24 Hours in Raleigh: What to do for 1st timers!

If you only have 24 hours in Raleigh and don’t know how to spend your time wisely, we’re here to help and you’re going to want to keep reading! Since moving here in 2004 we now know Raleigh as good as anyone and have spoken to many people who are visiting Raleigh and unsure on what to do when they only have one day to explore.

They may be here to see friends, to attend a festival or sporting event, be checking out the city as a possible place to live, be doing a campus tour of NC State University, or they’re in town for a business meeting. Whatever the situation, we can help you make the most of your time!

One day in Raleigh is not a lot of time, and so you’re going to have to be ok with missing some of the top attractions in Raleigh as there’s only so many hours in a day. But don’t worry, I have called this city my home for over 15 years now and have worked out the best 24-hour Raleigh itinerary for visitors who want to get a feel for the culture, the history, the food and drink scene, and the Southern community feel.

I put this Raleigh to do list together from my own personal experiences. These are the places I take visiting friends and family who are visiting for the first time and below are some of the most “Raleigh experiences to have” in the City of Oaks.

24 Hours in Raleigh Itinerary

Of course, I suggest you stay longer than one day as there are so many cool things to do in Raleigh, but if you need someone to take the guesswork out of how to spend a day in Raleigh, then here’s what I recommend you do!

Breakfast in Raleigh

Big Ed’s City Market

You’ve arrived in The South, and my top breakfast suggestion for an introduction to Raleigh is Big Ed’s in historic City Market. It’s one of the best Southern style breakfasts in Raleigh and the local experience you’re looking for. They’ve been serving up generous portions of Southern comfort food since 1958. Here you’ll enjoy a laid-back vibe with a collection of funky antiques hanging from the ceiling, warm Southern hospitality, and food like what grandma used to make.

Big Ed’s is especially popular for their GIANT pancakes, their local country ham, fried chicken, aged ribeye steak & eggs, sliced pork loin, fried catfish, the fluffy biscuits, and their double-brewed sweet tea.

• Address: 220 Wolfe St, Raleigh
• Website: www.bigedsnc.com

Other breakfast options

PRESS Coffee & Crepes

For a European cafe with a Carolina twist, head to PRESS for incredible crepes (gluten-free options) and excellent coffees. Or choose from weekend specials like their famous hash brown waffle, avocado toasts, and signature sandwiches and salads. We have other coffee suggestions listed down below, but PRESS is one of the best!

• Address: 400 Hillsborough St, Raleigh
• Website: pressccc.com

State Farmers’ Market Restaurant

Another popular place for locals to get a country breakfast and Southern dining experience is the State Farmers’ Market Restaurant. Start each meal with their highly acclaimed biscuits, then choose from a large menu of options and enjoy the decor. NOTE: very busy on weekends, get here early!

• Address: 1240 Farmers Market Dr, Raleigh
• Website: www.realbiscuits.com

The Mecca Restaurant

The Mecca is the oldest of the Raleigh restaurants and another classic Raleigh expereince. An historic setting with red stools along a long counter, a black and white checkered floor, and wooden booths. Serving unpretentious and comforting meals since 1930, this is one of the few true diners left in Raleigh. See our full list of where to eat the best breakfast in Raleigh.

• Address: 13 E Martin St, Raleigh
• Website: www.mecca-restaurant.com

Coffee in Raleigh

Jubala

I fluctuate on what my favorite coffee spot in Raleigh is, and it depends upon where in the city you are located, but one of my go-to options is Jubala Coffee on Hillsborough St across from NC State University. Jubala is known for their professionally trained baristas who make excellent lattes and the full spectrum of coffees plus seasonal offerings. And their small bites menu is excellent – their Banana Nutella Waffles and Biscuits with egg, bacon, and cheese are to die for! I love to sit out on the sidewalk on nice days across from the NC State Belltower.

