30+ Fun Summer Activities in Raleigh To Add To Your Summer Bucket List

It’s hot out there y’all, but we do love a Raleigh summer. It’s the season to embrace all the cool things to do in Raleigh at this time of year. Whether it’s getting out on the lakes, going for a bike ride, enjoying picnics in the gardens, or something a little more unique, we are sharing all the best summer activities in Raleigh to help you make the most of the beautiful season.

Down below we are sharing our favorite activities and events up until the 22nd of September (that’s the first day of Fall). It’s time to whip out your shorts and flip flops and slap on a hat, because these are the perfect things to do in Raleigh in the summer.

1. Paddleboard at Lake Johnson

You probably know by now that Lake Johnson is our favorite place in Raleigh (we lived on the edge of the lake for four years) and walk the 3-mile loop trail often. During the summer months we love to take our stand-up paddle board out on the water for gentle exercise. If you don’t have your own paddle board or kayaks or canoes, you can rent them at the lake through Wake Rack. Here are some other great places to paddleboard in Raleigh and nearby.

2. Ice Cream at a Local Store

Summer is the perfect excuse to indulge in a refreshing scoop (or two) of your favorite ice cream! Hardest decision is deciding which combination to choose. My current favorite is mint Stracciatella and salted caramel from Geluna Gelato in Downtown Cary (who have the best coffee in Cary AND were just named BEST gelato outside of Italy!)

My other favorite is Goodberry’s frozen custard. While not ice cream itself, it’s refreshing icy goodness that for me is better than ice cream. We love that it’s made with minimal wholesome ingredients, so it’s a “healthier’ treat. We also love that’s an NC company (started in Raleigh) that has two locations in Australia! We were thrilled to work with them to create the special Aussie Doughbreaker – a concrete with Australia’s violet crumble candy and cookie dough!

Another local favorite, Two Roosters was founded by an NC State University alum and their popular handcrafted ice cream features unusual creations with seasonal and permanent flavors – often inspired by local events and restaurants. Speaking of NCSU, don’t miss Howling Cow ice cream, scooped up on a dairy farm off Lake Wheeler Drive. Hike the Historic Yates Mill Trail before it to balance it out. Fresh is a favored local Wake County ice cream for our two daughters. I love that theirs is made with grass fed milk. Read more: top places for ice cream in Raleigh.

3. Swim at Jordan Lake

One thing we dislike about living in Raleigh is the lack of swimming options in summer. Unless you live in a neighborhood that has a community pool, or pay a membership for a pool, you are limited. And sadly, most of our lakes don’t allow swimming, except for Jordan Lake, a 14,000-acre reservoir, just south of Wake County. We like the Ebenezer Beach section for a swim and a picnic. Jordan Lake is also a popular place to camp – year-round. Want more swimming options? We rounded up ideas in our best places to swim near Raleigh!

4. Hike in Umstead State Park

I love that 15-minutes from downtown Raleigh we have the awesome Umstead State Park in our backyard which offers great hiking trails and more than 5,000 acres of forest. There’s plenty of shade at Umstead, but go early to beat the summer heat and humidity, especially if you walk one of the longer trails. Don’t forget to take a drink bottle and a hat. Some of our favorite trails include:

• Loblolly Trail
• Company Mill Trail
• Sycamore Trail
• Sal’s Branch Trail

5. Hop to a Local Brewery

With 20+ breweries in Raleigh we have no shortage of options to grab an ice-cold beer on a hot summer’s day! The craft beer scene is extensive here with beer styles to suit all tastes. Plus, most breweries these days offer more than beer and include liquor, wine, seltzers, ciders etc. If you’re looking for a new brewery to try, summer is the perfect time. Read more: Local Raleigh breweries for a great pint and breweries in Downtown Raleigh.

6. Splash Pads for kids

Another way your kids can cool off in summer is at one of the splash pads around Wake County with giant water buckets and plenty of sprinklers. John Chavis Memorial Park Splash Pad in downtown Raleigh is fairly new, others include the Moore Square Splash Pad, Fuquay-Varina Splash Pad, the Taylor Street Park Sprayground (Wake Forest), and Jack Smith Park Sprayground (Cary). Battle with the kiddie crowds at the splashpads in Downtown Cary Park or the Gipson Play Plaza at Dix Park. See more Raleigh playgrounds and splash pads.

7. Bike the Art to Heart Trail

We have endless bike trails in Raleigh with 100+ miles of Greenway trails and 28 individual routes, but one of our family favorites is the 6-mile Art to Heart Trail, a point-to-point trail that begins at the Museum of Art (NCMA) and ends in the heart of Downtown Raleigh. You can incorporate pit stops along the way for coffee, beers, and ice cream, or head straight to downtown!

