Downtown Raleigh - Raleigh, NC Area Guide

Raleigh's origins date all the way back to 1792, the year the city was officially named the capital city of North Carolina. Expansion in the city remained slow until the construction of two major railroads in the 1850s. The 19th century defined Central Raleigh as an educational epicenter as several major universities were established in the area. During the early 1900s, with a desire to build upon the city's image, city leaders launched a project involving the construction of a number of buildings and structures including schools, hospitals, churches and residences.

Central Raleigh is full of museums including the North Carolina Museum of History and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

There are several annual festivals and events occurring nearby, the most popular of which is the North Carolina State Fair. With rides, games, fair food and livestock exhibits, it's one of the most exciting yearly events.

Central Raleigh boasts a healthy mixture of upscale dining establishments, casual restaurants, and hip bars. Regardless of the scene you desire, you are sure to find multiple options right in your neighborhood.

The Tar Heel state is known for its mouth-watering southern barbecue. For the tastiest pulled pork sandwich you've every devoured, head over to the Pit Authentic Barbecue. They have all of your favorite home-style southern sides covered with macaroni and cheese, collard greens, mashed potatoes, and baked beans. The chopped barbecue is pit-cooked overnight and finished off with Eastern Carolina style seasonings. Start your day at the Morning Times for an early-morning pick-me-up. With a full espresso bar and tasty roast selection, the coffee shop won't have a problem giving you a caffeine fix. The relaxing ambiance, casual vibe, and free Wi-Fi make the Morning Times a great place to catch up on some reading or do some work away from the office.

If you need somewhere to go for a special occasion, head to Sullivan's Steakhouse. This highly-rated steakhouse not only has a great selection of steaks, but also an extensive liquor and cigar selection. Not in the mood for steak? Try one of their excellent seafood dishes such as the Bacon-Wrapped Sea Scallops or the Hong Kong Style Chilean Sea Bass.

When it comes to going out for a drink, Foundation is one of the local favorites. This bar specializes in unique and creative cocktails. For those that prefer their alcohol served straight up, there is an extensive list of bourbon and whiskey. For the best view of downtown Raleigh, head over to Raleigh Times Bar and enjoy a crisp beer on their rooftop patio.

With a Walk Score of 75, Central Raleigh is the most walkable neighborhood in the city. With everything right outside the front door, residents can accomplish most basic, everyday errands on foot.

Central Raleigh's prime location provides residents with a number of different transportation options from which to choose. The Capital Area Transit system offers 18 different bus routes that connect Central Raleigh with surrounding areas.

The neighborhood houses the city's only Amtrak station that operates six daily trains to provide service to North Carolina and East Coast destinations.

The R-Line is downtown Raleigh's unique commitment to green transportation. This eco-friendly transportation service uses electric buses to connect residents and visitors with the various restaurants, hotels, businesses and attractions that the city has to offer. Buses run every 10-15 minutes.

The Triangle Transit Authority bus provides easy access to the RDU airport or nearby cities. Downtown Raleigh also has 24 miles of designated bike lines for residents and visitors to utilize.

While you may have trouble hailing a cab in Central Raleigh, you are likely to see one of the city's many rickshaws cruising, a fun and convenient way to get to your destination. If you prefer to be inside a vehicle, Uber is another reliable option.

While public transportation options remain plentiful, some residents may simply wish to drive to their destination. Central Raleigh sits in proximity to several of the major area highways that offer a direct shot to the surrounding communities.

There are several small city parks in the neighborhood, offering residents a little bit of green space to enjoy. Moore Square is the most popular park and hosts several community events throughout the year, like the Raleigh Arts Festival.

One of the area's most desirable recreational spaces is nearby and provides a refreshing retreat from the city. William B. Umstead State Park covers over 5,000 acres of undeveloped land. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, mountain biking, boating and fishing. The park is pet-friendly and great for kids. Entrance to the park is free with small fees for boat and campsite rentals.

While the overall cost of living in this neighborhood is fairly consistent with the city average, the rental rates remain higher. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Central Raleigh is around $1,000 per month. Rates for rental units outside of this area drop to roughly $700 per month.

When stopping by a local bar or pub, expect to pay $2.80 for a domestic beer, and $4.25 for an import. The price for gasoline in Central Raleigh also remains very consistent with both the city and national average.

Central Raleigh possesses a collection of unique, locally-owned shops and boutiques. One of the most popular stores is Raleigh Denim Workshop, a creative local company that designs, manufactures and sells handmade jeans.

If you are looking for the perfect gift or just want to get lost in a quirky store, stop by Cimos. While defined as a bookstore, Cimos is so much more, filled with gifts, artwork and unique items from local artisans.

Central Raleigh lacks the major or full-service grocery stores that some may desire. However, several small grocers, corner stores, and convenience stores such as Taz's Supermarket One sell basic items.

Every Wednesday from May through September, Central Raleigh hosts the Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market. All the vendors sell items grown or produced in North Carolina. You can expect fresh produce, fish and meats and bakery items.