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
Your Guide To A Fun Wrightsville Beach Day Trip From Raleigh
When the heat of Raleigh gets too much, thankfully it’s just a 2-hour drive to North Carolina’s most accessible beach, Wrightsville Beach – a quaint seaside town with endless opportunities for adventures. It boasts a pristine sandy beach and crystal clear waters, but apart from sunbathing and swimming, there are many other things to do
Uncovering the Secret of Lake Raleigh: A Hidden Oasis
Talk about a hidden gem. Nestled at the edge of North Carolina State University’s Centennial Campus, Lake Raleigh is a 75-acre oasis that you could easily miss. Those who do discover it though will find a tranquil and quiet recreation area, where kayak paddles kiss the water and enthusiastic morning joggers trace the shoreline. Whether
13 Apex Restaurants The Locals Love!
Apex has lots of popular locally owned restaurants, cafes, and breweries around town, so if you’re looking for Apex restaurants that keep the Southern food scene alive, you’re in the right place! Apex may be named for its peak position on the old Chatham Railroad line, but today it’s boarding on the culinary train. Apex
35 Free Things To Do In Raleigh, NC (or on the cheap)
What I love about the City of Oaks is it’s one of those city’s where the best experiences come at no cost to you beyond your own sense of adventure and curiosity. There are so many amazing free things to do in Raleigh, or at least incredibly cheap, you don’t have to worry about breaking
Swing into Drive Shack Raleigh: the Ultimate Golf Spot for All Ages
If you’re looking for something to do in Raleigh that will keep the whole family entertained, rain or shine, then it’s time to tee off at Drive Shack. Drive Shack is a high-tech, high-energy entertainment venue where you can practice your golf swing in climate-controlled bays, enjoy battling your mates in the classic arcade game
Tiny Home Stay at River and Twine (Unique Getaway from Raleigh)
We’re always on the lookout for cool getaways from Raleigh – not that we don’t love the City of Oaks, but sometimes you just need a new environment to slip into to recharge – and one that’s within an easy drive. If you haven’t heard of Rocky Mount, then we’re about to expose this best
Guide to Downtown Apex, NC: Things To Do, Restaurants, Shops & More!
Just drive for 20-minutes outside the City of Oaks and you’ll discover the historic downtown Apex, North Carolina. Founded in the 1860s, Apex is a small town, known as the most intact turn-of-the-century railroad town which has been recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. As you explore the brick-lined streets, where the past
Discover Downtown Wake Forest: Things To Do, Local Eats, Boutiques, Breweries & More!
A short 35-minute drive out of Raleigh brings you to the charming town of Wake Forest, North Carolina. While Raleigh has a buzzing, energetic vibe, downtown Wake Forest is where to go to slow down the pace. Wandering around the historic downtown district is like strolling through the pages of a storybook – the main
Go Ape Treetop Adventure & Treetop Journey: Fun For All The Family!
Ready to trade your daily grind for treetop adventures? Set in the towering canopies of Raleigh’s Blue Jay Point County Park, Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park isn’t just a walk in the woods, but an outdoor experience you’ll never forget.. Both our kids are adventurous, so for our 9 year old’s birthday, we decided
How To Bike the Art to Heart Trail (NC Museum of Art – Downtown Raleigh)
If you love bike rides and greenway trails as well as modern art, then you may want to saddle up and bike the 6-mile Art to Heart Trail in Raleigh. This was a fun family activity to do on a weekend, as it has plenty of pit stops for coffee, lunch and drinks in Downtown
5 Top Places to Stay in Wrightsville Beach, NC
With sand between your toes and the waves of the Atlantic Ocean hitting the shore, the beach town of Wrightsville Beach is calling you for an oceanside getaway from Raleigh. Wrightsville is a smallish town and doesn’t have an endless supply of hotels and resorts considering how popular it is, although Wilmington is only 10-minutes’
Cost of Living in Raleigh, North Carolina
The cost of living in Raleigh has increased in recent years due to its popularity as a place to live. According to the 2023 US Census Bureau, the median household income in Raleigh’s Wake County is $96,734 compared to $67,481 in North Carolina and $74,755 in the USA. Sadly, according to the Best Places Cost of Living score, Raleigh received 105.8,
Getting to Know Raleigh (A Quick Snapshot)
Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and the second most populous city in the state behind Charlotte, and it has transformed into one of the most desirable cities in the U.S., blending Southern charm with dynamic growth, innovation, and culture. Often referred to as a “Goldilocks city,” Raleigh is not too big, not too small,
10 Cool spots in North Carolina to escape the heat this summer (below 80°F)
The heat is intense, y’all, which is why you may want to consider packing your bags in Raleigh and heading to higher elevation areas in North Carolina, which boast cooler temperatures and less humidity. We love personally Raleigh’s summers, they are buzzing with activity and festivities, and we’re lucky to have some cool water spots
10 Surf Towns in North Carolina for Riding Waves!
North Carolina’s coastline is where you’ll find some of the best waves on the East Coast, making it a haven for surfing enthusiasts. If you’re a soul who feels the pull of the surf, then this string of surf towns in North Carolina is where you can go to not only ride waves but feel
12 Top Farmers Markets in Raleigh & The Triangle You Must Check Out!
If you’re looking to source some of the freshest produce in the Triangle, you should head to one of the top farmers’ markets in Raleigh. Not only is it a chance to meet with local farmers and purchase some of the freshest produce in the county, but it’s a chance to give back to the
Where to Find the Best Donuts in Raleigh (9 Spots loved by locals)
There’s a bit of a legacy around donuts in Raleigh. Did you know one of the largest donut chains in the world originally started two hours up the road from Raleigh in Winston-Salem? The famous Krispy Kreme began just 112-miles away and even opened their second-ever store here in Raleigh! But Krispy Kreme are not
36 Hours in Wilmington, NC (Things to Do, Where to Eat & Stay!)
The quaint and charming city of Wilmington is one of our favorite getaways from Raleigh, not just because it’s only a 2-hour drive away, but because it has oodles of history to soak up, it’s free of flashy neon-lit attractions and commercialized resorts, has laid-back beach vibes, thriving craft beer scene, and tons of locally