Culture and Art in Raleigh, NC

Culture and art are in no short supply in Raleigh. Often noted as the premier location in the South for museums, Raleigh includes many high-quality art and history museums. Located downtown is the Museum of Natural Sciences, which focuses on the areas of geography, geology, plants and animals with abundant exhibits and a focus on education. The North Carolina Museum of Art is one of the foremost museums in the region, with a collection that spans more than 5,000 years, from ancient Egypt to the present. You'll also want to explore Raleigh's many historical sites and attractions, particularly in its downtown area. Relish a leisurely walking tour of historic downtown as you explore more than 60 buildings, markers, and features that combine to make downtown a fascinating part of Raleigh history. The city also has an abundant African-American heritage that encompasses historic sites, festivals, and events.

When you purchase Raleigh real estate, you'll be close to Durham, Chapel Hill, and a host of small communities with much to offer. The Triangle is a large metropolitan area with a combined population of 1,509,560, and Raleigh is at the heart of it all. Named one of the "Seven Cool Cities" in Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine last year, Raleigh features plenty of entertainment and arts. The city's downtown area, currently experiencing a rebirth, is home to shopping, restaurants, live music venues, art galleries, businesses, and residences. If you love performing arts, Raleigh will provide you with opportunities for ballet, theater, orchestra and Broadway productions. High-quality performing arts are a big part of Raleigh's culture. The Carolina Ballet is the Triangle's professional dance company, bringing audiences from all over the region to its outstanding performances.

Raleigh is also home to the North Carolina Symphony and many small theaters and companies. Musical acts have a plethora of venues, such as the Alltel Pavilion at Walnut Creek, Meymandi Concert Hall, and many more. While performing arts are one of Raleigh's strong suits, shopping is also superb here. With its incredible location in the Triangle, Raleigh realty is close to just about any kind of mall or shop you may need. The Crabtree Valley Mall is the largest enclosed mall in the Triangle at a whopping 1.3 million square feet. Shoppers from all over North Carolina enjoy its central location and 220 stores. The surrounding cities and communities around Raleigh (plus the city's convenient location) are the cornerstones of its popularity and growth.