Locals Guide on Things to Do in Downtown Cary (Eat, Drink, Play)

Once a sleepy railroad stop, the town of Cary has seen a modern revitalization in recent years, especially its lively downtown district, which sees brick-lined sidewalks and historic storefronts and murals bursting with color, breweries humming with laughter, and cafés buzzing with creative energy.

Downtown Cary doesn’t try too hard to impress — it just is, in that effortless way a well-worn denim jacket always fits just right. It’s a place where you can sip a roasted latte while shopping in boutiques in the morning, stroll around a sculpture garden by noon, and toast craft cocktails under twinkling lights come evening.

Although it has a small-town, suburban feel to it, there are so many things to do in downtown Cary, that you could easily make it a day trip or even weekend trip from Raleigh. From Cary to Raleigh’s downtown, it’s only a 15-miute drive, and Cary to Charlotte is an easy 2.5 hours’ drive! (and there’s a train station in Cary connecting the two!)

If you have overlooked downtown Cary in the past and are wondering what to do, where to go, and where to eat, then this guide is for you. We’ve also recorded a podcast episode about Downtown Cary. You can listen to it at the bottom of the post. To help you plan your visit, here is a map of the below suggested top attractions, restaurants, bars and breweries:

Where to eat & drink in Downtown Cary

There are many locally renowned restaurants in downtown Cary, you’ll never run out of dining options. Whether you want cafes, eateries, breweries, fine dining, or bars, there’s something for everyone. This is not an exhaustive list. Here are some of our personal favorites we have so far experienced.

BREW Coffee Bar

• Address: 122 E. Chatham St Cary
• Website: BrewCoffeeBar.co

I have some fantastic eating and drinking places to share with you down below, but first…coffee! BREW Coffee Bar opened in Cary in 2016 and does exactly what their name says – brews good quality coffee, in real black ceramic mugs! Whenever we explore downtown Cary, we always start off at this innovative coffee shop that not only offers all the standard coffee bar items like Espresso, Lattes, Cappuccinos, Americanos, Cold Brew, and Drip, but also teas, kombucha, and craft beer!

I’m mostly a latte drinker, and their latte is on point, and our kids always enjoy their big muffins and cookies! The location is very central in the downtown Cary neighborhood if you want to grab and go, but we enjoy the cozy indoor seating and trendy and modern vibe, or the outdoor patio in the warmer months, which is good for those with furry friends! This is also a bit of a local hangout coffee bar for regulars and online entrepreneurs to sit and work online – like we have several times. 

Geluna Gelato

• Address: 111 E Chatham St, Cary
• Website: www.gelunagelato.com

PRO TIP: the best coffee in downtown Cary is inside a Gelato Shop. And guess who owns the gelato shop? Yep. An Aussie. And as you know, us Aussies are very fussy with our coffees, we have a great cafe scene down under, and we know a great cup when we sip on one!

Geluna Gelato in downtown Cary has a top of the range espresso machine. Go for some great gelato (the owners spent a lot of time in Italy to perfect the craft) and order an excellent coffee. Tell Warrick (the Aussie owner) that ThisIsRaleigh sent you!

Drink coffee for a great cause at Esteamed Coffee

• Address: 114 S Academy St, Cary
• Website: EsteamedCoffee.com

Alternate coffee recommendation on nearby S Academy Street is Esteamed Coffee, which exists to connect employees with various disabilities and our community at large, in such a way that the lives of all are enriched through their fellowship in a warm, welcoming environment.

They’re a community on a mission to lower the 70+% unemployment rate for people with disabilities by creating meaningful job opportunities for people with intellectual, developmental, communication and/or visual impairments in a warm, supportive environment. It’s a lovely space, a newly renovated 1940 cottage, where you can enjoy sipping on a cup a joe overlooking the street, get some work done, or catch up with friends. Selection of baked goods!

