Things to Do, Neighborhoods & Restaurants
The Downtown Raleigh Guide
Know the Neighborhood
Consider this our little black book of Raleigh. Inside, you’ll find the places locals return to and a few spots you might not discover on your own. Use our picks as a starting point when you’re ready to see Raleigh like someone who knows it.
The Itineraries
Three Ways to Spend a Day
Steal these. They’re built from the questions the front desk answers every morning.
One Day in the City
A Day Downtown
Start your morning at a Raleigh museum, stroll through downtown, enjoy lunch at a food hall, explore all afternoon, then dine in the Warehouse District.
For Two
Date Night in the Warehouse
Start with cocktails twenty floors up, enjoy dinner in the Warehouse District, then explore neighborhood bars or return to High Ground for a nightcap.
For the Crowd
Game Day & Show Night
Heading to a game or show? We’ll help you find a pre-event bite and the easiest route, then discover downtown after the excitement ends.
The Neighborhood
Explore Raleigh
Keep Exploring
Guides for Every Trip
There’s more Raleigh to explore. Browse our guides for local recommendations and ideas tailored to different kinds of stays. Then, build the trip that works for you.
Universities & Campus Visits
Near the Convention Center
Entertainment Venue
Pet Friendly Stay
Around the Neighborhood
Six Unique Districts to Explore
Get to know Raleigh through the neighborhoods around the tower. Lots are within walking distance, and there’s even more to discover across the city.
Glenwood South
Head here when you’re looking for a livelier night out. Patios and bars keep this part of Raleigh going well after dinner.
The Warehouse District
Old brick buildings have found new life throughout the Warehouse District. Start with some good eats, then take a walk through one of downtown Raleigh’s most distinctive districts.
City Market & Moore Square
Cobblestone streets and historic buildings give this corner of Raleigh its own character. Explore the shops or head toward Moore Square.
Historic Oakwood
Take a walk through one of Raleigh’s historic residential neighborhoods, known for its Victorian-era homes and tree-lined streets.
Hillsborough Street
Make your way toward NC State along one of Raleigh’s longtime college corridors. Restaurants and local businesses line the route toward campus.
Fayetteville Street
Step outside and you’re practically there. Follow Fayetteville Street toward the Capitol or wander a block over to see what catches your eye.
Visitor Notes
Questions, Answered
Walkability, seasons, neighborhoods — and anything else, the front desk has opinions and a map.
Almost everything — museums, the Capitol, Fayetteville Street, the Warehouse District and the convention center are all within about a ten-minute walk of the hotel. Glenwood South and the campuses are a short drive or ride.
Spring and fall are the city at its best — patio weather, festival seasons and game days. Summer brings the Red Hat concert series; winter is quieter with the museums to yourself.
Start with our little black book — Morgan Street Food Hall for groups, Poole’s for the classic, The Pit for Eastern North Carolina barbecue. The dining guide on our site covers High Ground Lounge and neighborhood tables.
The City of Raleigh Museum is about a four-minute walk, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences seven, and Marbles Kids Museum eight. The NC Museum of Art is an eleven-minute drive.
Not for the core. Arrive by plane or train, walk the downtown grid, and use ride-share or a car for the arenas, the arboretum and the farther districts. Valet parking is available if you do bring one.