Guide to Downtown Apex, NC (Things To Do & Places To eat)

Just a 20-minute drive from the City of Oaks and you’ve landed yourself in historic downtown Apex, North Carolina.

Founded in the 1860s, Apex is a small town in North Carolina known as the most intact turn-of-the-century railroad town that is now recognized by the National Register of Historic Places.

The town is centered around the charming Salem Street, which is where you’ll find most of the top attractions in downtown Apex, the best restaurants and cafes, boutique stores, and historic colorful architecture.

We love the town of Apex in Wake County because even though it’s a small town, it’s far from sleepy, and you’ll find many exciting things to do in downtown Apex alone.

In this guide, we’ve shared some of ideas for what to do, where to eat, and where to shop, in the historic downtown neighborhood of Apex!

Things to Do in Downtown Apex

Below are some of the most fun things to do in the downtown area of Apex, from popular events to hidden gems and shopping galore!

You can see all these attractions and some of our favorite places to eat and drink on this interactive map.

1. Explore Salem Street

The great thing about downtown Apex is that it’s very walkable and pedestrian friendly. The beating heart of downtown is Salem Street, which you should absolutely explore on foot.

Wander up and down the sidewalk and you will discover the historic, colorful buildings that make this town famous. They have all been beautifully restored into specialty stores and antique shops, and terrific locally owned restaurants, cafes and bars.

This street is bustling on the weekends, but any time of the week it’s the perfect place to just go strolling around and shopping. Salem Street in Apex is a timeless experience.

A historic attraction to check out for history buffs on Salem Street is Apex Union Depot, which is the old railroad station. It was built in 1914 and is worth a look to get an idea of the town’s railroad heritage.

Today it serves as a meeting space, plus as a space for concerts, festivals and other events.

2. Shop at Rose & Lee

Rose & Lee is a favorite store of Caroline’s in downtown Apex and is where she frequently pops in when in need of a new outfit for an event.

From a vibrant clothing range to elegant jewelry and fun gifts, Rose & Lee sells incredible boutitque brands that have their own mission of change and empowerment, from sustainability to human rights. 

We love how affordable their prices are too. All their staff are fantastic at helping you find what you need.

Some of our favorite shops in downtown that we like are Antiques On Salem Street for vintage furnishings, housewares, and antique décor, Moon and Lola for stylish jewelry, trinkets and treasures, and Sophie & Mollies Boutique for ladies fashion! The owners hand-pick each item sold in the store.

Of course, you can’t miss Apex Outfitters, the local outdoor apparel and gear store.

3. Pick Up Locally-Sourced Produce at Elk Local Foods

Pop into Elk Local Foods for food that is locally sourced nearby to help you grow and sustain your family and our community.

This is a specialty shop that sells great products that founder, Lora Neel, has handpicked from nearby supplies.

She has a desire to eat more locally produced and grown foods, as well as a fascination to discover the bounty of the seasons, and that spurred on the idea to sell produce that would normally be sold a local farmers’ markets, in a store in downtown Apex.

From seasonal fruit and vegetables to organic honey and coffee beans, this is the place to go when you want to shop local.

4. Check Out Apex Farmers Market

Every Saturday from 9.00am to noon is the Apex Farmers Market, where local producers’ who farm or produce their goods within 150 miles sell their produce at the market.

Stop by for some fresh, local homegrown organic and conventional fruits and vegetables, pastured and sustainably farmed chicken, beef and pork, fresh farm eggs, baked goods, honey, cheeses, jams and preserves, sauces, salsas, and other artisanal food products.

5. Attend Apex PeakFest

Held annually in May, Apex PeakFest celebrates the “Peak of Good Living”.

This arts and crafts festival which takes place in the historic downtown Apex neighborhood comes alive with street performers, live music, food trucks, and over 200 arts and crafts vendors. 

It’s the largest public event in Apex, and it’s free to attend!

6. Admire Apex Lake (Lake Pine Loop Trail)

If you’re looking for the best nature spot near Downtown Apex, we always enjoy walking the 2-mile Lake Pine Loop around Apex Lake, and it’s one of our favorite lakes in Wake County. 

