Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina, is known as the City of Oaks for its tree-lined streets and green spaces. It has a lively downtown, and the renowned Duke University is located nearby in Durham. We visited this city in 2021 and stayed with my husband’s college mate who lives in a beautiful apartment in the heart of the city.
- North Carolina State Capitol
- Pullen Park
- Duke University
- North Carolina Museum of History
North Carolina State Capitol – Completed in 1840, it originally housed the offices of the governor and the state legislature. The building is an excellent example of Greek Revival architecture, featuring a striking white exterior, a central dome, and elegant columns. Today, it serves primarily as a historic site and museum, offering visitors a glimpse into North Carolina’s political history and 19th-century architecture while preserving the legacy of the state’s early government.
Although, it no longer houses the state legislature, which moved to the separate North Carolina State Legislative Building in 1963, the Capitol still houses offices for the Governor and some executive staff. On the day we visited the building, it was closed due to COVID restrictions. We were only able to explore the outside of the building.
Pullen Park – founded in 1887, it is the oldest public park in North Carolina, located just west of downtown Raleigh. The 66-acre park features picnic areas, a carousel, train, kiddie boats, and seasonal pedal boat rentals on Lake Howell.
There is a statue depicting the iconic scene from The Andy Griffith Show, where father and son walk down a dirt road with their fishing poles during the opening sequence. It serves as a TV Land tribute to the beloved characters from the 1960s show.
Duke University – Duke University is a private research university in Durham, North Carolina, founded in 1838. Its 8,600-acre campus includes the Gothic-style West Campus with Duke Chapel and the Georgian-style East Campus for first-year students. It forms part of the Research Triangle with NC State and UNC–Chapel Hill.
The Duke Chapel is the centerpiece of Duke University’s West Campus. Completed in 1932, the chapel features a 210-foot tower, beautiful stained-glass windows, and it offers a magnificent gathering space for significant events.
North Carolina Museum of History – a Smithsonian Affiliate, the museum is dedicated to sharing the stories of the people who shaped the state’s rich history through an extensive collection of more than 150,000 artifacts.
