The weather has been absolutely stunning in North Carolina for the past few weeks and I’ve been trying to enjoy my time outdoors as much as possible! It’s a great time to chase the fall colors and enjoy the warm, yet not as humid, temperatures!
Top 7 Best Things to Do in the Triangle this Fall
Visit Raleigh’s Oakwood Cemetery
Photo via NC Museum of History
Oakwood Cemetery is one of my favorite places in Raleigh. I love the history (it’s over 150 years old!), both for Raleigh and for North Carolina as a whole. It was initially founded as a cemetery for Confederate soldiers, and was later expanded into the cemetery we see today. While Oakwood often hosts events and tours, it is also easy to show yourself around and there are maps available online if there is something in particular you’d like to see. The scenery is gorgeous in the fall with the rolling hills and foliage, and it makes for a great afternoon of exploring.
Every October, Burning Coal Theatre partners with the Historic Oakwood Cemetery to present a series of short plays based on the lives of people buried in the Oakwood Cemetery, their partners, neighbors, associates and nemeses’.
Playwrights from around the Triangle and sometimes beyond will craft these short plays that look at the comical, the tragic, the dastardly and the utterly heroic lives of those who came before and upon whose shoulders, for better and for worse, the Capital City was built. Learn more here.
You might also enjoy a walking tour of the Oakwood neighborhood or the Cemetery. For other Raleigh favorites, check out this tab.
Celebrate Triangle Breweries with a Fall Beer Crawl
Raleigh has some excellent breweries, so make your own beer crawl to sample local fall brews. Try Raleigh Brewing‘s Oktoberfest, Trophy‘s Oktropyfest, and Big Boss‘s Harvest Time Pumpkin Ale. Finish at Wye Hill where they serve Festbier and Märzen’s Oktoberfest and stay for the views!
Chase the Fall Colors while Hiking a Local Trail
Photo via State Parks
You don’t have to go far to find a gorgeous trail to hike to enjoy the fall colors. Umstead Park is one of the prettiest in the area and has three man-made lakes to enjoy. In Durham, the Eno River State Park is lovely option. The trail around the North Carolina Museum of Art offers beautiful trails and all of these are dog friendly. If you’re looking for great picnic spots after your walk, Dorothea Dix Park and the park at the Museum of Art are fantastic locations, too!
Experience Local History at the Colonial Inn in Hillsborough
One of the newest historic inns in the Triangle is the beautiful Colonial Inn in Hillsborough. This is their first year open in October and they have some fun events happening! Join them for pumpkins carving with live music, a ghost walk lit with Jack o’ Lanterns, and Wine & Wonder, featuring local story tellers and the extensive wine list offered at the Colonial Inn. For a full line up of events, be sure to check their website here.
Enjoy an Afternoon Stroll with Raleigh’s Sightseeing Bar Walk
There are quite a few sightseeing walking tours and now is a great time to sign up for one! It’s not too hot and humid and it’s a perfect way to learn a little more about the City of Oaks. Learn more about Raleigh and North Carolina history while taking in some of the sights in downtown Raleigh. There are also great Durham options, including a mysterious walk and a haunted pub crawl.
Learn about the Ghosts of Raleigh’s Past on the Dark Raleigh Walking Tour
Photo via Haymaker
The City of Raleigh Museum is sharing a behind the history look at some Raleigh’s great statesmen and leaders lies a dark and troubled past. The Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum brings to life the stories of the Capital City’s tortured souls in Dark Raleigh – an “after hours” interactive walking tour. Why do you need ghosts when you have the real stories? Get ready for Halloween on this true death, true crime tour. The tour is recommended for 16+ due to the mature/adult nature of the stories told.
Spend a Day at Fearrington Village
Fearrington is truly the perfect getaway without going too far from the Triangle. Located right outside of Chapel Hill, Durham and Pittsboro, this former working dairy farm has great Southern charm. You’ll be greeted by goats and Oreo cows upon your arrival in this historic homestead. The Oreo cows are a rare breed of Scottish cows called “belties” that were brought to Fearrington in 1982. Fearrington started out with 6 but now have over 30! These are definitely a popular attraction at Fearrington Village. You’ll also be on the property of a gorgeous spa, great restaurants and shopping options, plus a beautiful inn. I love strolling the grounds and enjoying a cup of coffee overlooking one of the pastures.
For more North Carolina travel guides, be sure to check out this page as I work to visit all 100 counties in the Old North State.
This post was originally published in 2017 and has since between updated and recirculated for 2022.
What a fun post. Totally sharing this with my friend who just moved to Raleigh/Durham. She has been trying to find out more about the area and will love this.
Some great suggestions! Raleigh is my favorite, there is SO much to do and so many amazing restaurants!
Ek! Love this! I’m headed to Durham this weekend to stay with Tiff! Xo Thanks for sharing and linking up today!
So many great places to explore, I had no idea. My boyfriend would love taking a trip like this. He’s a total history buff. We’re in Georgia so not too far away. Maybe we can plan a trip up that way next summer.
I’ve been to a lot of places you’ve listed (Yates Mill is a favorite!) but there are quite a few I haven’t visit or didn’t know about. Thanks for sharing! I’m adding some new stuff to my list.
~Mindy
Lots of great places in the list; I just got around to visiting Yates Mill this past weekend! 🙂