Coffee Studio

• Address: 370 S Walker St, Cary
• Website

New to Downtown Cary this year is Coffee Studio located on the edge of Downtown Cary Park. They definitely have the best coffee in Cary – their flat white is outstanding and so far has been very consistent. I don’t like the space as much for sitting, it feels a little small and bland, but still my top cafe to go to. As it’s right on the park, you can take your coffee for a stroll around the park. They also make hand poured teas and cold brews and can help fill your stomach with light bites like fresh pastries and smashed avo toast.

Big Dom’s Bagel Shop

• Address: 203 E Chatham St, Cary
• Website: BigDomsBagelShop.com

Who doesn’t love a good bagel for breakfast, I know you New Yorker’s certainly do! Big Dom’s is a grab-and-go bagel shop in downtown featuring hand rolled bagels, biscuits, and baked donuts. Their bagels are made fresh every day with malted dough boiled in brown sugar water, then cooked until crisp. I’m no bagel expert, but apparently these are Montreal-style bagels, which are smaller and denser than New York bagels and have a slightly sweet taste.

They have some great creations, and the donuts are said to be amazing as well, but they sell out quickly. Whatever you choose, get your bagel cut in half, it makes it easier to eat, and better for taking photos! 

Taste award-winning beers at Bond Brothers

If you love great craft beer, then don’t miss sipping on a few pints at this brewery, taproom, and beer garden in downtown. Bond Brothers Beer Company was named best new brewery in America by USA Today in 2017, and after personally taste-testing many craft beers in top beer drinking destinations like Portland, San Diego, Northern California, Washington State, and Asheville, I can vouch for Bond Brothers 100%.

• Address: 202 E Cedar St, Cary
• Website: BondBrothersBeer.com

They brew exceptional high-quality artisanal beers with over a dozen on tap to choose from – IPA’s, Amber Ales, Cream Ales, Berliner Weiss’, Stouts. Plus, there’s ciders, seltzers, and white and red wine for the non-beer drinkers! My favorite beer is their Obfuscate (hazy American IPA with Amarillo, Centennial, Citra, Simcoe, Azacca). I don’t recall one I didn’t like. They’re also one of the few breweries that have gluten reduced beer, like their Toe the Line.

With over 9,000 square feet of industrial modern space to enjoy, the vibe is casual, and all are welcome, we often go with our kids and always take visiting friends. And with fun annual events like their Guinness Book of Records Flip flop fun run, grabbing a beer here on their inviting outdoor patio has become one of the top things to do in downtown Cary and a locals Cary favorite hangout spot. Check their calendar to see what food truck they have onsite each day!

Lawrence Barbecue

• Address: 150 East Cedar Street, Cary
• Website

Lawrence Barbecue has long been one of our favorite BBQ joints in Wake County, and it’s exciting to see them step into a much larger space right in Downtown Cary. Formerly operating out of a small shipping container at Boxyard RTP, this new location gives them room to shine — without losing what made them special in the first place.

The brisket is still a must-order (it’s always been one of my go-tos), but what truly surprised me on a recent visit with friends visiting from Australia was the pulled pork. It’s not usually high on my BBQ order list, but here it absolutely deserves the spotlight — tender, flavorful, and done right. There’s also a small patio if you want to sit outside and soak up the Downtown Cary vibe while you eat.

SAAP Cary

• Address: 370 S Walker St, Cary
• Website

SAAP Cary is an exciting new addition to Downtown Cary, especially for anyone who loves bold, Southeast Asian flavors. As former Southeast Asia residents, we’ll happily be first in line for this cuisine. The restaurant comes from the former chef of our longtime favorite Laotian restaurant in Raleigh, Bida Manda, and it absolutely delivers.

The Khao Poon Gai is a standout — rich, aromatic, and deeply comforting — and the mango sticky rice instantly transported me back to Thailand. It’s exactly how I remember eating it there, which is always the ultimate test. SAAP adds a whole new layer of culinary diversity to Downtown Cary, and we couldn’t be happier to see it here.

