Our picks for low- to no-cost things to do in Wake, Durham, Orange and Chatham counties
Wake County
Outdoor Movie Nights at Downtown Cary Park
327 S. Academy St., Cary – March 13-Nov. 6
Admission: Free
Grab a blanket or chairs for movies under the stars at Downtown Cary Park. Upcoming movies this summer include “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Hamilton.”
Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival
316 N. Academy St., Cary – Aug. 22-23
Admission: Free
Enjoy this annual two-day arts and crafts festival featuring nearly 300 artists, a beer garden, live music, children’s activities and various food and drink vendors at Cary Town Hall Campus.
Pullen Park
520 Ashe Ave., Raleigh
Admission: Free
Pullen Park has great historical significance, as it was the first public park in North Carolina and is one of the oldest operating amusement parks in the United States. Attractions include carnival games, a carousel, kiddie boats and a train, and tickets for each ride are $2 per person. Guests can also play on the playground or tennis courts, or visit the Pullen Place Cafe.
RDU Observation Park
W. International Dr., Morrisville
Admission: Free
The RDU Observation Park invites visitors to experience the excitement of flight with extraordinary views of Raleigh-Durham International Airport’s 10,000-foot runway. Soak in the sights and sounds of aircraft takeoffs and landings between 9 a.m. and sunset every day on the elevated observation platform, all while listening to pilot-tower communication dialogue from audio speakers. There’s also a picnic area, play zone, educational placards and a lawn.
Wake Forest Historical Museum
414 N. Main St., Wake Forest
Admission: Free
The downtown Wake Forest Historical Museum offers a journey through the town’s rich history, showcasing artifacts and exhibits that illuminate its past and chronicle its evolution from humble beginnings to a lively present-day community. The museum also provides self-guided and guided tours of the Calvin Jones House, the oldest building in Wake Forest’s Historic District at 414 North Main St. that was once a residence and boarding house. Don’t miss out on Last Fridays in Hillsborough, a celebration of art, culture and community each month from April to October. No matter the weather, attendees can immerse themselves in a diverse range of activities from poetry readings and exhibit openings to live music at various venues.
State Farmers Market
1201 Agriculture St., Raleigh
Admission: Free; Produce must be purchased
Shop locally-grown summer produce at the State Farmers Market. The market also features a garden center with plants and other garden supplies, as well as specialty shops and three restaurants.
Historic Yates Mill County Park
4620 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh
Admission: Free
Historic Yates Mill County Park in Raleigh features a restored gristmill that dates back to the 1700s and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The park’s variety of family-friendly public programs incorporate history, nature, agricultural and recreational topics.
Beech Bluff County Park
3321 NC 42, Willow Spring
Admission: Free
Originally owned and operated as agricultural farmland, Beech Bluff County Park sits on 300 acres in southeastern Wake County. The community space features a multiuse lawn, a canopy walk and a playground.
Dix Park
1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh
Admission: Free
Join the approximately 100,000 people who visit the sunflower fields at Dix Park in July when they are in peak bloom. The park’s Gipson Play Plaza is the largest adventure playground in the Southeast, providing 18.5 acres of play structures made from natural materials, plus gardens, picnic areas and more.
Durham County
Durham Central Park
501 Foster St., Durham
Admission: Free
Create a design at Durham Central Park’s interactive Pixel Wall, catch some tricks at the skate park, explore its gardens or just relax. DCP also hosts regular free-to-attend events like yoga, food truck rodeos, farmers markets and concerts, which are announced on the park’s website and Instagram account.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
420 Anderson St., Durham
Admission: Free
Stroll around this 55-acre botanic garden and take in the summer blooms, including lilies, lotuses, hydrangeas and more. The garden also features terraces and smaller gardens with historic bridges and gazebos, as well as an arboretum showcasing plants from eastern Asia.
Boxyard RTP
900 Park Offices Dr., Research Triangle Park
Admission: Free
The BeatBox stage at Boxyard RTP – a hub for dining, shopping and entertainment in Research Triangle Park built from repurposed shipping containers – hosts a game night every Wednesday and musicians Thursdays through Saturdays. Next door at Hub RTP, enjoy monthly Concerts on the Creek featuring regional artists in an open-air atmosphere.
CenterFest
Downtown Durham – Sept. 19-20
Admission: Free
Presented by the Durham Arts Council, this is the longest-running street arts festival in North Carolina and the largest arts and community festival in Durham. The two-day event showcases paintings, photography, sculptures, jewelry, crafts and more by juried artists as well as entertainment, food and fun for the whole family in downtown’s City Center.
