Best Place to Live
Raleigh consistently ranks near the top of rankings for best places to live and quality of life, including entrepreneurship, best metro for dating, business, careers, new grads, retirement, most educated, best cities to drive in, most adventurous and coolest places to eat. It hosts thousands of events and festivals every year, features an outstanding collegiate and professional sports scene, and is proud of its award-winning parks and greenway system. Perhaps best of all, Raleigh is in the center of the amazing state of North Carolina, with the beach or a mountain view just a short drive away.
Destinations
- North Carolina Coast
300 miles of barrier-island beaches, lighthouses and endless activities. - North Carolina Mountains
Storied mountain ranges, waterfalls and incredible views. - North Carolina Piedmont
This central region is home to North Carolina’s largest cities, including Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and Durham.
Food Scene
- So Many Places…
Ranked as one of Zagat’s “Hottest Food Cities,” Raleigh’s restaurant scene is constantly evolving, redefining and re-imagining both Southern cooking and global flavors from food trucks to sushi spots, craft breweries and homegrown chocolatiers.
Outdoor Life
- Capital Area Greenway Trail System
Raleigh’s greenways are a network of public open spaces and recreational trails that provide opportunities for walking, jogging, hiking, bird watching, nature study, fishing, picnicking and outdoor fun. - Dix Park
Dix Park promises to be a world-class destination park. - Raleigh Parks
- Wake County Parks
Recreation
- Raleigh
The Leisure Ledger quarterly guide lists Raleigh’s recreational programs and classes. - Wake County
Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space offers many different types of programs, events and camps.
Festivals & Events
- Calendar
Events listed by day, week or month; or search for events in a certain category. - 2019’s Biggest Celebrations
Dive into 70 of Raleigh’s biggest events and festivals, honoring history, showcasing creativity and culture and celebrating hometown pride.
