Craig Makepeace - Founder
Craig Makepeace is a dynamic blogger, photographer, content creator, and entrepreneur, who is the founder of two online brands: This is Raleigh, a platform for anyone looking to explore the best of Wake County, and YTravelBlog, one of the world’s most influential travel blogs.
Craig has worked with the biggest brands in the world and has been featured by notable sites such as the Today Show, Conde Nast, and FOX Business, USA Today, Travel & Leisure, Forbes, National Geographic online and My Carolina CBS17. In addition, YTravelBlog has received a Modern Ontrapreneuer award from Ontraport for “Best Online Publisher” and has been recognized by the White House… twice!
Craig was invited to the White House in 2014 as a top global travel influencer to attend the first travel summit. And he received a green card in 2020 for yTravel’s extraordinary ability in the art of travel blogging and for his contributions to the growth of tourism in the USA.
Before becoming an online entrepreneur, Craig played Professional Rugby League for six years in Sydney with the North Sydney Bears. Originally from Australia, Craig and his wife Caroline have been exploring the world together ever since they met in 2000. Together, they have visited over 56 countries and have lived in five countries.
They traveled full time with their daughters for seven years, which included an 18 month road trip around Australia and 11 months across the USA. He is an expert in family travel and running an online business from the road.
As a full time professional travel blogger since 2010, Craig has successfully worked with some of the biggest brands in the world including Lonely Planet, Airbnb, Canon, Amex, Ford, Nissan, Qantas, TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Globus Tours, Allianz Travel Insurance.
Locally in Raleigh, he has worked with big brands and small businesses such as RDU- International Airport, Nextdoor, Kane Realty, Outer Banks Tourism, Blue Water Spa, and Harris Teeter.
Craig is also a fully licensed drone operator and, aside from shooting images for This is Raleigh blog and social channels, he has captured images for the Carolina Hurricanes, Ocracoke and Outer Bank Tourisms, North Hills (Kane Realty) and more.
Craig’s passion for travel, combined with his expertise in digital marketing, has enabled him to create a successful online business that provides travel advice, inspiration, and resources to thousands of people worldwide.
Craig has presented at the Raleigh Rotary Club, Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, and keynoted at the NC Public Relations Society of America Conference.
In addition to running his blog and social brand, Craig calls his work a personal mission to inspire and empower others to travel more and create a life they love. He’s proof that travel can be a lifestyle, and he’s passionate about helping others achieve the same level of freedom and fulfillment.
Craig first moved to Raleigh in 2004 and fell in love with the City of Oaks. He’s a travel addict, sports fanatic, beach lover, and passionate craft beer drinker.
ALL ARTICLES WRITTEN BY CRAIG MAKEPEACE
Where to Get the Best Cookies in Raleigh (Voted by Locals)
For all you sweet tooths out there, you’ll be pleased to know that Raleigh has a serious weakness for warm, gooey, freshly baked cookies. We have many local, small-batch bakers who have perfected the art of the cookie, where you can get an indulgent sweet treat for every kind of craving. We asked our community
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
Guide to Living in Mordecai: One of Raleigh’s Best Neighborhoods [2026 Update]
Thinking of moving to Raleigh? If you’re looking for a neighborhood that blends old Raleigh charm with modern walkability, Mordecai might just be your perfect match. This historic gem sits less than a mile from downtown Raleigh and radiates community, character, and convenience — where you can grab coffee, meet neighbors on the sidewalk, and
20 Awesome Sports Bars in Raleigh (all fans welcome)
Raleigh is a sport-loving city, and so you’ll find no shortage of places to catch a game. In this guide, we share some of the best sports bars in Raleigh that have a lively gameday atmosphere, quality food, a variety of drinks, and of course, high-definition TVs to watch the games from. As a long-time
Neighborhood Guide to Glenwood South: Raleigh’s Entertainment District (2026 Update)
The Glenwood South District, known as Raleigh’s entertainment district, is where you will find endless bars, restaurants, pubs, cafes, and unique stores. Located just one mile Northwest of downtown Raleigh and bordered by Glenwood Ave to the east, Hillsborough Street to the south, and Peace Street to the north, this is a vibrant district and
Living in Five Points, Raleigh: What Makes This Neighborhood So Special? [2026 Update]
