The Ultimate Triangle Checklist - The Triangle Weekender

The Ultimate Triangle Checklist

Must-dos to make the most out of life in North Carolina's Triangle region

Must-dos to make the most of life in the Triangle

Order a legendary BLT (single, double or triple) at Merritt’s Grill in Chapel Hill.
Indulge in a Pickle Juice Caesar and Macaroni Au Gratin at Poole’s.
Grab a Blue Cup and soak up the atmosphere at He’s Not Here.
Sample locally crafted chocolate at Videri Chocolate Factory or Escazú Chocolates in Raleigh.
Enjoy fresh seafood at Durham’s Saltbox Seafood Joint, where the catch arrives daily from the North Carolina coast.
Discover your next favorite brewery, cidery or distillery and raise a glass to locally crafted beverages.
Spend an afternoon eating, shopping and exploring at The Plant in Pittsboro.
Take a Triangle Food & City Tour or Taste Carolina food tour to experience the region one bite at a time.
Relax with a smoothie or açaí bowl on the patio at The Purple Bowl.
Have a Durham burger showdown and decide your favorite among King’s Sandwich Shop, Dain’s Place, QueenBurger, Bull City Burger & Brewery, Bar Virgile and OnlyBurger.

Walk, run or bike the American Tobacco Trail, Hillsborough’s Riverwalk or the Neuse River Greenway Trail.
Hike to the summit at Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area.
Explore the trails, rivers and wildlife of Umstead State Park in Cary or Eno River State Park in Durham.
Spend a day kayaking, fishing, swimming, paddleboarding or boating at Jordan Lake or Falls Lake.

Challenge yourself on the Bond Park Challenge Course in Cary.
Take a scenic wooded excursion over a historic train track aboard the New Hope Valley Railway in New Hill, or ride the train at The Museum of Life and Science in Durham.
Experience peak lavender season at Lavender Oaks Farm.
Play a round of disc golf at Cedar Hills Park or Leigh Farm Park.
Spend a summer evening watching the sunset from Dorothea Dix Park’s Big Field.

Stop and smell the roses at the Raleigh Rose Garden, wander the paths of Sarah P. Duke Gardens or explore the flora at the JC Raulston Arboretum or the North Carolina Botanical Garden.
Shop for flowers, produce and local goods at your local farmers market (see page 48 for a list!) or year-round farm stand.
IMAGE: 042624-StateFarmersMarket-11.jpg
[credit] Photo by John Michael Simpson
The State Farmers Market in Raleigh is open year-round, seven days a week.
Picnic at Merritt’s Pasture before exploring nearby trails.
Stroll Poet’s Walk at Ayr Mount in Hillsborough.

Explore the latest exhibitions at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, and look for all the sculptures in its 164-acre museum park.
Browse original art at Frank Gallery, Peel Gallery + Photo Lab and The ArtsCenter in Carrboro.
Visit our university art museums: the Ackland Art Museum in Chapel Hill, the Gregg Museum of Art & Design at NC State and the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University.
Attend monthly art walks when galleries stay open late on third Fridays in Durham, first Fridays in Raleigh or last Fridays in Hillsborough.
Take an art, pottery, photography or drawing workshop at ClayWorx, the newly reopened Eno Arts Mill or The Centerpiece.
Catch a touring Broadway show at the Durham Performing Arts Center.
Experience a performance from Carolina Performing Arts or Duke Arts Presents.

Explore four floors of discovery at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
Spend an afternoon at Marbles Kids Museum.

Learn about local history at the Museum of Durham History.
Visit the Burwell School Historic Site and discover the story of Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley. While you’re in Hillsborough, go south a block to the Orange County Historical Museum for another blast from the past.
Tour the Horace Williams House in Chapel Hill.
Learn about Chatham County’s past at the Chatham Historical Museum.
Get a library card and explore your local branch.

Experience Tobacco Road rivalry season by attending a Duke, UNC or NC State basketball game.
Cheer on the Durham Bulls or Carolina Blaze at a summer ballgame.
IMAGES in JMS Weekender folder 2026
[credit] Photo by John Michael Simpson
Catch the Carolina Hurricanes on the ice at Lenovo Center fresh off their Stanley Cup win and experience the loudest fans in the NHL!

Attend a North Carolina Courage match at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Join the crowd for UNC’s Old Well Walk before a football game.
Visit the Carolina Basketball Museum, Duke Athletics Hall of Fame or NC State Athletics Walk of Fame.
Learn to climb or take an intro class at The Boulder Garden or Triangle Rock Club.

Wander through American Tobacco Campus and snap a photo of the Lucky Strike Tower.
Browse vintage home and clothing finds at Rumors, Dolly’s Vintage, Father & Son, Screaming for Vintage, Durham Vintage Collective or Flying Apple Vintage.
Hunt for treasures at The Raleigh Market or find a pair of quirky earrings at Light Years Jewelry.
Ride the Historic Raleigh Trolley or take a free walking tour with Preservation Durham.
Ride your bike down Franklin Street and admire Chapel Hill’s public art and murals.

Snap a photo at the iconic “Greetings from Chapel Hill” mural by muralist Scott Nurkin or with “Major the Bull” in downtown Durham.

Spend a rainy day at the Carolina Theatre, Varsity Theatre or Lumina Theater.
Play retro arcade games at Boxcar Bar + Arcade or The Baxter.
Fly through obstacle courses and ziplines at OC Aerial or TreeRunner Adventure Park & Putt Forest.

Explore Hideaway Woods, a sprawling treehouse and stream that encourages nature play, at the Museum of Life and Science.
Enjoy a popsicle from Locopops on a warm afternoon.

Tour Carolina Tiger Rescue and meet rescued big cats and other wildlife.
Volunteer, foster or adopt a pet from a local shelter or rescue organization, like Hope Animal Rescue, APS of Durham, Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge or Chatham Animal Rescue and Education.
Book a tour at Duke Lemur Center and learn more about its 12 resident species, including nearly 250 lemurs, bush babies and aye-ayes.
IMAGE: Lemur Center courtesy of Discover Durham

Visit Fearrington Village and say hello to the famous belted cows, goats and chickens.
Visit cat cafés Cat Tales in Chapel Hill or Purr Cup in Raleigh and connect with adoptable cats while enjoying your favorite caffeinated beverage.