17 Blissful Beaches Near Raleigh (within A 3 Hour Drive) | This Is Raleigh (2024)

Although Raleigh is a land-locked city, one of the many reasons I love living here is that there are so many incredible beaches near Raleigh that are all within a 3 hour drive.

We’re beach lovers at our core. Growing up in Australia, we were always by the water, so when we moved to Raleigh we made it our mission to find the absolute best beaches close to Raleigh that we could visit on a day trip or weekend away.

On our quest to find the best beaches, we’ve uncovered hidden gems, secluded spots, award-winning stretches and many unspoiled sands.

Although one thing all these beaches have in common is their blissfulness and beauty, they each offer something different.

In this guide, I’ve shared the best beaches near Raleigh within a three hour drive, in order of closest to the farthest away, so you can uncover a sunkissed ocean getaway from the City of Oaks.

The Best Beaches Near Raleigh

We’ve also recorded a podcast episode chatting about these NC beaches. You’ll find it at the bottom of the post.

1. Wrightsville Beach

• Distance from Raleigh: 132 miles
• Drive time: Approx 2 hours
• Ideal for: families
• Facilities: four public restrooms with showers, lifeguard stations, 7 ADA accessible ocean access points, lots of parking spaces
• Activities: surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, jet skiing, boating, beach time, swimming, bodyboarding, Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier, Crystal Pier, and fishing.

If you are wondering what is the closest beach to Raleigh, this is it, Wrightsville Beach, one of the most popular beaches in NC and also known as one of the Wilmington Beaches (downtown Wilmington is just 12-miles away).

Known for its laid back coastal living with a quaint, suburban atmosphere, Wrightsville Beach is the perfect destination for families looking for a relaxing beachside vacation.

Because it’s a four-mile long barrier island, on one side you have the Atlantic Ocean for all your beach activities, and on the other side lies the tranquility of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway which provides calmer waters.

This waterway is a mix of open sound water and narrow channels that’s bordered by marshes, swamps, and small islands – it’s the perfect spot for a paddle or to launch a stand-up paddleboard.

The actual beach at Wrightsville Beach is spotlessly clean, spacious and powdery, with stunning sunrises and sunsets, and backed by top notch local restaurants, art galleries, antique shops, boutiques, sightseeing cruises, and more.

Wrightsville is also recognized as the birthplace of surfing in North Carolina!

• Eat & Drink: SUNdays Cafe (coffee), Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill, Shark Bar & Kitchen, South Beach Grill, Ceviche’s.
• Accommodation: Our pick is Blockade Runner Beach Resort. For other hotels search here. For vacation rentals go here.

2. North Topsail Beach

• Distance from Raleigh: 135 miles
• Drive time: Approx 2 hours, 20 mins
• Ideal for: couples, families, anyone looking for relaxation!
• Facilities: 2 parking lots, picnic benches, kayak and boat launch site, jet ski rentals, charcoal-ready grill (W. Rodney Knowles Park), volleyball, tennis and basketball courts, nature trails
• Activities: beach time, boating, kayaking, Permuda Island Reserve, Town Park.

North Topsail Beach on Topsail Island offers serene beaches, a small-town atmosphere, and is a haven for beachgoers searching for a vacation filled with rest and relaxation.

This 26-mile long barrier island is home to three low-key and charming NC beach towns.

The northern side of the island is the quietest, with little more than 1,000 residents, so you won’t find the carnival atmosphere like at Carolina Beach or overly crowded beaches like on the Outer Banks in the summer!

You also won’t find any high-rise hotels here, only small inns and vacation rentals which means gorgeous ocean views no matter which accommodation you choose.

The beach itself is windswept and wild. It’s a wide beach with soft, golden sands and a gently declining shoreline, making it perfect for families with kids who want to paddle.

The waves are usually gentle, but rip tides do happen on occasion so keep an eye on your little ones.

Being surrounded by water on three sides, it’s the perfect place for boaters and anglers to launch from.

• Eat & Drink: Splash By the Sea, Fat Turtle Tiki Bar, Seaview Pier Restaurant, Ocean’s Edge Restaurant.
• Accommodation: Consider the Topsail Shores Inn. For other vacation rentals search here.