• Address: 2100 Hillsborough St, Raleigh
• Website: www.jubalacoffee.com

Other coffee options

Heirloom Brewshop

Heirloom in the Warehouse District is a specialty coffee shop, premium tea house, sake bar and kitchen all rolled into one with an Asian-inspired menu. The aesthetics are lovely with a wooden slat ceiling and large glass windows. Excellent lattes and specialty coffees, and Mochi donuts! Another fantastic coffee option in the Warehouse District is Black & White.

• Address: 219 S West St, Raleigh
• Website: heirloom-raleigh.com

Little Native Coffee

Housed in a historic building on S. Person Street and merely steps from the heart of downtown, Little Native Coffee is another top coffee spot you’ll find us at regularly. It may be small in size, but it’s big on coziness and character. In fact, there’s just a different aura about it and it gave us the feeling of walking into a coffee shop in another city. We enjoyed sitting by the open window with our lattes and lemon cake, or in the outdoor pation in the warmer months. See our full list of coffee suggestions here.

• Address: 426 S Person St, Raleigh
• Website: www.drinklittlenative.com

Morning Activities

Museums

If you love museums, take note that Raleigh is home to excellent museums and because of the quality and number of free museums, Raleigh is often referred to as the “Smithsonian of the South”. I highly recommend you spend your morning strolling around one of them, but which one will depend on your taste and interest. Here are some of our favorite museums in Raleigh.

NC Museum of Natural Sciences

Located in the heart of downtown, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is fantastic and it’s free to enter. It’s North Carolina’s largest and most visited museum. It has over 4 floors of exhibits to explore, including walk-through dioramas, live animals, microbes and meteorites, 3D movies, and there’s a fantastic permanent collection of dinosaur and whale skeletons. You can also watch scientists at work in the research center.

• Address: 11 W Jones St, Raleigh
• Website: www.naturalsciences.org

NC Museum of Art

Art lovers should head to the fabulous Museum of Art which is home to more than a dozen beautiful indoor gallery spaces showcasing art from around the world. You can either self-explore or take an engaging tour, see performing arts and participate in family workshops. Don’t miss taking a stroll through the attached Anne & Jim Goodnight Museum Park, a 164-acre park and trail system that features more than a dozen commissioned works of art. 

• Address: 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh
• Website: www.ncartmuseum.org

Parks & Trails

One of the best things about living in Raleigh is how green it is, and Wake County has a vast trail system. You can’t visit Raleigh without exploring some of its nature. Whether you like to walk, cycle or run, there’s a trail here for you!

Umstead State Park

An easy 15-minute drive from downtown brings you to one of the best outdoor places in Raleigh, and one of the state’s most visited parks – William B. Umstead State Park. This natural oasis surrounds three man-made lakes and has over 22 miles of trails ranging from easy to moderate. If you love to get active on nature trails through the forest, or do some biking, trail running, picnicking, canoeing, or even horseback riding, then Umstead is calling you!

Raleigh A great introductory trail is the 2.8-mile Sal’s Branch Trail. However, if you’re up for a woodland walk and the longest trail in Umstead, the Sycamore Trail is a 7.2-mile loop and the longest trail. But possibly my favorite trail is the 6-mile loop Company Mill Trail, or the 5-mile out-and-back Loblolly Trail.

Lake Johnson Loop Trail

If you love walking around lakes, Lake Johnson is our favorite of the lakes in Raleigh and just a 10-minute drive west from downtown Raleigh. The fully paved 3-mile greenway loop around the eastern side of the lake is popular with locals and students at nearby NC State University.

There’s a 700-foot-long boardwalk across the center of the lake, a boat house, small beach area, and picnic shelters. It’s our favorite lake trail in all of Raleigh, we lived in this area for 4-years and we take all visitors here. To walk the full loop usually takes us about one hour. HOT TIP: If you start at the boatshed and head clockwise towards the dam, that is the flat section. Further on past the dam are a few hilly sections.

• Address: 4601 Avent Ferry Rd, Raleigh
• Website: raleighnc.gov

Gipson Play Plaza

Got kids? Gipson Play Plaza is located inside of Raleigh’s biggest city park, Dorothea Dix Park near downtown and is FANTASTIC! This is Raleigh’s best destination for families with acres of amazing playgrounds, gathering spaces, beautiful gardens, spectacular art, and sweeping skyline views. It is the largest adventure playground in the southeast with multi-story climbing towers, waterfall and splash pad, sand pit, a maze, swings and so much more!