Other great bike trails in Raleigh, from lengthy to short, include:

• American Tobacco Trail
• Lake Johnson Loop
• Lake Lynn loop trail
• Shelley lake loop trail
• Crabtree Creek Trail to Lassiter Mill Falls

8. Picnic at Dorothea Dix Park

Set on a whopping 300+ acres, Dorothea Dix Park is the largest park in Raleigh with impressive views of the downtown Raleigh skyline and a lovely space with wide-open fields, rolling meadows, and tree-lined streets. Go early morning or late evening to avoid the peak heat of the day. While here you will definitely want to hunt for the 4 giant trolls hiding in the forests throughout the park. Except for Daddy Troll, he is out on Hervey Hil watching over the city! Find more places to picnic in Raleigh with this post on wonderful parks in Raleigh

9. Cool off at the Fantasy Lake Adventure Park in Wake Forest

Kids will love Fantasy Lake Adventure Park in Wake Forest, one of the few (natural) places we can swim in Wake County. Our tween keeps asking us when we will go back. It is a little pricey in my opinion, but for many families, the experience is worth it. This 100-acre park features a 65-acre lake that is sectioned off for an inflatable water park filled with tramps, slides, and obstacle courses. This year they have a new giant slide that y’all surely love! You can also kayak, paddleboard, and scuba dive here. It really is fun for all the family.

If you can make it work in your budget, reserve some of the beach chairs or cabanas. Because it’s also nice to lie down and relax and enjoy the beautiful views while the older kids relax. Read our guide to downtown Wake Forest for more ideas while you’re exploring this area!

10. Head to a local Winery

I know you don’t believe it, but Wake County (and neighboring counties) has wineries!

• Our favorite is Cloer Family Vineyards in Apex, who grow, harvest, bottle and sell wine. They have a lovely outdoor seating area. Family and pet friendly! Read more in our Cloer Family Vineyard in Apex post.
• Chatham Hill Winery – the first in the Triangle) has a small and cozy tasting bar with frequent events such as wine tastings on the weekends and live music on Fridays. 
• We are yet to visit ZincHouse Winery between Raleigh and Durham. It has 87 acres of vineyards and treetop views, offering adults 21+a wide beverage selection of wines, local craft beers, and a robust offering of bourbon and cigars. They have food trucks and live music and is very popular!
• Another winery we love near Raleigh is Hinnant Winery in Pine Level Johnston County. It’s about a 40-minute drive, but well worth a visit. They have a beautiful wine garden and often have live music. Read more in our JoCo Date Day Out!
• Get more wine tasting ideas in our post on top wine bars in Raleigh and our guide to vineyards and meaderies near Raleigh

11. Iced Coffee at a Local Coffee Shop

I typically drink hot coffee year-round even when it’s in the 90s. But for those that love an ICED coffee, this is the time of year to indulge. I am a fan of the Vietnamese Iced Coffee at Idle Hour Coffee Roasters. And consider the Conquer the Day Smoothie at Mission Market in Downtown Apex. It’s not a pure iced coffee; but this banana and almond butter smoothie has espresso in it. Read more: coffee shops in Raleigh the locals love.

12. Kayak (or paddle board) at Robertson Millpond Preserve

The serene, cypress forest setting at Robertson Millpond Preserve is the most unique place to kayak, canoe or paddle board in the Raleigh area. This hidden gem near the town of Wendell will make you feel like you’re in Florida and is the area’s only bald cypress habitat and is recognized as a wetland treasure. Read our full guide to Robertson Millpond Preserve.

13. Visit a Free Museum

One of the best ways to beat the heat and stay indoors in Raleigh are the excellent and FREE museums. In fact, Raleigh is well known for its quality and quantity of museums and has often been referred to as the “Smithsonian of the South”. Probably the best museum in Raleigh is the Museum of Natural Sciences. Others include the Art Museum, and the Gregg Museum on Hillsborough St.

14. Sip a Classic Cocktail

If you’d rather not drink beer or an iced coffee, then the other adult beverage of choice has to be a classic cocktail. Raleigh’s cocktail bar scene continues to get better, and popular choices include Killjoy, Watts & Ward, Dram & Draught, William & Company, Whiskey Kitchen, and The Ark Royal Tiki Bar. We also love the new Capulet Cocktail bar in Midtown Raleigh. It’s Italian themed with a great summer patio and perfectly crafted cocktails! Here are more of our favorite cocktail bars in Raleigh.

