Raleigh Tourist Attractions

The North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh features an impressive permanent collection and features changing exhibits as well. The permanent collection showcases art from the time of the Pharaohs to modern artists such as Georgia O'Keeffe, Franz Kline, Frank Stella, and Jacob Lawrence. Also on display are works Botticelli, Raphael, Anthony van Dyck, and Monet.Collections include works by not only American and European artists but also African and Oceanic art.Be sure to check the North Carolina Museum of Art calendar to find out about upcoming temporary exhibits.

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, located in Raleigh is the largest natural sciences museum in the Southeastern United States. Easily located right downtown between the Capital and Legislative buildings, the museum can be combined with visits to these two city sights. One of the museum's most notable exhibits is Willo, the world's only dinosaur with a fossilized heart. Also of note is a display featuring live animals and a 6.5 m / 20 ft waterfall.

The North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh offers long term and temporary exhibits on the history of the state. The museum offers informative displays on a variety of topics including the Civil War, Native Americans, women's history and more. The North Carolina Museum of History is also home to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

A visit to the Mordecai Historic Park is like stepping back into the 19th Century. Easily located in the old town area of Raleigh. The park features the Mordecai House, (c. 1785/1826), formerly the seat of one of Wake County's largest plantations and home to five generations of the same family. Also on site is the birthplace of Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, the Badger-Iredell Law Office, and St. Mark's Chapel. A visit to the Mordecai Historic Park is easily undertaken if you ride the Historic Raleigh Trolley Tour that has a stop dedicated to the park.

THIS ATTRACTION IS CLOSED. SEE MARBLES KIDS MUSEUM.The aptly named attraction of Playspace makes for a great afternoon out for young and old alike. Located in Raleigh, Playspace is a non-profit children's museum designed for children in infancy through until 11 years old. Playspace has many interesting features including a bank, art room, café, castle, block room, fire truck & car, grocery store, hospital exhibit, music & movement room, Puppet Theater, stage and dress ups, train & depot, and a water park.

When touring Raleigh, be sure to stop in and see the North Carolina State Capital Building. Located on the historic Trolley Tour, the North Carolina State Capital Building is considered one of the best-preserved examples of Greek revival architecture. The Capital Building was completed in 1840 and is one of Raleigh's best-loved landmarks. The North Carolina State Capital Building is a National Historic Landmark.

The J.S. Dorton Arena has been a fixture of the skyline of Raleigh for over 50 years. Groundbreaking and revolutionary in its design at the time of construction, the building still stands out as a unique aspect of the city. The J.S. Dorton Arena was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1972. The arena seats 4750 people and has over 25,000 square feet of floor exhibition space.

The JC Raulston Arboretum is located on the grounds of the North Carolina State University. The plants on display here are considered the best examples of plants suited to the climate of the southeastern United States. The pleasant grounds of the JC Raulston Arboretum are a wonderful place to wander around and the gardening staff does a great job of ensuring that the flowerbeds are well maintained.

Fans of early American architecture will want to be sure to stop by Joel Lane House when in Raleigh. This home was built in the late 18th Century and has been carefully restored to its original appearance complete with décor of the times and period furniture. The home is on the National Register of Historic Places and is managed by the National Society of Colonial Dames of America.

Marbles Kids Museum is a hands-on, interactive attraction for children. There are five galleries and two outdoor escapes for kids from infant to age 12, and their families. The Wachovia IMAX Theatre, at the Marbles Kids Museum, features a 267-seat giant-screen experience with the only 3D capable IMAX theatre in North Carolina.

One of America's largest think tanks is the "Research Triangle" in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area, where famous universities and research institutes abound.The Research Triangle is more commonly referred to as simply "The Triangle".