How to Spend an Epic Weekend in Raleigh, North Carolina

Considering a weekend get away to Raleigh or even a staycation in Raleigh? Look no further. This detailed itinerary for a weekend in Raleigh, NC will have you visiting the highlights, tasting the local delicacies, and staying in one of the best located hotels in the city!

Let’s get started planning out your trip to Raleigh.

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Friday Night Raleigh Itinerary

Your epic weekend in Raleigh, North Carolina will start after work (or school) on Friday. Whether you plan to drive, fly, or take the train to Raleigh, you’ll want to plan to arrive around dinner time to make the most of your time in the city.

Stop at Angus Barn for Dinner

As you arrive into Raleigh, start your vacation out right by treating yourself to one of the best restaurants in Raleigh, the Angus Barn. This Raleigh restaurant is a staple that has been around for years and is constantly rated one of the best steakhouses in the area. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by this restaurant, which is housed in a big red barn.

To make your meal a bit more affordable, you can have dinner at the Wild Turkey Bar & Lounge inside. And, if you’re visiting around Christmas time, you’re in for a treat as they go all out in their decorating. Just make sure to make a reservation in advance as it does book up!

Check into Your Downtown Raleigh Hotel

With only a few days in Raleigh, NC you’ll want to stay somewhere central to make exploring the city quick and easy. This means checking out the hotels in downtown Raleigh. Fortunately, there are a number of them, and with Raleigh being a mid-sized city, they are even typically affordable!

Stay in the heart of Raleigh at the Raleigh Marriott City Center Hotel or the Residence Inn by Marriott Raleigh Downtown. Both of these hotels are located close to the Capital and within easy reach of most downtown Raleigh activities.

Try out one of the newest and hippest hotels in Raleigh at the AC Hotel by Marriott Raleigh Downtown. Make sure to visit its rooftop bar!

Or, give a retro hotel a go at the Longleaf Hotel – a recently refurbished hotel on the edge of downtown Raleigh.

Check out other areas of Raleigh to stay in!

Experience the Nightlife of Raleigh on Glenwood South

If you’re on the younger side, head to the Glenwood South neighborhood in downtown to visit some of the best bars and clubs of Raleigh. Here you’ll find hoards of people milling around hitting up the numerous nightlife venues.

Find live music at Tin Roof, outdoor fire pits at Cornerstone Tavern, and a two story slide at Johnson Street Yacht Club. Enjoy the open air of Milk Bar, the bumping music at Alchemy, or the laid back vibes of Clockwork.

Or perhaps, best of all, stop at the Raleigh Beer Garden to try some of the many beers on tap. In fact, it holds the Guinness Book of World Records record for the world’s largest selection of draft beers in one bar.

A small sampling of the many taps at Raleigh Beer Garden

Saturday Raleigh Itinerary

With a fully day in Raleigh ahead, there’s a lot of ground you’ll be covering! Fortunately, this full day will be spent in the near and far reaches of downtown Raleigh, meaning you can leave the car parked and explore entirely by foot. Just wear your walking shoes.

Let’s take a look at what to do in Raleigh on this fine Saturday.

Grab Breakfast at Big Ed’s in City Market

Big Ed’s has been a Raleigh treasure for years. It’s one of the best places to find a classic Southern breakfast with a side of Southern hospitality. Located in the historic City Market region of downtown Raleigh, you’ll be centrally located next to Moore Square and ready to take on the day after you fill your belly.

Try the jumbo sized hot cakes, which are as big as a dinner plate, or the homemade buttermilk biscuits. Add some eggs and some meats, and you’re off to the races!

Explore Downtown Raleigh

Downtown Raleigh features endless opportunities for adventure, education, and fun. That’s why today you’ll be spending time getting to know the ins and outs of the best places to visit in Raleigh, NC.

Start your tour of downtown Raleigh in Historic City Market, where Big Ed’s is located, and continue into Moore Square, the main gathering space in downtown. Then walk around the central district of downtown Raleigh taking in the North Carolina State Capital building, the Executive Mansion & Gardens, and the Legislative Building & Halifax Mall. From there, you’ll continue on to Historic Oakwood.

Check out the Top 20 Things to Do in Raleigh.

Stroll through Historic Oakwood

Historic Oakwood sits on the east side of downtown Raleigh and is home to the largest intact 19th century residential neighborhood in North Carolina. This makes it the perfect place to take a walk and admire the beautiful architecture.

To see the best of Historic Oakwood, you can take a self-guided walking tour. It will guide you down the beautiful tree-lined streets and give you the history of the homes and insight into the prominent residents who once occupied them.

Stop at The Pit for Authentic Carolina BBQ for Lunch

When visiting the south, you’ll have to try one of the most popular foods – barbecue. The Pit is the best place to get barbecue in downtown Raleigh as it serves authentic whole-hog, pit-cooked BBQ with a wide range of tasty southern side dishes.

Try the skillet cornbread, pimento cheese balls, fried green tomatoes, mac & cheese, hush puppies, collard greens, and more! Not to mention, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the difference between the eastern-style NC barbecue sauce and the western-style NC barbecue sauce.

Tour the Videri Chocolate Factory

Located right across the street from the Pit, you’ll find a hidden gem of Raleigh – the Videri Chocolate Factory. Here you can get a tour of the factory and how chocolate is made. And of course, you’ll need to taste some of their chocolate. They also offer soft serve ice cream if you’re looking fo something to top off your lunch!

