1. The weather.
Okay, the summers are humid BUT Spring and Autumn are beautiful and winter doesn't last for very long. Just be careful when it's snows, you'll sample snowmageddon as the locals call it.
2. The people - southern hospitality really is a thing!
"Bless your heart" - here in Raleigh you'll hear that a lot! The locals are amazingly friendly and will do anything to help a person out.
3. College sports, NC State, UNC
UNC and Duke and long time basketball rivals, checking out one of their games is well worth it! NC State Baseball and Football games are also pretty awesome!
4. It's location. The mountains and beaches are just a short drive away.
They really are! 2 hours to the beaches, Wilmington and Wrightsville are beautiful OR 2 - 4 hours to the mountains. Asheville and Boone are a must!
5. Beer!
Any explanation needed?
6. Food
With so many places to eat out, you are spoilt for choice. Bad Daddy for burgers, Gonza for Mexican and Humble Pie for Tapas.
7. Breweries
Crank Arm, Clouds Brewing, Raleigh Beer Garden and Lone Rider. They are just a few, there is easily a brewery on every block.
8. There are festivals and street parades year round!
The bluegrass festival is a must, the streets are transformed and the whole of downtown becomes an outdoor music venue.
9. Yates Mill
A historic mill built in 1756, it's beautiful scenery lets you escape the 'daily grind'.
10. North Carolina Museum of Sciences
It looks pretty awesome from the outside too!
11. Ice Cream / frozen Custard
Goodberry's frozen custard is incredible.
12. The Pit
Mac and Cheese - if you go, you need mac and cheese in your life. The rest of the food is equally as amazing too.
13. Apex.
As the sign says, 'The Peak or Good Living'. It really does have small town charm!
14. Country music is played everywhere - almost...
15. There's a real life Rodeo bar.
City Limits Saloon is a blast and there's a rodeo!
16. It hosts Questival by Cotopaxi.
A very cool idea. Create a team and earn points around the city by completing challenges. Top teams win prizes - even if you aren't in it to win it; it's a real good laugh.
17. Fayetville Street - yes, a street!
There is so so much to do on it!
18. State Farmers market.
With so much fresh food and a cafe on site, its a good place to head for an easy morning out.
19. Cameron Village
Check out the boutiques and independent restaurant/coffee shops.
20. CAM - Contemporary Art Museum
I'm not an art gallery fan, but this one is very cool! They had giant inflatable, lit up bunnies and a DJ playing hip hop. Enough said.
21. All the cinemas have reclining, leather chairs!
22. There's a drive in cinema.
23. NC State Fair
Great fun and awesome to people watch!
24. Boxcar
A bar that has an arcade inside.
25. The Capitol building.
The grounds are lovely to walk around and there's so much to learn about the city.
26. Live music. With the Red Hat Amphitheatre, PNC Arena and Coastal Credit Union Music Park there are loads of awesome events happening around the city.
