For this week’s Q&A we want to know where in Raleigh you take your out-of-town guests. What sites and businesses around town represent what our city’s really about? Let’s put our heads together. Some of our writers answer below; tell us your spots in the comments.
Ben
When a visitor or a newcomer hits me up for a tour of Raleigh, the day usually takes place as follows.
To start the morning, I’ll take the out-of-towner to the organic and homey Global Village for a long, hot cup of coffee and a light breakfast. After a conversation with a stranger and a stroll down Hillsborough Street, we’ll hit the road and head up Glenwood Avenue to Umstead Park for a hike. Folks are unfailingly impressed that such a beautiful natural area can exist in such close proximity to the city. Following the hike, we’ll clean up and head back south on Glenwood for a charming dinner at The Rockford, perhaps a glass of wine or two at the bar and an exquisite sandwich. The night ends with a short drive northbound on Glenwood to check out the latest flick showing at The Rialto. “They serve beer and wine there?” my tourist will ask. “Of course!” I say.
David
When I have family or friends visiting Raleigh I love going to the art museum. As the new expansion is completed NCMA looks like a bit of a mess, but it still offers a wonderful experience and a great value as the permanent collection is free. It is so nice to go to the museum to spend an afternoon with friends, talking and enjoying their world class collection. The nature trail is also a nice treat; I hate being sedentary with visitors, so I take them for a walk, enjoying the dose of outdoor art and the woods. The nature trail also has several pieces of art based around nature like the whirly gig and the cloud chamber.
Another favorite is our huge farmers market. North Carolina’s agricultural vitality is second to none out here in the east, so show it off with a trip to the farmers market. Over the years this market has evolved with the times and many vendors offer a variety of organic and sustainably based produce, meat and dairy products that meet modern foodie’s needs.
Finally, often overlooked is N. C. State’s arboretum. The garden is not particularly fancy, but has many differnt sections and types of gardens with thousands of varietels of flora and fauna. Tended by the brilliant students in agriculture, botany and horticulture at N.C.S.U., the gardens have small private nooks with goldfish ponds, benches wrapped with roses and mazes of trees and hedges that offer several hours of free outdoor entertainment.
Chad
In the summertime when I have friends in town there are two spots I like to take them to. The rose garden at the Raleigh Little Theater is beautiful when in bloom and it’s a nice spot to lay around in the grass. After that a stroll over to Sadlack’s is necessary. For me, sitting with a visiting friend on the front patio during a beautiful day watching afternoon events with a cold beer and a big mama veggie hero is the best. Can’t beat it with a stick.
Acree
When I have guests visiting from out of town I always opt for the cliché visit to Lilly’s Pizza. But it’s cliché for a reason: Lilly’s isn’t just the best pizza I’ve had in Raleigh; it’s the best pizza I’ve had anywhere. It never fails to impress, with plenty of “damn good” options for the carnivore, vegetarian, or organic lover, and even a deliciously spicy vegan stromboli. Beyond the food, this Raleigh landmark shows off the unexpected-by-tourists gritty character and alternative culture that still lingers around Five Points despite the slow decline that I fear for the neighborhood.
Since all my friends and I do when we travel is eat and shop (not a bad way to experience a city), I’ll also take them to Father and Son consignment on Hargett St. The last time I brought someone there we ended up staying until closing, even after I gave her time limits in each room and shuttled her forward against her will – “Wait, wait, I didn’t see that beta player over there… Ooh!” “There’s no time! We haven’t even been upstairs yet!”
After that, if I really want to overwhelm my guests, I’ll take them to Edward McKay Used Books on Capital.
Brittain
I am new to the city, so taking family and friends to local attractions involves research, exploration, and the risk of going somewhere regretful since I have most likely never been there myself. When my fiancé’s sister was in town from the Bronx last summer, we decided to try going somewhere with trees and ended up at Lake Crabtree Country Park, primarily because it is a clearly visible body of water from Interstate 40 and we assumed that it would have some sort of recreational activities involving the water. Thankfully, if you take the appropriate exit from the interstate (Aviation Parkway) and head in the direction of the lake, the entrance is clearly marked and the boathouse is rather easy to find. Paddleboats are splendid and we saw a snake swimming in the water, which is always a good reason to speak with Australian accents.
The only other “attraction” that I have come across is the RDU Observation Park. This is actually an attraction with a very practical purpose. When your friends, family, and loved ones are flying in to RDU and you go to pick them up while they are still sitting on the tarmac at La Guardia, rather than pay for parking with exit express, drive on out to the Observation Park. While you are there, you can read about the history of our magnificent airport, The Fightin’ Airport. You can also practice landing and taking off on a scale replica of RDU’s actual airstrips, aka sidewalks that go nowhere. You are also invited to watch planes land. Not only can you not hear them coming, but the little curly smoke clouds really do come out from the landing gear upon impact. Learn more here, and enjoy.
Your Comment