How to Bike the Art to Heart Trail in Raleigh (NC Museum of Art to Downtown): Route, Stops & Our Favorite Date Idea

The Art to Heart Trail is a 6-mile, paved greenway bike route that connects the NC Museum of Art to downtown Raleigh. It’s one of the best bike rides in Raleigh, and after riding it as a family of four, Caroline and I recently rode it again, just the two of us, as a weekend date. With great coffee stops, a brand-new cafe with the best skyline view in the city, and pizza and craft beer at the finish, it turned out to be one of our favorite Raleigh date ideas yet.

It’s still a great family-friendly bike ride. The trail is paved, mostly off-road and shaded, but this time we cycled it kid-free and took it slow, stopped for coffee (three times), and turned a 6-mile ride into a relaxed half-day date. If you’re thinking of riding it and not sure where to start, where to park, or where to stop along the way, below is everything you need to know.

Art to Heart Trail: Quick Facts

DISTANCE: 6 miles one way (12 miles round trip). Our route with the Dix Park detour was a little longer. START: NC Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh (free parking) FINISH: Downtown Raleigh (pick you lunch spot) SURFACE: Paved greenway, plus a few short sections on quiet streets and crosswalks DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate. The hilliest part is the first 2-miles through the forest on the Reedy Creek Greenway. RIDE TIME: 30 – 45 minutes one way without stops. Plan for 3+ hours with coffee, lunch and photo stops. TYPE: Point-to-point, NOT a loop. Ride back or take an Uber or Lyft back to your car. COST: Free (museum park, museum admission and parking are free) GOOD FOR: Date days, families with kids who can ride a few miles, visitors, e-bikes.

What Is the Art to Heart Trail?

The Art to Heart Trail is a point-to-point greenway route that links the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA), home to the state’s art collection and a 164-acre outdoor museum park, to the heart of downtown Raleigh. The name says it all: you start at the ART and ride to the HEART of the city.

The route strings together sections of Raleigh’s Capital Area Greenway system, one of the most extensive greenway networks in the country with more than 100 miles of trails. It’s also a short segment of the East Coast Greenway, a developing trail system linking cities along the East Coast from Maine to Key West that is close to 3,000 miles long.

Why the Art to Heart Trail Makes a Great Raleigh Date Idea

The first time we rode this trail, it was all about keeping the kids happy and making it to the end. This time it was just Caroline and I, and it felt like a totally different experience. If you’re looking for things to do in Raleigh outdoors as a couple, here’s why we think it’s one of the best date ideas in Raleigh:

• It’s active but relaxed. You’re outdoors and moving, but at your own pace. You can chat side by side on the wider sections of the greenway.
• The stops make the date. Coffee at Lucky Tree, skyline views and another coffee at Flowers Cottage in Dix Park, pizza and craft beer at Trophy Brewing, and a final coffee at The Bike Library.
• It’s free. Parking, the museum park and the trail cost nothing, so your budget goes on food and drinks.
• You see a side of Raleigh most people drive past. Forest trails, college campuses, Pullen Park, Dix Park and the historic Boylan Heights neighborhood, with views of the downtown skyline along the way.
• It’s easy to plan. Park at the museum, ride, eat, and either ride back or grab a rideshare.

Biking the Art to Heart Trail: What to Expect

The Art to Heart Trail is NOT a loop, so before you set off, decide whether you’ll ride one way (about 6 miles) and take an Uber or Lyft back to your car, or ride there and back (about 12 miles). We cycled both ways, with the first leg being a lot slower with coffee and lunch stops and we stop a lot to capture photos and videos. On the way back, we cycled without stopping and it took us about 25-minutes!

The route starts in the museum park, joins the Reedy Creek Greenway through the forest, crosses over I-440 and under Wade Avenue, wraps around Meredith College, then follows the Rocky Branch Greenway through NC State University’s campus and past Pullen Park before entering the historic Boylan Heights neighborhood and finishing downtown. Of course, you can cycle it in reverse order, but it is called the “art to heart trail”.

