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Last Updated:

1/14/23

Raleigh & Durham, NC

Iconic Building Downtown Raleigh North Carolina, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Below is a list of the best places I would visit on a trip to this location. My picks fit my personality and interest. Everyone has a different interest so you may not like everything I listed which is fine.  If you like a place, I recommend saving it to Google Maps for a future trip down the road. I made sure to include the address or GPS to make it easier to find.  You can find out more about me in the "About Me" section to see if we share common interests.

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Breakfast

Try Some Apple Butter on Your Biscuit at Biscuitville Located in Raleigh North Carolina

Biscuitville

2426 Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh, NC 27608

Sample of Breakfast Quick Service Restaurant Menu

  • Spicy Chicken & Honey Biscuit


  • Ultimate Bacon Biscuit


  • Grilled Chicken, Egg & Cheese English Muffin


  • Buttermilk Pancakes


  • Grits with Cheese


  • Mixed Berry Hand Pie


  • Strawberry Muffin

Hours:

Monday to Saturday 5:30 am - 2 pm

Sunday 6 am - 2 pm

Order Online: No

Known as a Good Local Fast Casual Breakfast Place, Think McDonalds But Taste Better

The Pumpkin Chai Donut From Monuts Located in Durham North Carolina

Monuts

1002 9th St, Durham, NC 27705

Donut Flavors I Would Order

  • Vanilla Bean


  • Ginger Hibiscus


  • Old Fashioned Chocolate


  • Chocolate Sprinkle


  • Apple Cider


  • Cranberry Earl Grey


Hours (1.14.23):

Sun & Mon Closed

Tues to Fri 7 am - 7 pm

Saturday 8 am - 7 pm



Order Online: Yes

They Also Serve Breakfast Sandwiches (For Example, Chicken & Pickle Biscuit), But Donuts are the Main Event

Activities

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Often known as the Smithsonian of the South, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh is the largest museum in the southeast. 


Looking forward to 2023 at the museum, the new permanent exhibit "Dueling Dinosaurs" will be on display. The complete fossil set of T.rex and Triceratops is staged in a ferocious battle of survival.


Some Exhibits That Spark My Interest


  • Natural Treasures of North Carolina


  • Coastal North Carolina Overlook


  • Mountains to the Sea


  • Terror of the South


  • Exploring the Deep Sea


  • Our Changing Ocean


  • Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries


General Admission: FREE, No Excuse Not To Visit

The Dinosaur Collection From North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh, NC

11 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Hours:

Monday Closed

Tuesday to Sunday 10 am - 5 pm

Special Exhibit: James Cameron - Challenging The Deep (Oct 15 - May 7, 2023) Extra Charge For It

North Carolina Museum of Art

The North Carolina Museum of Art has the largest museum park in the country at 164 acres. Home to more than two dozen monumental works of art.




Some Examples of Art Pieces at the Museum


  • European Paintings - Renaissance to 19th Century


  • Egyptian Funerary Art


  • Vase Paintings from Rome


  • American Art - 18th to 20th Century


  • African Ceremonial Objects


  • Artworks by Auguste Rodin



General Admission: FREE

Some Sculptures from North Carolina Museum of Art Located in Raleigh, NC

2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Museum East Building Hours:

Wednesday to Sunday 10 am - 5 pm


Museum Park Hours

Open Daily From Dawn to Dusk

Upcoming Exhibit - Ruth E Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design (Black Panther) - April 1st to August 6th 2023

Durham Bulls

Watch Durham Bulls Game during the summer, a Class Triple-A affiliate team of the Tampa Bay Rays. They won the Triple-A East championship back in 2021. Wednesday is Kids Eat Free Night; if the child is under 12, pick up a meal voucher for a hot dog, chips, and a small drink.


SINGLE-GAME TICKET PRICES


Prices Range from $10 to $18


Featured Theme Nights


March 31st - Champion Celebration Night with Back-to-Back Reigning Triple-A National Champions



The Ballfield for the Durham Bulls, the Minor League Team Located in Durham North Carolina

409 Blackwell St, Durham, NC 27701

Most Games Start at 5:05 pm (Sunday) or 6:35 pm (Weekdays)

2023 Season: March 31 - Sept 17th

Museum of Life and Science

An 84-acre science museum gear for the young minds. 