The loop trail is a fully paved path, making it family-friendly and popular for walkers or joggers.

It’s also mostly flat with a few slight inclines, but I would classify this trail as easy and good for all skill levels.

The trail is accessible year-round, but it’s beautiful in the Fall.

Dogs are permitted but must be kept on leash. Sometimes it can be heavily trafficked, so the best bet is to get there early, but we find that the path is wide enough for easy to pass others. 

There’s a few side trails as well to explore if you want to take a small stroll in the woods!

There’s plenty of bird life to spot, and ducks in the lake. There’s also a small fishing dock (Fishing License is required).

Apex Lake is part of the bigger 160-acre Apex Community Park, which includes athletic fields, tennis courts, volleyball and basketball courts, picnic areas, playgrounds, fitness and nature trails, and the 50+ acre lake.

The main parking lot for Apex Lake is accessed directly off Lake Pine Drive. 

7. Have A Golf Game at Knights Play Golf Center

If you’re a golfer, the Par 3 Knight’s Play Golf Course features 27 well-sculpted holes (3 sets of 9-holes) with three tees for each hole. It’s a fantastic course and can accommodate advanced, intermediate, and beginner players.

There’s also a 60-station driving range that is recognized by the Golf Range Association of America as one of the top 100 practice facilities in the country.

The cool part about it is – it’s an illuminated par-three course, which means it’s open from 8:00 am to LATE (midnight). 

8. Discover Christmas on Salem Street

Christmas time in Apex is magical. Witness downtown turns into a winter wonderland called Christmas on Salem Street, and see the street illuminated in light displays and Christmas cheer!

There are also carriage rides, tree lighting ceremony, and a visit from Santa during this family-friendly event.

It’s the event that all the locals look forward to as it gets the Apex community into the holiday spirit. The Holt Road Christmas Lights in Apex is also unmissable.

9. Try an Escape Room

If your family enjoys the challenge of escape rooms, Whole Brain Escape is an award-winning escape room created by locals with over 40 years of experience in the video game industry, including at Epic Games, makers of Fortnight.

Suitable for 2-8 people, these escape rooms range in difficulty and can be good fun for first-timers and seasoned escape roomers alike.

Each room has a duration of 60 minutes.

10. Take the Kids to Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Our kids love Sky Zone Trampoline Park and getting airborne off all types of trampolines. This is not just a trampoline park, but a cutting-edge entertainment, fitness and sports facility.

Besides bouncing off trampolines, there’s also a trapeze and ninja obstacle course. Come here and see if you can defy gravity!

11. Go Camping at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

Although not within downtown Apex itself, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area is the best place for the great outdoors in the Apex region and should not be skipped on your visit.

Located between Apex and Pittsboro in Chatham County, Jordan Lake is an expansive park featuring not one but seven lakes, miles of hiking trails, and more than 1,000 campsites to choose from.

Sit by the beach next to the beautiful lake or go for a swim. If you have a boat, you can launch your own boat from one of the boat ramps.

If you’re lucky, you may even spot a bald eagle, which is commonly sighted here in the summer months.

With campsite amenities like restrooms and showers, as well as powered sites, it’s the perfect place to go camping while visiting Apex.

12. Bike the American Tobacco Trail

The American Tobacco Trail is a 22-mile recreational route that spans from New Hill to downtown Durham. You can access this trail easily from downtown Apex by driving for 10-minutes to the Reedy Branch Access.

You can run, walk, jog, cycle, or ride a horse along this beautiful and historic trail, which used to be an old railroad but has since been paved and turned into a point to point trail.

The path is mostly flat and easy going, surrounded by woodland and meadows. Pack your bikes and hit this trail for miles of family fun!

Where to Eat & Drink in Apex, NC

Below are some of our favorite places to eat and drink in downtown Apex. We also have suggestions on even more dining options in downtown Apex in our complete guide on restaurants in Apex, here.

1. Scratch Kitchen & Taproom

Two restaurant families came together to create one of the most popular downtown Apex restaurants (and places to drink) for the locals. 

If you are looking for the hidden jewel of Apex, definitely make Scratch Kitchen and Taproom part of your experience for top notch dining and drinks!