Most of the trail is off-road and shaded, with a good mix of flat sections, a few hills, bridges and a tunnel. It’s a multi-use trail, so expect walkers, runners and other cyclists, but it’s wide enough to pass safely. Signage is limited in places, so have a map open on your phone, especially around Meredith College, NC State and Pullen Park.

Our Art to Heart Trail Date Route at a Glance

Stop	Approx. distance from start	What’s there
Start: NC Museum of Art	0 miles	Free parking, Museum Park trail, Gyre sculpture, restrooms
Reedy Creek Greenway (I-440 bridge + Wade Ave tunnel)	0 to 2 miles	Forest trail, the hilliest section of the ride
Coffee: Lucky Tree (Hillsborough St)	About 2 miles	Coffee, tea, lattes, vegan and gluten-free baked goods, breakfast biscuits
Pullen Park gates (Ashe Ave)	About 3.5 miles	Detour point to Dix Park
Coffee + views: Flowers Cottage, Dix Park	About 4.5 miles	Coffee, soda, beer and wine, skyline views, public restrooms
Boylan Heights + Boylan Bridge	About 5.5 miles	Historic neighborhood, skyline views from the bridge
Lunch: Trophy Brewing + Pizza (W. Morgan St)	About 6 miles	Pizza, wings, salads, craft beer, patio
Last coffee: The Bike Library (W. Cabarrus St)	Boylan Heights	Coffee, bike repairs, bike rentals

Start: North Carolina Museum of Art

The North Carolina Museum of Art is one of Raleigh’s most popular attractions, with free admission to its permanent collection in the West and East Buildings. It’s easily worth at least half a day on its own, but on this ride, it was simply our starting line. The museum’s free parking lots, restrooms and easy trail access make it the perfect place to start the Art to Heart Trail. We’ll save a proper museum date for another day!

We parked here, unloaded the bikes, and rode into the Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park, a 164-acre outdoor park with miles of trails, gardens and large-scale outdoor art. We started our ride in front of the famous Gyre rings, three giant rust-colored concrete rings by artist Thomas Sayre, and one of the most photographed spots in Raleigh. It’s the perfect place for a “before” photo together.

From the Gyre Rings, we followed the paved trail through the museum park, past sculptures and open meadows, toward the eastern side of the park where it connects to the Reedy Creek Greenway trail. NOTE: Keep your speed down in the museum park (the posted limit is 5 mph) and give way to walkers, as it can be busy on weekends!

Reedy Creek Greenway: Through the Forest, Over I-440 and Under Wade Avenue

After leaving the museum park, the trail joins the Reedy Creek Greenway Trail and winds its way through the forest. This section has some uphill and downhill stretches, and it’s the toughest part of the whole ride, so take it easy and shift into an easier gear before the climbs.

You’ll soon hear the sound of nearby traffic. Don’t worry, you don’t have to deal with it. You cycle over a bridge across I-440, then through a tunnel under Wade Avenue, before the trail brings you out toward Meredith College. This section is about 2-miles and took us around 15-minutes.

Stop 1: Coffee Break at Lucky Tree Bakery & Coffee House

The trail wraps around the outside of Meredith College to the entrance gates on Hillsborough Street. Right across the road is Lucky Tree (3801 Hillsborough Street), one of our favorite coffee shops in Raleigh and a welcomed first stop after a few hills.

Although this stop is fairly early in the ride, we were riding at a leisurely pace and wanted a coffee, a bite to eat and a bathroom break. Lucky Tree is a bit of a hidden gem, slightly out of the heart of downtown, and it’s near Brickhouse Sports Bar and Raleigh Brewing if you’d rather have a beer (depending on the time of day you start).

Lucky Tree offers a wide selection of coffee and tea options, specialty lattes, and great vegan and gluten-free bakery goods. We love their savory breakfast biscuits. The other cool thing is that it doubles as a local art gallery and gift shop. It’s a great place to rest and fuel up before the next leg.

