In North Carolina, The Triangle Has Endless Entertainment Options!

The Triangle area of North Carolina consistently ranks among the best places to live in the U.S. People of all ages are migrating to a 4,800-square-mile area in eastern North Carolina. In addition to a vibrant economy, The Triangle has endless entertainment options to explore.

What are The Triangle Cities?

What is The Triangle in NC? The geographic area is composed of three cities that actually mark the points of a triangle: Durham is at the northern point, Chapel Hill is southwest, and Raleigh is southeast. Also known as The Research Triangle, the area is home to three of the most prestigious universities in the country: Duke University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University. 

This vast pool of knowledgeable and skilled people—the fourth largest concentration of PhDs  in the US—has contributed to the growth of The Triangle area, with major employers establishing headquarters and facilities here. With more than 700 international companies such as IBM, Google, Apple, Cisco Systems, Biogen, Fidelity Investments, and Pfizer, the job market is exciting. 

So, you can find a job within the towns and cities here but what are you going to do when you’re not working? Let’s look at the many things to do in NC’s Triangle.

Things to Do in The Triangle, NC. 

With such a diverse population of residents, The Triangle must feed their equally diverse tastes in leisure activities. Whether you’re a dedicated foodie or patron of the arts, a person who enjoys leisurely recreation or a thrill junkie, you can always find something to your liking.

Restaurants

With about 2.2 million residents in The Triangle in NC, there’s an endless menu of eateries to choose from. Name your taste at any given moment, narrow it down to fast food, casual, or fine dining, and then take your pick of dining options!

Here are a few that consistently rank at the top of locals’ favorite restaurant lists.

• Prime BBQ in Knightdale. The South is legendary for great barbecue and Prime BBQ’s pitmaster, Christopher Priesto has brought his Texas roots to the lucky diners at Prime BBQ. He’s a champion pitmaster, BBQ judge, nationally renowned author and teacher. Discover the difference that art and science make in the perfection of slow smoking meats. 

• Poole’s Diner in Raleigh. Who doesn’t love a good, old-fashioned diner? Poole’s Diner delivers the experience with reimagined comfort food that’s like what Mom used to make—if Mom liked to experiment with your favorites. Two-time James Beard award-winning chef Ashley Christensen opened Poole’s Diner in 2007 and her exquisite creations—using locally sourced ingredients—have continued to delight diners ever since (as well as prompting her to add more restaurants within the same building).

• Colletta in Cary. The name means “Collection” in Italian, an apt name for this Italian-American restaurant that changes its made-from-scratch menu to reflect seasonal shifts. A new restaurant in Cary’s popular Fenton area, Colletta transforms expected dishes—like lasagna bolognese, chicken parmesan, and margherita pizza—into an unexpected delight. And imagine what more you can experience on the lunch and dinner menus!

• Angus Barn in Raleigh. To call Angus Barn a steakhouse is like categorizing the Mona Lisa as a painting. Owner Van Eure has consistently earned industry awards for excellence and achievement, including Wine Spectator’s Grand Award and Best Steakhouse Award, as well as numerous awards for philanthropy and community outreach. Angus Barn is fine dining with rustic elegance, where steak lovers will be treated to a meal that spoils them for anything elsewhere. 

• Scratch Kitchen & Taproom in Apex and Cary. Like the name implies, everything on the menu is made from scratch. Even items that you consider conventional—BLT sandwich, Shrimp Po’ Boy, macaroni and cheese, grits, burgers—are uniquely prepared at Scratch Kitchen & Taproom. From brews to cocktails, appetizers to dessert, in Apex or Cary, your appetite will be satisfied here, and forever changed.

Breweries

Want to know what’s on tap in The Triangle in NC? Again, there are countless choices for brewpubs, so we’ll just give you a taste of a few.

• Trophy Brewing Company in multiple locations in Raleigh. So, three friends want to open a beer bar in Raleigh. It’s not the start of a joke but the beginning of a success story, for the three founders and all the beer aficionados who have benefitted from their passion for and pursuit of brewing excellence. Chosen Best Brewery in Wake County and one of the Best Breweries in The Triangle, Trophy Brewing is a dog-friendly place to gather for good food and great drinks.

• Burial Beer Company in Raleigh. With origins in Seattle and inspiration from New Orleans, Burial Beer began in Asheville, NC, later bringing its values-driven approach to  Raleigh. Their beer selection is infused with personality, like Poetic Techniques for Very
  Senseless Conclusions India Pale Ale, Shadowclock Pilsner, and Ritual Anonymity Dry-Hopped Pilsner.

