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How to Enjoy a Family Vacation in Raleigh, North Carolina – Lots of Fun with Southern Charm

How to Enjoy a Family Vacation in Raleigh, North Carolina - Lots of Fun with Southern CharmTravel anywhere in the south and you will find rich history and southern hospitality. Nowhere is this more true than in beautiful Raleigh, NC. Home to the “Research Triangle” and some of the top colleges in the country, Raleigh and its surrounding areas boasts tons of outdoor activities, free attractions and budget friendly adventures.

It seems like whenever you see a “best of” city list in the major magazines, Raleigh is always in the top 10. It’s not only a great place to live, but is filled with family friendly activities for kids of all ages to enjoy.  So whether you are planning a trip to the City of Oaks or just passing through, here are some suggestions to having fun with the family when you visit Raleigh.

What to Do in Raleigh

Marbles Kids Museum

For the kiddos who love to find out how things work, Marbles Kids Museum is the perfect place for growing minds. They offer a hands-on experience for toddlers through middle school age. They even have a mini hockey arena where kids can skate around in their socks. Kids can build a house with mega sized building blocks, play in water or learn what it’s like to be a firefighter or paramedic. The museum also has a separate IMAX theater and café, making it easy to spend the whole day there. Unlike other kids’ museums, Marbles is budget friendly. Admission is just $5 per person.

Pullen Park

One of the best kept secrets in Raleigh is Pullen Park. It’s been a Raleigh institution since 1887 and is one of the 6th oldest parks in the US. It’s the perfect destination to head with the kiddos to let them gets outside and burn off some energy from being stuck in the car. Not only is it home to state of the art play equipment, it also has a miniature train, kiddie boat rides, paddleboats and a turn of the century carousel. Tickets for the attractions are just $1 each and admission to the park is free. You can pack a picnic lunch, but for a treat you may want to check out their café. You can still find hot dogs and nachos at this concession stand, but you will also find some gastronomical treats like gourmet popsicles and butternut squash soup . If you visit during the summer months, be sure to splurge on a Locopop. They are gourmet popsicles that are local and hand made. In addition to the park, there is an aquatic center, amphitheater, and picnic areas on the grounds.

Natural Science Museum

The Natural Science Museum in downtown Raleigh is the perfect way to spend a rainy day or beat the summer heat. Although there are many interesting exhibits there, the kiddos will love the dinosaur exhibits and getting the chance to take part in real science experiments. If you visit during the weekdays, you may get a glimpse of real paleontologist cleaning and examining dinosaur bones. There is a viewing area, where visitors can watch their progress through glass walls. Like Marbles Kids Museum, the Natural Science Museum is kid friendly and has many hands-on exhibits.

Jordan Lake

If you are looking for an outdoor adventure, head south on Route 1 to Jordan Lake. A thirty minute drive from downtown, the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area has a variety of activities like hiking, camping and boating. You can rent a kayak or a pontoon boat at the Crosswinds Boating Center and hit the lake or just hang out at one of its beaches. Stop at the store and grab a bag of charcoal and some picnic food and grill out at one of the picnic areas. There is nothing better on a hot summer day than a dip in the water and hanging out on the beach and Jordan Lake won’t disappoint.

Fairs and Festivals

Every weekend in the spring, summer and fall is filled with fairs and festivals downtown and the surrounding suburbs. To get the full experience of Raleigh, hang out with the locals. Most people you will meet will be more than happy to point you in the direction of their favorite park or place to eat (especially when the topic comes to barbecue). Although Raleigh is a large city, it has a small town feel. Check out the calendar at the Visit Raleigh website for events happening while you are there.

 Where to Eat

You can’t make a trip to Raleigh without getting some barbecue. An institution in Raleigh is Clyde Coopers BBQ. It’s no-fuss, no-nonsense service is perfect for a family to grab a quick bite to eat. Clyde Coopers BBQ has been in business for 75 years serving many generations of Raleigh families. They were also voted top 10 Best BBQ in the US. You can also follow the infamous NC Barbecue Trail through the Raleigh Metro where it makes stops in Chapel Hill and Willow Springs.

Not a BBQ person? Although Raleigh may not have all choices of cities like LA and NY, Raleigh is a melting pot of many cultures so you will find anything from soul food to Lebanese. It’s also close enough to the shore to get some killer seafood. In Raleigh, you will most likely find your seafood Calabash style, a North Carolina tradition. Try Skippers Fish Fry in Apex to get some great seafood and friendly service.

Getting Around the City

The best way to get around Raleigh is with a car. Although there is public transportation, it’s not as advanced as many large cities. If you are staying downtown, you can easily get around by walking. Raleigh is pedestrian friendly and most of the state attractions and museums are within walking distance of downtown.  If you have older kids, you may want to look into the Segway tours of the capital city. There are many reasonably priced parking garages scattered around the city or on the weekends you can easily find street parking. If you belong to ZipCar, Raleigh has pick up spots around the city.

You will love the laid back, friendly vibe in Raleigh. It’s rich with southern charm and is geared towards families. Most attractions are free or cheap, so you won’t bust your budget having a good time there. The weather is fairly temperate with the average temperature in winter being around 50 degrees. It does get hot in the summer, so plan your outdoor activities accordingly. No matter what your families’ interests are, a trip to North Carolina’s capital city will not disappoint.