Danny and Trisha

If you’re looking for Something To Do:

Our Favorite Hikes:

1. Occoneechee Trail: Old Nascar track turned beautiful trail with old race cars still around the loop Can be a stroll or if you want a hike, also include Occoneechee Mountain. A bit of a drive, but worth it if you have time and transportation.

2. William B. Umstead State Park: Stroll nature trails or walk along 22 miles of hiking trails meandering through forest (see if you can spot a great blue heron). This is a 15 minute drive outside of downtown Raleigh. P.S: if you want to treat yourself to a luxurious spa day, reserve a spot at The Umstead Hotel & Spa (it’s one of only 12 properties worldwide that has a five star rating!)

3. Neuse River Greenway Trail - This 27.5-mile paved, uninterrupted greenway is a year-round haven for outdoor recreation. It has views of historic sites as well as winding boardwalk areas and suspension bridges crossing over wetlands.

Our Favorite Museums:

1. North Carolina Museum of Art: After you’re done checking out the exhibitions, make sure to explore their art-filled outdoor trails too!

2. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences: After this, walk past the State Capitol building to get to Centro for some lunch (and some delicious mezcal at the bar above) or Raleigh Times for mid-day coffee & treats.

3. CAM Raleigh: In the warehouse district, this museum displays new and emerging work by local and national living artists! Afterwards, check out Heirloom for amazing sake-infused cocktails, Videri Factory for local chocolate, or if you’re in the mood for some NC BBQ, the Pit is also close by!

Other Random Favorites:

1. Cameron Village in downtown Raleigh or North Hills in mid-town Raleigh: If you’re in the mood for some shopping, head to either of these spots for some cute boutiques, shops, and brunch-worthy restaurants!

2. TreeRunner Adventure Park: One of Trisha’s favorites! This aerial obstacle course is a bit of a drive to get to, but a fun outdoors activity to do with the group!

If you’re looking for a Bite To Eat:

Our Favorite Raleigh Spots:

1. State Of Beer: Our favorite lunch spot in Raleigh! Order one of their tasty sandwiches and a beer at the bar and then grab a table outside.

2. Morgan Street Food Hall or Transfer Co. Food Hall: These places have lots of local food options so there’s something to satisfy everyone + an indoor/outdoor bar! Most of these spots are just a block away from the Origin hotel.

Our Favorite Cary Spots:

1. La Farm Bakery: Our favorite brunch spot in Cary! Try the Creme Brûlée French Toast made with their cinnamon brioche.

2. Bosphorus Restaurant: You can find Turkish & Mediterranean kebabs, meze & more in this unassuming strip-mall location. Pro Tip: it’s BYOB so bring along some beer or a bottle of wine to enjoy with your meal.

If you’re looking for a Spot To Pre-Game:

1. Bond Brothers: This is one of the best breweries in Cary and happens to be directly behind our Sangeet/Welcome Party venue so you can just walk on over once it starts at 7pm!

2. The SideBar: the best place in downtown Cary for professionally curated cocktails! Also right by the venue so you can simply walk over once it starts!

If you’re looking for BREAKFAST / BRUNCH:

1. Big Ed’s: Enjoy a down-to-earth, no-fuss Southern breakfast here with menu items like red-eye gravy and ginormous, plate-sized pancakes.

2. Beasley’s Chicken & Waffles

3. Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery in Cary

4. Layered Croissanterie: All the different croissants you never knew you needed

5. A Place At The Table 

If you’re looking for MORE STUFF TO DO:

1. North Carolina State Fair: If you’re in the mood for fried EVERYTHING + games/rides, be sure to check the state fair as it’ll be in Raleigh that week! (Get the onion blossoms, deep fried Oreo’s, deep fried cheesecake, & deep fried Kool Aid doughnuts!)

2. Drive Shack: Three-story interactive driving range, food, & drinks. Fun for groups of golfers and non-golfers alike! Make sure to reserve a bay in advance.

3. Dix Park: Pretty place to hang out and have a picnic or throw around a frisbee (the Raleigh skyline is visible from the park!)

If you’re looking for a BITE TO EAT / HAVE A BEER:

1. Brewery Bhavana: Do not miss this spot! It’s one of Trisha & Danny’s favorite breweries/dim sum spot/flower shop in NC (Try the Mango Peppercorn Saison!)

2. Trophy Brewery: They have three locations in Raleigh, but out favorite is the location on Morgan St because they have some of the BEST pizza around!

3. Raleigh Beer Garden: Find the BIGGEST beer selection/most beers on tap in the US (not hyperbole, the most!)

If you’re looking for the AFTER PARTY:

1. If you want to continue the party AFTER the wedding, take a Lyft/Uber to Glenwood Ave in Downtown Raleigh for a rowdy party vibe.

2. Or if you’re looking for a mellower vibe, here are some of our favorite spots: C Grace (underground live jazz bar), Watts & Ward (basement cocktail bar with a vintage library vibe), Foundation, Boxcar Barcade, The Haymaker, Fox Liquor Bar, Person Street Bar, Drink Drank Drunk.

RALEIGH

Food

For breakfast or brunch, we recommend both Big Ed's and Beasley's. Big Ed's is a southern diner known for its plate-sized pancakes. Beasley's Chicken and Honey is also a great option, with possibly the best fried chicken and waffles you'll ever eat.

Morning Times, Heirloom, and Sir Walter Coffee are three of the best coffee shops around. Grab a pastry or light breakfast and a cup of coffee to start your day.

For lunch, check out Morgan Street Food Hall, Transfer Co Food Hall, or Raleigh Raw. The food halls have EVERYTHING you could want to eat and drink (Danny and Trisha love Curry in a Hurry at Morgan Street and Benchwarmer's Bagels at Transfer Co).

For dinner, our two favorite restaurants are Bida Manda and Centro. Bida Manda serves a Laotion-inspired menu (we cannot recommend the Sea Bass enough) and Centro serves high-end Mexican food (you have to try the chicken mole or the enchiladas). Pro Tip: make a reservation in advance!!!

Bittersweet is the best dessert place you never knew you needed. Home to unique, delectable chocolate and gin inspired desserts and cocktails, Bittersweet is a great spot to round out your night in Raleigh.

Beer + Nightlife

Trophy Brewing and Pizza
Raleigh Beer Garden
C.Grace
Watts and Ward
Boxcar
Vita Vite
Foundation
Attractions
NC Museum of Natural Science and NC Museum of History are both free, fun, and in downtown Raleigh
NC Museum of Art is a 10-min drive from downtown Raleigh and includes a beautiful collection and an expansive, outdoor walking path and sculpture park.
Pullen and Dix Park

DURHAM

Food

Monuts, Guglhupf
Cocoa Cinnamon, Cloche Coffee
Rose's Noodle's, Dumplings, and Sweets; Happy and Hale; Parker and Otis
The Original Q Shack; Pizzeria Toro; Juju Durham
Beer + Nightlife
Boxcar
Bar Virgile
Alley Twenty-Six
The Roof at The Durham
Parts and Labor at Motorco

Attractions

Check out Duke University's beautiful campus, especially the gothic architecture of West Campus (where Danny works!).

If open, a visit to the Sarah Duke Gardens next to West Campus is a must! About 30-min from downtown Raleigh, 25-min from most of Apex (venue location), and close to downtown Durham.

Lemur Center

Other nearby things to do
Check out the Carolina Basketball Museum in Chapel Hill or the Duke Sports Hall of Fame in Durham