WEEKEND GETAWAY
Roaming around
Raleigh
Be sure to try the North Carolina Cuegrass Festival (below), sample the delights at Boulted Bread (bottom left), or visit the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
‘Capital’ize on these cultural and foodie options by Vanessa Infanzon
The dinner table debate about whether Charlotte or Raleigh is the better city to live in, work in and visit is a great conversation to have with family and friends. But the only way to prep for that debate is to check out Raleigh, a less than three-hour drive from Lake Norman. Here are nine places to visit when you spend a weekend in our state’s capital. •The Heights House Hotel, perfect for a romantic getaway or girls retreat, offers nine en-suite rooms in the Boylan Heights neighborhood. The restored home, designed in the Italianate style and finished in 1860, features 15-foot ceilings, a grand entranceway with four columns and intricate woodwork. •The mural of Sir Walter Raleigh by Spence Townsend in the lobby of The Casso is an introduction to the eclectic collection of art throughout the hotel. This dog-friendly hotel has 116 rooms and is walkable to museums and restaurants. 36
LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | MARCH 2024
•Dueling Dinosaurs opens in April at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. The exhibit will feature the most complete skeletons ever discovered of Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus rex. Just steps away is the North Carolina Museum of History, filled with stories about our state’s military, motorsports, protests and much more. Get tickets for the museum’s newest nine-concert music series, Tar Heel Troubadours. Listen to bluegrass, roots and traditional music in a 300-seat venue. •Hike, bike or kayak on Lake Johnson Park’s 500 acres. A paved 2.8-mile greenway is accessible for wheelchair users. Register for an introductory course to paddling or a guided tour to see wildlife. •Morgan Street Food Hall makes a fussy group of travelers happy. With more than a dozen types of food choices, no one will go hungry. The repurposed warehouse has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.