Serendipity

• Address: 118 S Academy St, Cary

Serendipity is a popular and casual gourmet deli serving up delicious sandwiches and salads that’s perfect for a lunch stop. We’ve taken our visiitng parents from Australia here several times who love their sandwiches. Inddor our outdoor seating on their patio. My favorite sandwich: the classic Reuben.

Bosphorus Restaurant

• Address: 329 N Harrison Ave, Cary
• Website: Bosphorus-nc.com

Growing up in Australia we have a lot of Turkish immigrants and restaurants, and we have also experienced authentic Turkish food during an amazing trip to Istanbul back in 2003, so are excited to have a fantastic Turkish restaurant here in Cary. You can expect traditional Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. And although popular, we still feel it’s one of Cary’s best kept secrets and located in an unassuming strip-mall and just a 5-minute walk from downtown Cary.

They cook with fresh spices and herbs and almost everything is made from scratch. You can choose from Mezze (a selection of small dishes) to grilled meats including lamb, beef and chicken as kebabs, plates or gyros, a wide range of vegetarian dishes, Turkish pizzas and wraps, plus popular homemade desserts like baklava, krem carame, rice pudding, and so much more!

Each dish is prepared with a distinct flavor, and if you haven’t eaten Turkish food before the staff are very helpful and knowledgeable in guiding your selections. 

Your experience starts with complimentary hot black Turkish tea, plus warm pita bread served with spiced oil, which is addictive – be careful though, it can fill you up! If you are looking for tasty Turkish food at very reasonable prices, excellent service, and a pleasant atmosphere, in our opinion, this is one of the best restaurants in Cary.

CrossTown Pub & Grill

• Address: 140 East Chatham St, Cary
• Website: CrosstownDowntown.com

This is the cozy and welcoming neighborhood pub you’ve been looking for. Crosstown Pub & Grill is a family-owned and operated Irish-style pub in the heart of downtown Cary with an inviting pub-style atmosphere. It can be a place for all occasions: a relaxing spot to catch a game over a pint, catch up drinks with friends, a family meal, or a date night.

There’s a good selection of fine wines, craft beers, and spirits, plus above-average bar food at reasonable prices making it one of the best places to eat in Cary for families!

They have seating inside and out, the service is friendly and attentive, and each time we’ve visited it has been a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. Check out their weekly food and drink specials. We love their birria tacos, fish and chips, and the burger

RBF Authentic Champagne Bar

• Address: 210 E Chatham St, Cary
• Website: rbf.wine

If you’re looking for a touch of effervescence elegance in your wine bar, head straight to the RBF Champagne Bar. It only opened at the beginning of 2023 and is already building up a dedicated fan base of women showing up as their authentic selves. While its focus is on Champagne and sparkling wine from around the world, you’ll find PLENTY of red, white, and rose wine offerings to suit your taste – you can even have wine cocktails. Choices here are heavy on the international – can I hear a hallelujah?

Apart from a fine sip and a chic and contemporary atmosphere that makes you want to melt into couch conversations with your besties, what you’ll love most about this champagne and wine bar in Wake County is that its mission is centered around empowering women. You will never be criticized as to how your face looks in this establishment, nor told to smile because “you look so much prettier when you do”.  Your best RBF (Resting B*tch Face) is not only welcome but encouraged.

Take one look around the walls to see friends and acquaintances of the owners brighten up the space with their RBFs. Don’t forget to snap your own! And permission granted to linger a little longer in the bathrooms to read the inspiring and motivating She Hero quotes. Another reason this place makes my Aussie heart sing – Tiffany pays her staff a living wage. No tips needed!

Oh, and if you like poking fun at your ex-boyfriends, you’ll love the names Tiffany has created for her yummy charcuterie boards in honor of the ones who did not make it through to see the worthy realization of the RBF. RBF also has live music, fun events and parties, and Phoebe – everyone’s best friend – may just join you on the couch for a chin wag! This is the wine bar in the Triangle area you’ll want to visit with your girlfriends and men friends who just get it.