Their indoor dining area and bar has character and a warm feeling, but the food is the real star. I didn’t get great photos at the time and don’t do it justice, but the menu is impressive!

Dishes are made from scratch, hence the name, with a focus on providing a place to enjoy a great meal with family and friends with a side dish of good old Southern hospitality.

On the menu you’ll find creative dishes with an Asian twist, such as their Smoked Pimento Cheese Wontons, Spicy Tuna Sushi Round, and Buddha Bowl, plus classics like Lobster Mac & Cheese, Southern Fried Chicken salad, burgers, steaks, sandwiches, and hand-cut fries.

They also serve up delicious cocktails, have a solid wine list and good selection of craft beers. And their desserts are next level too – our kids loved their Coco Seduction.

They also have a lovely outdoor grass area for dining too which is popular with the locals. Local Tip: Book ahead, it is popular. If you walk up and the wait is long, head to the bar which offers full-service drinks and dining.

2. Salem Street Pub

If you are like us and love to experience the local neighborhood pub, then head to the Salem Street Pub (SSP). The moment you step inside you can see, and feel, why this family owned and operated pub is a locals favorite hangout.

Popular for their tasty burgers, gravy fries, wings, rotating taps of local brews, and their specialty moonshine cocktails!

We enjoyed the decal and the warm and cozy atmosphere. It brought back fond memories of what we came to love about pubs when living in the UK and Ireland. 

If you are new to North Carolina, I recommend their Carolina Burger – Southern style topped with chili, American cheese, onions, mustard, and slaw. 

The gravy fries are a definite favorite of ours. Growing up in Australia gravy fries are a BIG deal but not so common here in the US. Their wings are a solid choice, too.

Other popular dishes include the patty melt with onion rings, Mac ‘N Cheese Bacon Burger, Buffalo fries, Buffalo cauliflower. 

With attentive and friendly staff, the whole family will enjoy this place for some of the best pub fare in the Raleigh Durham area.

3. Mission Market

Brought to you by the founders of Apex Outfitters, Mission Market was creatively inspired by the love of community, small business, and social justice.

Part cafe, part gift shop selling everything from home-decor, apparel, health and beauty to baby products and jewelry, this is a lovely store to stop in for a coffee and bite to eat whilst you perouse their offerings.

On the cafe side of things, you can choose from a good selection of Paninis, Avocado Toast, Acai Bowls, Smoothies, and Coffee and Tea – they use locally owned Counter Culture Coffee beans out of Durham!

4. Anna’s Pizzeria

For those that love pizza and all things Italian consider Anna’s Pizzeria as a family-friendly place to eat in Apex.

Established in 1986 in this charming corner lot building, it felt like stepping back-in-time walking in here.

Serving up authentic New York style pizzas and Italian dishes like brick oven pizza and classic Italian dishes like Chicken Parmigiana, Anna’s full-service menu is well loved.

Owner Yury Rojas’s aunt, Anna, was originally from Italy and helped Yury’s family move to America, and to honor her Yury named his restaurant “Anna’s Pizzeria”, a place where her legacy lives on with delicious food and warm hospitality.

Our daughter enjoyed her large slice of cheese pizza. Not the best pizza in the Raleigh area in our opinion, and could have had more cheese, but kids aren’t too fussy!

From our experience, service is not quite up to the standard of other restaurants in Apex, but was decent enough and I did enjoy the old decor and laid back vibe and my Veal Marsala was satisfactory.

They have a variety of wine and beer options including several seasonal beverages.

5. The Exchange Barber Shop & Lounge

This place is so cool! It’s easily one of my favorite bars in downtown Apex. Located in the historic Tobacco and Mule Building originally built in 1917, The Exchange Barber Shop & Lounge is a unique experience.

Imagine a full-service barbershop + spa + lounge, and also a place you grab a cocktail or Charcuterie board in the cozy VIP lounge while you wait for a soothing neck massage, shave, a cut or some skincare.

This an upscale and comfortable retreat offers the ultimate grooming experience and private bar.

