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  • Destination: Raleigh, NC
    Description: Five days exploring Raliegh, Durham and Chapel Hill.

  • Day 1 (4 schedule items)
    • Flight arrives in the evening

    • A Raleigh, NC Save this

      • Raleigh

        The adjoining cities of Raleigh and Durham in North Carolina are two of the three cities that make up "the Triangle" in the central Wake County (the third is Chapel Hill). Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and home to North Carolina State University, North Carolina's largest, while Durham is home to the prestigious Duke University.

        There are plenty of natural attractions and superb hiking in this beautiful area and Raleigh/Durham is known for its trendy arts culture. There is an unusual concentration of four star restaurants mixed up with eclectic cafes. You'll find old hippies, bikers and families in generally happy co-existence. The area has a very active gay community which stages both a famed regional film festival and an annual pride march.

        Raleigh is home to many museums, such as the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and several major performance venues, such as the Alltel Pavilion at Walnut Creek.

        [Full Description]

    • Pick up rental car at airport

    • B Sheraton Raleigh Hotel - Raleigh, United States - TravelMuse Save this

      • Sheraton Raleigh Hotel - Raleigh, United States - TravelMuse

        Sheraton Raleigh Hotel is adjacent to the convention center and BTI Theater, approximately 15 miles from Durham/Raleigh International Airport. It is also located in downtown Raleigh and approximately 20 miles from Durham. Hotel amenities include the Grove Cafe (American fare in a garden atrium), lounge, cappuccino bar, indoor pool, fitness room, and concierge. The hotel also offers room service, valet laundry service, parking, and free weekday newspapers. All rooms feature air-conditioning, clock radios, cable TV, coffeemakers, desks, irons and ironing boards, and telephones. There is a 1.50 fee for Local calls.
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  • Day 2 (6 schedule items)
    • C North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and, Durham Save this

      • North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and

        Founded in 1902, this museum is committed to exploring and preserving North Carolina's rich heritage. Among the permanent exhibits is the Sports Hall of Fame, North Carolina folk life, and David Marshall "Carbine" Williams, a famous inventor of weapons innovations. There is a variety of changing exhibits available to explore as well. The museum houses a large collection of artifacts that represent agriculture, costumes, furnishings, sports and leisure and more. Admission is free. A great place to take the kids.
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    • D North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC - Rat, Durham Save this

      • North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC - Rat

        Explore the natural wonders of North Carolina, from the depths of the ocean across to the mountains, complete with a 20-foot (6-meter) waterfall. See North Carolina as it was, in a re-creation of six prehistoric habitats. This is home to the only Acorcanthosaurus discovered in the world, and Willo, the first dinosaur found with a fossilized heart. The Discovery Room is full of interactive exhibits. Looking for that perfect gift? The Nature Gallery has original nature-themed artwork available. There is a restaurant on site. The general admission is free of charge. There is a cover charge for special exhibits. Children under 13 years must be accompanied by an adult. The Discovery Room, Naturalist Center, and Living Conservatory remain closed on Mondays.
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    • E North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Info, Durham Save this

      • North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Info

        The State Capitol looks much the same today as it did back in 1840. Originally built between 1792 and 1796, it burned in 1831 and the government set out to build a new, more majestic, Capitol. Today it stands proud on Union Square, one of the best-preserved examples of Greek-Revival style architecture in America. The centerpiece of the impressive rotunda is a statue of George Washington dressed in a Roman tunic. The building's history is a colorful one, with stories of ghosts roaming and secret spy rooms. Free guided tours.
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    • F North Carolina Executive Mansion, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and, Durham Save this

      • North Carolina Executive Mansion, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and

        Initially, governors of North Carolina resided in the coastal area, but political and military officials feared the Governor's coastal quarters made him too vulnerable to attacks by the British. Now located in Raleigh, the current Executive Mansion is the third and certainly the most ornate of all the governor's homes. Built in Queen Anne style, this Victorian creation boasts elaborate woodwork. Tours are offered of the parlors, ballroom and dining room. Spend time wandering through the beautiful gardens surrounding the mansion. Free admission. Guided tours by appointment.
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    • G Historic Oakwood, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information - Tr, Durham Save this

      • Historic Oakwood, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information - Tr

        Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Oakwood is an enchanting neighborhood of restored and carefully maintained Victorian and Antebellum homes. It offers an ideal view for a stroll. Lovely anytime of the year, Oakwood is truly at its finest at the annual Christmas Candlelight Tour and in the spring, when the gardens put on their best show. Bordered by Franklin, Watauga, Linden, Jones and Person Streets. Close to the Executive Mansion.
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    • H Tír na nÓg, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information - TravelMu, Durham Save this

      • Tír na nÓg, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information - TravelMu

