Raleigh-The City of Oakes and The Capital of North Carolina
Raleigh,NC is the capital of North Carolina and the seat of Wake County, it is the second largest city in that state. It is also referred to as the city of oaks for the many oak trees it has inside the city. The city represents what can be called a planned city. The city was selected as the site of the state capital back in 1788 and was incorporated as such in 1792. The city includes quite a number of historical buildings. Some of these buildings like the Capitol building was consecrated in the year 1840 and surprisingly it still houses the governor, the lieutenant governor and their staff. The most interesting thing about this city is that it is home to many historical, cultural and educational sites. This is one good reason to travel to this amazing city.
The Capitol Building is a historical building and is open for tours, this is just one of the sites to see. It is a beautiful building made of granite. There are also a huge number of museums in the city they give information of how life was for the people of North Carolina and the state’s history. These museums include the North Carolina Museum of History where you get the artifacts, dioramas, interactive and multimedia presentation.
Raleigh Attractions
- The Raleigh City Museum
- Raleigh Museum of Art
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
- North Carolina Museum of History
- Joel Lane Museum House
- The North Carolina Symphony
- Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts
- State Farmers Market
- Pullen Park
Raleigh activities to Enjoy
Raleigh First Night is the celebration that brings in the New Year each year. It takes place downtown.
At midnight the Acorn drops (Raleigh The City of Oakes). This year Raleigh First Night 2015 is bigger and better than ever before. The festival will be spread out over 20 block with several stages for entertainment, music and performances. Raleigh First Night 2015 is for all ages from young to old with activities for all ages. Join in on the fun at Raleigh First Night 2015 starting at 2:00pm on December 31, 2014
Apart from these attraction the city offers its visitors outdoor areas looking for a quite and relaxing time to individuals and families. One can enjoy running, walking, biking and even hiking. Parks in the area are some of the best in the region and are perfect for outings, dog walking, sporting, exercise and even skating. The areas surrounding this great city are Apex, Garner, Knightdale and Cary. The area is a fast growing region full of opportunities for everyone.
Every year in October the NC State Fair takes place at the NC State Fairgrounds at 1025
Blue Ridge Road. The state fair is an annual tradition for many that live in North Carolina. Enjoy the rides, the exhibits, the food, the contest, the animals and the concerts. Each year brings over a week of state fair fun with clear blue autumn skies and crisp cool nights.
Raleigh Educational Facilities and Health Care Facilities
Raleigh is also home to several university and colleges. The most well-known are North Carolina State University; Meredith College, a liberal arts women’s college; William Peace University is a small liberal arts college; Saint Augustine’s University is a historically black college; Campbell Law School; and Shaw University.
WakeMed Health and Hospitals is a 870-bed healthcare system with multiple facilities located in and around the area. WakeMed Heart Center ranks number one in volume among all North Carolina hospitals providing cardiac care and was North Carolina’s first freestanding Children’s Emergency Department serving more than 40,000 children each year. The hospital’s Mobile critical care services offers ground and air transport for adults and children.
Raleigh and Sports
Raleigh is home to the The Carolina Hurricanes, a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League. It is also the home to the North Carolina State Wolfpack representing North Carolina State University in football, basketball, baseball and other university sports.
Close by is the The Research Triangle Park (RTP) which is the largest research park in the world. RTP covers 7,000 acres and is located near Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill, in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina. It is one of the most prominent high-tech research and development centers in the USA. It is managed by the Research Triangle Foundation, a private non-profit organization.
Raleigh Shopping
The state’s capital has a lot to offer to the shopper with numerous shopping malls and shopping center located in and around the area. Shopping opportunities offers everything from your favorite well-known shops and retail stores to the unique and anything-but-traditional shops. Shopping, movies and dining are offered all in the same location making it a one stop shopping experience. Some of the shopping mall and centers are:
- Crabtree Valley Mall
- North Hills
- Cameron Village
- Triangle Town Center
- Brier Creek Commons
- South Hill Shopping Center
- The Streets at Southpoint
If you are in search of a thrilling unforgettable experience than North Carolina’s capital city has just what you are looking for. Make sure to attend the NC State Fair held every year in October at the NC State Fairgrounds! The city has a lot to offer from sports venues, museums, food, music, festivals and so much more. Plan a trip to Raleigh and have a great time.