15. Dine Outside on a Patio

If you can tolerate the warmish summer evening temperatures at dinner time, there are some great Raleigh restaurants that have outdoor dining options. Some of our favorites include Taverna Agora Greek Kitchen, Rosewater Kitchen in North Hills, Gringo A Go Go, Sam Jones BBQ, and Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing. Foxcroft Wine Co in North Hills is a great patio spot for lunch and a wine flight. Our current favorite patio in Raleigh is Sixty Vines in North Hills – it’s actually our favorite restaurant in Raleigh too. We think it’s the patio place to be this summer. Check it out in the video below 👇

16. Cheer on the Durham Bulls

One of our favorite things to do in the triangle area is go to a Durham Bulls minor-league baseball game in Durham, just 30-minutes from downtown Raleigh. They play at the fantastic Durham Bulls Athletic Park in downtown Durham, and if you go to a Friday or Saturday night game, stay for the awesome fireworks show. See the 2026 summer schedule here. Read more: How to enjoy a night at the Durham Bulls.

17. Beach Getaway

You can’t go through a Raleigh summer without taking at least one day trip to the beach, or better yet make it a weekend getaway. Each of the beaches on the NC coast offer a unique experience no matter your style and budget. Wrightsville Beach is the closest at just over 2-hours away. Carolina Beach and Topsail Beach are also close. Here are all the great beaches near Raleigh.

18. Summer outdoor concert

One thing we love about summer in Raleigh, are the amazing options for outdoor concerts. Raleigh has several fantastic outdoor music venues including Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary, and Red Hat Amphitheater in downtown Raleigh. New to the scene is the amphitheater in Downtown Cary Park, which I love as a small outdoor venue. Ever since moving to Raleigh in 2004, we’ve made an effort to see a live concert at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek each year (the biggest outdoor concert venue in Raleigh). Here are more live music venues in Raleigh

19. Rooftop Drinks at the Willard

Drinks at the The Willard rooftop bar & lounge at the top of AC Hotel on Glenwood Ave are one of our favorite views in Raleigh. It pops on a sunny afternoon. Other rooftop bars include 10th & Terrace at the top of the Residence Inn Downtown Raleigh, Level7 at the top of the AC Hotel in North Hills, and the new Urban Oak rooftop bar, and High Rail rooftop bar.

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20. Pedal Boats at Pullen Park

NOTE: Currently under construction (Details here). Pullen Park has been entertaining families for over 200 hundred years, and if you haven’t taken your kids to Pullen Park yet why not choose a summer’s day (maybe one not in the high 90s.) There are several attractions, but now would be a good time to take one of the pedal boats out on their lake. Read more: Guide to Pullen Park

21. Enjoy Hillsborough St’s Music and Maker Summer Series

This summer the Hillsborough St District of Raleigh will be hosting a monthly summer Music & Makers series featuring live music performances, local markets, and family friendly activities. Plus, you’re right near Hillsborough St restaurants and eateries for food and drink. Bring your picnics, your lawn chairs, and your friends and family! Dates are Friday May 29, Friday June 26, and Friday July 24, 2026!

22. Watch a NC Courage Soccer Game

Women’s soccer is a big deal in North Carolina, and the NC Courage is a professional women’s soccer team based in Cary and play their home games at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park and their season runs until the end of September. In 2026, the courage is seeing consistent record-breaking crowds. It’s a fun summer evening in Raleigh! We are season ticket holders and love watching the games and the atmosphere. Craig often shoots drone for the Courage. We have secured discounted tickets for our readers. Click here to purchase your tickets and save money.

Read more: A Guide to WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary

23. Sunset drinks at 10th and Terrace Rooftop Bar

One of the highlights of our staycation in Raleigh at the Residence Inn Downtown was having sunset drinks at their fantastic rooftop lounge and bar, 10th and Terrace. This is now one of our favorite places for a drink in Raleigh period, especially to take in the sunset with sweeping views! The new High Rail and Urban Oak area also great for sunset. Check out other places to enjoy sunset in Raleigh (or nearby). See more of our favorite rooftop bars in Raleigh here.

24. Wet n’ Go Wild in Greensboro

For more summer fun on water slides and wave pools, head 75-minutes west to Greensboro and have a thrilling day at the Wet ‘n Wild Water park, the perfect place to cool off in summer. Stay connected to our Instagram as we’ll be having a giveaway in June for tickets. Read our guide to Wet ‘n Wild here.

