Weekend in Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina Capitol

After visiting the Outer Banks we wanted to have a weekend adventure in the capitol of North Carolina.

Things to Do:

Duke University  (Durham)

For our first stop we headed to Durham to see Duke.  The campus is beautiful.  We planned on walking everywhere but the campus was so large it required us to drive to different locations.  The Duke University Chapel and the Sara P. Duke Gardens are must see spots on campus.  The Gardens are free and open everyday of the year and close at dusk.  Unfortunately my photos didn't come out that great.
*Twenty minute drive from Raleigh

Duke University Chapel

Duke University Chapel

The North Carolina State Capitol

Admission is free to the Greek Revival Capitol building.  The building is surrounded by monuments and statues that you can see when walking on the large circular path.  There is also metered parking around the Capitol.
1 E. Edenton St.

The Carolina Basketball Museum (Chapel Hill)

If you are a sports fan or traveling with one make sure to check out the Carolina Basketball Museum.  The Museum focuses on the history of Carolina Basketball and admission is free.
450 Skipper Bowles Drive, Chapel Hill

Places to Eat & Drink:

The Pit BBQ

A trip to North Carolina is not complete without Carolina BBQ.  This place is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! We ordered fried green tomatoes which came topped with goat cheese.  We then split a whole order of ribs with mac and cheese, fried okra, and sweet potato fries.  Both of us were stuffed after sharing one entree and we are still talking about this meal. 
*There is also a Durham location.
328 W. Davie St.
The Pit

Fried Green Tomatoes with Goat Cheese

Whole Rack of Ribs, Okra, Sweet Potato Fries, and Mac 'n Cheese

Boxcar 

It's not everyday you see a bar that is also an arcade.   Boxcar is definitely unique.  They have a large selection of beers and games you don't see everyday. (Donkey Kong, Centipede...)  This place will make any child of the 80s/90s smile.
330 W. Davie St.

Videri Chocolate Factory

Two words: Stumptown Coffee.  Having lived in Portland, OR I have a love for Stumptown Coffee and I was shocked to discover it being served in a Raleigh Chocolate Factory.  Videri serves coffee as well as a variety of dark chocolates.  Dark chocolate lovers will love this place and they also offer tours of the chocolate factory.
327 W. Davie Street

 

Places to Stay:

Sheraton Raleigh

We stayed at the Sheraton downtown which was large and modern.  It was a 10 minute walk to the Capital, The Pit, Boxcar and Videri.