3. Surf City

• Distance from Raleigh:139 miles
• Drive time:Approx 2 hours, 20 mins
• Ideal for: groups, students, nightlife enthusiasts
• Facilities: public restrooms with showers, parks and playgrounds, parking lots
• Activities: Surfing! Canoeing, Kayaking, Water Skiing, Fishing,The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, Eco Boat Tours, Soundside Park, Kenneth D. Batts Family Park, Surf City Ocean Pier, On Shore Surf Shop.

Located in the middle of Topsail island, Surf City has been the commercial heart of the island for over 60 years offering plenty of dining options, shopping, and community events.

Surf City’s clean and alluring beaches are the town’s main attraction, along with the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center.

Although busier than North Topsail Beach mentioned previously, it’s still a stunning beach. It’s wide enough that everyone can spread out and it never feels like you’re sitting on top of everyone.

The waves here are also quite high (excellent for surfing – hence the name, Surf City) so if you visit with kids make sure to keep an eye on them.

It doesn’t have lifeguard stations, but there is a certified swimmer on standby from 9.00am – 7.00pm from Labor Day to Memorial Day, who patrols the beach and ensures swimmers are safe.

The Intracoastal Waterway separates the island from the mainland and this narrow body of water provides the perfect setting for canoeing, kayaking, water skiing and fishing.

• Eat & Drink: Shaka Taco, Sugar Island Bakery, SurfDog Bites & Brews, Daddy Mac’s Beach Grille, Salty Turtle Beer Company, Batson’s Galley, Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar, Sears Landing, Second Row, The Daily Grind, Hulas Bar and Grill, unWINEd Wine Bar and Beer.
• Accommodation: Consider Loggerhead Inn & Suites. For other vacation rentals search here.

4. Topsail Beach

• Distance from Raleigh:146 miles
• Drive time:Approx 2 hours, 30 mins
• Ideal for: couples
• Facilities: gravel parking, restrooms, a marina, boat ramp
• Activities: relax on the beach, Jolly Roger Pier, Missiles and More Museum, Topsail Beach Skating Rink, Serenity Point.

Scenic and uncrowded, Topsail Beach is another amazing beach on Topsail Island that’s worth discovering.

An easy drive from Raleigh and about 40 miles northeast of Wilmington, it’s home to a breathtaking beach, as well as a quaint beach community of less than 500 people.

Though small and quiet, it’s well set up for visitors, and has several locally-owned restaurants, a general store, unique boutique shops, a fishing pier, and locally owned motels.

If you’re looking for a place to relax and enjoy some time in the sun, Topsail Beach is a haven for those looking for a peaceful coastal getaway from Raleigh.

You can also discover plenty of wildlife flourishing in their natural habitats here, such as dolphins, shorebirds, bald eagles, and if you’re lucky, sea turtles – who come to these shores to nest.

• Eat & Drink: Beach Shop & Grill, Cora’s Isle-End Deli, Breezeway Restaurant, Cora’s South End Deli, Dirty South Bar & Grill, Twisted Sister Bake Shop
• Accommodation: Consider this highly rated oceanfront home. For more vacation rentals search here.

5. Carolina Beach

• Distance from Raleigh: 142 miles
• Drive time: Approx 2.15 hours
• Ideal for: everyone!
• Facilities: marina with two boat ramps, fishing and camping rentals, public restrooms
• Activities: surfing, shelling, and fishing (especially off the Carolina Beach Fishing Pier), Carolina Beach Boardwalk, relax on the beach, kayak or paddle board at Snow’s Cut, Carolina Beach State Park, North Carolina Aquarium, Riverfront Park Amphitheater, Freeman Park Recreation Area (where you can drive onto the beach with your four-wheel-drive).

Besides Wrightsville, Carolina Beach is second most popular beach in NC located just 20-minutes drive south of Wilmington.

All of our Raleigh friends gush over their family vacations to Carolina Beach, and we even have friends who moved there and love it.

Carolina Beach is also on an island (called Pleasure Island) and is one of the many barrier islands that make up the NC coast.

This beach town pops with color, either through the urban art murals that are ever expanding, the rickety boardwalk buildings, the quaint beach shacks, or the turquoise colors of the sea and sky.

With its famous wooden beachside boardwalk with boutique shops, restaurants and amusem*nt rides, there is more to see and do here than just laze on the beach.