25. Outdoor Movies

There are several places in Raleigh where you can watch outdoor movies during the summer

• Raleigh Little Theater will have movie showings in their outdoor amphitheater adjacent to the Raleigh Rose Garden. They also have theater productions as well.
• Dorothea Dix Park often has movie showings on the lawn.
• Moore Square in partnership with The North Carolina Museum of Art or Get 2 Know Raleigh is a favorite place to watch outdoor movies in Raleigh, especially on First Friday evenings. See the movie schedule here.
• Downtown Cary Park will have outdoor movie showings twice a month during the summer (starting at dusk). Come early for themed, pre-screening activities
• Family Movie Nights at Joyner Park Wake Forest are held once a month. Each movie will have pre-show activities.

26. Sunflowers at Dorothea Dix Park

When the sun dial turns up the summer heat, the sunflower fields in Raleigh are standing to attention and one of the best sunflower fields are at Dorothea Dix Park, and peak bloom is usually in mid-July. Read more – where you can see the sunflowers in Raleigh 

27. Outdoor Yoga

Outdoor yoga has become really popular in Wake County. We’ve got the perfect weather for it, especially early in the morning. You’ll find outdoor yoga at Dorothea Dix (free), Downtown Cary Park (free), Midtown Commons in North Hills (though they pause in June to August and resume in September), and Fenton in Cary (free).

Many breweries are now doing Sunday yoga (with beverages to follow). Caz did yoga at Crank Arm Brewery on a Sunday morning and loved it. In June there are two special yoga events happening for Summer Solstice to celebrate the longest day of the year.

• Dorothea Dix Park: Watch the sun rise over downtown Raleigh on the first day of summer with an early morning yoga session in Flowers Field. 6am-7am Coffee truck after. FREE.
• NC Museum of Art: Celebrate the longest day of the year with an inspiring community yoga class as the sun sets over the Museum Park! You’ll be led through guided meditation, cooling breathing practices, seasonal self-reflection prompts, and gentle yoga movements to welcome the season of abundance. 7:30pm-9pm $25+

28. Sunset at Lake Crabtree

Being on the East Coast and inland from the ocean doesn’t provide for many spectacular sunset options in Raleigh, but we do have lots of lakes and one of the best places to watch a sunset in Raleigh is at Lake Crabtree near the observation tower. Pack some snacks and a few cold drinks and enjoy. Sadly this may no longer be an option with RDU’s plan to take over Crabtree County Park and develop it. Other good spots include Lake Raleigh and Falls Lake. 

29. Play at Marbles Kids Museum

Got young kids and looking for a play space indoors out of the heat and humidity? You can’t beat Marbles as one of the best things to do with kids in Raleigh up to the age of 12. There are two levels of kid-focused museum activities with dozens of hands-on exhibits and the state’s only 3D-capable IMAX theater.

30. Explore Raleigh on a Trolly Pub

Have you done a trolley pub tour of Raleigh? Grab a group of friends and you can have a blast cycling around the city stopping at different bars of your choosing and you can drink as you pedal and listen to your favorite playlist. See Trolley Pub Raleigh for all the deets. Who’s in?

31. Fourth of July Celebrations

Of course the annual 4th of July celebrations take place near the beginning of summer, a day when Americans like to come together, eat hot dogs, have a few drinks, and play some corn hole. And you can find fireworks in all areas of Raleigh. Read more: What to do in Raleigh on July 4th

32. Indoor Rock Climb at Triangle Rock Club

Our kids attended a summer indoor rock climbing camp at Triangle Rock Club a few years ago and loved it. They also have camps throughout the year, or you can go for one off visits. If you’re a first timer they have great instructors to show you the ropes!, 

33. Hopscotch Music Festival

Earning notoriety as one of the country’s top music festivals is the Hopscotch Music festival, known for its eclectic music representation covering almost every genre — rock, hip-hop, metal, folk, electronic, experimental, and more. Held at various venues in Downtown Raleigh on the 10th-12th September. We absolutely loved this festival last year! So original and a fun community gathering experience.

34. Go Bowling at Kings

For indoor fun, we always have fun bowling as a family and if you’re looking for some social gaming fun, Kings is an upscale bowling lounge in the North Hills District and our favorite place to go bowling in Raleigh. This is a popular venue so I recommend you reserve a lane in advance (18 lanes in total) and it is more kid-friendly during the day time!

35. Volunteer at Wine and Weeds at Raleigh City Farm

Looking for cool volunteer opportunities? We have participated in Wine + Weeds, a weekly weeding party at Raleigh City Farm. Sip wine whilst you help tend to this great community garden. And, you’re right near North Person Street, possibly our favorite street in Raleigh for bars and restaurants!

36. Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival

Two days of Beer, Bourbon, Barbecue, Boots, Bacon, Biscuits, Bluegrass and Smoked Beasts should satisfy anyone’s taste buds at the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Fest on the 31st July and 1st August. Your admission buys you a souvenir sampling glass so you can enjoy an ALL-YOU-CARE-TO-TASTE sampling of beer and bourbon.

37. Camping at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

One of our favorite camping, boating and swimming spots in NC is at Kerr Lake, just a 70-minute drive north of Raleigh. This recreation area consists of 3,376 acres of woodlands along the shores of the 50,000-acre man-made lake. There are hundreds of wooded tent and trailer campsites, many of them on the water’s edge. Read more: Our camping trip to Kerr Lake

38. Roller Coasters at Carowinds

Our kids are big theme park kids, and luckily for us we don’t have to go all the way to Florida for thrills. Carowinds in Charlotte is the Carolina’s premier amusement park offering 14 roller coasters, a waterpark, and live entertainment. Included in your ticket – and perfect for summer – is their waterpark, Carolina Harbor. Feel the thrill on adrenaline-pumping water slides. Take it easy at the Surf Club Harbor wave pool. Let the kids have a blast and splash at Seaside Splashworks with over 80 play elements and a 423-gallon tipping bucket. Read more: Ultimate guide to Carowinds

39. Send the kids to a Day Summer Camps

If you’re looking for summer camps or a day camp for your Raleigh kids to get involved in, the YMCA do a day summer camp at their community locations around Raleigh. These are full-day summer camps where kids can get involved in a variety of kids activities such as swimming, sports, games, and arts and crafts, and come home at the end of the day.

It’s perfect for full time parents who need to work in the summer and can’t find ways to keep the kids entertained while they bring home the bacon. The YMCA youth staff are young adults in high school of college who were previous campers themselves, so they know how to make a day fun and interesting, as well as being positive role models. Check out more details here.

How are summers in Raleigh?

Now you know what to do, you might be wondering how is the weather? Below is a quick breakdown of what you can expect from Raleigh weather in the summer.

Raleigh in June

June is one of the warmest months in Raleigh. The average temperature during the day is between 74°F and 94°F, with nighttime temperatures dropping to 54°F and 74°F. It’s not uncommon for there to be high humidity during this time of year, which can make it feel even hotter. Typically, the start of June is less humid than the end. Fortunately, 46% of the month receives good cloud cover. While June is typically a dry month, there is still a 38%-43% chance of rain depending on whether it’s the start of end of the month, and summer thunderstorms can happen especially towards the end of the month.

Raleigh in July

Raleigh in July can be quite hot and humid. The average temperature during the day is between 81°F and 95°F, with a daily average being 89°F. Humidity levels tend to be high, between 73%-85% over the month. This can make the weather feel even hotter. The hottest day of the year tends to be July 21st.While July is usually a wetter month than June, the rainfall is still fairly moderate with a 46% chance of rain, and thunderstorms are common.

Raleigh in August

August in Raleigh is also typically hot and humid. The average temperature during the day is between 85°F and 88°F, with a daily average being 89°F. Humidity levels tend to remain high throughout the month but gradually decreasing towards the end of August. July and August are the wettest months of the year, with frequent thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, but this subsides towards the end of the month.

September

The first three weeks of September are still in summer mode, and it’s my favorite month of the summer season because temperatures start to cool down, but it’s still warm enough to enjoy some rays.

Typically, daytime temperatures range from as low as 68°F and as high as 91.4°F. It’s more likely to be around the 77°F – 84.2°F mark. At night, temperatures are a nice cool 57.2°F – 66.2°F, rarely getting colder than 46°F or warmer than 73.4°F, so you might be finally able to turn your air conditioning off at night.

September is usually a very cloudy month, with most days being at least partly cloudy (63%). It’s not usually a wet month either, which means there’s a good chance to get out and do some hiking.

Final thoughts

Yes, the long hot and humid days of summer in Raleigh can be draining, but we encourage you to escape from your air conditioning and live the vibrant Raleigh lifestyle that’s on offer. Whether it’s enjoying one of the beautiful lakes, a summer concert, sipping on a cold beer at a brewery, or taking your kids to one of the excellent museums or parks!

This list of fun activities, attractions and family events up until September 22 are based on our personal experience and what we are most excited to do in Raleigh this summer. But there are always more to add – so please share in the comments at the bottom what your favorite Raleigh summer activity is and why!

Now it’s your turn, what is your favorite activity or event during the Raleigh summer months?