• Oaklyn Springs Brewery in Apex and Fuquay Varina. Just a short drive from Raleigh, Oaklyn Springs Brewery is a local favorite, founded by actual locals! The craft brewery maintains a mouthwatering array of brews on tap on any given day, including Driving the Clydesdales Lager, Yung Otter’s Barley, Tikijacket Wheatbier, Blood Orange Cider, and Beetlejuice Vape Pen IPA.

• Oak City Brewing Company in Knightdale. Overlooking Knightdale Station Park, Oak City Brewing Company offers a great view, whether you’re looking at the scenery outside or the tempting libations inside. The brewmasters maintain a revolving selection of 20 guest beers on tap—as many as 1,500 different beers each year—ranging from cider to a sour.

• White Street Brewing Company in Wake Forest. New Orleans native Dino Radosta moved to North Carolina and fell in love with the area. Wanting to make his mark here, he restored a historic building and launched a brewhouse and taproom in 2012. The evolving menu features year-round favorites (Main Street Series) and limited release originals. 

Shopping

Retail therapy is everywhere in The Triangle in NC, from historic downtown districts with locally owned shops to town centers and districts.

• North Hills in Raleigh. Once an enclosed mall, North Hills is now a mixed-use shopping district that blends national retail brands with entertainment venues, plus outdoor events, like a farmer’s market.

• Fenton in Cary. Shop, dine, and play in Fenton, a mixed-use development that includes an outdoor skating rink and rooftop restaurant and bar where you can take in all the activity.

• Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh. Take your pick of about 200 stores at this premier shopping center. Go for a purposeful shopping errand or just browse for inspiration.

• Village District in Raleigh. Described as “an urban oasis”, the Village District offers a walkable experience where you can find well-known brands alongside local shops and eateries.

• Downtown Apex. One of Raleigh’s most vibrant suburbs, Apex is a great place to find a wealth of activity. #LoveLocalApex promotes the local businesses with their one-of-a-kind wares.

• Downtown Cary. This Raleigh suburb continues to evolve with the Imagine Cary Community Plan. On any visit, you’ll enjoy the charm, hospitality, and appealing array of shopping opportunities. 

Parks

Outdoor recreation is one of the most popular things to do in NC’s The Triangle. So many parks, each with their own character and amenities, give you the option to get a change of place for whatever pace you want.

• William B. Umstead State Park in Raleigh. Just 10 miles northwest of Raleigh, this sprawling state park presents so many options for outdoor recreation, including trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Camp, paddle, fish, or picnic on the grounds of Umstead State Park.

• Downtown Cary Park in Cary. Newly opened after 20 years in the making, the 7-acre Downtown Cary Park is an outstanding destination for any outdoors lover. Here, you’ll find a skating rink, amphitheater pavilion, dog park, botanical garden, art displays, plaza with an interactive fountain, recreation area, skywalk, splash pad, water feature, and so much more.

• Pullen Park in Raleigh. Pullen Park spans more than 66 acres, providing year-round activities. The Aquatic Center has an indoor Olympic pool and warm water therapy pool. Kids of all ages enjoy the amusement park’s rides, games, and kiddie boats. Outdoor play takes place at the various playgrounds, tennis courts, and athletic fields. And the Community Center, Art Center, and Theatre in the Park host performances, classes, events, and activities.

• Lake Benson/White Deer Park in Garner. There are numerous lakes and waterways in The Triangle in NC. Lake Benson Park dedicates 64 acres to fun on the water as well as the land. Walking trails, playgrounds, dog parks, are picnic shelters available at the park when you’re not making a splash in the lake.

• Knightdale Station Park in Knightdale. Spend a few hours or a full day at the facilities at the 71-acre park. Walk or hike the trails, picnic by the pond, let your canine companion run in the dog park, take in a performance at the amphitheater, or play on the playgrounds, splash pad, lawn, disc golf course, or athletic fields. 

• Fred G. Bond Metro Park in Cary. Recently upgraded, Bond Park is designed to accommodate every level of activity. From the energized kids on the playground to the adventure experienced on the challenge course, you can have fun at your own pace. The park includes Bond Lake (fishing and boating), a senior center, community center, hiking trails, and an amphitheater.

Contact Dream Finders Homes Today!

When considering living in North Carolina, The Triangle should top your list as the best place to call 'home.’ Dream Finders Homes builds communities of new homes for sale near Raleigh, NC, including  both townhomes and single-family homes. Our neighborhoods are in the most sought-after Raleigh suburbs: Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Knightdale, Spring Hope, Wake Forest, and Zebulon.