We had good friends from Australia visiting recently and where do you think was at the top of the list for us to take them and show off our lovely hometown? You can’t get more unique and on point for friendship fun than RBF. Watch our video for more and they made our list of best wine bars in the Raleigh area.

Albatross Golf Pub

• Address: 140 E Chatham St, Cary
• Website: TheAlbatrossNC.com

If you’re a golf fan, you’ll love going to the Albatross Bar in Downtown Cary to swing a golf club in their simulated golf bays. They’re designed for golfers at all stages and feature 300 courses from around the world or arcade-style games.

I personally go for the best old fashioned I’ve had in Wake County – made with cherries, cacao, orange and bitters – and the friendly bar tenders and patrons sitting around the bar. They also have a yummy, curated menu of gourmet hot dogs and smash burgers.

Peck & Plume

• Address: 301 S Academy St, Cary
• Website: www.peckandplume.com

Brunch in downtown Cary doesn’t get any better than at Peck & Plume inside The Mayton Inn. Sunday brunch was on the itinerary for my visiting parents from Australia, and the vibes were on full display from the cozy interior dining room, complete with cardinal featured wallpaper, and kicked off with brunch drink classics such as a Mimosa and Garden Spritz.

The modern American menu offered enticing choices for all 6 family members, and we thoroughly enjoyed our:

• Shrimp & Grits
• Chicken & Waffles
• Carolina Seafood Roll
• Mayton Burger
• French Brick Toast
• Two Eggs + Sausage

Peck & Plume is located right next door to the fantastic downtown Cary Park. Start with a delicious brunch, then take a stroll through the park – your Sunday morning plans are set!

Kababish Cafe

• Address: 201 W Chatham St #103, Cary
• Website: KababishCafe.com 

Kababish is another unique and tasty dining experience in Cary as they create dishes that are authentic Pakistani and Indian with western adaptation, all made from scratch! Locals in Cary recommended this to us as one of the best Indian Restaurants in the Triangle area, and from the minute we walked in the stylish interior and beautiful ambience made a positive impression, as did the warm customer service – they also have a nice outdoor seating area as well.

Located in downtown Cary across from La Farm Bakery, Kababish focuses on authentic, modern Pakistani cuisine, serving up generous portion sizes so your table can share dishes if you are new to this type of food.

They offer a richly-varied menu of fresh, natural ingredients, wholesome sauces and flavorful spices and are well known for their range of Vegan options!

Scratch Kitchen & Taproom

• Address: 160 E Cedar St, Cary
• Website: scratchkitchenandtaproom.com

One of the most popular downtown Cary restaurants, Scratch was born in downtown Apex and continues its popularity in Cary. As the name suggests, dishes are made from scratch with a focus on providing a place to enjoy a great meal with family and friends with a side dish of good old Southern hospitality.

On the menu are creative dishes with an Asian twist, such as their Smoked Pimento Cheese Wontons, Spicy Tuna Sushi Round, and Buddha Bowl. Plus, classics like Lobster Mac & Cheese, Southern Fried Chicken salad, burgers, steaks, sandwiches, and hand-cut fries.

They also serve delicious cocktails, have a solid wine list, and a good selection of craft beers. And their desserts are next level – our kids loved their Coco Seduction.

Pharmacy Bottle Shop

• Address: 120 E. Chatham Street, Cary 
• Website:PharmacyBottleBeverage.com

I love this neighborhood bottle shop/bar located in the former Mitchell’s Pharmacy building. Pharmacy Bottle + Beverage has an industrial style look with large storefront windows, concrete floors, and a good selection of over 12 beers on tap in rotation, plus a quality selection of beer cans and bottles to go.

