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
15+ Exciting Direct Flights from Raleigh (from RDU to anywhere)
As a Raleigh resident and world traveler with 50+ countries and 35 states under my belt, I’m always checking the direct flights from Raleigh for my next trip. We’re lucky there are so many great domestic and international direct flights departing from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, allowing you to travel to some of the most popular
14 of the best bakeries in Raleigh (and The Triangle Area)
There’s nothing better than the smell of freshly baked bread and delicious treats, so if you’re looking for the best bakeries in Raleigh to pick up some tasty treats, you’re in the right place. As a family, we’ve been testing out sweet and savory pastries, cookies, cupcakes and breads from the local Raleigh bakeries to
Pet-Friendly Hangouts in Raleigh: Best Dog Parks, Restaurants, Trails, Supply Stores & More!
Looking to spend quality time with your furry companion in Raleigh? If you’re a pet owner, specifically a dog owner, you know that you can’t keep your pets locked up in the house forever, so if you’re looking for pet-friendly handouts in Raleigh, this is the guide for you. The City of Oaks is currently ranked
11 Best Neighborhoods in Raleigh to Call Home (inside the beltline)
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
Discover Raleigh’s 20 Best Brunch Spots: Don’t Sleep In, Y’all!
I love to eat both breakfast and lunch and never like skipping meals. However, brunch has become one of my favorite meals since there are so many places to eat a fantastic brunch in Raleigh. Whilst I’m never going to become a fan of a Bloody Mary, too rich for me, I’m fully on-board with
Sip & Savor These 17 Popular Cocktail Bars in Raleigh
In a city as evolving as Raleigh, there’s a continuously growing list of excellent cocktail bars in Raleigh to choose from, which makes whittling down the best of the best a huge task. The cool thing about Raleigh’s cocktail bars is that every barstool has a story. It’s not just the mixology game that’s strong,
Stunning Vacation Rentals In Outer Banks [Best short term Stays!]
If you’re planning a trip to Outer Banks and need a place to stay, then you might want to consider a short term vacation rental. Short term vacation rentals in Outer Banks dominate the accommodation market, as there are far more rental homes available than there are hotels. And we’re not mad about that –
18 Reasons NOT To Live In Raleigh
Although we love living in Raleigh, we know that perfection doesn’t exist and everywhere has its drawbacks. So, to keep things real, we’ve come up with some reasons not to live in Raleigh, to make sure you have realistic expectations and knowledge before deciding whether to move here or not. As much as we personally
6 Top Hotels in Raleigh with Rooftop Bars (Sip & Stay)
Although Raleigh is a city best known for its oak trees and turning historic warehouses into hip venues, it’s also not short of high-rises, particularly in the downtown and North Hills areas. One of the best places to admire the landscape of Raleigh is from the rooftop bar at the top of a hotel. Whether
7 NC State Bars to cheer on The Wolfpack!
Sporting season is one we always look forward to, and we’re blessed to have some incredible college sports teams here in Raleigh. The NC State’s beloved Wolfpack, whether it be State Football, basketball, or other collegiate sports are always competitive. And if you don’t have gameday tickets, the next best thing is cheering them on
14 Fun Things to Do in North Hills with Kids!
If you’re a parent, you know one universal truth: bored children are no fun to be around. And we understand the value of letting your kids entertain themelves. However, we also think it’s great to have options to steer them towards. Fun with kids can also be planned! The North Hills area is Raleigh’s upscale
NC State University Campus Tour (Where to Eat, Drink, Play & Stay)
If you’re thinking of choosing NC State University as your college of choice (or just started there) and are planning to check out the campus on an NCSU tour, then you’re going to want to check out this guide first. I still remember what it was like before we settled in Raleigh back in 2004,
40 Fun and interesting facts about Raleigh, NC [your FAQs answered!]
Over the years, we’ve received a lot of questions about Raleigh. We get questions about its history, geography, climate, what it’s like to live in, and why it’s nickname is the City of Oaks. If you’ve ever had your questions go unanswered, we’ve put together a list of facts about Raleigh so you can feel
Guide to Moore Square: There’s moore than meets the eye in Downtown Raleigh
Tucked into the bustling labrynth 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
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 atmosphere, great food, a variety of beers and drinks on ice, and of course, high-definition TVs to watch the game from.
Biking The Lake Lynn Trail in North Raleigh: A Must Do For Nature Lovers
If you’re looking for a quiet place for some solitude and to simultaneously stretch your legs, then you might want to surrender to bird songs and still waters on a walk or cycle ride around the serene Lake Lynn Trail in North-West Raleigh, just 8 miles from downtown. The Lake Lynn Trail is an easy,
Guide to Umstead State Park Trails, Activities + How to Get There
Just a short drive out of Raleigh is the pine-scented haven of William B. Umstead State Park, or just Umstead State Park for short. Nestled between Raleigh, Cary, and Durham, this pristine reserve encompasses 5,599 acres of land, providing the perfect sanctuary for nature lovers who want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
Neighborhood Guide to Glenwood South (Raleigh’s Entertainment District)
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