Travel › Things to Do in Raleigh
Renowned for its majestic mountains, scenic drives and expansive vistas, North Carolina’s nickname, Land of the Sky is well deserved. Raleigh, situated in the heart of the state’s Piedmont region, is a haven for hikers, bikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Yet city lovers need not despair. Urban explorers will find a host of great museums including art, science and history. Food lovers will discover a wide menu of choices from haute cuisine to local barbeque. Visit historic neighborhoods, the State Capitol complex or pick from an extensive choice of city tours. Find shade in any one of Raleigh’s gorgeous, green parks or enjoy cobblestone walkways. Last but not least, golf lovers enjoy teeing off at a world-class golf course located nearby.
Dining Around Raleigh
If you like food (and who doesn’t) you’ve come to a great place. Food-wise, 2019 was a banner year for Raleigh and there’s every reason to believe 2023 will be even better. Travel and Leisure named Raleigh one of America's favorite cities for barbecue. Zagat said we were one of the “Hottest Food Cities" of the year, while Forbes named Raleigh one of 12 “must see” global destinations, due in large part to its eateries. So here are a few suggestions from Raleigh’s “most booked” on Open Table. For BBQ try Danny’s – just down the street from our conference. Also recommended are The Pit BBQ and Beasley’s Chicken and Honey. Hungry for ocean fresh? Consider the 42nd St. Oyster Bar and Seafood Grill. Interested in pasta? Drop by Caffe Luna, authentic Italian cuisine with a Tuscan flair. Given the long list of delicious choices, you might want to visit a couple of these eateries as part of your pre-conference prep.
Pinehurst Golf
How would you like to trace the actual footsteps of golfing greats like Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus on the famous Pinehurst grounds? If you enjoy golf and are attending our conference, don’t miss this rare, perhaps once in a lifetime, opportunity. Founded by James Walker Tufts in the late 1890’s, Pinehurst has to this day, maintained its premier, golf resort status. Course #2, designed by Donald Ross, continues to be considered one of the world’s finest courses. Until recently, Pinehurst with nine golf courses, three hotels, a spa and luxurious sports facilities, held the Guinness World Record for largest golf resort anywhere. Now it is surpassed only by China’s Mission Hills Golf Club. Championships hosted by Pinehurst include the PGA, Ryder Cup, US Open, US Senior Open, US Women’s Open, and the USA/Great Britain Solomon Trophy. Come play where the greats have golfed and make your own legend.
Museums of Raleigh
Raleigh may be a mid-size city, but its commitment to art, science, and history is as extensive as it is deep in scope. Take in the experiences, and don’t forget to stay for lunch – some of the best food in Raleigh can be found at the on-site restaurants!
Art Museum
Art lovers can indulge in the wonders of the North Carolina Museum of Art. Once inside, visitors will find long, light-filled galleries dedicated to collections ranging from ancient European to contemporary. Highlights include a prestigious Rodin gallery, ancient Egyptian pieces, Classical Greco-Roman sculpture, European Master’s, African tribal works, and a significant assemblage of Judaica. Perhaps most unique is the museum’s 164-acre, art park. While it is filled with Rodin’s, Moore’s and Miro’s in spectacular settings, it is also home to whimsical, modern creations, as well as a two-acre amphitheater with 80-foot-long letters that humorously spell out, “Picture This!”
Natural Science Museum
Ever been face to face with a Nanotyrannus? Well here’s your chance! Discover how scientists discovered it is not a separate species but in fact, a young Tyrannosaurus Rex! Associated with the prestigious Smithsonian, venture into the North Carolina Natural Science Museum, the oldest and most visited museum in the state. View exhibits from the 1904 St. Louis Fair or relive the NC Gold Rush, the actual first in the country. Gawk at an ancient sloth or watch a snake undergoing its annual check-up. Take in a movie or lecture at the world famous SECU Daily Planet, a three-story theater with a 42 foot high screen. Analyze your DNA. Perhaps most enticing – ride in a submersible. All this – and while donations are welcome, admission is free.
History Museum
North Carolina is rich in history and anxious to share it with you. If you share that interest, take a few walks down memory lane inside the North Carolina Museum of History, an affiliate of the Smithsonian. Exhibits tend to be focused, showcasing for instance, the impact of the Wright brothers on flight while in North Carolina, or the personal experiences of a North Carolina Tuskegee Airman upon returning home. Imagine curators bringing history to viewers through expertly researched, visually pleasing short stories, stories that are supported by the museum’s significant collection of artifacts, letters and books. Learn about subjects like the civil rights movement, sports memorabilia, farming, toy making, fashion and Tiffany art. Visitors who enjoy learning in an approachable, relaxed setting will find this an enjoyable, worthwhile stop.
Billy Graham Library, Charlotte, NC
Have you ever seen a library intentionally made to look like a big barn? Well you might just want to see this one since it contains the writings and collected works of the late Reverend Billy Graham. Designed to reflect his humble, agrarian childhood, Graham embraced its barn-like qualities. Located on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association property in Charlotte, the library is open to the public amidst lovely, manicured grounds. The complex includes the Graham family’s restored home where Graham grew up as well as the new library, dairy bar café and his late wife’s book store called Ruth’s Attic. Inviting gardens and pathways designed for contemplation and tranquility weave throughout the site. Anyone interested in Graham’s life or the history of American Evangelicalism won’t want to miss visiting here. Both the Reverend and his wife Ruth are buried on the premises.
The Biltmore, Asheville, NC
If traveling to Downton Abbey is not possible this year, don’t fret. There’s a perfectly majestic, first-rate, castle just up the road. Built by George Vanderbilt during the Gilded Age of the late 1890’s, at 178,926 square feet it remains the largest privately-owned home in the US. The fact that Vanderbilt hired Richard Morris Hunt as his architect and Frederick Law Olmsted as his landscape architect, only strengthens its pedigree. The “chateau” interior has four acres of floor space that includes 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces and 3 kitchens. At the time of completion, modern amenities included electricity, elevators, forced-air heating, centrally controlled clocks, fire alarms and a call bell system. The dining room boasts 70-foot ceilings and comfortably seats a party of 64! Filled with priceless European tapestries, museum quality paintings, and endless quantities of valuable art and antiques, the Biltmore holds a legendary place in American history.
