Best Outdoor Activities in Raleigh: Raleigh, NC Outdoor Activities & Recreation Guide
Outdoor Activities in Raleigh
What are the best outdoor activities in Raleigh, NC? Here is your outdoor recreation guide to Raleigh.
If you love nature and adventure, consider moving to Raleigh. Not only is Raleigh one of the fastest-growing cities in the country and one of the best places to live in North Carolina, but it is home to beautiful natural surroundings and plenty of fun things to do outdoors.
Referred to as the "City of Oaks," Raleigh has a humid subtropical climate and offers warm summers and mild winters, making it an ideal destination for active adults and families.
Whether you love hiking, listening to live music, or picnicking in the park, never run out of outdoor activities in Raleigh. Providing plenty of fun in the sun, we have put together this recreation guide to the best outdoor activities in Raleigh so that you don't have to.
Check out these fun outdoor activities in Raleigh, NC
Chapters
1. Arboretums and Gardens
Spring and Summer in Raleigh are beautiful and full of color. The arboretums and gardens in Raleigh provide some of the most spectacular blooms and diverse collections of plants in the Southeastern United States.
If you love spending time walking among the flowers, then make sure to visit the JC Raulston Arboretum, which is a nationally acclaimed botanical garden administered by North Carolina State University. Open daily to the public for free, this arboretum is home to more than 6,000 different types of plants worldwide.
The Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden, located behind the Raleigh Little Theatre, is a bright and spectacular garden full of vibrant roses. Full of red, pink, and white roses, this is a perfect spot for picnics, proposals, and pictures. This rose garden is free and open from dusk to dawn.
Visit the WRAL Azalea Garden in Raleigh to see amazing flora and fauna. Maintained by WRAL, this garden is a great place to relax. Home to more than 60 varieties of azaleas that bloom in the Spring and Fall, this is a wonderful and free activity for the whole family to enjoy.
2. Hiking
When the weather is sunny and warm, there is nothing better than taking a scenic hike, and luckily, Raleigh has plenty of trails available to explore. As one of the best things to do in the Triangle area, taking advantage of its many nature trails and natural areas is a great way to spend time outdoors while staying active. Hiking in the fall is also beautiful in Raleigh.
If you are looking for miles of moderate hiking trails that offer plenty of scenic areas, then make sure to visit William B Umstead State Park. This 5,599-acre state park is popular for hiking, camping, paddling, fishing, and picnicking. Home to three man-made lakes, visitors can take advantage of its 34.5 miles of hiking trails and 13 miles of biking trails.
The Neuse River Trail Greenway Trail in Raleigh runs along the banks of the Neuse River and is a popular spot for runners and cyclists. This uninterrupted greenway in Wake and Johnston County offers paved trails, scenic views, historical sights, and winding boardwalk areas.
Lake Crabtree County Park in Wake County is found near the Raleigh-Durham International Airport and is a 520-acre park full of hiking trails. Featuring a 6.1-mile loop trail, many people love to come here and enjoy views of Lake Crabtree.
3. Picnicking
Picnicking is a special tradition and a favorite pastime when the weather is warm and comfortable, making it a fun, kid-friendly thing to do in Raleigh. Perfect for couples or families, picnicking is a beloved outdoor activity that is enjoyed by many people of all ages, and Raleigh has plenty of great spots to do just that.
There is no better outdoor spot in Raleigh to enjoy a picnic than Dorothea Dix Park. Open daily from dusk to dawn, this park is full of large open fields that are great for laying out a blanket and enjoying a packed lunch, dinner, or snack. Many visitors love to bring their dogs here to beat the heat and can be seen relaxing, enjoying good conversation with friends, reading, or working out in the field.
Pullen Park, which is the first public park in North Carolina, is a great place to enjoy a picnic in Raleigh. Located west of Downtown Raleigh, this park tends to get crowded in the Spring and Summer, but there are plenty of green fields and spaces among the flowers to enjoy a nice picnic with friends and family.
The North Carolina Museum of Art offers sustainable landscapes and permanent and temporary works of art through its Art in the Park program. Featuring walking and biking trails as well as spacious green fields to have a picnic, many people love spending time at this art museum in Raleigh. No matter the occasion, make sure to dine al fresco at the North Carolina Museum of Art at least once.
4. Golf
Golf is one of the most popular sports in the world and is a fun hobby that all ages enjoy playing. Whether you want to live on a golf course or find a public one that offers diverse play, Raleigh offers many golf course communities and a great selection for an overall fun experience.
Located on the campus of North Carolina State University, the Lonnie Pool Golf Course is an 18-hole public golf course that is a top favorite among local golfers and visitors. Home to the NC State Varsity Men's and Women's Golf teams, this course was designed by Arnold Palmer and provides a beautiful, scenic backdrop and challenging play.
Great for family gatherings or company events, Drive Shack in Raleigh provides a unique experience. This golf driving range provides interactive golf games, delicious food and drink menus, and good vibes. For all ages and experience levels, visitors can bring their golf clubs or use the ones provided when a group purchases a bay.