• Address: 715 Biggs Dr. Raleigh.
• Website: dixpark.org/gipsonplayplaza

Pullen Park (For Young Kids)

If you’ve got younger kids looking to entertain and run off some steam, another top option is historic Pullen Park, which dates back to 1887. It was the first public park in North Carolina and is the fifth oldest operating amusement park in the US. Here you can ride a historic carousel and miniature train, rent pedal boats, let the kids run free on the playgrounds, have a picnic or even grill out in one of the picnic areas.

• Address: 520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh
• Website: raleighnc.gov

Lunch in Raleigh

After a morning getting cultured in a museum or your steps in, you’ve probably worked up an appetite. For lunch, I recommend you sink your teeth into what North Carolina is known for, BBQ or Southern cuisines, or one of our popular local restaurants. To help you decide, below are a few of our favorites you can choose from based on food category. All centrally located near downtown.

Barbecue

Sam Jones BBQ

In case you didn’t know, North Carolina is a barbecue state and enjoying a plate of bbq in Raleigh is one of those “welcome to the South” moments you should experience. Sam Jones BBQ is famous in Eastern NC. They smoke whole hogs on site and are popular for their chopped BBQ, fried chicken, ribs, and baked flat cornbread. And I’m a big fan of their smoked turkey sandwich! The Pit BBQ is another popular spot in downtown.

• Address: 502 W Lenoir St, Raleigh
• Website: www.samjonesbbq.com/raleigh

Southern American Cuisine

Parkside Restaurant

Parkside is a retro-industrial restaurant in the Warehouse District popular for traditional American comfort food at lunch, brunch or dinner. They serve up filling Southern dishes with a variety of choices to suit all taste buds, and prices hard to beat for the quality, including an awesome burger and chicken and waffles.

• Address: 301 W Martin St, Raleigh
• Website: parksiderestaurant.com

Whiskey Kitchen

Whiskey Kitchen is a great place to go if you’re visiting from outside Raleigh as it has excellent and inventive Southern food. Think fried chicken and pulled pork BBQ sandwiches, and banana pudding. And their lamb burger and pork chop are fantastic. The space is huge and inviting, with a repurposed industrial feel, and a nice outdoor patio for the warmer months. It also has the largest selection of whiskey in the city, with over 300 whiskies to try, plus some exceptional craft cocktails.

• Address: 201 W Martin St, Raleigh
• Website: www.whiskey.kitchen

Raleigh Times Bar

The Raleigh Times is one of the most famous bars in Raleigh and is named after the former newspaper that used to operate from this 100-year-old historic building. We enjoy this bar for its rooftop dining and sidewalk seating, so if you’re looking for places to eat outside in the warmer months, consider here. Solid burger, great peruvian chicken wings, and good tacos. Large selection of Belgium beers!

• Address: 14 E Hargett St, Raleigh
• Website: www.raleightimesbar.com

Burger Joints

The Players Retreat

The Players Retreat (PR) has been a tradition for NC State students and alumni for over 70 years. It is a true landmark in the city. Established in 1951, it’s the oldest continuously operating tavern between Atlanta and Washington D.C. Located near NC State’s main campus, this is an old school sports bar with booths and bar stools, tables on the sidewalk, and lots of TV screens for sports. With a focus on hamburgers and sandwiches, they serve up some of the best burgers in Raleigh.

• Address: 105 Oberlin Rd, Raleigh
• Website: playersretreat.com

MoJoe’s Burger Joint

MoJoe’s is a classic local neighborhood burger joint in the Glenwood South are of downtown serving excellent burgers along with wings, pub-style appetizers, and boozie shakes. I’m a big fan of their Carnivore burger with chili and a side of tater tots. Indoor and outdoor seating available.