My last pick was the Mother Earth Weeping Willow Wit (Belgian-style Wit Beer) from Mother Earth Brewing in Kinston, NC. They have a great range of seltzers in the fridge for Caz, or if you like other non-beer options, plenty of ciders and wine at the bar.

Located next to The Cary Theater (see down below), this is a prime spot in downtown Cary to grab a beer with friends, either inside and watch a game on the large TV, sit outside on the sidewalk and watch the world go by, or in their small back patio area. 

Pizzeria Faulisi

• Address: 215 E Chatham St, Cary
• Website: PizzaeriaFaulisi.com

Thin crust wood fired pizza lovers are in luck with Pizza Faulisi (FA – LEE – SEE) setting up shop in Cary downtown! At this popular neighborhood pizza joint they take the best of both worlds to create their pizzas – freshly milled flour from Boulted Bread in Raleigh along with Caputo flour from Italy, and combine them to make their unique dough. 

Using a wood burning oven, they use high quality toppings to complete their pizza creations. You have a choice of sauce, red pizza or white pizza (no tomato), and the menu is simple yet fresh – if you know Italian food and pizzas, simple ingredients are all it needs for amazing flavor! All pizzas are 12” with chewy dough and crispy crust. At this size, if you’re like me, you’ll eat one pizza to yourself. Beer, wine, and fortified wine is also available. And you can’t beat the location right next to Bond Brothers!

Academy Street Bistro

• Address: 200 S Academy St, Cary
• Website: AcademyStreetBistro.com

Another of the popular downtown Cary restaurants is the Academy Street Bistro, a charming bistro serving New American cuisine with a French flair. Here you can enjoy a unique take on tasty bistro style dishes in their dining room or on the patio under market umbrellas. There’s healthy and hearty lunches and dinners made with fresh fish, all natural meats, fresh and local produce from local farmers.

FRESH. Local Ice Cream

• Address: 138 E Chatham St, Cary
• Website: FreshLocalIceCream.com

You may have seen their ice cream truck around town, but kids, and us big kids who love ice cream, get yourselves to the FRESH. Local Ice Cream shop. With a huge variety of 15+ signature flavors, choose to put your flavor of choice in a cup, homemade waffle cone, or cake cone. Plus they have monthly specialty flavors to keep you coming back for more!  They also have ice cream soda floats, milkshakes, and make party cakes FRESH each week! 

Our kids love their Cookie Dough, Birthday Cake and Frozen Hot Chocolate flavors. Other popular flavors include the Carolina Crunch and Midnight brownie. All of the flavors are made FRESH in-house using ingredients from local, grass-fed, dairy farms, and they also offer a vegan selection.

Locally owned and operated, the owners have lived in the NC Triangle community for the past 25 years, which is about as local as it gets these days! Expect a line and huge servings (and slightly higher prices) They also have a location in nearby Downtown Apex that’s just as popular.

La Farm Bakery

• Address: 220 W Chatham St, Cary
• Website: LaFarmBakery.com

If you love a good bakery, like our kids, then put a stop at the modern-day boulangerie, La Farm Bakery, on your walking tour of Cary downtown! At this modern-day bakery and cafe, master baker Lionel Vatinet produces 15 different styles of bread (plus seasonal breads throughout the year) from a European-style hearth oven.

La Farm’s downtown Cary location is one of three locations and whilst their Cary location doesn’t have the range on offer like the main La Farm Bakery, it has all the signature offerings from their breads, to pastries, croissants, cookies, tarts and cakes, and they sell Counter Culture coffee from Durham!

Stop in, grab a loaf to take home or pick up a pastry as you enjoy walking around. Even if you don’t plan on purchasing anything, it does smell amazing inside and there’s a very cool mural on the backside of the building!

Chatham Street Wine Market 

• Address: 111 W Chatham St, Cary
• Website: ChathamStreetWine.com

It’s not all beer and coffee in downtown Cary, the wine lovers are taken care of too.  Chatham Street Wine Market is a small, neighborhood wine shop with a focus on unique, small production wines from around the world with many of their selections from family-owned estates, and organically grown.

