread-out so there is no "must-stay" locations. Brier Creek area is good, as well as downtown Raleigh, North Hills/Crabtree areas.
On Saturday morning have breakfast at Big Ed's. Close to Moore Square. Downtown Raleigh. If you have kids the Marbles Kids Museum. Very close to Big Ed's.
I think the best attraction in Raleigh is just the downtown area itself. Crank Arm Brewery for some drinks, one of Ashley Christenson's restraurants for dinner (especially Death&Taxes or Poole's Diner), something sweet at Lucette Grace, another beer at Brewery Bhavana, then hit the sack at one of the hotels right downtown (even though they are $$$ compared to staying out at a mall or a shopping center on the edge). Wake up and get coffee at Sir Walter Coffee. See the museums downtown and walk the capitol grounds next door. Then leave downtown for a bit and head over to the NC Museum of Art. Walk around inside at both wings, then spend some time outside walking the trails. Then head back downtown and catch a breather before heading back out. Stop in at Landmark Tavern and let Gary pour you a stiff drink. Then maybe sit outside at Raleigh Times for a bit and people watch on the sidewalk. See who is playing at King's or Pour House. Pop into the best dive bar in the state, Slim's Downtown Distillery.
Anyway, that's what I'd do
Don't forget to grab some chocolate next door to Crank Arm at Videri!
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