There are also plenty of locally-owned cafes and restaurants serving up craft coffees and co*cktails, as well as tiki bars. In the summer, the town comes alive with music concerts, making it a fun destination for all walks of life!

The beach itself is banked by a promenade that’s both walkable and bikeable, but the beach itself is 7-miles of sandy serenity, with a gently sloping shoreline flanked by gentle waves.

It’s the perfect all-round beach destination, though be warned, it can be crowded in the summer months.

• Eat & Drink: Malama Cafe (coffee), Britt’s Donut Shop (famous glazed donuts), Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar, Nauti Dog, Hurricane Alley’s, Kate’s Pancake House, Carolina Smokehouse, Surf House Oyster Bar, Good Hops Brewing, The Fat Pelican, Southern Biscuit and Pie, Soul Flavor Kitchen & Bar, SeaWitch Café & Tiki Bar.
• Accommodation: Consider this gorgeous beachfront home. For hotels search here. For more vacation rentals look here.

6. Kure Beach

• Distance from Raleigh: 145 miles
• Drive time: Approx 2 hours, 20 mins
• Ideal for: families
• Facilities: restrooms at Kure Beach Ocean Front Park, children’s playground, metered parking, bike rentals, beach item rentals (umbrellas and chairs), and water sport rentals
• Activities: Surfing, Sailing, Kure Beach Fishing Pier, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area for 4×4 driving, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

The neighboring beach to Carolina Beach, Kure Beach (pronounced (cur-ee) is a local’s favorite with a vibrant and bold personality of the more soft, pastel kind.

It’s where you want to come for a more relaxed, quieter beach vibe where the natural landscape is the center of attention, and accommodation may be a little cheaper.

I love Kure Beach. It features 3.5 miles of white sand, and it reminds me of Tybee Island in Georgia. Although much smaller, it had a similar friendly and chilled tropical vibe, and the Kure Beach Fishing Pier is one of the oldest on the Atlantic Coast.

The beach itself is unspoiled and enchanting, though the waves can get quite high here (often between 4-9 feet), though they are sparsely populated, so surfers of all levels can find a wave that’s right for them.

The town itself is ideal for quiet family vacations to enjoy all the water activities like swimming, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking.

• Eat & Drink: Beach House Burgers, Kure Beach Diner, Jack Mackerel’s Island Grill, Freddie’s Restaurant, Big Daddy’s Seafood Restaurant,
• Accommodation: Consider this highly rated home. For more vacation homes search here.

7. Emerald Isle

• Distance from Raleigh: 146 miles
• Drive time: Approx 2 hours, 40 mins
• Ideal for: families
• Facilities: picnic pavilions, kayak and boat launch sites, playgrounds for kids, volleyball courts
• Activities: Catch the sunrise, Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier, The Point, soak up the sun on the beach, The Hot Wax Surf Shop, Hammocks Beach State Park, Salty Pirate Water Park.

Emerald Isle is on The Crystal Coast, an 85 mile stretch of coastline that is also known as the Southern Outer Banks due to its location directly south of the Outer Banks!

Here you’ll find inviting beaches and crystal-clear waters filled with dolphins.

It’s also surrounded by historical towns, port cities, and friendly communities, though Emerald Isle is the biggest beach town.

Emerald Isle is one of the most under-rated beaches in North Carolina, in my opinion. It’s made up of 12 miles of wide, family-friendly sandy beach with a gently sloping shoreline and incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean and Bogue Inlet.

With a focus on family fun, it is a haven for watersports, fishing (onshore, offshore and on the Bogue Inlet Pier), or simply relaxing on the beach and enjoying the sound of the waves rolling in.

• Eat & Drink: The Trading Post, Rucker Johns Restaurant, Surf’s Up Grill & Bar, Snapperz, Flipperz Family Bar & Grill, Gaffer’s, Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar & Grill.
• Accommodation:Consider the Islander Hotel & Resort. For vacation homes search here.

8. Indian Beach

• Distance from Raleigh: 149 miles
• Drive time: Approx 2 hours, 45 mins
• Ideal for: couples
• Facilities: no restrooms or showers, parking lots
• Activities: Beach time, go boating, check out some boutique stores, watch baby sea turtles hatch (May to November), go fishing.

