This gets you close to most of the downtown places listed. Our venue is one of the stops if you don't feel like walking!
The Morning Times Black & White Coffee 42nd & Lawrence Expresso Bar & Coffee Lab Heirloom Brewshop Sir Walter Coffee Lucettegrace
State of Beer- Love this spot! Watts & Ward- Good cocktail spot Dram & Draught Junction West- right by the venue Lady Luck- New Spot but seems awesome Crank Arm Brewery (close to the venue) Little City Tavern/Brewery The Cardinal- Hot Dogs and drinks. chases dream. great spot. R & D Brewing Raleigh Brewing Holiday Inn Rooftop Bar- we can't vouch for it but seems like it would have a cool view.
EVERYONE NEEDS TO GO HERE! Breakfast and Lunch only. This is a pay-what-you-can place. For those who can't pay they can volunteer to work for their meals. It is a really cool place and the food is delicious.
A MUST! LIKE MUST. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE. The best ice cream! They have a monthly theme and create 5 flavors based on that theme. I know its January and its cold but I promise its worth it.
CHASE'S ALL TIME FAVORITE! This a little outside of downtown but Chase loves this spot. It was in the movie Bull Durham. They haven't raised their prices since the 70's and they do not have a frier so they have a very interesting menu. Ask for Steph and tell her you are there per Chase's recommendation.
As the name suggests it is a food hall. It is our fav, we actually almost got married at their venue. Go in the morning and get BENCHWARMERS BAGELS- Katrina swears by this place. She loves it so much! But honestly all the places we have tried are GREAT!
Another food hall our second favorite. Lots of options. Great bar. Axe throwing. Super close to the venue. We haven't had a bad thing yet. There is a southern cooking place near the front door that is kind of hidden but DELICIOUS!
AMAZING! If you want to eat def make reservations in advance, otherwise you can order a drink in the bar area. A little bit fancier than most places on our list. AMAZING beer. Flower shop and book store in the middle and great food!
AMAZING! Such a cool spot. A little nicer. No reservations. Menu changes often so it is on a chalkboard inside. Old diner vibes but gourmet delicious food. YOU CANNOT NOT GET THE MAC N CHEESE. WARNING: it is HUGE and gluttonous and should be split worth every penny and calorie.
Great Place. Great Food. Fun little rooftop.
This is one of our fav spots! Good food, great beer- one whole bar is dedicated to NC beers, fun atmosphere, games, fire pits, all the things. They do have a big NYE thing so just make sure you keep that in mind if you go on that day!
GREAT VIEW! Overlooks the venue and Raleigh Skyline.
Good ole' NC BBQ. If you haven't been to the south you should do it.
MAKE RESERVATIONS. This is a super unique fun spot. A little higher end. A little outside of the downtown area but worth it.
Not a sitdown place but awesome pizza! This is our go-to when we order pizza. BONUS IT IS VERY CLOSE TO TWO ROOSTERS! And there is a cool craft beer spot, Pelagic around the corner too!
Another fan fav. Great burgers, Great sports bar. Super close to our house. Great hangout. super casual. Little bit of grunge, in a good way, spot!
Love this spot. Great Beer. Great Fancy Pizza. Cool Vibe.
If you have not been to one you must go. There are locations all over, not downtown but all over the city. Great for late-night food and they have over 40 milkshake flavors. DO NOT SKIMP GET THE MILKSHAKE.
NC Art Museum- Great Indoor/Outdoor exhibits. NC Museum of History- Chase loves this place. NC Science Museum- Chase had a VS. Cancer kickoff event here and Katrina was his date in 2013. MARBLES Kids Museum Flourish Market-its just a store but everything has a greater purpose so I love it! Alamo Drafthouse- not local to Raleigh but love it, full-service movie theater. BoxCar- BarCade. DriveShack-not close to downtown. Boylan Bridge- just an awesome viewpoint of the venue and Raleigh. Lincoln Theather- music shows. Dorthea Dix Park- if its cold not that cool its a park. Pullen Park- carousel and fun spot, again its a park, weather permitting. Golf-many courses around if you are interested.
Also about 30 min from Raleigh, but the Amtrack also goes there for like $8. LOVE this town. It's like a more hipster younger brother of Raleigh. There are so many great spots in Durham. A few top ones for us. -21C Museum Hotel- go downstairs and see the vault and all the awesome art- like a flag made out of army men. Leave through the restaurant and look at the animal head sculpture things made of all sorts of craziness. -Durham Hotel- Awesome rooftop. -Hi-Wire, Ponysaurus Breweries -Hutchins Garage, BoxCar, MotorCo, Surf Club, FullSteam, Cocoa Cinnamon (all in the same area all diff stuff) while you are here check out the old baseball stadium from the movie Bull Durham. There is also a cool park, old Durham Park (we seriously considered getting married at the Rickhouse in this area but the date was taken).
This is where Chase went to school. Go tour the beautiful UNC campus. Check out the bell tour and fountain. It is about 30 ish minutes from Raleigh but def a fun day trip. MUST DO'S: -Campus just walk around it is beautiful. -UNC Basketball Museum -Boshmer Baseball Stadium (Chase played here) -Franklin Street -Pantana Bob's (awesome bar)