Raleigh

State

North Carolina

Country

United States of America

Continent

North America

Size

382 KM²

Population

Spending Budget

$641 - $1,200

Famous For

Raleigh is also known as the "City of Oaks" because of many oak trees which line the streets in the heart of the city.

Best Time to Visit

January
March
April
May
September
October
November

History

Earlier Raleigh was called Wake Courthouse. It was renamed in the name of Sir Walter Raleigh. The first capital completed in 1792 and burned in 1831 and was replaced the building in 1840. It stands in the middle of a large square and is considered an outstanding example of Greek Revival architecture. Capitol Square is surrounded by various state and historic buildings and churches. During the American Civil War Raleigh served as a Confederate headquarters until April 13, 1865, when Union troops under William Tecumseh Sherman occupied the city without resistance. Raleigh is a major point for retail shipping and wholesale distribution for eastern North Carolina. After World War II the city attracted numerous factories manufacturing a wide variety of products, now including communications equipment, electronic equipment, computers, and processed foods.

Present Day

The city is part of North Carolina’s Research Triangle, a three-county area of cultural, scientific, and educational activities that includes Research Triangle Park to the northwest. Durham is located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It the fourth most populous city in North Carolina and the 79th-most populous city in the United States. Durham is home to several recognized institutions of higher education, most notably Duke University and North Carolina Central University. Durham is also a leader in health-related activities, which are focused on the Duke University Hospital and many private companies. Duke and its Duke University Health System are the largest employers in the city. North Carolina Central University is a historically black university that is part of the University of North Carolina system. Together make Durham one of the vertices of the Research Triangle area.

Future

By 2040, Raleigh will become one of the top metro regions in the country. It has been working on creating affordable housing which was becoming a crisis. This scheme of affordable housing remains a plan for the future, as well.

Must Visit Places ------------

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is the largest museum of its kind in the Southeast The Museum's main entrance and Acro Dome 2020. This downtown Raleigh museum is loaded with exhibits of prehistoric extinct animals and modern era animals.

North Carolina Museum of Art

This wonderful institution houses its permanent collections and temporary exhibitions in two adjacent buildings, set in a sculpture park with mostly wheelchair accessible paths. They have a large African art section, a temporary Egyptian mummy exhibition and a great collection of European art.

Pullen Park

It is the fifth oldest operating amusement park in the United States and the sixteenth 16th oldest in the world.

Marbles Kids Museum

This is one of the best kids museums in the country. They have all sorts of neat things to play with.

North Carolina Museum of History

Visiting this museum is like reading an epic told by artefacts and spellbound collections of North Carolina's history.

Umstead State Park

Sandwiched between two major highways northwest of Raleigh, William B. Umstead State Park exemplifies what the entire North Carolina state parks system is all about. Here, in one of the most highly urbanized areas of the state, nature is carefully preserved for the enjoyment of the people, thus fulfilling the purpose and mission of the park system.

Historic Yates Mill County Park

Yates Mill is the last operating, water-powered gristmill in NC's capital county. The 18th-century mill was restored, and the 174-acre park developed, through a partnership among the County of Wake, Yates Mill Associates, and NC State University. The park is open 361 days per year, from 8 am to sunset. The visitor centre with its 2,200 square feet of exhibit space is open from 8:30 am to 5 pm. The historic mill is open for guided tours Mar-Nov each year for public tours on weekends (fee: $3-5) and also by appointment on weekdays for organized groups.

JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University

This arboretum contains unique theme gardens and groupings of exceptional plants collected by Dr. J.C. Raulston during his extensive travels.

State Farmers Market

This is a good place with lots of variety. One building has pottery, metal work, wood working, pictures antiques, etc. Another has canned and various food goods. The third has lots of fresh vegetables.

Neuse River Trail

The paved trail runs 27 miles through suburbs that seem to vanish in the peaceful atmosphere of the trail.