Some Exhibits at the Museum of Life + Science


  • Aerospace - Real Apollo Era Space Artifacts & Learn What it Takes to Make it to Space


  • Catch the Wind - Sailboats, Seeds, and Vapor Rings, Movement in Air


  • Dinosaur Trail - Dig for Fossils


  • Earth Moves - Sandstone Cave & 20-foot Waterfall


  • Explore the Wild: Red Wolves - Habitat for Two Red Wolves


  • Hideaway Woods - Two Acres of Treehouses and a Creek



Admission Cost:


General Admission $23.00

Seniors (65+) $21.00

Children (3-12) $18.00

Children (2-Under) FREE

Wolves from Museum of Life and Science Located in Durham North Carolina

433 W Murray Ave, Durham, NC 27704

Hours (1.14.23):

Monday Closed

Tues to Sun 10 am - 5 pm

Gear Toward Kids That Want To Explore and Discover Nature

Food

Amazing Steak from Angus Barn Located in Raleigh North Carolina

Angus Barn

9401 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27617

Restaurant Hours:

Monday to Friday 5 pm - 10 pm

Saturday 4 pm - 10 pm

Sunday 4 pm - 9 pm


Wild Turkey Lounge 3 pm - 10 pm

Should Make a Reservation

Sample Menu of What I Would Order

Three Cheese Ravioli: Choice of Marinara or Alfredo Sauce $10.00


Filet Mignon: Served with Salad Option & Potato Option  10 oz $52.00 or 7 oz $47.00


Maine Lobster Tail: Served with Salad Option & Potato Option  16 oz $73.00


7 oz Filet & Marinated Shrimp: Served with Salad Option & Potato Option $63.00


Chocolate Chess Pie:  $10.00

"Iron Chef America" Winner Walter Royal is the Chef Which Equals Amazing Steaks and Desserts

BBQ Chicken Cheddar Melt From Beasley's Chicken + Honey Located Downtown Raleigh North Carolina

Beasley's Chicken + Honey

237 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Sample Menu of What I Would Order

Chicken Biscuit: With Pickled Green Tomato, Dijon + Honey $9.00


Hot Chicken: With Carolina Reaper Hot Chili Oil, Pickles on Buttermilk Bread $10.00


BBQ Chicken Melt: With Ashe Co. Cheddar, Cheerwine BBQ Sauce, and Green Cabbage Slaw on Brioche Bun $8.50


Cinnamon Biscuit Bread Pudding: With Ice Cream and Salted Caramel Drizzle $6.50


Hours:

Monday & Sunday 11:30 am - 8 pm

Thursday to Saturday 11:30 am - 9 pm


Order Online: Yes

Best Chicken in Raleigh

Get a Scoop of Ice Cream from FRESH Located in Raleigh North Carolina

FRESH Local Ice Cream

6033 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612

Flavor Samples From Menu (Seasonal)

  • Olde World Chocolate: Farm Fresh Cream Blended with High-Quality Dutch Chocolate


  • Midnight Brownie Crunch: Chocolate Ice Cream, Brownies, and Chocolate Cake Crunchies


  • Banana Pudding: Banana Ice Cream, Fresh Pureed Bananas with Vanilla Wafers


  • Carolina Crunch: Caramel Ice Cream, Butterfinger, and Heath Bar Pieces


  • White Mint Chocolate: Fresh White Mint Blended with Bittersweet Chocolate Chips


  • Peanut Butter Cup: Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Peanut Butter & Peanut Butter Cups


Hours (1.14.23):