Just up the road from Emerald Isle is Indian Beach. Here you’ll find pristine sand and an uncrowded beach lined with oceanfront homes.

This small, upscale town is a hidden gem amongst the NC beaches on the Atlantic Ocean. It has soft, powdery sand and emerald green waters backed by lush maritime forests.

It’s unspoiled and untouched, with very few facilities – there are no toilets or lifeguards here!

Since it’s quiet, with just under 230 residents, it would be my top recommendation for couples looking for a romantic beach retreat.

The accommodation here is more regal and luxurious than other destinations on this list, making it perfect for those who want somewhere a little more special.

• Accommodation: We loved the Grand Villas property. For more vacation rentals search here.

9. Atlantic Beach

• Distance from Raleigh: 151 miles
• Drive time: Approx 2 hours, 45 mins
• Ideal for: families
• Facilities: swimming pools, sports courts, dog park, mini golf, public restrooms, parking
• Activities: hit up the beach, stroll the boardwalk, Oceanana Fishing Pier, Fort Macon State Park, sport fishing, explore the coastal waterways by boat, Atlantic Beach Music Fest, Carolina Kite Fest, skatepark,

Atlantic Beach is another one of the most popular beaches in North Carolina, with a range of accommodation options to choose from and a central location on the Crystal Coast, it’s easy to see why it’s a favorite for Raleigh residents looking for surf, sand, and fun.

Known for its sparkling water, wide sandy beach, and its bustling Boardwalk, Atlantic Beach offers more than just a beach to laze on.

It was once regarded as one of the “Best Beaches” by Coastal Living Magazine and was awarded the 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, so you know it has something going for it.

Atlantic Beach is a prime spot for families with kids, since the waves are pretty gentle despite being on the Atlantic Ocean.

It also has a rich history, as its the home of the fantastic Fort Macon State Park – an historic Civil War fort known for the momentous siege of Fort Macon in 1862. It attracts more than one million people a year and is the most-visited park in North Carolina.

• Eat & Drink: Pier House Restaurant, Amos Mosquito’s Restaurant, Idle Hour Biergarten, The Shark Shack, Crab’s Claw Oceanfront Caribbean Seafood Restaurant, On The Rocks, Crystal Coast Brewing Company.
• Accommodation:Consider the Atlantis Lodge. For more vacation rentals search here.

10. Holden Beach

• Distance from Raleigh: 167 miles,
• Drive time: Approx 2 hours, 45 mins
• Ideal for: families
• Facilities: public wi-fi, ev-station, picnic shelters, ball courts, pier, restrooms, showers,
• Activities: enjoy the sun, sand and the beach, Holden Beach Pier, charter a boat, golf at one of three courses, NC Festival by the Sea

Holden Beach is a great beach for a quiet family vacation on the coast and offers small-town charm and unspoiled natural beauty.

Families come here to spend time together in a beach vacation rental, to play on the beach, kayak or paddleboard along the picturesque Intracoastal Waterway, spot dolphins offshore, and chase ghost crabs with a flashlight during the evening.

The beach itself is clean and well-maintained, with a gently-sloping shoreline with soft waves, perfect for boogie boarding!

Although a family-friendly beach, it’s good to know there are no lifeguards on this beach, so keep an eye on your little ones!

• Eat & Drink: Provision Company, Castaways Raw Bar & Grill, LouLous Waterfront Restaurant, Mini Jalapeno Mexican Restaurant, Dock House Seafood.
• Accommodation: Consider this beachfront rental. For more vacation homes search here.

11. Ocean Isle Beach

• Distance from Raleigh: 175 miles,
• Drive time: Approx 2 hours, 45 mins
• Ideal for: families
• Facilities:
• Activities: watch a sunrise, play on the beach, fish from Ocean Isle Pier, paddle the waterways, Museum of Coastal Carolina, Shallotte River Swamp Park (ziplines), witness loggerhead sea turtles laying their eggs (May to August), Ferry Landing Park, Ocean Isle Beach Free Summer Concert Series.

Ocean Isle Beach is the place to go when you want a relaxed beach vacation experience to create memorable family moments, but still with fun activities close by.

