Family Fun in the Triangle: Our RV Adventure in Raleigh & Durham
With family in the RDU area, I’ve spent plenty of time in the Triangle. It’s not a typical tourism destination, but if you’re passing by, plan to stay for a few days – there’s plenty to see and even more things to do in Raleigh/Durham than you might expect, and if your family caravan includes a dog like mine does, you’ll love just how dog-friendly the area is! From exploring fascinating museums and historical sights to enjoying some top-notch food, and even some unique day trips, it’ll be a hit with the whole family!
A Tale of Three Cities
The three cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill make up the “Research Triangle”, and each city brings its own unique personality.
Raleigh
The source of classic Southern charm, Raleigh has a vibrant and historic downtown, a thriving arts scene, and plenty of green space to enjoy the beautiful weather. The streets are lined with lush trees, and the road near the North Carolina State Capitol has some fantastic restaurants (I miss The Mint, but there’s other delicious options). And North Carolina State University boasts a fantastic library with three locations – well worth the visit.
Durham
Durham is a bit edgier, a fitting vibe as it’s an innovative hub. Whether you catch a Bulls game or see a show at DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center), there’s an activity for every interest.
Chapel Hill
We have classic, we have trendy, and Chapel Hill rounds out the scene with those All-American college town vibes. Bookstores and cafes line the streets near UNC-Chapel Hill, and plenty of museums offer both fun and some new knowledge.
Where to Stay
So, I typically RV into Raleigh, and I like to stay at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds Campground. It’s located just outside of downtown Raleigh, so it’s quiet but still so convenient to Hillsborough Street, as well as the highway to Durham, Chapel Hill, and beyond. It’s not too expensive, has full hookups, and has always felt very safe (important since I travel with my daughter!). Plus, since horse and farm shows are held there, there’s plenty of space to walk Ariel!
If you’re looking for a hotel, the Longleaf Hotel is a quirky place to stay with mid-century décor and a location near the city center, giving you access to….well, everything. And you’ll still be on one of the main roads, where you can easily access the highway for exploration!
Where To Eat
One of the best parts of traveling is culinary exploration. We all know it’s true! And the Triangle gives you three times the delicious fun! Here’s our top picks in each city.
Raleigh
Big Al’s BBQ
Head up to Wake Forest for the best barbecue in North Carolina. People say the Pit is the best barbecue in Raleigh, but I’ll say it – they’re wrong. Big Al’s is one of those hidden gems that only the locals know about, and it’s one you do NOT want to miss. They have an entire barbecue sauce bar where you can try different flavors. Their brisket is so tender, it’s going to just dissolve in your mouth, but honestly, everything comes out of their kitchen tastes great, so go hungry and ready to try everything. Plus, their family packs are perfect for taking on a picnic, or to the drive-in movie!
Dante’s
In North Raleigh, in a little strip mall is this hole-in-the-wall joint. When you first arrive and see the non-descript exterior, you’re going to think I’m nuts and consider leaving. Don’t. Inside is Italian cooking at its’ finest. The eggplant rollatini is perfectly made, the mozzarella has that iconic cheese pull – and that’s before you even get your salads! By the end of the meal, between the food and the service, you’re going to want to just live there forever. It’s really a don’t-miss stop!
Angus Barn
Honestly, I don’t think anyone should miss Raleigh’s most iconic restaurant. The Angus Barn is not just a restaurant but a landmark. It’s pricy (makes me cry a little), but fortunately they aren’t just relying on their reputation – the food really is fantastic. Trying to get your kids hooked on vegetables? Order the brussels sprouts and you’ll end all those fights over eating something green with dinner. Make reservations though, especially around holidays – the restaurant is extremely popular and fills up sometimes.
Durham
Boricua Soul
This little place on the American Tobacco Campus serves up some Puerto-Rican-meets-Southern dishes that you couldn’t imagine and don’t want to miss. The Cuban sandwich is delicious, and their fries are some of the best in town. Traveling with a vegetarian? Their bowls can be topped with jackfruit instead of meat! It’s a great place for lunch, trendy and innovative without becoming pretentious.
KoKyu
Looking for a bit more Asian influence? KoKyu offers Japanese-inspired barbecue, with some Mexican influence thrown in. The Dojo Steak Tacos are a stand-out item, or the burnt end nachos, especially paired with their frozen mango lemonade. And they are located at Southpoint Mall, where you can easily spend a day shopping!
Ekhaya
Another American Tobacco Campus joint, Ekhaya brings African flavors to North Carolina. The kabobs are a great choice with some spice (but not too much), and save room for the magwinya – a pastry dessert topped with a beautiful custard.
Chapel Hill
Bluebird
This sweet little Parisian-inspired bistro is the go-to brunch spot. It’s not even a question, you’ll want to get the French toast (pain perdu). Just do it. It’s a little pricy for breakfast, but so worth it.