The staff is highly knowledgeable and helpful with suggestions, and serves wine by the glass to enjoy inside or outside on their shaded patio, plus they used to have tasting nights. Keep an eye on the website for current offerings!

Annelore’s German Bakery

• Address: 308 W Chatham St, Cary
• Website: AnneloresBakery.com

In 2017, Annelore’s, a German Bakery inspired by traditional Munich and Viennese coffee houses and konditoreien (pastry shops) opened on the edge of downtown Cary, and they serve up freshly baked and timeless bread and pastries based on old-world family recipes, some of which date back generations.

Choose from over 6 different styles of Artisanal bread (and an additional 10 seasonal breads throughout the year using a European-style hearth oven), traditional German Pastries (they import ingredients such as chocolate and flour from Germany), cookies, and they have gluten-free macarons, almond orange cake, and Meringues.

From the local honey drizzle topping on the customer-favorite Bee Sting Cake, to the Whoopie Pies, the tangy Morello cherries baked into the Donauwellen, each and every ingredient is of the highest quality.

Very clean and bright interior, pop in for a fresh pastry, a cup of coffee, and an experience that can’t be found anywhere else in the Triangle area. When Craig’s Dad visits from Australia, he has us stopping in here several times for his favorite apple pie treat!

Taipei 101

• Address: 121 E Chatham St, Cary
• Website: carytaipei101nc.com

Another of the most popular restaurants in Cary, especially for Chinese. They specializing in cooking from the Sichuan and Taiwanese regions, plus a dim sum menu.

Clean but not fancy, the food is delivered fast and warm and the portions large – expect leftovers for lunch, especially if you order my favorite dish, the beef hot pot.

El Amigo Mexican

• Address: 404 W Chatham St, Cary
• Website: None

We have only dined at this small family-owned Mexican restaurant once, but what we ordered was very good and I look forward to tasting more of their menu items – we ordered guacamole and chips and tacos, and from all reports everything is consistently great Keep in mind the service style is a little different, you order and pay upfront at the counter, and they deliver the food to your table. And they don’t serve any alcohol here, which I was surprised about.

But the service is decent, prices are reasonable, and the food came out quick. The interior is small with a bar area and some table seating, but they have a larger outdoor patio area which is dog-friendly! Large menu with typical staples such as tacos, tortas, and quesadillas, plus menudo, carnitas, tamales, caldo, and chiles rellenos.

SideBar

• Address: 215 E Chatham St, Cary
• Website: sidebarnc.com

We’ve enjoyed a few late-night drinks at Sidebar, an upscale neighborhood cocktail bar with a stylish, vintage vibe that offers classic and unique house-specialty cocktails. Expect a cozy vibe and professional and knowledgeable bartenders who know how to make quality drinks using top shelf liquor and fresh ingredients. Pop in on your way to dinner, or for a late-night after-dinner drink.

Things to do in Downtown Cary

Relax in Downtown Cary Park

After a 20-year, massive renovation, Downtown Cary Park reopened in late 2023, and it’s completely transformed the town! Taking up seven acres, this sprawling park offers a “great lawn”, feature water fountain, and a pavilion with performance spaces and market spaces.

As well as all these amenities, there has been a huge development in programming, and it’s not just a park but an event space. You can find entertainment and performances most evenings, from live music to theater, as well as art exhibitions, fitness classes, and even book clubs and outdoor movies taking place in the park. I regularly enjoy the park’s free yoga classes on a Saturday morning hosted by local Pura Vida Yoga Studio and they are fantastic!

The original “Town Square” portion of the park still exists, with a lighted fountain, plenty of open green space, a bocce ball court, checker and chess tables, foosball, table tennis, picnic shelters, and more.