If you’re considering living in the Five Points neighborhood of Raleigh, this comprehensive guide provides key insights, including the median house price, places to eat and drink, shopping, parks, and much more. This is one of Raleigh’s most charming and sought-after neighborhoods, known for its historic homes, tree-lined streets, and vibrant community. Allow us to show
Where to Eat the Best Fish & Chips in Raleigh [Voted by Locals]
For a landlocked city, Raleigh sure knows how to do a quality plate of fish and chips. As always, when we want to find the best food in the city, we know who to ask – our Raleigh local community. They came forward with their favorite spots for a fantastic plate of classic fish n’
Guide to Moore Square: There’s moore than meets the eye in Downtown Raleigh
Tucked into the bustling labyrinth of streets in downtown Raleigh is Moore Square, a historic neighborhood where past and present waltz together beneath a canopy of oaks. Centered around Moore Square Park, this thriving one-block radius neighborhood may be small in size, but it’s big on entertainment. Throughout the year, local life bursts into bloom
Guide To Historic Yates Mill County Park: A Place for Tranquility & History [2026 Update]
The Historic Yates Mill County Park is the place to be if you love learning about local history, walking nature trails, and escaping the honking and hustle of downtown in your free time. It will make you feel like you’re a million miles away (but you’re only a 10-minute drive from downtown). Yep, it’s hard
Complete Guide to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) isn’t just where a journey begins and ends, and it’s not only the gateway to Raleigh but a growing gateway to the world and one of the best international airports I’ve come across (I’ve traveled to over 50 countries so I know a good one). We’ve been flying in and out
18+ Things to Do in Raleigh in the Fall (See, Eat, Explore, Play)
Time to break out those warm sweaters because fall season is here. Don’t worry if the weather turns chilly, because there are so many things to do in Raleigh in the fall, you’ll forget all about it. From festivals to picking pumpkins to nature spots with the most incredible fall colors, there’s plenty of activities
11 Best Neighborhoods in Raleigh to Call Home (Inside the Beltline) 2026 Update
Our Capital of North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing cities in the USA, partly due to the expansion of the technology industry, and partly because the City of Oaks is just a nice place to live – period. We should know, we moved to Raleigh back in 2004 and decided to raise our kids
9 Top Neighborhoods in Wake Forest, North Carolina [2026 Update]
The charming town of Wake Forest lies just 30 minutes north of Raleigh and offers a wonderful, relaxed lifestyle, plenty of green spaces, and a family-friendly atmosphere. It lies on the border between Wake County and Franklin, though most of the town is located in Wake County. Although Wake Forest ranks as North Carolina’s 21st
Where To Find The Best Bagels In The Triangle (7 Tasty Options Near Raleigh)
Bagels are a much-loved food item here in Raleigh, not only by the locals but especially by those who have moved here from New York. So, if you’re looking to indulge in this ring-shaped bready delight, then you’re going to want to get your pen and paper ready to write down this list of bagel
Guide To Visiting the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Downtown
Let me start by saying we’re not big museum people, and typically avoid them when we travel, but the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is different. For us to be interested in visiting a museum, it has to be something special. The NC Museum of Natural Sciences is the Southeast’s largest natural history museum
17+ Delicious Outer Banks Restaurants To Satisfy Your Cravings
One thing I know for certain from our time spent in the Outer Banks, there’s no shortage of wonderful places to eat. Being by the coast, you can expect to find an abundance of locally caught, fresh seafood and Southern fare, as well as organic produce and relaxed, family-friendly vibes. We know that when planning
Raleigh vs Cary: Where should you move to? [A Comparison]
If you’re considering moving to the Raleigh area, and you’re choosing between the bigger city of Raleigh or the nearby smaller town of Cary (15 minutes to the west of Raleigh), there’s more to ask yourself than city vs town. Raleigh isn’t simply “the city,” while Cary is “the suburb”; both have evolved far beyond
How To Enjoy Fall Season In North Hills, Raleigh in 2026 (Events, Eat & Drink)
There’s no better season to enjoy the North Hills district than in fall. With 130+ local shops, seasonal concerts and events, excellent restaurants and sophisticated bars, a farmers’ market, and so much more, North Hills has a whole new vibe in the fall. If you’re planning on spending a day in North Hills in the