Downtown Raleigh

With 5 unique downtown entertainment districts, Raleigh offers activities and nightlife for all ages and interests, from children to seniors. Whether you’re looking for fast-paced nightlife, a relaxing stroll through shopping and dining venues, or a great place to bring kids, you’ll find it in downtown Raleigh! Explore the Capital District for government buildings and museums, Glenwood South for a “hip and trendy” restaurant and retail scene, the Warehouse District for antique stores and specialty shops, Moore Square for family-friendly fun, and Fayetteville Street for world-class theatre, restaurants, bars, a thriving nightlife, and outdoor events and festivals.

Attractions

Raleigh offers no end to entertainment! Explore city-wide celebrations and events, such as First Night Raleigh, the North Carolina Wine Festival, Artsplosure, or the International Festival of Raleigh. Step through history at the North Carolina Museum of History or the NC Museum of Art. Support your favorite college teams at Carter-Finley Stadium or catch an NHL Hurricanes game at PNC Arena. Enjoy world-class theatre performances at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, or grab some amazing fair food at the North Carolina State Fair.

Schools

Raleigh is served by Wake County Public Schools, both the largest and the most acclaimed school district in the state of North Carolina. Forbes Magazine named Raleigh the #1 city for raising a family — and Wake County Public Schools was a main reason for this superior ranking. WCPS is comprised of 106 elementary schools, 33 middle schools, 25 high schools, and 4 alternative schools.

Parks & Rec

Oak trees, open spaces, miles of maintained trails through lush wilderness areas… The city of Raleigh offers boundless outdoor opportunities with its thousand of acres of maintained parkland. With amenities such as athletic fields and courts, dog parks, skate parks, pools and aquatic centers, playgrounds, fishing and boating lakes, and even amphitheatres and performance entertainment venues, Raleigh offers outdoor opportunities for all.

Employment

Why did Forbes List name Raleigh the #2 City for Business & Career? Low unemployment rate, access to the Research Triangle Park, and a plethora of high-paying tech jobs are just the beginning. Top industries in Raleigh include technology, healthcare, and education, while top companies include RTI International, Lenovo, SAS Institute, Verizon, Duke Energy, GlaxoSmithKline, Cisco, and Rex Healthcare.