Alpaca
An unassuming Peruvian joint, Alpaca has a very limited menu, but what they do, they do very, very well. Your options include chicken, or chicken, or…oh, did I mention chicken? That’s what they serve – charcoal chicken. Get it with rice, a side of beans, and as much of the green sauce (that’s what it’s called, it’s not the cilantro sauce, which is also green) as you can convince them to hand over.
Sutton’s
Any good college town has a good diner, and Chapel Hill is no exception. Sutton’s is the place to go. Quaint and friendly, you’ll want to keep your order simple – Oreo milkshake, a burger, and chili cheese fries. It’s cheaper than Burger King and tastes way better.
What To Do
You’re fed, you’re housed, now you need to be entertained. So, the question is…what do you want to do?
See some colleges
You have three great options in the Triangle (more, really, but three big ones). North Carolina State University in Raleigh has a gorgeous campus, awesome nightlife, and hosts a fantastic vet school.
Durham is home to Duke University, which hosts a great medical school and offers some excellent technology degrees. It also houses the Duke Lemur Center, which has the most diverse population of lemurs outside of their native Madagascar – you won’t want to miss that.
Chapel Hill is, as I said, home to the University of North Carolina, with another medical school, and it is also well known for its nursing and education programs. It’s one of the three oldest universities in the country, founded in 1793, and it has produced some famous people, including President James K. Polk, actor Andy Griffith, and sports superstar Michael Jordan.
Catch a game
Sports fans won’t be bored. RDU has the Durham Bulls (baseball) and the Carolina Hurricanes (hockey), plus various college teams, so it’s easy to catch a game.
The Arts Scene
The Triangle loves the arts. For live theater, it’s pretty hard to beat the Durham Energy Center for the Performing Arts (DPAC) which has the traveling Broadway cast come every year. In Raleigh, you can spend a day at the North Carolina Museum of Art near the Fairgrounds, which has everything from modern to Impressionist disciplines, but even better is to wander through the smaller galleries downtown.
Durham has a rich musical history, and is still a great place to discover new talent, no matter the genre. Bigger artists often play at Raleigh’s Walnut Creek stadium, and in the summer, there’s nothing like relaxing on the lawn while listening to some of your favorite rock music.
Science Lovers
Chapel Hill is where you go for some entertaining education. The Morehead Planetarium is a can’t miss, and some of the astronauts in the Apollo program trained there. In Raleigh, you can also easily spend a day at the Museum of Natural Sciences, and kids will love some time to play and learn at Marbles Kids Museum.
History Buffs
The Triangle has…just so many historical sites. Bennett Place in Durham is the site of General Johnston’s surrender to General Sherman during the Civil War, and the house has been reconstructed to display the life of Southern farmers during Antebellum times. The Mordecai House in Raleigh is the oldest home in the area, and still hosts the boyhood home of President Andrew Johnson.
Dog-Friendly Triangle
You’re probably wondering by this point how Ariel spends her days when we’re in Raleigh. Well, the city is extremely dog-friendly! Wander the City Market, relax at Crank-Arm Brewing Company, hit any of the numerous dog parks – furry friends are even allowed in some of the bookstores! Plus, just outside the Triangle are endless hiking trails, lakes, and places to explore.
Special Events for Extra Fun
North Carolina State Fair
The NC State Fair is pretty impressive – rides, concerts, games, of course, but they also have some pretty amazing marketplaces for local artisan goods! You can also see the 4H shows. Held in October, the weather is perfect for fun, and people travel hours to attend.
The Dessertery
If you have a sweet tooth, you won’t want to miss this event. It’s essentially a giant dessert bar held in the Kennedy Theatre, with live music, more sweet treats than you can even fathom, rich hot chocolate, and sometimes, Santa!
A Dickens Holiday
Hosted in nearby Fayetteville, the entire downtown area turns into A Christmas Carol, and yes, you will see Marley and the three ghosts of Christmas floating around. Held just after Thanksgiving, it’s a truly magical experience you won’t want to miss.
Exploring Beyond the City Limits
As if the Triangle doesn’t have enough going on, there are also several riveting day trips. Some of our favorites include:
North Carolina Zoo
Located in Asheboro, the North Carolina Zoo is pretty impressive, featuring over 250 different species and 1,700 animals. They do a lot of conservation work, and have fascinating special events designed to raise awareness about the animals.
Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem is best known for Old Salem, the historic Moravian district founded in 1766 and preserved as a living history museum. Try Moravian cookies, see the artistry of a blacksmith, and learn about the history – the whole family will have fun.
Roanoke Island
Roanoke Island – yes, the site of the lost Roanoke colony, whose settlers mysteriously vanished is just 3 hours from Raleigh. Regardless of their tragic end, it’s a place of great history – Native American tribes have lived there since 8000 BC, the first English child born in America was Virginia Dare on Roanoke Island, and it was the site of a Freedman colony during the Civil War, housing slaves freed by the Union army.
So add Raleigh to your bucket list of destinations – you’ll be shocked just how much fun you’ll have. From museums and history to thrilling sports and amazing food, Raleigh is one of those underrated destinations that we visit regularly.