Much loved by the community is The Bark Bar (it’s a sip n stroll district), the Bark Yard (dog park), and communal firepits. There are also several walking trails through the park, and some modern and chic bars and restaurants surrounding the outside. Find a quiet corner of the park to lounge on the grass and read a book or take part in the ongoing events – you choose!

I think all explorations of the downtown Cary area now should start at this fantastic community park. It’s where we take all our visitors from out of town Read our full guide on things to do in Downtown Cary Park.

Park your car and explore

Downtown Cary is very walkable. It is basically two main streets (S Academy Street and East & West Chatham Street). Simply park your car, grab a coffee at BREW, and maybe a bagel at Big Dom’s (mentioned down below), and simply wander around.

Antique shopping in Ashworth Village

With a hot coffee in hand, why not peruse the local boutiques, art galleries, consignment shops, and eateries in Ashworth Village. Shop for antiques at Vintage Vogue, visit a live art studio at Cary Gallery of Artists, or treat yourself at the Blue Moon Bakery & Cafe (they have some vegan and gluten-free options). 

Shopping in Downtown Cary

Shopping in Downtown Cary has really leveled up, especially considering there was a time when retail options here were pretty limited. While we don’t shop a ton, there are a few spots we genuinely love and always recommend to visiting friends. Gentleman’s Corner is a standout — we’ve visited their Pinehurst location before and loved the quality of the clothing and the story behind this North Carolina–based business, making it great to now have them in Cary.

Gather Goods is a charming stop for gifts, clothing, books, and thoughtful little finds, with a strong local Cary and NC focus — perfect for souvenir shopping or hostess gifts. And for vinyl lovers, Hunky Dory is a favorite of ours, where you can browse records while enjoying a beer, making it as much an experience as it is a shop.

Get artsy at Cary Arts Center

Cary Arts Center is another great place to go when you’re looking for something creative to do.It began back in the 1870s as a space for education programs in the arts by Town of Cary founder Allison Frances Page, and today offers classes in performing, visual and ceramic arts. Our daughter has previously taken acting classes here and loved it. And it also has gallery exhibitions, a theater, performances, and more!

Watch a movie at The Cary Theater

• Address: 122 E Chatham St, Cary
• Website: TheCaryTheater.com

Located in the heart of downtown, the Cary Theater was once home to the town’s first indoor movie theater, also named The Cary, which hosted live performances as well as films. It was also used as a clothing store, Cary Clothiers, an auto parts store, and a recording studio. Today it’s a 175-seat art house and theater. They offer independent films, classic cinema, locally produced film festivals, live music, and comedy.

Check out Cary Downtown Farmers Market

• Address: 160 E. Park St, Cary
• Website: caryfarmersmarket.com

We love a traditional farmers market. It’s the perfect place to pick up fresh, local produce from local farms within 100 miles of Cary. Taking place every Saturday, the Cary Downtown Farmers Market is the place to go to acquire all your local produce needs. It’s only a small market with a handful of booths, but still enjoyable to check out. If you want to try some delicious Australian food grab a meat pie from Sheila’s Bakery! I also love Botanist Bean, the small mobile coffee cart that brews a delicious flat white!

You can also find artisan vendors selling gift and craft items, as well as pick up fresh flowers and plants.

Admire Guess-White-Ogle House

When you visit Cary and walk along South Academy Street, you’ll walk past the beautiful Guess-White-Ogle House. This is the finest, most intact, and best-preserved example of Queen Anne-style architecture in the Downtown Cary National Register Historic District. It’s also an example of a dwelling that was expanded over time to reflect the prevailing architectural tastes of the day.

