Raleigh

Frequently featured on top ten lists due to its high quality of life and a subtle juxtaposition of the urban and natural, Raleigh's crepe myrtle lined streets make it an attractive destination in the state of North Carolina. The city is especially notable for its historic buildings, numerous museums and vibrant parks. 

The 'City of Oaks' was planned from the start to be a capital city and as a result, is full of several recreational areas. The most famous being  Pullen Park, which paints itself in vibrant hues during autumn. The park features a carousel and is popular amongst those seeking an idyllic vacation experience.

The Umstead State Park is also popular for its dense shrubbery and water streams upon which tourists can paddle boat or kayak. The JC Raulston Arboretum is another location in Raleigh known for its diverse collection of plants surrounded by a sprawling garden, a magnet for visitors. Raleigh's true strength, however, lies in its preservation of history from different periods of time.

A particularly notable one is the historic Oakwood neighbourhood, famous for being a completely intact 19th-century residential community. The Yates Mill is another unmissable historic building- a water-powered mill that features machinery from the 1950s. The Mordecai Historic Park preserves the birthplace of Andrew Jackson, the 17th president of the United States and also features several 19th-century architectural wonders.

Raleigh is strongly connected to its African-American heritage and this is reflected in its culture, cuisine and museums like the Pope House Museum, the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Gardens, and the 35-acre Mount Hope Cemetery. Apart from these, Raleigh is home to more than 10 specialised museums that cater to every kind of tourist including the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Museum of History and the North Carolina Museum of Art.

While walking down the sheltered streets of Raleigh, the city's deep connection to the performing arts can be observed. Pullen Park is frequented by theatre companies putting up several mesmerising performances. The Burning Coal Theatre and the Duke Centre for the Performing Arts put up stage plays and musicals that shall delight any enthusiast. Raleigh hosts the North Carolina Symphony annually for ballet and the International Bluegrass Festival in celebration of the lively music genre. 

 

Raleigh's old-style communities and enjoyable outdoors are only enhanced by the culture and mettle that one can find here. It is an important stop in the state of North Carolina.