Meredith College to Pullen Park via NC State

After our coffee break, we jumped back on our bikes, back onto the Reedy Creek Greenway trail, and rode past the athletic fields at Meredith College. We then came to the intersection of Hillsborough Street and Gorman Street. Use the crosswalk, then take a RIGHT on Gorman Street and head toward Sullivan Drive. On Gorman Street you’ll ride over another bridge above the train tracks.

Take a LEFT on Sullivan Drive and pick up the Rocky Branch Greenway Trail. Sullivan Drive and the Rocky Branch Greenway take you through the back of NC State University’s campus, past Miller Fields and behind Carmichael Gymnasium.

Follow the signs for Pullen Park and you’ll pass through a tunnel under Pullen Road, then ride past Pullen Park on your left, running parallel to Western Boulevard until you come to Ashe Avenue intersection with Western Blvd.

Detour to Dorothea Dix Park

This is where our date ride took a new turn. On our first ride we stayed on the Pullen Park side of Western Boulevard and headed straight for Boylan Heights. This time, we crossed Western Boulevard (carefully, at the crossing), hopped on the Rocky Branch Trail for a brief section, then turned RIGHT onto Hunt Drive into Dorothea Dix Park.

Our next stop was Flowers Cottage, for another rest stop and coffee with magnificent views of downtown Raleigh. It’s a short, worthwhile detour and, in our opinion, the highlight of the rest stops!

Stop 2: Flowers Cottage in Dix Park (Coffee with a Skyline View)

We LOVE this new coffee spot with stunning views of downtown Raleigh. If you know us, you know we love coffee, and Raleigh can never have enough coffee spots. I remember looking at this old cottage years ago and saying it was prime real estate that would make an awesome coffee shop, cafe or bar, with its deck overlooking the city skyline. And here we are!

Flowers Cottage is one of the oldest structures in Dix Park, dating back to around 1910. From the back deck, you look out over Flowers Field with incredible, sweeping skyline views of downtown Raleigh. Sitting there feels like you’re up on a mountaintop. It’s a two-in-one concept, with the coffee shop upstairs and a bar downstairs underneath the deck serving beer and wine.

The coffee shop features locally roasted coffee, a curated tea selection, matcha, house-made sodas, soft-serve ice cream from a local dairy, and a variety of baked goods and picnic provisions. The landscape around the cottage has been reshaped with a classic Southern front porch, new stonework, native plants, warm evening lighting and a small playground. There are also public restrooms, which are handy on a bike ride. Yes, it was busy, considering we were there on a Sunday morning, so bring some patience!

Flowers Cottage, Know Before You Go Address: 2105 Umstead Drive Hours: Thursday 8am-9pm; Friday 8am-10pm; Saturday 9am-10pm; Sunday 9am-8pm. Closed Monday-Wednesday (hours current as of Sept, 2026) Good to know: Public restrooms on site. Weekend mornings get busy.

Flowers Cottage to Boylan Heights

From Flowers Cottage, we cycled back down Hunt Drive and crossed Western Boulevard at the traffic lights in front of Central Prison. We then turned RIGHT onto Rocky Branch Trail and followed it to W. Cabarrus Street, into the historic Boylan Heights neighborhood, one of the best neighborhoods in Raleigh, with its tree-lined streets and early 1900s homes.

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From Boylan Heights we crossed the Boylan Bridge on Sth Boylan Ave, which has one of the best views of the downtown Raleigh skyline, then took a LEFT on W Morgan St and headed toward Trophy Brewing + Pizza for lunch. If you want to finish at the “official” end of the Art to Heart Trail, take a RIGHT on W. Lenoir Street from Boylan Heights, which takes you down into the heart of the city near the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts.

