Travel to Raleigh

Travel to Raleigh

Raleigh, North Carolinas capital and most colourful city is best known for its world-class museums, Broadway shows and live concerts, historic sites and professional and amateur sporting events. It was named after Sir Walter Raleigh, the famous English soldier, adventurer and poet. Many universities and colleges are to be found here including the state's largest, North Carolina State University, as well as two black universities, Shaw and Saint Augustine, and two women's colleges, Peace and Meredith. It is part of the area known as the Triangle, which comprises the base cities of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. The Research Triangle Park (RTP) is the largest of its kind in the world and spills over into an area far beyond these original three points. Raleigh may be a relatively young city but it has a surprisingly rich history and many attractions to keep the visitors busy.

Transportation to Raleigh

Getting to Raleigh is straightforward as it is the primary transport hub in the region. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located 10 miles away and receives flights from a number of overseas cities as well as domestic locations. Amtrak has two routes which run through Raleigh providing connections to many other cities, including New York. The road network is well-developed and links with many other cities, making long-distance buses and self-drive good alternatives.

What to see

There are many sights and attractions that will welcome and fascinate the active and interested traveller. Raleigh's museums are among the best in the country, in particular the North Carolina Museum of History which showcases North Carolina's unique history from the state's early days to the present. The North Carolina Museum of Art has a great collection of European masters as well as works by contemporary artists. The State Capitol is one of the most popular attractions and is a good example of Greek Revival-style architecture. It has recently been renovated and tours are available for the general public.

Daytrips

The other university cities of Chapel Hill and Durham are both nearby and are great places to visit for a day-out. Across North Carolina from Raleigh is the modern city of Charlotte. It is the largest in the state and has several spectacular new skyscrapers and the Mint Museum, a stunning building designed by William Strickland and hosting one of the Souths premier art collections.

Activities and leisure

Raleigh is blessed with a huge number of parks and greenway trails, some of which are in the city centre. They are ideal for escaping from the frenetic city lifestyle and offer peaceful and relaxing walks. Some of the more popular areas are Falls Lake and Lake Wheeler, both of which are important recreational centres with many activities on offer such as swimming, boating and fishing. There are also many excellent golf courses in the area and a number of good sports teams with large and enthusiastic followings.

Safety issues

Raleigh has a lower crime rate than many other American cities and most visits will be trouble-free. Tourists should still take care of their belongings when in busy areas and late at night. Comprehensive travel insurance is good protection against unexpected medical expenses or loss of valuables while travelling, and anyone visiting Raleigh is advised to purchase this before leaving on their trip.