One of the prime attractions of Raleigh is the Pullen Park. This verdant public park acts as both a serene escape as well as an amusement park for young children. Carousels, boat rides and eateries are very popular here. While the entry is free of cost, the rides and other amenities in the park require a small fee.
Lake Johnson Park offers visitors more than 5 miles (8 kilometers) of walking trails leading around a serene lake, past picnic shelters, a boardwalk, a public pool, and boat launches. Boat rentals are available through the park office. The park is a popular fishing destination, holds conference and event facilities, and hosts a public program of educational activities throughout the year.
In a city of tall skyscrapers and crowded sidewalks, Dorothea Dix Park is welcoming breath of fresh air. Sprawled across 308 acres, it is one of the largest parks in the city and the canopy of trees, its extensive plant collection and the blooming of various colorful flowers is a treat to the sore eyes. It is one of the favorite places for the people to walk their pets or just lie down and relax while enjoying the beautiful skyline views. From concerts to versatile workshops to stargazing sessions, a gamut of events are held at this park.
This park offers two miles of trails with work-out stations along scenic Shelley Lake, open fields, a basketball court, and a playground. The park is also home to the Sertoma Art Center, which hosts visual and performance art workshops, and exhibition and studio space. Take a leisurely walk around the lake and enjoy the natural setting, have a picnic, go fishing, paddle a canoe or rowboat around the lake, or just sit and watch sailboats go by.
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Conserving the local flora and fauna, the Durant Nature Preserve of Raleigh offers a number of activities for visitors. Enjoy fishing and picnicking, or indulge in a little adventure, hiking around the stream or mountain biking in nature’s lap. The scenic park has a lake, butterfly garden, a bird garden, a Sensory and Nature Play Garden along with playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts, and nature trails meandering through the open space, ensuring something for everyone.
Historic Yates Mill County Park is a 174-acre (70 hectares) wildlife refuge and environmental research center with open lands and a small pond offering visitors fishing, hiking, and bird-watching opportunities. Yates Mill is the last operating, water-powered gristmill in North Carolina’s Capital County. Mill tours and corn grinding demonstrations are offered throughout the year, as are seasonal educational and holiday programs. The visitor center sells finished stone-ground cornmeal and vintage postcards as souvenirs.
Built in 1855, Historic Oak View is a farmstead and national historic monument in Raleigh that is frequented by thousands of visitors from far and wide. Set amidst an estate area that spans over 15 acres (6.1 hectares), a glimpse of the majestic house from its gates is truly a sight to behold. The house currently functions as a museum that offers insight into the history of farming. Special events such as storytelling festivals and agricultural meets are regularly held here.