Stop 3: Lunch at Trophy Brewing + Pizza

We had a fantastic lunch at Trophy Brewing + Pizza (827 W. Morgan Street), just over Boylan Bridge on the edge of downtown Raleigh. They make excellent pizzas (gluten-free bases available), great salads, and in our opinion the best wings in Raleigh, plus the best beer in Raleigh (with a gluten-free option too). There’s a lovely outdoor patio and nice indoor seating. If you haven’t been, we highly recommend it, and it’s the perfect reward after a morning on the bikes.

Trophy Brewing + Pizza on Morgan Street opens at 11am Friday to Saturday and 4pm Monday to Thursday, so plan a weekend ride if you want to stop here for lunch. Alternatively, you can cycle to anywhere in downtown Raleigh for you end point.

Getting Back to Your Car: Ride or Rideshare?

After lunch at Trophy, we had the option of calling an Uber or Lyft to take one of us back to the Museum of Art to pick up our car (approx $10-$15) or cycling back the way we came (6 miles, 30 minutes). We decided to cycle back, but it depends on your fitness level, the time of day, the weather and, honestly, how much pizza and beer you had. Keep in mind the ride back to the museum finishes with the up-and-down hilly Reedy Creek section, which is mostly uphill in that direction.

Stop 4: One Last Coffee at The Bike Library

Because we decided to cycle back and it was still only early in the afternoon, to fuel us up we stopped at The Bike Library cafe for one last coffee (are two coffees ever enough?), and they make a great flat white (our favorite style of coffee). It’s a very cool, quiet space, hence the name Library. They have a full coffee menu and good coffee. They also offer walk-in bike repairs, from flat tires to hydraulic brake bleeds and full tune-ups, plus bike rentals. Tell the owner, Cameron, that This Is Raleigh sent you!

The Bike Library is at 600 W. Cabarrus Street, around the corner from Boulted Bread in Boylan Heights (another coffee option), underneath the Platform Raleigh apartments. It’s right on the route, so it’s also a great place to rent bikes or get a quick fix before or after your ride.

Is the Art to Heart Trail Family-Friendly?

Yes. We first rode the Art to Heart Trail as a family of four, and it’s one of the best kid-friendly bike trails in Raleigh. It’s paved, mostly off-road and shaded, and the frequent stops for snacks and bathrooms help keep younger riders going. The hills on the Reedy Creek section and the few road crossings around Meredith College, NC State and Western Boulevard need a little extra care with kids, and for most families, riding one way and one of the adults taking a rideshare back is the easiest option!

Tips for Biking the Art to Heart Trail

• Park at the NC Museum of Art. Parking is free and there are restrooms in the museum park. On busy weekends and event days, arrive early.
• Start early on weekends. The trail, museum park and Flowers Cottage get busy by late morning, especially on Saturdays and Sundays. In summer, an early start also helps you beat the heat and humidity.
• Decide your return plan before you start. One way (about 6 miles) with a rideshare back. Or out and back (about 12 miles).
• Don’t have bikes? Raleigh’s city bikeshare offers dockless e-bikes through the Lime and Spin apps. Check the apps for bikes near the museum or downtown.
• Consider an e-bike. If hills aren’t your thing, an e-bike makes the Reedy Creek section and the ride back easy, and it’s a fun option for a date.
• Follow greenway etiquette. Keep right, pass on the left, and call out “on your left” or ring your bell. The greenway speed limit is 10 mph (5 mph in the museum park), and cyclists yield to pedestrians.
• Bring a bike lock. You’ll want to lock up at every coffee and food stop.
• Use a map on your phone. Signage is minimal around Meredith College, NC State and Pullen Park. A handlebar phone mount makes navigation easier.
• Cross roads carefully. The main crossings are Hillsborough Street at Gorman Street and Western Boulevard. Use the crosswalks and signals, and walk your bike if needed.
• Bring water and sunscreen. The trail is mostly shaded, but the museum park, Dix Park and the road sections are exposed.
• Know where the restrooms are. NC Museum of Art park, Lucky Tree (for customers), Pullen Park, Flowers Cottage in Dix Park, and the restaurants and cafes downtown.
• Ride before dusk. Raleigh’s greenways are open from dawn to dusk. If you’ll be riding back later in the day, bring bike lights.
• Check hours before you go. Flowers Cottage is open Thursday to Sunday only, and Trophy on Morgan Street opens at 11 AM on weekends and 4 PM on weekdays.
• Follow our route on Google maps here. Download a copy of the Art to Heart trail here (remember we took a detour into Dix Park at Hunt Dr). You can download the current Raleigh greenway trail map here.