• Address: 620 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh
• Website: mojoesburgerjoint.com

The Burger Village

If you’re looking for a gourmet burger, the Burger Village in Glenwood South offers grass-fed, organic, and exotic burgers. Choose from exotic meats like bison, elk, boar, and ostrich, plus your standard offerings such as beef, salmon, and chicken. NOTE: they have gluten-free options and vegetarian. Read our full review.

• Address: 510 Glenwood Ave #103, Raleigh
• Website: www.burgervillage.com

Pizza

Oakwood Pizza Box / Vic’s Italian

For good pizza I would go to either Oakwood Pizza Box on North Person Street who are popular with the locals and New Yorkers as they have some of the most authentic NY-style pizza in Raleigh. Some even say their pepperoni is just like Grimaldi’s in Brooklyn. Or to Vic’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria in City Market for more great pizza and pasta. Trophy Brewing & Pizza is also a great option.

Vegetarian

Irregardless Cafe

Irregardless Cafe is a true Raleigh landmark and the oldest of the vegetarian restaurants in Raleigh (since 1975) and have this delightful, warm ambiance as soon as you walk through the door. They also serve hearty home-cooked food for all dietary needs inlcuding meat and seafood, and if you come for brunch, you get complimentary bread and scones. See 40+ lunch spots in Raleigh.

• Address: 901 W Morgan St, Raleigh
• Website: www.irregardless.com

Afternoon activities

Explore Neighborhoods

Raleigh has some lovely historic neighborhoods to explore either on foot or by car. Here are some of the most prominent neighborhoods and districts that will give you a great insight into Raleigh.

Historic Oakwood & North Person St

Historic Oakwood dates back to the 1800’s. It rose after the Civil War and is home to magnificent oak trees, Grand Victorians and modest bungalows. Check out this free walking tour and don’t miss the magnificent Oakwood Cemetery North Person Street borders historic Oakwood and is possibly my favorite street in Raleigh. Here are some of my favorite stores, boutiques, restaurants, and watering holes on N. Person Street:

• Edge of Urge – boutique store specializing in clothing, jewelry and accessories.
• So & So Books – independent local bookstore.
• Two Roosters – handcrafted ice cream by an NC State grad.
• Krispy Kreme – the second original store in the world (after Winston-Salem)
• Pelagic Beer & Wine – craft retail beer store and tasting room. 
• Standard Beer + Food – hip and contemporary brewery with tasty tacos.
• Oakwood Pizza – New York style pizza.
• William & Company – fantastic local neighborhood cocktail bar.
• Crawford & Son – fine dining by award-winning chef, Scott Crawford.

North Hills

Located five miles north of downtown, North Hills is Raleigh’s premier shopping district with 130+ local shops, high-end boutiques, restaurants, bars, cafes a bowling alley, indie bookstore, and outdoor concerts, there is something here for everyone. See our detailed guide to North Hills.

The Warehouse District

The six-block Warehouse District is where you’ll find Raleigh’s creative and artistic community. It was transformed from its former red-brick industrial buildings into a vibrant mix of restaurants, cafes, bars, a brewery, a food hall with multiple local vendors, boutique shopping, art museums, studios and technology firms. Popular stops include:

• Black & White Coffee, a great little coffee shop inside the Videri Chocolate Factory.
• Videri Chocolate Factory – sample yummy chocolates and get soft serve ice cream!
• Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) – displays new and emerging work by local and national living artists. Free admission.
• Father & Son Antiques – modern furnishings, vintage clothing and accessories, records and books.
• Raleigh Denim Workshop – exclusive well-crafted jeans!
• Morgan Street Food Hall – Raleigh Rolls offers unique rolled ice cream with delicious toppings!

Breweries

There are some excellent local breweries in Raleigh that are perfect for a pre-dinner drink (or all occasions). The brewery you visit might depend on where you are in the city and the style of beer you prefer. Below are a select few of our personal favorites.