Visit One of the North Carolina Museums

Downtown Raleigh is thriving with culture, including many world-class museums. Because of this, no weekend in Raleigh would be complete without stopping in one, or more, of them. And, many of them are free to visit!

A personal favorite is the Museum of Natural Science where you can learn all about the animals and nature of North Carolina. Across the street you’ll find another free-to-visit museum, the North Carolina Museum of History. Want a more localized history of Raleigh? Head to the City of Raleigh Museum. Or, if you’re visiting Raleigh with kids, check out Marbles Kids Museum.

Enjoy Dinner at Brewery Bhavana

To top off your day in Raleigh, make a reservation as one of the most unique downtown Raleigh restaurants, Brewery Bhavana. This delicious restaurant combines a flower shop, bookshop, brewery, and dim sum restaurant into one.

This unusual concept has helped it land on Bon Apetit’s 2017 Best New Restaurants of the Year, Forbe’s 10 Coolest Places to Eat in 2018, and Conde Nast Traveller’s 2019 15 Most Beautiful Breweries, Distilleries, and Wineries around the World lists.

Kick off your meal with a wide selection of dim sum. You’ll definitely want to try the seafood dumplings and scallion pancakes served with bone marrow and coconut oxtail jam, but you’ll find no shortage of creative small plates to try!

Alternative Restaurants to Go To

Due to its popularity, securing a reservation at Brewery Bhavana can be challenging. Don’t worry, there are plenty of other amazing restaurants in Raleigh! Try getting a reservation for Bida Manda. It’s located next door to Brewery Bhavana and is owned by the same people, serving up traditional Laotian food.

Other great options for those who aren’t great at planning ahead include any of Ashley Christensen’s restaurants. Try Poole’s Diner for southern comfort food or Beasley’s Chicken + Honey. Neither take reservations – they’re first come first served (and delicious)!

Visit the Best Bars in Downtown Raleigh

Round out your evening in Raleigh with a visit to a bar or two – all within walking distance! From dinner, you’ll find a lot of places to have a post dinner beer or cocktail.

Stop by Watts and Ward for an indoor speak easy vibe or an outdoor cocktail with live music. Admire the old Raleigh newspaper building at the Raleigh Times bar. You can even grab a seat on the rooftop to watch the nightlife of Raleigh! Sip a whiskey or bourbon at the underground Foundation bar. Wrap up the evening with a dessert cocktail or coffee at Bittersweet.

Search out the 10 best bars in Raleigh!

Watt & Wards a stunning outdoor bar space in Raleigh — Watts and Ward outdoor garden

Sunday Raleigh Itinerary

Continue your weekend trip to Raleigh by hitting up a few more iconic Raleigh destinations!

Have Breakfast at Tupelo Honey

Make your way just about a mile from downtown Raleigh to Tupelo Honey. This southern restaurant serves up a mean southern breakfast with most of your morning favorites available.

To avoid having to wait, I recommend making a reservation in advance. Then nothing stands between you waking up and their delicious biscuits, chicken and waffles, omelettes, and more!

Shop at the Boutiques of the Village District

When you’re done with breakfast, meander across the street to check out the Village District shopping area – previously known as Cameron Village. Here you’ll find dozens of boutiques and specialty stores offering great window shopping and even better souvenir shopping for something unique to remember your 48 hours in Raleigh by.

Stop at Pullen Park

Next stop is just down the road from the Village District at Pullen Park. Pullen Park is the fifth oldest operating amusement park in the US, and a great destination for a short walk or a ride on one of their classic amusement park rides.

Pullen Park is particularly of interest if you’re spending a weekend in Raleigh with kids. Be sure to hit up the carousel, train ride, and pedal boats for rent. Even if you’re just adults on a romantic weekend away in Raleigh, it’s a great place to take a stroll around the lake.

Additionally, the seasons offer awesome opportunities at Pullen Park. In the winter they light it up the full park with Christmas lights, while in the spring you’ll find cherry blossoms in bloom.

Head to Morgan Street Food Hall for Late Afternoon Snack

As you prepare to wrap up your weekend in Raleigh, you’ll want to enjoy one last meal or snack before hitting the road. For maximum choices and a unique experience, head to Morgan Street Food Hall. This food court style building features 18 different local food vendors selling everything from sushi and curry to macaroons and ice cream. You’ll also find a bar onsite along with a large dog friendly patio.

No matter what you’re craving, you’ll be able to find something to suit you. And with all seating being first come, first served, there’s always a table available or about to become available.

Events in Raleigh This Weekend

Know when you’re visiting Raleigh? Check for special events happening in Raleigh the weekend you’re visiting. There’s always a quantity of things going on, from movies in the parks, concerts, festivals, hockey games at PNC arena, free fitness classes, and more!

Here are some of the best resources to find what’s going on this weekend in Raleigh, NC:

Additional Raleigh Recommendations

As a Raleigh local, I often write about the amazing places in North Carolina to share the joy this beautiful state brings me. Make the most of your weekend in Raleigh with more details from these awesome posts:

Additionally, you can complement your Raleigh trip with additional destinations in North Carolina. From the mountains of North Carolina to the beaches of North Carolina, there’s plenty of amazing places to visit!

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How to Spend an Epic Weekend in Raleigh, North Carolina