Recognized as one of the best golf clubs in the Triangle, Prestonwood Country Club in Cary offers 54 holes of championship golf on bentgrass and bermudagrass greens. Known as a perfect place to play all year round, all three courses were designed by Tom Jackson, and the SAS Championship is held here every October.
5. Outdoor Breweries
When the weather is nice, there is no better way to end the day than by grabbing a beer with friends at a local brewery in Raleigh. Home to more than 30 breweries, Raleigh is a great place to enjoy craft beer in a fun atmosphere.
Crank Arm Brewing Company is a local favorite, serving IPAs, sours, stouts, seltzers, and lagers. Located in the Sip n Stroll district, visitors can enjoy a nice cold beer while walking around the streets of Raleigh.
Best known for its house-brewed craft beer, Trophy Brewing and Taproom features daily food trucks, outdoor seating, and a dog-friendly environment. Clouds Brewing Raleigh is a well-known brewery, bar, and restaurant focusing on European-inspired lagers and ales.
Providing stunning views of the Raleigh skyline, Wye Hill Kitchen and Brewing is ideal for enjoying a nice meal and cold beer. Flying Saucer Draught Emporium is a fun beer garden with over 200 global beers to choose from and a full pub menu.
6. Outdoor Concerts
There is no better way to enjoy live music than by listening to it outside in nice weather. Home to multiple amazing outdoor concert venues that welcome local, national, and global artists, Raleigh is no stranger to good music and great times.
The Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek is a popular outdoor amphitheater that hosts large concerts and events. This 77-acre complex offers seats under the pavilion and plenty of lawn seating where you can bring your own chairs and blankets.
Red Hat Amphitheater in Downtown Raleigh is located adjacent to the Raleigh Convention Center. Owned and operated by the City of Raleigh, this outdoor amphitheater features shows from April to October and offers spectacular views of the Raleigh skyline.
7. Farmers Market
One of the best things you can do is support your local farmers and visit a spring market. The farmers markets in Raleigh bring the whole community together while supporting locally-owned businesses.
Open all year round, the NC State Farmers Market offers fresh produce, plants, arts and crafts, and even a delicious breakfast restaurant. Popular during the weekends, this is one of the country's best and most modern markets.
The Cary Downtown Farmers Market is located next to the new and improved Downtown Cary Park and is open every Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm. The Apex Farmers Market is a not for profit farmers market in Downtown Apex that features many local vendors that serve fresh produce, meat, seafood, and baked goods.
8. Ziplining
If you love adventure and trying something new, you will want to go ziplining in Raleigh. Though it may seem like a scary outdoor activity, ziplining and rope courses are fun and offer the perfect adrenaline rush.
Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park in Raleigh is an exciting outdoor experience that the entire family will enjoy. Offering dangling obstacles, rope courses, and multiple zip lines, this is a unique outdoor experience.
Located in North Raleigh, TreeRunner Adventure Park and Putt-Putt Forest offer over 90 obstacles and fun zip lines. Featuring five different difficulty levels, this is a fun thing to do for everyone.
9. Raleigh Treasure Hunt
Do you want to take part in a walking team scavenger hunt? Triangle Treasure Hunt is a local favorite thing to do in Raleigh that takes place outdoors and gets everyone involved.
Offering 60-minute scavenger hunts, you and your team will solve puzzles, crack codes, and follow clues all over Downtown Raleigh in order to open the treasure chest and win a grand prize.
Competing against other teams, guests will explore Raleigh and walk up to two miles while following a treasure map. This unique outdoor activity is offered in different locations in the Triangle and is great for team building.
10. Sporting Events
Whether you actually love the game or are just there for the tailgate, Raleigh is home to fantastic sports teams that play outdoors. While most sports seasons only last from Spring to Fall, residents and visitors should buy tickets and get involved by attending a local sporting event.
All Raleigh residents should attend at least one NC State University Football game at Carter-Finley Stadium. With the season starting in September, many students and families can be found cheering on the team loudly from the stands.
Attending a Durham Bulls game at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park is a fun Summer activity. This minor-league baseball team in Durham normally draws big crowds and is a great way to relax and spend time outdoors.
Methodology
We used information and data from multiple local sources, including WRAL, Wildreness.org, and Wake.gov, as well as our own experience living in Raleigh, to determine the best outdoor activities in Raleigh.
FAQs
Is Raleigh good for the outdoors?
Raleigh, NC, is a beautiful city that is best known for its active lifestyle, hiking trails, golf courses, and many outdoor adventures.
What is the most popular outdoor activity?
The most popular outdoor activity is running, jogging, or trail running since it is great for your physical and mental health, not to mention free.
Is Raleigh, NC, safe to walk around?
Raleigh, NC, is a safe place to live compared to other cities of similar size due to its low property and violent crime rates.
Best Outdoor Activities in Raleigh - Final Thoughts
Whether you are a nature lover or an adrenaline junkie, there are plenty of cool outdoor activites to enjoy in Raleigh all year long. Contact the experts at Raleigh Realty if you are ready to find your dream home in one of the best Raleigh neighborhoods.
Ryan Fitzgerald
Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!
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