Crank Arm Brewing

The guys at Crank Arm Brewing are super passionate about creating craft beer and are big in the cycling community, hence the name. Relaxed and friendly vibe here in the Warehouse District. And they don’t just offer beer, they have a seltzer, they serve liquor and wine, a non-alcoholic slushie, a non-alcoholic beer, and kombucha My pick: Road Hazard Hazy IPA.

• Address: 319 W Davie St, Raleigh
• Website: crankarmbrewing.com

Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing

We take all first-time visitors to Wye Hill for the wow moment. The best view of the Raleigh skyline from their outstanding outdoor patio is paired with excellent craft beers, unique cocktails, and small bites menu. Nice spot for an afternoon drink with the sun shining its light on the downtown skyline. See more breweries here.

• Address: 201 S Boylan Ave, Raleigh
• Website: wyehill.com

Dinner

Raleigh is not short on great places to eat, so we couldn’t leave you with just one option! Depending on what you’re in the mood for, you will find something to satisfy any craving from one of these options:

Stanbury

Probably the most unique of the dining experiences in Raleigh is Satnbury. Outstanding food and terrific ambiance in a quirky, rustic venue with excellent service! Their menu changes daily (updated on their Facebook) and features modern cuisine via small plates and entrees (the best steak I’ve had in Raleigh), plus craft cocktails. No reservations here, walk ins only!

• Address: 938 N Blount St, Raleigh
• Website: www.stanburyraleigh.com

Figulina

Figulina is one of those places that instantly feels special — elevated but not intimidating, thoughtful without being fussy. Located in the Warehouse District, this pasta-forward Italian restaurant blends Old World technique with Southern sensibility, creating dishes that feel both refined and deeply comforting. It quickly earned its place as one of Raleigh’s most talked-about restaurants.

• Address: 317 S Harrington St, Raleigh
• Website: figulinaraleigh.com

Brodeto

Scott Crawford is one of Raleigh’s award-winning chefs, and Brodeto is one of his newer establishments and is fantastic. This concept honors the flavors of the Adriatic Sea, showcasing elevated dishes inspired by Croatia and Southern Italy. From the signature brodeto (a fisherman’s stew with monkfish), to the coal-roasted scallops, the Peka (slow-cooked with Iberico pork), and the surprise star, sardine toast, everything is divine. Pair it all with a Croatian wine and suddenly you’re dining inside a simulated Adriatic experience — without leaving Raleigh.

• Address: 2201 Iron Works Dr suite 137, Raleigh
• Website: brodeto.com

Asian

Bida Manda

We spent 12 months in Southeast Asia and don’t hesitate to say that Bida Manda is the best of the Asian restaurants in Raleigh, and my favorite Southeast Asian restaurant in North Carolina. Well renowned for its authentic Laotian cuisine with ample vegetarian and gluten free options. Other Asian places we like include Waraji Japanese Restaurant and City Market Sushi. See list of Asian restaurants here.

• Address: 222 S Blount St, Raleigh
• Website: www.bidamanda.com

Mexican

Centro

We love this quirky cantina that brings the vibrant colors of Mexico to downtown Raleigh. The lively, art-filled space, complete with Mexican folk-art murals and bright decor, reflects the energy of a traditional Mexican fiesta. Must-Try Dishes: Don’t miss their fish tacos, mole enchiladas, followed by tres leches for dessert. Other Mexican restaurants we like include Bartaco in North Hills and La Mala in Glenwood South.

Fine Dining

Second Empire Restaurant & Tavern

For a special occasion our top suggestion would be Second Empire Restaurant. You can expect an exquisite fine dining experience inside a Second Empire Victorian that incorporates history, Southern charm, gourmet meals and excellent service.

• Address: 330 Hillsborough St, Raleigh
• Website: www.second-empire.com

Crawford & Son

Perfect date night experience for those who want an intimate setting but with a little buzzy vibe. Casual yet elegant with innovative dishes beautifully presented by award winning chef, Scott Crawford. And top-notch service.

