What to do in Raleigh, NC?
 

We're heading to Raleigh for a college graduation party. Any suggestions for upscale locally-owned dining, art galleries, nice shopping? We're staying in Crabtree area. annie

Try the Angus Barn for a wonderful steak dinner. It's been around for a long time and will be crowded. I don't think they take reservations on the weekends, but double check.

NC Museum of Art on Blue Ridge Rd. isn't far from the Crabtree area. Free admission except for special exhibits. Has a nice restaurant on site.

For shopping Crabtree Valley Mall or Cameron Village. Crabtree has your standard mall look but Cameron Village has outdoor entrances and more botique-y stores. Quail Ridge Books if you like independent bookstores. Hmm, not sure how this goes under 'nice' shppping but there are lots of interesting vendors at the flea market at the NC State Fairgrounds. Some local artist have stands selling unique jewelry, arts, crafts, etc.

Thanks, any other ideas?

Many restaurants are DT with gallary's and such. If you are there on the first Friday of a month,the city has FirstFriday which means all the gallaries are open from 6:00 to 10:00pm. Look on a city website to get a list but there are 3 sections downtown. Glenwood South which is the main drag just off DT and quite a bit foot traffic. A good restaurant is Zelly and Ritz on Glenwoodsouth. Not that big and does not look like a ultrasueva building but suppose to be good.
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/352804

Another place might be 1705 Prime which is downtown near Glenwood South.

Plenty of bars and restaurants in that location.

Right downtown is Fins and The Mint. Not cheap but good. Between Glenwoodsouth and DT is Second Empire but you are getting very expensive.

For BBQ, in the depot district, might want to try The Pit and right next door is Humble Pie for very good tapas. On Moore Square, there is a good asian fusion type place called Duck and Dumpling. Good irish pub there and city market is right there.

For shopping,not a whole lot DT but near there is Cameron Village and also North Hills which both are village of shops. Stay out of the malls since it is like anywhere else. Other speciality shops in town.

If you go from Crabtree to DT, it is just right down Glenwood Ave. At 5 points, there is Bloomsbury Bistro which is pretty good.

The Art museum is pretty good which is not far from Crabtree and other museums are pretty good downtown. Depends on what is there. I know the Dead Sea Scrolls are coming.

Tell me more and I can maybe guide you to more items.

Angus Barn would be the place.No reservations and on graduation week-end expect to wait for hours, along with EVERYone else. It is good. You can order drinks in the courtyard, and they may even bring appetizers to appease the wait.

You can also try Sipan Gallery on Glenwood Ave (close to Crabtree)....

I can't stand Angus Barn for dinner. it's old and so out dated. The steak is steak. You can get a good steak in any city. I'd rather go into downtown myself.

If you like seafood 42nd street is the place to go and a MUST see in Raleigh.

There is Fins which is very good.

Second Empire is better for the atmosphere.

Cafe Luna would be great too.

While I like the Angus Barn, I don't think it's what you're looking for. I agree with the recs for Glenwood South for a big night out and 5 pts for a more laid back dinner.

Would hardly call Angus Barn "upscale." And wherever you're coming from, you probably have been to a similar steak house yourselves.

If by "art galleries" you mean privately owned shops where art is for sale, it's a weird scene in the Triangle -- some of the best are tucked into strip malls. The Glenwood South neighborhood is worth checking out, nonetheless.

If you mean museum-y things, second the NC Museum of Art, notably its restaurant, which is pretty good and a nice setting (although it'll be much nicer when they finish the mammoth construction project there).

Crabtree has nice shopping in a mall-sort of way. You'll struggle otherwise to find interesting in-town shopping. Other than Glenwood South, consider wandering up to Chapel Hill -- you'll find some interesting shops, especially for jewelry and glass, tucked among the more common mall stuff in both University Mall and University Plaza.

A couple of years ago when we were in Raleigh, we went for a very nice dinner at Second Empire. Have no idea what it's like now, since it has been over 2 years.

http://www.second-empire.com/the-restaurant/

Don't forget Margaux's, about five minutes up Creedmoor road from Crabtree! One of the best restaurants in the Triangle ... http://www.margauxsrestaurant.com/

Margaux's is so good. The salad is my fave with the lobster meat and I don't even like lobster that much.

Second Empire is still quite good but very impressed with itself. Lovely house but a little imposing. Fun but expensive, bottom line.

If you like gardening there are some nice gardens to visit in the Raleigh area:

JC Raulston Arboretum : http://jcra.ncsu.edu/index.php
NC Botanical Garden : http://ncbg.unc.edu/
Sarah P. Duke Gardens : https://gardens.duke.edu/
Juniper Level Botanic Gardens : http://www.jlbg.org/ and http://www.plantdelights.com
Coker Arboretum : http://ncbg.unc.edu/coker-arboretum/
Sandhills Horticultural Garden : http://sandhillshorticulturalgardens.com/

Anothernice reply to a 7 year old thread.