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
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
Locals Guide To Downtown Raleigh, NC (Things To Do + Places To Eat & Shop): 2026 Update
Downtown Raleigh is our favorite district of the seven that make up the municipality of Raleigh, NC. The reason for this is simple; there are so many things to do in downtown Raleigh NC, from museum jaunting to bar hopping to eating your way around the many best-rated restaurants in the city! Since first moving
Sip Into Raleigh’s Must-Try Fall Drinks for 2026 [Coffees, Cocktails & Craft Brews]
As the crisp Fall air settles in over Raleigh, there’s no better way to celebrate the season and get cozy than with a delicious Fall-inspired cocktail or coffee in hand. From pumpkin-spiced lattes that warm your soul to craft cocktails infused with spiced flavors in a glass, Raleigh is not short of Fall drinks to
A Complete Guide To The Historic Boylan Heights Neighborhood + Things To Do
The historic Boylan Heights neighborhood is one of Raleigh’s premier places to live and one of six historic neighborhoods in the city. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district in 1985, and is most well known for its 250+ Queen Anne and Colonial Revival buildings. Located on the
Where to Watch Your NFL Team in Raleigh (Watch Parties & Fan Groups)
It’s NFL season, one of my favorite seasons and it’s time to start dusting off your jersey and look for local watch parties to cheer on your favorite team with fellow supporters. Raleigh residents love their sports, and we’re lucky to have several cool sports bars to catch a game. Raleigh’s diverse mix means you’ll
Gameday Guide to Carter-Finley Stadium: Home of NC State Football
I love college football season. Saturday afternoon in the Fall is my favorite time of year. And one of my favorite things to do in Raleigh is attend games at Carter–Finley Stadium, home to the North Carolina State Wolfpack football team. Known as A Den For The Pack, the stadium was officially opened in 1966
Raleigh vs Asheville: which city to move to? [A Comparison]
If you’re planning on moving to North Carolina but are not sure which major city to call home, then you’re possibly comparing Raleigh and Asheville. These two cities have a lot of similarities; they both have a relaxed Southern vibe, year-round festivals, and a thriving food and arts scene. But they also have a lot
Who Makes the Best Pancakes in Raleigh? The locals have spoken!
Here in Raleigh and in the South, we take breakfast seriously. And there’s no shortage of places for some good old-fashioned Southern cooking like country ham with a pile of buttermilk biscuits. But what if you want something a bit sweeter and traditionally American? I’m talking about pancakes. Fluffy, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth pancakes some the size
Where to Watch College Football in Raleigh (NC State + Other College Watch Parties)
My favorite time of year is Saturday afternoons in the fall. I love college football, and whether I’m attending games at NC State’s Carter-Finley stadium or sitting in a sports bar with other fans, I’m happy. If you’re an alumni or fan of another college team and looking for alumni chapters and game day watch
48 Hours in Raleigh for Families: A Fun Itinerary for All the Family
Raleigh is well known for being family-friendly, not just for those who live here, but for those families who visit Raleigh as well. You’ll find the City of Oaks packed with kid-powered fun that adults love too. Raleigh is very family-friendly, and there’s as much to do here for little ones as there is for
12 Fine Dining Restaurants in Raleigh (for Special Occasions)
Raleigh might not be thought of as a fine-dining destination; it doesn’t have any Michelin-starred restaurants (yet). But it does have award-winning establishments and a selection of outstanding fine dining restaurants where you can get an elevated culinary experience with exceptional service for a special occasion. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, an engagement, a graduation,
Raleigh vs New York City: Need help choosing which city to move to? [A Comparison]
I know. This is not an apples-to-apples comparison. New York City is obviously a much larger and way more diverse city. Over 8 million people call NYC home versus 1.5 million in the greater Raleigh area. But, with the surge of people moving from NYC to Raleigh in recent years, let’s look at some factors
Best Steakhouses in Raleigh: Picked by Locals
As the capital city of a BBQ-rich state, Raleigh sure knows how to fire up the grill. But if you’re looking for a beautifully seared steak, there is no shortage of great steak houses in Raleigh and the Triangle area, all within a 25-minute drive from downtown. From polished and upscale steak houses in
Raleigh vs Wilmington: Need help choosing which city to move to? [A Comparison]
North Carolina is quite a diverse state, and it’s one of the reasons we love it and decided to move here ourselves. When we were looking at a city to call our home, Raleigh and Wilmington were two top contenders. They both have a relaxed, community-focused vibe and an easy way of life that feels
Best Plant Stores and Nurseries in Raleigh to Get Your Garden Looking Fresh
When summer hits, you may be looking out at your sun-drenched garden and thinking it could do with a bit of a spruce up. In a city as green and pollen filled as Raleigh, you’ve got to get your garden singing the same tune, right? If you’re a flourishing gardener or a well-established plant lover,
Where to Find the Best Hot Dogs in Raleigh: 10 Top Options
When we first moved to the USA from Australia, we thought hot dogs were a thing you mostly ate at baseball games and fairgrounds. But it turns out, hot dogs are more than a sideline treat. They are consumed at any time and on any day of the week with many family-owned restaurants and food
How to Have a Spa Day in Raleigh: Relaxation packages not to miss!
You know what we could all use a little more of? Self-care. It’s easy to get swept up in household chores, business meetings, and parenting responsibilities. So, when it all becomes a bit too much, it’s time to take yourself on a spa day! We’re really lucky here in the Raleigh area because we have