• Address: 618 N Person St, Raleigh
• Website: crawfordandsonrestaurant.com

For even more dining options in Raleigh, see our full list of suggestions below for these specific food categories to choose from:

• Bites inside the Beltline: fun places to eat in Raleigh
• 9 top Mexican restaurants in Raleigh
• 8 best Asian restaurants in Raleigh
• 30 gluten-free restaurants in Raleigh
• 20 vegan & vegetarian restaurants in Raleigh

Cocktail Bars

Finish your day in Raleigh by enjoying an evening drink or some nighttime entertainment. Some of our favorite Raleigh bars include.

Watts & Ward

My favorite of the underground bars in downtown Raleigh. A craft cocktail bar founded upon the underground spirit of the 1920s. Leather seating, rustic tables, dim lighting and bookshelves full of history. Inventive cocktail menu and low-key music.

• Address: 200 S Blount St, Raleigh
• Website: www.wattsandward.com

William & Company

William & Company, or Willco to the locals, is a cozy local neighborhood cocktail bar in the heart of Oakwood. They serve up fresh and unique craft cocktails created by top-notch bartenders. One of the reasons Nth Person Street is our favorite in Raleigh.

• Address: 616 N Person St #1214, Raleigh
• Website: williamcobar.com

Dram & Draught

Excellent whiskey bar in downtown Raleigh with a range of whiskeys from around the world, plus seasonal cocktails, wines, and draught beer from Raleigh (and beyond).

• Address: 1 Glenwood Ave Suite 101, Raleigh
• Website: www.dramanddraught.com

See our full list of cocktail bars here. And if you’re looking to party late into the night, the main nightlife area of Raleigh is the Glenwood South Entertainment District which is lined with bars, breweries and restaurants.

Stay

If you haven’t already booked your accommodation in Raleigh yet, below are some great hotels I recommend.

The Casso, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

We have personally stayed at the CASSO. This boutique hotel is a Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Mariott and fantastic. It is super convenient to downtown, the Glenwood South Entertainment District, and the Warehouse District.

• Address: 603 W Morgan St, Raleigh
• Check rates

Residence Inn Raleigh

Cozy apartment style (all-suite) accommodation and perfect for couples and families. Excellent central downtown location, walk to everything! Read our review of the Residence Inn.

• Address: 616 S Salisbury St, Raleigh
• Check rates

StateView Hotel 

Located on NC State University’s Centennial campus, you feel like you’re a million miles away in the forest by a lake, but you’re just a 3-mile drive from downtown. Read our full review.

• Address: 2451 Alumni Dr, Raleigh
• Check rates

Getting To and Around Raleigh

If you’re flying in, Raleigh is serviced by Raleigh-Durham Airport, which is located 20-minutes from downtown off I-40 or Hwy 70. We’ve been flying in and out of Raleigh-Durham Airport since 2004 and its typically a pleasing experience compared to most other bigger and more chaotic airports across the US. 

The whole process of getting to and from RDU, finding parking, to check-in, to getting through security and to our boarding gates is generally smooth and stress-free. Read our full guide to Raleigh-Durham Airport.

There’s not a lot about life in Raleigh we don’t like, but a lack of public transit is our biggest pet peeve. Raleigh is predominantly a driving city, so infrastructure supports that the most. It’s not all bad, Raleigh does have some urban transportation options to choose from. Read our guide to getting around Raleigh.

Parking in downtown Raleigh doesn’t have to be a stress and can be straightforward if you know your options. To help you figure out where to park your car, our detailed guide covers everything you need to know about street parking, parking lots, parking garages, and where to find accessible spaces and EV charging points.

Final Thoughts

There you have it. If you don’t know what to do with 24 hours in Raleigh, now you do! This guide will give you a real taste of the city, its culture, history, food and drink scene. As one of the South’s most vibrant and eclectic mid-size cities, this is the most fun 24-hours you can spend in the capital city of North Carolina, whether you are in town for business, to visit family or friends, or are looking to move to Raleigh like us!

If you have longer than one day and you’re in town for one of our cool festivals and events or sporting events, be sure to check out our 2 days in Raleigh itinerary. My parents recently visited for three weeks, and we spent every day showing off the Best of Wake County (and nearby) to them!