Monday to Thursday 12:30 pm - 9 pm

Friday & Saturday 12:30 pm - 9 pm

Sunday 12:30 pm - 9 pm

Order Online: No

Sample Price: 2 Scoop Waffle Cone $6.65

Places to Stay

FYI: The hotel prices are estimated and will most likely fluctuate since I looked them up on their website.  I will keep them updated the best I can every three months.  I look for the cheapest available room, usually a queen bed. I typically look at book rates two months in advance and in the middle of the month to get average rates. Reminder: It is an ESTIMATE

Carolina Inn

  • Located at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill (Since 1924)


  • Afternoon Tea in the Piedmont Dining Room, Tradition in this Area


  • Crossroads Chapel Hill (Dining) - Sunday Brunch 8 am - 1 pm 


  • Popular Wedding Destination

One of the rooms at Carolina Inn, Best Hotel in Chapel Hill North Carolina

211 Pittsboro St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Estimated Cost for Weekend Night (without tax/fee)


Queen Room August 22' - $641

Queen Room Nov 22' - $328

Queen Room Feb 23' - $387

Queen Room April 23' - $442

2 Blocks from Franklin Street, Popular Hangout/Casual Stroll Area

Umstead Hotel

  • Privately Curated Works of Art in the Rooms and Views of the Lake or Gardens


  • Afternoon Tea in the Lounge, Hotel Tradition


  • Deep Soaking Tub & a Separate Standing Shower


  • Herons Restaurant, One of Only 64 Forbes Five-Star Restaurants in the World


  • Popular Wedding Destination

One of the Rooms at Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary North Carolina

100 Woodland Pond Dr, Cary, NC 27513

Estimated Cost for Weekend Night (without tax/fee)


Premier King Room August 22 - $469

Premier King Room Nov 22 - $505.67

Lakeview Balcony King Room Feb 23' - $629

Premier King Room April 23' - $542.33

If You Are Classy and Have the Funds, This Would be the Place to Stay in Raleigh Area

21 and up fun

Soo Many Beers to Choose From at Raleigh Beer Garden in Raleigh North Carolina

Raleigh Beer Garden

614 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603

SAMPLE OF TAP MENU (Rotate Often)

Gaelic Ale - Highland: Red Ale | 5.5% ABV | 22 IBU


Big Wave - Kona Brewing Company: Blonde Ale | 4.4% ABV | 21 IBU


Peanut Butter with A Chance of Fluff - Deep River Brewing: Brown Ale | 6.2% ABV 


Cranberry Orange Blossom - Potter's Craft Cider: Cider | 5.5% ABV


Delirium Red - Huyghe Brewery: Fruit | 8.0% ABV | 10 IBU


Blueberry Wheat - Pisgah: Wheat Beer | 5.0% ABV | 17 IBU


Hop Gummies - Sycamore: IPA | 7.7% ABV


Hi Creek Raspberry Lime - Sugar Creek Brewing Company: Sour | 6.5% ABV


Hours:

Daily 11 am - 2 am

Great One Stop Shop to Sample Variety of Breweries

Food Menu is Available

Pizza and a Beer at Trophy Brewing Company, Best Way to Cap a Night in Raleigh North Carolina

Trophy Brewing & Pizza

827 W Morgan St, Raleigh, NC 27603

SAMPLE OF BEER MENU

Cloud Surfer: Mondern IPA | 6.1% ABV


Trophy Wife: Session IPA | 4.9% ABV 


Milky Way: Salted Caramel Stout | 5.5% ABV


Cookie Swap: Snickerdoodle Milk Stout | 6.24% ABV


Shacksbury Classic: Dry Cider | 5.5% ABV


Heavyweight Champ: Rum Barrel Aged Imperial Stout | 14.0% ABV

Hours (1.14.23):

Mon to Thu 4 pm - 10 pm

Fri to Sun Noon - 10 pm

Mentioned to Have the Best Pizza in North Carolina

Food Menu is Available

 Again these are just few of my picks that fit my personality and interest. If you feel that I left one-off that may interest me or other people, message me on Facebook about the location.  I value a person's opinion and never just discard the information.  Always looking forward to learning about new places to add to my Google Map. ~ Shawn

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The Summary in Activities Uses OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (3.5) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com

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