Would We Recommend the Art to Heart Trail?

Whether you’re visiting Raleigh or you live here like us, I highly recommend you grab your bikes (or walking shoes) and do this trail, as it’s one of the best bike trails in Raleigh. And whether you bike it or even walk it, there are plenty of nearby food and drink options along Hillsborough Street and all the best places to eat in downtown Raleigh at the finish.

Art to Heart Trail FAQs

How long is the Art to Heart Trail?

The Art to Heart Trail is about 6 miles one way, from the North Carolina Museum of Art to downtown Raleigh, or about 12 miles if you ride there and back.

How long does it take to bike the Art to Heart Trail?

Most riders can bike the Art to Heart Trail one way in about 30 to 45 minutes without stops. With coffee, lunch and photo stops, plan on 3 to 5 hours for a relaxed half day.

Where do you park for the Art to Heart Trail?

Park for free at the North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh. The trail starts in the museum’s Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park.

Is the Art to Heart Trail a loop?

No. The Art to Heart Trail is point-to-point. You can ride back the same way or take an Uber or Lyft back to the museum.

Is the Art to Heart Trail paved?

Yes. The Art to Heart Trail is paved the whole way, using the museum park trail, the Reedy Creek Greenway and the Rocky Branch Greenway, with a few short sections on quiet streets and crosswalks.

Is the Art to Heart Trail hard?

The Art to Heart Trail is easy to moderate. Most of it is flat or gently rolling. The hardest part is the first 2 miles on the Reedy Creek Greenway, which has some short uphill and downhill sections through the forest.

Is the Art to Heart Trail good for kids and beginners?

Depends on the age and ability of your kids on bikes. It’s paved, mostly off-road and shaded, with plenty of stops. Kids who can comfortably ride a few miles usually manage one way easily. Take extra care at road crossings and on the hills.

Can you walk the Art to Heart Trail?

Yes, of course. It’s a multi-use greenway, so you’ll share it with walkers and runners. Walking the full 6 miles one way takes about 2 to 2.5 hours.

Where can you stop for coffee or food on the Art to Heart Trail?

Our favorite stops are Lucky Tree on Hillsborough Street, Flowers Cottage in Dix Park, Trophy Brewing + Pizza on W. Morgan Street, and The Bike Library in Boylan Heights. But for a lot of the trail, it runs between Hillsborough St and Western Blvd., so you can detour off in either direction.

Are there restrooms on the Art to Heart Trail?

Yes. There are restrooms at the NC Museum of Art park, Pullen Park and Flowers Cottage in Dix Park, plus at cafes and restaurants along the way for customers.

Is the Art to Heart Trail part of the East Coast Greenway?

Yes. The Art to Heart Trail is a short segment of the East Coast Greenway, a route of nearly 3,000 miles connecting Maine to Florida.

When is the best time to bike the Art to Heart Trail?

Spring and Fall are best for weather. Go early in the morning, especially on weekends, to avoid crowds at the museum park and Flowers Cottage, and to beat the summer heat.

There you have it. Our complete guide to biking the Art to heart trail. If you’re looking for other adventurous bike trails in Raleigh and unique date ideas in Raleigh, don’t miss our guide to the American Tobacco Trail from Cary to Durham. And here are all of our favorite trails in Raleigh.