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
20+ 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
16 Waterfront Resorts & Hotels in North Carolina (to escape to from Raleigh)
The summer season is fully heated and as the temperatures rise, you might be looking to cool off by the water on your vacation this year. The beauty of Raleigh’s location in the center of the state means you can easily access many diverse destinations by the water, whether that be lakes, rivers, or the
Bond Lake & Park, Cary: Your Guide to Exploring Its Tranquil Charm
Just a 10-20 minute drive out of Raleigh and you’ve landed yourself in leafy Cary, North Carolina, which is home to a community park saturated with tranquil beauty and recreational opportunities. Hugged by Bond Park’s 300-plus acres, a 42-acre lake glistens between the canopies of forest, where paddle boats bob lazily and kayaks glide across
15 Top Lakes Near Raleigh NC (for Adventure + Relaxation)
If you’re angling for adventure, casting about for calm, or want to trade in your work suit for SUPs, then you’re in the right city! The City of Oaks is not short of glittering blue pockets of water where you can paddle your way out of the daily grind. Just beyond the high rises of
Don’t Miss the Beautiful Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden (Free & Open 365 Days)
Tucked away off Hillsborough Street near the main campus of NC State University, the Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden is a bit of a hidden gem. With over 1,200 rose bushes, this historic garden is nothing short of a fragrant wonderland, where colors and aromas collide in one 6.5 acre park. Whether you’re a floral enthusiast
25 Fantastic Raleigh Trails (for Hiking, Biking, Running, or a Gentle Stroll)
Despite being a city, there is no shortage of green spots in Raleigh – it’s not called the City of Oaks for nothing! Raleigh has a vast greenway trail system, which over the last 30 years or so, has been expanded and revitalized. Now, there are so many trails in Raleigh that are perfect for
13 Most Family-Friendly Neighborhoods In Raleigh To Live In [A Realtor’s Top Picks]
If you’re a family and thinking of moving to Raleigh with kids, then you’re probably asking yourself which is the best neighborhood to live in. We ourselves were parents looking for the best places to live in Raleigh back in 2004, and now we’ve lived in Raleigh for 10+ years and work in real estate,
27 Unmissable Things To Do In Boone, North Carolina
Perched high in the Blue Ridge Mountains is the quirky college town of Boone, which at only a 3-hour’s drive from us in Raleigh, is the perfect destination for a getaway. Boone isn’t just a mountain town, it’s where is where hiking boots double up as dancing shoes, and where kayaks chase rivers and coffee
Garden Lover? Don’t Miss JC Raulston Arboretum (5,000+ Plants)
If you love gardens, plants and trees, don’t miss the nationally acclaimed garden, JC Raulston Arboretum and botanical garden. Nestled just west of downtown Raleigh, this 10-acre horticultural haven at administered by North Carolina State University is where rare plants find a home and curious minds find their muse. With every winding path, you’ll stumble
6 top places to stay in Wilmington, North Carolina
Just a two-hour drive from Raleigh, and you’ve landed in the charming historic city of Wilmington, where the tree-lined streets are backed by historic homes with antebellum porches, framed by azalea trees, and enveloped in a slow-paced atmosphere. Wilmington, North Carolina is a popular port city, with several notable areas to stay in. You can
Things to know before visiting The Lincoln Theatre: Raleigh’s Historic Live Music Venue
We have seen a lot of great live music in Raleigh, but there’s something magical about watching a show at the intimate Lincoln Theater. The Lincoln Theatre is one of the most historic and established music venues in Raleigh, known for hosting some of the best national and regional touring acts along with local artists
Local’s Guide to North Person Street, Raleigh (eat, drink, shop)
Tucked between the historic neighborhoods of Raleigh and the lively Glenwood district, North Person Street is one of the most vibrant streets in downtown Raleigh and the perfect place to shop, hangout, and get something to eat or drink. Here you can find unique and locally owned businesses tucked into weathered warehouses, as well as
Sipping At New Heights: The Best Rooftop Bars in Raleigh NC
When the sun dips low the sky is awash in shades of peach and gold, Raleigh doesn’t just call it a night. In this city where high-rises intertwine with oak trees, you will find no shortage of stunning rooftop bars in Raleigh with elevated views and sky-high sips. Raleigh’s rooftop bar scene is continuously growing,
9 Best Places To Go Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Raleigh, NCÂ
One of our favorite things to do on a perfect day with good weather is to go stand up paddle boarding in Raleigh. It’s a gentle and relaxing way to appreciate the beautiful nature we have here in the Triangle area, and we’re so lucky to be surrounded by an abundance of paddleboarding spots that
Guide to Reynolds Coliseum (NC State University’s Iconic Venue)
A sporting highlight for me was sitting courtside for an NC State women’s basketball game at iconic Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh. NC State Wolfpack fans have been attending games, concerts and ceremonies at this storied building since 1949, and while it has been upgraded and modernized in recent years, you can feel the history the
6 Top Places to Stay in Carolina Beach, NC
Ready to trade your work suit for sunglasses and flip flops? The quaint coastal town of Carolina Beach is one of our favorite destinations for an escape from the hustle and bustle of life in Raleigh. It’s a small town where mornings begin slowly with a craft coffee and where days are spent surfing the
9 Top Neighborhoods in Wake Forest, North Carolina
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 largest
Ultimate Guide to Hillsborough Street (Eat, Drink, Shop, Play)
Of all the streets in Raleigh, none has seen more growth than Hillsborough Street. It’s one of the leading thoroughfares in the city, and remains one of our most frequented streets. The Hillsborough Street corridor is home to some of our favorite places to eat, drink, shop, and play in the city. It’s also home