        The Gaelic translation of Tír na nÓg means "land of eternal youth," and for anyone who's eaten here, that land also includes great food and a long list of beers. Step through the stone archway into an open warehouse style dining area where simple wooden tables and chairs line the tile floors and brick lines the walls. The expected Irish Stew shares the menu with a tender pecan encrusted pork loin and Boxty, a traditional Irish potato pancake stuffed with your choice of succulent fillings. Live music fills the air on weekends.
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  • Day 3 (5 schedule items)
    • I State Farmers Market, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information, Durham Save this

      • State Farmers Market, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information

        This market is a watercolor painting come to life; row upon row of bushels full of green peppers, purple eggplant, red tomatoes, yellow squash and so much more. It's a treat for the eye and the stomach as local vendors hawk their wares with samples, offering a luscious chunk of peach or watermelon. After you've stocked up on produce, stroll to sections selling plants and flowers, confections and arts and crafts. If all this whets your appetite, there are two restaurants, one country-style, the other, seafood.
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    • J City Market, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information - TravelM, Durham Save this

      • City Market, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information - TravelM

        City Market, built in the early 1900s, still holds a lot of old world charm. Converted in 1988 to house shops, art galleries and restaurants, the original cobblestone streets, accented with period lampposts, are dotted with park benches. There is a festival atmosphere on the weekends, when the trees are lit in the evenings and live music plays on the streets. Couples holding hands stroll by while children dance and older folks sit tapping their toes. A trolley runs Thursday through Saturday nights, offering free transportation to other downtown locales.
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    • K Big Ed's City Market Restaurant, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and I, Durham Save this
    • L Artspace, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information - TravelMuse, Durham Save this

      • Artspace, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information - TravelMuse

        Located at City Market in downtown Raleigh, Artspace offers a unique experience in the visual arts. The large, non-descript building houses a three-story lobby with a contemporary style winding staircase, three exhibition galleries and more than 40 artists at work in open studios. A variety of mediums such as clay, metal, mixed media and paint are used. Lectures, classes for all ages, juried exhibitions and demonstrations offer plenty to fill an afternoon. General admission is free. Classes and exhibits may carry a fee.
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    • M Exploris, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information - TravelMuse, Durham Save this

      • Exploris, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information - TravelMuse

        This interactive museum is a far cry from the dark, dusty museums of the past. Built with the idea of making learning interesting and fun, it is filled with exhibits that those both young and old will find fascinating. Touch a piece of the Berlin Wall and hear first-person accounts of how lives changed when the wall fell. See beautiful Senegalese art made from trash. The moving "One Voice: From the Pen of Anne Frank" is a must-see. The museum also has a large and fully staffed play area for children from the ages of infancy to seven years old.
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  • Day 4 (6 schedule items)
    • OBSN - The Voice of the Occaneechi Nation Save this
    • Burwell School Historic Site Save this
    • N Morehead Planetarium, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information, Durham Save this

      • Morehead Planetarium, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information

        This is one of the largest planetariums in the country. The immense domed Star Theater houses a completely automated Zeiss Model VI Star Projector, one of very few in the world. Shows include "Solar System Adventure," for older students and adults, "Sol & Company" for the youngsters and "Larry, Cat in Space" for the preschool set. Tickets go on sale one half-hour before show time.
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    • O Ackland Art Museum, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information -, Durham Save this

      • Ackland Art Museum, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information -

        Dedicated in 1958 and renovated in the early 1990s, this museum features everything from European paintings by the Old Masters to contemporary American works. Asian and African art that spans the ages is among the thousands of works on display. Paintings and sculpture by such well-known artists as Degas and Pisarro are part of its permanent collection. The museum hosts four to six temporary exhibits annually which in the past have included famous artists the likes of Andy Warhol and Edvard Munch. Admission is free.
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    • P Franklin Street Shopping District, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and, Durham Save this

      • Franklin Street Shopping District, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and

        This shopping and dining district runs all the way from East to West Franklin Street, parallel to the University of North Carolina's main campus in Chapel Hill. An eclectic mix of shops and restaurants, most independently owned, draw everyone from young families to retirees. Shop for hip fashions, jewelry and sports gear, then pull up a chair on the quaint patio at Top of the Hill and imbibe in some of its signature Herbed Fried Chicken. Accepted credit cards vary.
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    • Q Cosmic Cantina, Chapel Hill, NC, Durham Save this

      • Cosmic Cantina, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information - Trav

        This popular Mexican takeaway restaurant located on Franklin Street and close enough to stop at between classes at the nearby University of North Carolina. Typical Mexican cuisine including burritos, quesadillas, tacos, salads and more for either the carnivores or vegetarians. Plenty of Mexican and microbrews bottles available, and pitchers of margaritas and sangria too. Expect there to be a line if arriving late on the weekends.
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  • Day 5 (7 schedule items)
    • R North Carolina Museum of Life and Science, Raleigh, NC - Rat, Durham Save this