6. FRESH. Local Ice Cream

If you read our guide to downtown Cary, you will know that our kids love going to the FRESH for an ice cream. Fortunately, they have a store right here on Salem Street.

With a huge variety of 15+ signature flavors, you can choose to put your flavor of choice in a cup, homemade waffle cone, or cake cone.

They also have ice cream soda floats, milkshakes, and make party cakes FRESH each week. Plus they have monthly specialty flavors to keep you coming back for more!

All of the flavors are made FRESH in-house using ingredients from local dairy farms, and they also offer a vegan selection. The owners have lived in the NC Triangle community for the past 25 years, which is about as local as it gets these days!

7. La Rancherita 

La Rancherita is a popular restaurant in downtown Apex, serving classic Mexican fare in a cheerful cantina.

Start with their salsa made in-house daily, and the guacamole is said to be creamy and fresh.

They make a nice Margarita, and strong!

The restaurant is easy to find being in the heart of downtown, with ample parking in the surrounding streets, or if you’re lucky, on Salem Street out front. 

8. HighCraft Beer Market

HighCraft is a cool tasting room to try local NC beers. They also have a small, but carefully curated, selection of wine.

Located right on Salem Street in the heart of downtown, they offer only the best craft beer from local brands like Burial, DSSOLVR, New Belgium, Sierra Nevada, and domestic beer like Grimm from Brooklyn to international beer!

If you’re looking for a local neighborhood feel to have a drink with friends or others in the community, consider HighCraft. Cool interior space with plenty of seating, plus a nice space out the back. And they are dog friendly!

9. A Taste of Brooklyn

Those with a sweet tooth and in need of freshly baked cupcakes and pastries should head to A Taste of Brooklyn.This

New York-style Bakery in the heart of downtown Apex is the perfect place to pick up some tasty treats, from full cakes (or slices), cupcakes, Italian pastries, and cookies.

Got a birthday party or special event coming up? This petite bakery can custom create that special cake for you! You may like these other bakeries in the Raleigh area.

10. Oaklyn Springs Brewery (Taproom)

Pop into Oaklyn Springs Brewery in downtown for good beer and live music. While the brewery is nestled between Fuquay-Varina and Garner, this craft brewery is working to bring great beer to locals in downtown Apex in their taproom on Salem Street.

There are more than 10 beers on tap in this simple, casual venue which regularly has live music from talented local musicians.

11. Peak of the Vine

The wine lovers won’t feel left out in Apex, NC, and if you prefer grapes over hops, you’re in good hands at the Peak of the Vine – they also serve a small selection of quality beers so don’t leave your beer loving friend at home!

This wine bar and lounge offers a cozy environment indoors and is a unique combination of wine lounge and wine shop where you can sample wines and enjoy tastings from around the world, plus participate in trivia, theme nights, open mic live music sessions and stand-up comedy.

They also have a nice outdoor patio and grass area if you prefer fresh air and sunlight. Often a food truck is on hand too. With a convenient location in Historic Downtown Apex, it’s a nice spot to meet friends for a wine.

They made our list of top wine bars in Wake County!

12. Common Grounds Coffee House & Desserts

Another family-owned business in the heart of historic downtown is Common Grounds Coffee House & Desserts who serve up coffee, pastries, juices, ice creams, and a variety of desserts.

The service is friendly and homely, but as Australians who are fussy about the quality of our coffees, we’ve tried a few lattes and it’s not the best tasting coffee we’ve had, but we have only tried their lattes!

However, I am a fan of the vibe and cozy setting in this historic space as a place to either meet up with friends or work online for an hour or two.

Their cakes do look delicious and are popular with the locals – they’re known for their famous Death by Chocolate Cheesecake.

Final Thoughts

We might be biased because we live close by and visit Apex regularly, but we have also traveled extensively across the USA, and in our opinion, it’s definitely one of the best small towns in America.

With so many things to do, great offerings for places to eat, and warm and friendly locals, there are many reasons to visit Apex and its historic downtown.

We’re lucky to have it here in the Triangle region. If you’re thinking of moving here, check out these neighborhoods in Apex to consider. If you’re in need of a realtor to help you click here and we’ll connect you to our trusted realtor partner!