Located in the Brunswick Islands region, it’s considered the most family-friendly beaches in the Brunswick Isles with access to miles of coastline, acres of marshlands, mini-golf, museums, zip line adventures, and options for eating and drinking with waterside views.

Here you’ll find stunning beaches, maritime forests, fresh local seafood, expansive saltwater marshes and Intercoastal waterway.

Ocean Isle Beach in North Carolina was named “Best Tiny Town” in 2018 by Southern Living.

• Eat & Drink: Jinks Creek Waterfront Grill, coffee & bagels at 59 Causeway Grill, Ocean Isle Fish Company Restaurant, Sharky’s Waterfront Restaurant, Drift Coffee and Kitchen, Makai Brewing, Coastal Wine Room.
• Accommodation: Our choice is the Ocean Isle Inn. For vacation rentals search here.

12. Sunset Beach

• Distance from Raleigh: 178 miles,
• Drive time: Approx 2 hours, 50 mins
• Ideal for: families
• Facilities: picnic shelter, boardwalk, playground, fishing pier, kayak launch spot, dog watering stations, public restrooms.
• Activities: Sunset Beach Pier, Bird Island Reserve, Ingram Planetarium, Museum of Coastal Carolina, Silver Coast Winery, Oyster Bay Golf Links

Besides the stunning beach, Sunset Beach provides an opportunity to view the most spectacular sunrise AND sunset in North Carolina!

There’s a true laid-back vibe here, which is ideal for families needing a break from the bustling city of Raleigh.

Whether you want a lazy beach day, to go kayaking in the marshes, play a game of golf, or enjoy delicious locally caught seafood, there’s plenty to see and do here to keep you busy.

A must do in Sunset Beach is a walk to nearby Bird Island Reserve to visit the Kindred Spirit Mailbox where visitors are invited to share their thoughts and stories in the pages of the notebooks within.

• Eat & Drink: The Boat Landing, Crabby Oddwaters, Fibber McGee’s, House’s Place at the Beach, La Cucina, Sarah’s Kitchen, seafood restaurants 5 miles away in Calabash, a fishing village known for “Calabash style” seafood.
• Accommodation: Consider this large beachfront home. For more vacation rentals search here.

13. Lifeguarded Beach

• Distance from Raleigh: 204 miles
• Drive time: 2.45 hour drive to Swan Quarter Ferry Terminal, plus 2.5 hour car ferry
• Ideal for: everyone
• Facilities: parking, lifeguards
• Activities: beach fishing, swimming and surfing, kayak and paddle board on Silver Lake, Springer’s Point, sunset sail in Windfall Schooner, cruise around by golf cart.

Ok guys, this beach involves some effort, but trust me, going to Lifeguarded Beach on Ocraco*ke Island in the southern Outer Banks is totally worth it.

Ever wanted to step foot on the best beach in the USA? Lifeguarded Beach wasvoted best beach in Americain 2022 by coastal scientist Dr Beach.

Lifeguarded Beach won mostly because it has three things that you must have to make a great beach:clean sand, clean water, and beach safety.

And Ocraco*ke Island is awesome. We loved our 4-day stay there and getting around by golf cart or biking, going kayaking and paddle boarding, and eating and drinking local.

• Eat & Drink: SmacNalley’s Bar & Grill, Eduardo’s, Dajio Restaurant, Howard’s Pub, 1718 Brewing, Zellie’s Wine Bar.
• Accommodation: Consider these vacation rentals, boutique inns, or beachside camping.

14. Nags Head

• Distance from Raleigh: 196 miles
• Drive time: 3 hours drive
• Ideal for: families
• Facilities: bathrooms, BBQs, picnic shelters, parking, playgrounds, seasonal lifeguards
• Activities: hang gliding, surfing, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, kite flying, water sports

Nags Head is the closest beach to Raleigh in the Outer Banks region, and is also one of our favorite.

It’s a wild and rugged beach but far from isolated. It’s packed with attractions nearby, such as hang gliding experiences and surfing lessons.

If you’re looking for a beach to go surfing near Raleigh, this would be our top choice. It’s here that the ESA Surfing Competitiontakes place.

The beach itself is clean and has all the facilities you need to be comfortable.

If you prefer gentle waves for SUP or bodyboarding, head towards the pier where the waves are sheltered.