Counter Culture Coffee
812 Mallard Ave, Durham
Admission: Free; Coffee must be purchased
Get a taste of what goes into a sustainable signature cup of Joe at Counter Culture Coffee. Explore different beans and brewing options during a complimentary tasting Fridays at 10 a.m. in the company’s Mallard Avenue headquarters in Durham.
Eno River
4404 Guess Rd., Durham
Admission: Free
Explore the Eno River’s vibrant blooms during guided hikes with the Eno River Association throughout the year. Starting locations vary and hikes are typically around 2 or 2.5 hours, suitable for adults and children accompanied by an adult. Almost 5,000 acres are protected and ready for you to discover. The hiking trails are located in both Durham and Orange County.
Orange County
Summer Farm Days at Spring Haven Farm
5306 Homer Ruffin Rd., Chapel Hill – May 13-Sept. 13
Admission: $15.95 per person; Free for children younger than three
Get up close and personal with farm animals that love a good snuggle. Guests can interact with Scottish Highland cows, goats, horses, emus, pigs and more. A tractor train ride is included in the ticket, and guests can also mine for gems for an extra fee.
Maple View Farm Ice Cream
6900 Rocky Ridge Rd., Hillsborough
Admission: Free; Ice cream must be purchased
Maple View Farm has been producing milk and milk products for over 60 years, and its ice cream shop is one of the more unique stores of its kind in the Triangle. The shop offers 12 regular flavors in addition to seasonal ones. Bring a blanket and sit on the grass or grab a rocking chair on the shop’s porch and enjoy your ice cream with a view, as the shop overlooks acres of picturesque farmland.
Carolina North Forest
Chapel Hill
Admission: Free
Explore this section of UNC‘s North campus, which boasts 750 acres of woodlands. Choose from numerous hiking trails on the property, including one paved walking trail and stay cool beneath the trees’ dense coverage.
Fridays on the Front Porch
211 Pittsboro St., Chapel Hill
Admission: Free
Start your weekend off on the right dancing foot at one of Chapel Hill’s favorite outdoor gatherings hosted at The Carolina Inn every Friday from May to October, 5-8 p.m. Stop by with the whole family for free outdoor music, plus food truck fare, handcrafted cocktails and local beer.
Ackland Art Museum
101 S. Columbia St., Chapel Hill
Admission: Free
Experience the Ackland Art Museum in detail with free half-hour tours led by the knowledgeable staff. Gain fresh insights into the artwork from the museum’s newest exhibits during these lively sessions held multiple times a month.
Last Fridays in Hillsborough
Downtown Hillsborough
Admission: Free
Don’t miss out on this monthly celebration of art, culture and community running every last Friday of the month from April to October. Rain or shine, attendees can immerse themselves in a diverse range of free activities from poetry readings and exhibit openings to live music at various venues throughout historic Hillsborough.
Chatham County
Town Lake Park
529 NC Highway 902, Pittsboro
Admission: Free
Visit Pittsboro’s first park – once used for the town’s water supply – featuring a fishing pier, picnic shelter, soccer field and a number of trails. Bring your binoculars if you visit, as it is a particularly good spot for birding.
Old Fashioned Farmers’ Days
4221 Silk Hope Rd., Siler City – Sept. 5-6
Admission: $5 per person; Free for children younger than seven
Celebrate this 51st annual event at Silk Hope Farm Heritage Park featuring working farm animals, displays of equipment and tools as well as family-friendly live entertainment, games, food and ice cream.
Carolina Sunshine Alpaca Farm
7084 U.S. Highway 64 W., Pittsboro
Admission: $7 per person in advance; $9 per person day-of; Free for children younger than three
Spend a leisurely day at the farm while petting, feeding or just watching the alpacas. Kids can play yard games, enjoy a bubble machine or draw with sidewalk chalk. Book in advance for discounted tickets.
Bynum Front Porch
950 Bynum Rd., Pittsboro
Admission: Free
Stop by Bynum Front Porch in Pittsboro for its Friday Night Music Series as bands take the outdoor stage from 7-8:30 p.m. every Friday from May to August, rain or shine. This event, which began in 2001 to support the Bynum General Store, celebrates the enduring community spirit of the former cotton mill village. Enjoy a variety of musical genres and fare from local vendors under the night sky. Feeling musical? Join in on the Bluegrass Jam Circle every second and fourth Saturday from 10 a.m-noon.
PRO TIP
“One of my favorite things to do is go to Drive Shack in Raleigh before noon. You’ll save $20/hour compared to going in the evening. It’s really a very reasonably priced activity if you bring a bunch of friends!”
– Jessica Stringer, editor, Chapel Hill Magazine
Want more out of your weekends in Raleigh, Durham and beyond? Check out our calendar or follow us on Instagram for fun upcoming events!
