A Family-Friendly Guide to Raleigh, NC – Sights, Sounds and Activities
One of the favorite places for people to see when in North Carolina is the city of Raleigh. It’s a place that provides the beauty of nature and a chance to see important pieces of preserved history. A family spending time in Raleigh will be impressed at the number of activities available for them to enjoy.
Marbles Kids Museum – 201 E Hargett St Raleigh, NC 27601 – (919) 834-4040
This museum is easy to find as it sits in the Moore Square district in downtown Raleigh. This museum provides a section that is designed to provide hands-on experiences for children 10 or under. Families can join together and enjoy what’s showing on the huge IMAX Theatre.
It has five galleries and each has a different theme. It also has the Corner Store that provides classic games, gadgets, toys and more. It’s a place where children must use their marbles as they discover and learn a wide range of new things.
Pullen Park – 520 Ashe Ave Raleigh, NC 27606 – (919) 996-6468
This park was once farmland but was donated to Raleigh as a gift from Richard Stanhope Pullen in the late 1800s. The only stipulation with his donation was the land had to be used for recreation and pleasure.
Visitors here are able to enjoy the Pullen Aquatics Center that features an Olympic sized swimming pool. There is the Pullen Arts Center that has a variety of workshops, studio areas, galleries and more. The Pullen Amusement Center and nearby playground have a variety of things that appeal to kids of many ages.
Nature Research Center – 11 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601 – (919) 707-9800
This is a special place where labs are staffed by scientists from the University of North Carolina, museums, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Here they join with scientists from various industries to conduct experiments.
These experiments are able to be watched by the public through glass walls that stretch from the floor to the ceiling. There is also a chance for those who visit here to meet with the scientists conducting the experiments. Certain areas provide seating so scientists can come and speak to those who visit the Nature Research Center.
Yates Mill and County Park – 4640 Lake Wheeler Rd Raleigh, NC 27603 – (919) 856-6675
This is a fantastic park filled with hiking trails and home to the historic Yates Mill. This is one of the few remaining gristmill that is powered by the Steep Hill Creek. The mill dates back to the 1700s and is one of the few in the country that has been completely restored and is operational.
It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are many educational programs offered here that cover such topics as history, the areas environmental heritage and more. Yates Mill is a designated wildlife refuge and has an environmental research center.
Festivals
Raleigh also offers a wide range of festivals during the year. The Raleigh Film Festival is offered in conjunction the Raleigh Art Festival. It provides people with a chance to see interesting films and amazing artwork. The International Festival is a three day celebration of dance, food and a variety of cultural exhibits and more.