• Eat & Drink: Tortuga’s Liewas probably the best shrimp I’ve had in NC so far. AndFish Heads Bar & Grilleon the OBX Fishing Pier is an experience you have to have.Fresh Fit Cafefor breakfast. Also,Mulligan’s GrilleandMiller’s Waterfront Restaurant.
• Accommodation: Choose one of thesebeachfront homes in Nags Head.

15. Myrtle Beach

• Distance from Raleigh: 180 miles
• Drive time: 3 hours drive
• Ideal for: families
• Facilities: playgrounds, public restrooms and showers, pier, lifeguards
• Activities: walk along the boardwalk, ride the Sky Wheel, kayaking, Murrells Inlet, Mini Golf, Water Sports, Myrtle Beach Water Park

Located in South Carolina, Myrtle Beach is a prime beach vacation spot and is flanked by high-rise resorts and world-class hotel chains.

It’s the tourist capital of South Carolina for a reason – there are so many things to do!

As well as laze on the beach, you can walk along the famous1.2 mile stretch of boardwalkfrom 2nd Avenue Pier to just north of the 14th Ave Pier.

You will also find a water park, amusem*nt park, an aquarium and so much more to explore.

• Eat & Drink: RipTydz Oceanfront Grille, Wicked Tuna, River City Cafe
• Accommodation: we stayed at theRoyale Palmswhich is the latest addition to Kingston Resorts and is connected toHilton Myrtle Beach Resort.

16. Mirlo Beach

• Distance from Raleigh: 216 miles
• Drive time: approx 3 hours 20 minutes
• Ideal for: those looking for seclusion
• Facilities: parking
• Activities: beach fishing, swimming, surfing

Okay, so this one is technically a little more than 3 hours away but given that it’s only an additional 20 minutes’ drive and it’s the most secluded beach in NC on this list, I hope that we can be forgiven.

Located in the small town of Rodanthe in OBX, Mirlo Beach is a small, wild and untamed beach that’s completely untouched.

The beach is famous for being the setting of the movie, Nights in Rodanthe, although it’s still pretty unknown and never busy. In fact, the abandoned houses here are a quirky attraction, since they sit on stilts in the shoreline and look like something out of a horror movie.

The beach lacks any facilities, and can sometimes have strong rip currents, so it’s more a beach to laze on and admire the stillness than it is for swimming and playing on.

• Eat & Drink: Lisa Pizza
• Accommodation: check out this oceanside apartment for four people

17. Hammocks Beach

• Distance from Raleigh: 140 miles
• Drive time: 2 hours 24 minutes drive
• Ideal for: families
• Facilities: camping, boat ramp, picnic shelters, showers, public restrooms
• Activities: hiking, fishing, swimming, paddling, picnicking

Located in Hammocks Beach State Park, is Hammocks Beach. The beach is pristine and unspoiled, with soft, powdery white sand backed by grassy marshlands.

It’s the perfect beach for camping, with campsites sitting just behind the beach, allowing the sounds of the waves to lull you to sleep.

The beach has a gently sloping shoreline, perfect for paddling and swimming in, but since it’s in a state park there are limited facilities actually on the beach, but there are restrooms by the visitor center.

• Eat & Drink: Jordan’s Smokehouse and Seafood, Olea Mediterranean Kitchen, Yana’s Ye Olde Drugstore Restaurant
• Accommodation: Check out vacation rentals in Hammocks Beach State Park here.

Map Of These Raleigh Beaches

To help you plan your trip, here is a map of these beaches so you can plan your drive time and itinerary. You can download this map by clicking the square icon on the top-right corner.

Best NC Beaches Podcast Episode

Want to learn more about our favorite beaches near the City of Oaks? Here’s our podcast episode where we talk about everything beachy!

For those who may prefer watching a video of us podcasting, we filmed that for you too, which you’ll find onYouTube each week.

Moving to Raleigh?

If you are considering living in Raleigh and need a realtor, we can connect you with a trusted realtor in Raleigh by clicking here.

Then check out these other posts for more helpful info:

• Reasons we love living in Raleigh
• Interesting facts about Raleigh
• Top Neighborhoods in Raleigh (inside the beltline)
• The Most Amazing Experiences On The North Carolina Beaches (+ video)