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Can anyone offer any suggestions about the best areas to see in the Triangle? We tend to like older areas with some character but prefer something safe. Where are the best cultural areas with ethnic restaurants and interesting shopping? My wife is European and tends to prefer the more trendy older areas where people can walk around town.
I've read a lot about the Carrboro/Chapel Hill area on this board so that certainly sounds like an area to check out. Are there any other areas anyone would recommend? Downtown Raleigh? Is there anything else we should definitely see in the area?
Also, which beach would be best to drive to within about 2 1/2 hours. Wrightsville Beach?
North hills area, there is a shopping center (north hills it is called, and is off of six forks road) it is a new outdoor shopping area (it used to be a mall, they renovated and changed it), lots of nice boutiques, restaurants, etc. There are older well established neighborhoods that would be worth the drive around. Some are houses that have been renovated, others are fixers. I love this area of the triangle.
Inside the beltline (ITB) is also a great area, you can continue on six forks toward downtown and hit some great neighborhoods, raleighrob - moderator on the board - could give you some places to see and things to do in that part of town. ITB is really what raleigh is all about, it has the downtown area, the older homes in the triangle, etc.
I can't think of anything else off of the top of my head, but I am sure others will be able to!
Trendy, walkable, etc...
Yeah, I'd suggest the Chapel Hill/Carrboro border area, downtown Raleigh and the west end of downtown Durham. All of those would fit into the type of things you mentioned.
We have visited with kids same ages as yours, and we enjoyed Adventure Landing (on Capital Bvld.), which is go-karts and putt-putt and a clean arcade type place (laser tag too I think).
My whole family loved Pullen Park, they have a little train ride, paddleboats, antique carosel, two playgrounds, ect...the rides are like $1 so it's inexpensive too. This is located off Western Bvld by NCSU.
Downtown Raleigh has some free museums, we've done the Science museum (kids loved it!) and the History museum (really interesting even for the kids). There is an art one too-all free I believe. I was able to easily park right on the street and feed the meters-it's very safe and clean downtown.
We've not as of yet got over to Durham or Chapel Hill so I can't comment on those.
wanderintonc: Thanks so much for the reply. Any suggestions about the Cary area? Thanks..
Kids seem to really like going to bond park in cary, which has play areas as well as a lake and walking trails. In southern cary (on asheville ave) there is a new kids playspace called planet kids (I believe). I have heard it is quite nice and entertaining for the kids.
I have taken my kids (5 and 3) to frankie's (which is near brier creek) and it is fine, but can be overwhelming at their age! Lots of loud games, but they do have water bumper cars and some outside things that are fun.
Hopefuly this helps
Leigh
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