UPDATE: Raleigh has also landed a spot on Southern Living’s Tastiest Towns List! We’re recognized for our great Farmers’ Market and local chefs devoted to North Carolina’s culinary heritage. Well said and might I add a resounding yummmm 🙂
We won, hooray! I’m the first to admit that I’ll always be an Atlanta girl at heart, but I have fully embraced the city I’ve called home for the past few years and I’m thrilled to see it atop Businessweek’s List of Best Cities in America!
My favorite description:
- Many urbanites appreciate cities’ bustling streets and constant activity. Raleigh, though active, is often described as “a park with a city in it,” according to the city tourism site, and the downtown area has wide sidewalks, public art, and outdoor cafes, according to the Downtown Raleigh Alliance.
My friend, Cristina, posted a few questions on her blog recently, asking people living in Raleigh what they love about the area, so I thought I’d answer them myself and pose them to all of you!
1) What are three must see spots in Raleigh?
- The view of downtown Raleigh from the Boylan Bridge patio
- Shelley Lake on a pretty spring/fall day
- Umstead State Park for a hike
2) Best restaurant to get a taste of the city?
- Poole’s Diner is the most obvious choice here, but I’d add in Dos Taquitos Centro, Sitti and if you want something fancy, Second Empire.
3) Best place for live entertainment (music, sports, comedy, theater, etc.)?
- For a concert, Lincoln Theatre is tons of fun. For a less casual night out, the Meymandi Concert Hall is amazing. I also saw Cirque du Soleil at the RBC Center and you can’t beat that!
4) Best shopping?
- Vintage, antiques, or random odds and ends? Father and Son Antiques. General shopping, I’d have to go with North Hills.
5) Other highlights?
- I’d say that the coolest venues in Raleigh for events are Cobblestone Hall and The Stockroom at 230 – both have tons of personality. If you want to see a movie, skip the major theatres and head to the Rialto or Colony Theatre. Lots of personality and an interesting selection of films!
Thoughts? I’d love to hear what you’d add to the list and what you think makes Raleigh the #1 city in America!
An Adventure In Finding Balance 
Thanks for mentioning this! I’m going to post my final list soon- I had already typed it up and included the lake (Lake Johnson though, not Shelley Lake) and Father and Sons 🙂
Yes! I love that you like Father and Sons – let’s go some weekend! It’s sort of a hidden gem of Raleigh. I got some sweet vintage red wayfarers there last trip… I need to make a return visit. Can’t wait to see your list!
I got an adorable blazer, little green dipping dishes, and some other great things. Let’s make a day of Father and Sons then The Pit 🙂
I second everything on your list, though I’d have to add The Pit and Humble Pie for #2!
Oh I totally agree about Humble Pie! I’m ashamed to admit it but I’ve never been to The Pit! Dinner date sometime? Yes please!
Me too me too! How have we never been?!