The Guess-White-Ogle House represents several different architectural styles and was built in stages beginning in the 1830s, and has had several owners throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

John White, a local Baptist minister, bought the house from the Guess’ in 1896 and substantially remodeled and expanded it. He transformed the house into a Queen Anne structure by adding a three-story tower to the façade, a front bay window, and much decorative woodwork. Carroll and Sheila Ogle bought the property in 1997 and restored it for their personal residence. In June 2023, the house was sold to a law firm, Soleigh Holdings Cary LLC, for $2.46 million. Address: 215 South Academy Street, Cary

Step back in time at Page-Walker Arts and History Center

• Address: 119 Ambassador Loop, Cary
• Website: carync.gov

The Page-Walker Arts and History Center is an art gallery and event space in Cary that’s nestled inside the converted, old Page-Walker Hotel. It has two floors of gallery space, featuring pieces of fine art from regional artists, and you can also find workshops and classes related to language arts, music, wellness, and history!

Festivals to enjoy in Downtown Cary

Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival

Typically held annually on the last weekend in August, the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival dates back to 1977 and welcomes guests from not just downtown Cary, but from all over. Nearly 300 artists from across the USA showcase their products and services in the Cary Town Hall area, including interactive art activities, a kid’s world area, and professional artist demonstrations.

Pimento Cheese Festival

The Pimento Cheese Festival is one of those events that shows just how much Downtown Cary has come into its own. We’ve honestly never seen Downtown Cary Park so busy — in the best possible way. The entire area was buzzing with people enjoying live music, local vendors, market stalls, and, of course, all things pimento cheese.

From creative twists on the Southern staple to classic, comforting versions, the festival felt like a true community celebration that brought everyone together. We recommend you get the loaded pimento cheese fries from Not Just a Fry Guy – one of the best fries in Wake Count and 100% gluten free! It’s the kind of event where you wander, snack, chat with locals, and suddenly realize how vibrant and connected Downtown Cary has become.

Downtown Cary tree Lighting Festival

There’s something genuinely magical about Downtown Cary during the holidays, and the annual Downtown Cary Tree Lighting Festival is the perfect kickoff. The event brings the community together to celebrate the season with festive energy, family-friendly activities, and that special moment when the tree lights up and the crowd collectively cheers.

Even after the festival ends, the magic lingers — holiday lights sparkle throughout the streets of Downtown Cary, making it a joy to stroll, shop, dine, and linger a little longer. It’s one of our favorite times of year to experience Downtown Cary and a reminder of how charming this area can be when it fully leans into the season.

Where to stay in Cary

The Mayton Inn

If you want to make it a real weekend getaway to Cary, NC, why not stay overnight in this boutique hotel situated in the heart of South Academy Street! This refined boutique hotel has on-site restaurant – Verandah restaurant – and considered one of the best breakfast spots in all of downtown Cary

There are 44 uniquely designed rooms or suites. Their two Bedroom and three Bedroom suites offer connecting room types to accommodate up to 6-10 guests – perfect for families! Enjoy a coffee or cocktail in The Study, relax on the Terrace, or take a walk to the local breweries, shopping and restaurants. Check prices and reviews.

Charming 3-bedroom home in downtown

If you prefer a home away from home environment, this cozy three-bedroom home sleeps six guests and has everything you need for a comfortable stay, and it’s right in downtown so it’s close to everything we’ve mentioned on this list. And for a fee, you can bring your pooch along with you. See prices and availability here.

Final thoughts

The Town of Cary has grown into one of the fastest-growing areas in the South, and one of the best places to live in Raleigh. It measures about 60 square miles and is home to about 168,000 people, so even though it feels bustling, it’s still small. The small historic downtown is the heart of Cary and our favorite place. We hope this guide to the historic center of Cary has given you some ideas for what to do, where to eat, and where to stay.

One of the best things about the downtown Cary area is just walk around and see what you stumble across. You can park your car for the day and not have to move it. In the meantime, follow us on Instagram and join our free weekly email newsletter (form below) as we continue to bring you the best things to do in Raleigh and surrounds!

More inspiration for visiting Cary

Looking for more things to do near Cary, here are some other helpful guides:

• Fenton, Cary – why it’s worth visiting
• Don’t miss the 2 mile Bond Lake trail
• Cool trails at Hemlock Bluffs in Cary
• A Guide to WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary