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Car
Free Journeys – Raleigh NC – December 2012
By
Steve Atlas
As the holidays approach, many of us wonder how to spend New
Year’s Eve. One of my favorite New Year’s Eve activities is
“First Night:” A non-alcoholic arts and entertainment evening
available to area residents at little cost (usually a “button”
that costs $10-$20 for all programs). For many years, my wife and
I enjoyed 1st Night in
Annapolis, MD. One year, we celebrated 1st
Night in Alexandria, VA.
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One of the benefits of First Night is there is no need to
drive. Many programs are within walking distance of each other.
Frequently, a free shuttle bus provides transportation between
venues. Since many First Nights are held in or near downtown,
visitors can stay in one location and enjoy a great New Year’s
Eve without ever needing to drive.
For a complete list of communities throughout the United States
that have their own First Night, visit
http://firstnightusa.com/.
This year, we wanted to celebrate First Night away from home.
One community we considered was Raleigh, North Carolina.
(Unfortunately, our plans changed and we couldn’t come that
evening.)
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Raleigh is one of many communities that offer First Night for the
entire family. In this month’s column, we will visit downtown
Raleigh, learn about First Night, and suggest a few self-guided
walking tours that you can enjoy without ever needing to drive or
leave downtown Raleigh.
Getting Here
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Amtrak’s Silver Star serves Raleigh daily from New York,
Baltimore, Washington, Richmond (VA), Savannah Georgia, and
Florida. The Piedmont has a daily train from Charlotte to
Raleigh.
Capital Area Transit (CAT) buses 7, 11, 21, and 36 stop at the
Amtrak station, 320 West Cabarrus Street. Or take the free R
line shuttle. All of these buses to Moore Square in downtown
Raleigh.
The Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU) is served by
Triangle Transit’s regional bus 100 every day except Sunday.
On Sundays, Sky Shuttle (919) 599-8100, and Skylink Shuttle
(919) 233-3952 or (855) 759-8267 will take you to the Airport
from Downtown Raleigh for under $30.
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Erich
Fabricius
Photo-Licensed Under Creative
Commons
Attribution
3.0 Unported
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The Greyhound Bus Terminal is located at 314 Jones
St. CAT bus 8 serves the Greyhound terminal Monday through
Saturday. On Sundays, take CAT bus 38.
After You Arrive:
Because our visit focuses on downtown Raleigh, it’s easy to walk
most places. Or you can take the free R line downtown circulator
bus. For a list of stops and other information about the R line
Circulator, go to http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/get-around.
For attractions, entertainment, and what to do in downtown
Raleigh, go to
http://www.godowntownraleigh.com.
Ryan Smith, from the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors
Bureau, is our guide to downtown Raleigh.
Entertainment Districts.
Downtown Raleigh has many personalities and defined streetscapes
that are walkable and can be enjoyed either day or night. Here are
the top 4 entertainment districts that show the city’s
diversity:
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Glenwood South: Known for its’ lively nature and
eclectic mix of restaurants, shopping and spirited nightlife,
Glenwood South is South Raleigh’s trendiest district and
offers exciting scenery for all to enjoy.
Capital District: A busy business district, the Capital
District houses stately buildings and classic architecture
that showcases North Carolina state history.
Fayetteville Street District: A main street on a grand
scale, Fayetteville Street is known for its’ distinctive
restaurants and impressive skyscrapers as well as restored
historic buildings.
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Moore Square Art District: If you want to get
a taste of Raleigh’s art scene, Moore Square is the perfect
district to visit! Clustered in a three-block radius around the
historic City Market, the district includes commercial and
display galleries to tap into your creative genius.
Where to Stay in Downtown Raleigh
Hotels within Downtown Raleigh:
http://www.visitraleigh.com/visitors/hotels/
Raleigh Marriot City Center.
http://www.marriott.com/raleigh-marriott-city-center/
Sheraton Raleigh Hotel
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/raleigh
Clarion Hotel State Capitol.
http://www.raleighclarion.com/
Hampton Inn Glenwood: Opening in late 2012, the Hampton
Inn Glenwood will open its’ door to guests with 126 rooms and
approximately 950 sq. ft. of retail space.
Oakwood Bed and Breakfast: http://www.oakwoodinnbb.com/.
Exploring Downtown Raleigh
Organized Tours.
http://www.visitraleigh.com/things-to-do/tours/
Taste Carolina Gourmet Tour: Guiding you to six to eight
restaurants and shops serving innovative food sourced locally
from farm-to table. You’ll have opportunities to talk with
chefs and owners, and professional guides will tell you about
local history and cool new developments in town.
http://www.tastecarolina.net/
Tobacco Road Tours: As the Research Triangle Region’s
only full-service tour operator, including group tours and
daily, professionally guided motorized and walking tours,
Tobacco Road offers packaged tours for Historic Raleigh, plus a
Raleigh Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour, Raleigh Pub Crawl &
Haunted Adventure and African-American Culture & Experience.
http://www.tobaccoroadtours.com/
Triangle Glides: Fully narrated Segway tours get you up
close to Raleigh’s points of interest, and Stand Up Paddle
lessons have you walking on water while getting a full-body
workout. http://www.triangleglides.com/
Self-Guided Tours of Downtown Raleigh
1) For a three-hour self-guided walking tour around Downtown
Raleigh, here is an itinerary you can use to get the most out of
your visit:
Start at the Raleigh Visitors Center located between
the Raleigh Marriott and the Raleigh Convention Center on
Fayetteville Street
Stop #1 – Raleigh City Museum: Learn about
the city’s history through historical artifacts and
exhibits and see how the museum is “preserving Raleigh’s
past for the future”. http://www.raleighcitymuseum.org/
Stop #2 – State Capitol: Explore one of the
finest and best-preserved examples of a major civic building
in the Greek revival style of architecture.
http://www.nchistoricsites.org/capitol/
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Stop #3 – North Carolina Museum of History:
Interpret the state’s history through exhibitions and other
historical materials in a local, regional, national and
international context. http://ncmuseumofhistory.org/
Stop #4 – North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences:
Enhance your understanding and appreciation of the environment
through exhibits and the newly-built Nature Research Center.
http://ncmuseumofhistory.org/
If you want to explore outside of the Downtown area and enjoy
walking on trails, parks or other natural areas, the 11 (Avent
Ferry) and 11C (Buck Jones) routes on the Capital Area
Transit will take you to the newly renovated Pullen Park, a
72-acre public park located near the campus of North Carolina
State University.
http://www.raleighnc.gov/arts/content/PRecRecreation/Articles/PullenPark.html
2) The R Line Circulator is a free and easy way to get around
Downtown Raleigh. Here is an itinerary you can use to get a sense
of the best places to go in the area before 6:30pm:
Start at the bus stop in front of the Raleigh Convention
Center (R13)
Stop # 1 – State Capitol (R1): Visit the State
Capitol Building, Legislative Building, Executive Mansion,
State Archives, the North Carolina Museum of History and the
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
Stop #2 – Seaboard Station (R3): Stop and have
lunch at Tyler’s Taproom or 18 Seaboard.
www.tylerstaproom.com/
, http://www.18seaboard.com/
Stop #3 – Glenwood South (R5, R6, R7): Walk down
Raleigh’s trendiest district and explore the city’s
nightlife.
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After 6:30pm, the R Line Circulator changes course to show
visitors the exciting nightlife of Downtown Raleigh. Here is an
itinerary you can use to see how Raleigh comes alive in the night
time:
Start at the bus stop in front of the Raleigh Convention
Center (R13)
Stop #1 – City Market at Moore Square (R17): Explore the
historic Moore Square District and possibly stop for dinner at
Batistella’s, a take on classic New Orleans and upscale
Southern cuisine. http://www.battistellas.com/
Stop #2 – Glenwood South (R5, R6, R7): See the
district come to life and enjoy the casual, friendly, and
spirited atmosphere! Possibly stop for a drink at Natty Greene’s
Brewing Company, one of 9 Raleigh microbreweries.
http://www.nattygreenes.com/
Stop #3 – Warehouse District (R10, R11): Take the
3-block walk and see some of the city’s best restaurants and
nightlife at places such as The Pit and Brewmasters Bar and
Grill.
Don’t Forget about First Night Raleigh if you
are here on New Year’s Eve
First Night Raleigh is central
North Carolina’s largest New Year’s Eve community celebration
of the arts. This year’s festival will feature nearly 100
performances showcasing various forms of dance, improvisational
comedy, theatre, interactive art installations, and live music
from performers representing a wide variety of genres including
rock, blues, jazz, classical, gospel, opera, folk and more.
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First
Night Raleigh-Raleigh Acorn
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The 22nd annual festival will
take place on Monday, December 31, 2012 across a 24-block area
of downtown Raleigh, encompassing three-dozen indoor and
outdoor venues.
This year’s celebration takes
inspiration from the world of the circus, and many of the
interactive installations, make-and-take crafts, and
performances throughout the afternoon and evening will feature
the circus arts. First Night festivities begin at 2:00 PM with
the Children’s Celebration – performances and hands-on art
activities geared specifically toward young revelers.
Following The People’s Procession – a participatory parade
at 6:00 – and an early countdown at 7:00, Raleigh comes alive
with continuous performances throughout downtown, culminating
in a performance by local rising stars Delta Rae on the Main
Stage in City Plaza. You won’t want to miss the 90-foot
Ferris wheel and a chance to drop like the acorn on the Jumbo
Drop, which will be erected on Fayetteville Street. The
festival concludes at Midnight with the famous Raleigh Acorn
drop and fireworks to ring in 2013.
Admission passes go on sale
December 1 for $9 and provide access to ALL First Night Raleigh
2013 venues, performances and activities. For more information
about First Night Raleigh 2013 and full performance schedules,
visit www.firstnightraleigh.com,
or call (919) 832-8699.
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For More
Information
For attractions,
tickets, packages and where to stay, go to www.visitraleigh.com.
Or call the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau at
either (919) 834-5900, or toll-free (800) 849-8499
Go to
http://www.gotriangle.org/transit/servicetoairport,
for information about Bus 100 that serves Raleigh Durham
International Airport every day except Sunday.
For local bus
service in Raleigh and the free R shuttle that serves downtown
Raleigh, go to
http://www.raleighnc.gov/home/content/PWksTransit/Articles/CapitalAreaTransit.html,
or call (919) 485-RIDE
For information
about downtown Raleigh, go to http://www.godowntownraleigh.com.
(For information about the R Circulator, go to
http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/get-around.)
Steve Atlas
enjoys hearing from readers. Would you like to share a personal
car free vacation experience, or suggest a destination for a
future column? E-mail Steve at steveatlas45@yahoo.com.
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