      • North Carolina Museum of Life and Science, Raleigh, NC - Rat

        Walk through a tornado, experiment with water pumps and surround yourself in a giant bubble. Watch in wonder as exotic butterflies float by in the Magic Wings Butterfly House and feel a chill go up your spine as you visit with un-caged giant orb spiders. Home to an actual Apollo Command Module and Neil Armstrong's space suit, this museum makes the history of space travel come to life.
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    • S Duke University Chapel, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Informatio, Durham Save this

      • Duke University Chapel, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Informatio

        Built in the early 1930s, the tower of Duke Chapel soars 210 feet (65 meters) into the sky. James B. Duke, founder of the chapel, felt that its presence would influence the spiritual lives of Duke students. Fine ornamentation, stained glass and four beautifully crafted organs, including a Flentrop or "Bach's organ," draw thousands of admirers each year. The superior acoustics showcase the moving a cappella hymns of the choir beautifully.
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    • T Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information, Durham Save this

      • Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information

        In the early 1920s, planners were set to create a lake in the valley that is now Duke Gardens. Funds were short back then and they began planting instead. Now, this is one of the most beautiful scenes around. Comprised of three main sections, the original Terraces, the Blomquist Garden of Native plants and the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum, the gardens are a treat all year round but make their best show in spring when the tulips are blooming. Bring a picnic and set out a blanket among the flora or just meditate under a shady tree. Admission is free. Sarah P.Duke Gardens open daily at 8am.
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    • U Ninth Street Shopping District, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and In, Durham Save this

      • Ninth Street Shopping District, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and In

        Ninth Street, with its striped awnings and shady sidewalks, harkens back to the days when things moved more slowly and people watching at an outdoor cafe was a favorite pastime. Billing itself as "Durham's alternative shopping district," 9th Street is located in historic Old West Durham, two blocks from Duke University's East Campus. Park the car and window-shop past clothing and jewelry stores, browse the books at Regulator Bookshop and Java Café, and then pull up a stool at MacDonald's Drug Store, a 1916-style shop with an old-fashioned soda fountain.
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    • V Brightleaf Square, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information - T, Durham Save this

      • Brightleaf Square, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information - T

        Once the center of Durham's famously successful tobacco industry, Brightleaf Square is housed in two large early 20th-century brick warehouses. Stroll the original cobblestone walks and enjoy the flower-filled courtyard that separates the two buildings. Inside you'll find high-end specialty shops catering to young Durham professionals. Check out the latest men's fashions at B. Hyman and Company, browse the wares at Horizon Gallery and hunt for that perfect accent piece at James Kennedy Antiques, Ltd. After shopping, enjoy lunch or dinner at Taverna Nikos or Satisfaction. Accepted credit cards vary by store.
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    • W Taverna Nikos, Durham, NC - Ratings and Information - Trave Save this

      • Taverna Nikos, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information - Trave

        The decor is simple with bold colors and Greek-themed art. The food is truly Greek; this is one of few area restaurants serving Greek food and wine. Start with Kefalograviera Cheese, fried and served with Roasted Red Peppers, or the delicious Spanikopita, a Greek spinach pie with feta and dill. The slow-cooked meats are done to a turn; Braised Lamb Shank with mint sauce and Rabbit Stew in a Port Wine Reduction. Traditional Moussaka is another popular entree. Choose a full-bodied Greek wine to complement the meal. Opah! See website for menus and more.
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    • X Francesca's Dessert Caffe, Durham, NC - Ratings and Informa Save this

      • Francesca's Dessert Caffe, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Informa

        Located in the charming Ninth Street Shopping District, Francesca's is a dessert dream come true. On any given day, find such delights as chocolate-laden éclairs, old-fashioned pound cake, fudge brownies or Mocha Pecan Pie. The Caffe also serves 18 daily flavors of homemade Gelato and sorbet and a selection of hot and cold coffees. Breeze in on a warm summer day and have a double-dip strawberry cone or ice-cold mocha or come in from the cold and enjoy a slab of rich chocolate cake and a cappuccino.
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  • Day 6 (2 schedule items)
    • Y Triangle Food Tour, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information -, Durham Save this

      • Triangle Food Tour, Raleigh, NC - Ratings and Information -

        A delicious, guided, walking food tasting tour, sprinkled with historical tidbits of downtown Raleigh. Explore and discover a culinary perspective of downtown Raleigh that even an insider might not know. Tours are currently scheduled on a limited basis Saturdays at 2:30p and Thursdays at 9a. Meet ten minutes before on the porch of the Capital City Grocery in the Seaboard Station area, 10 West Franklin Street, Raleigh (tickets must be purchased in advance). See web site for available details. Triangle Food Tour is open on Thursdays from 9am and on Saturdays from 2.30pm.
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    • Flight departs in the afternoon

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