Flight Tickets to Raleigh / Durham airport

Discover Raleigh / Durham

An important the seat of Wake County in the United States, Raleigh serves as the capital of North Carolina and is also known as ‘City of Oaks’ owing to the huge number of oak trees that line the streets of the city. The city was named aftertheSir Walter Raleigh who was responsible for the establishment of the lost Roanoke Colony in present-day Dare County. At an elevation of 96 meters above sea level, the city sprawls on an area of 375 km2 and currently more than 431,746 people live in the city. An early example in the United States of a planned city, Raleigh is one of the fastest growing cities in United States and an important site of numerous cultural, educational, and historic institutes. The city also serves home to some of the most notable universities like North Carolina State University and Shaw University. English is the official language spoken by most of the people.

Overview

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is the major airport serving the city and all flights land at this airport. This is the second largest airport in North Carolina and serves the city and greater Research Triangle metropolitan region. Currently the airport is connected to more than 35 domestic as well as international destinations and handles more than 100 million passengers annually. The city experience a humid subtropical climate and has 4 distinct seasons – Summer from June to August, Autumn from September to November, Winter from December to February and Spring from March to May. The spring and autumn season is the most popular time to enjoy a holiday in Raleigh. SPARKcon in September, Bugfest in September, Hopscotch Music Fest in September, North Carolina State Fair in October, First Night Raleigh on December 31st, Krispy Kreme Challenge in February and Raleigh Rock 'n' Roll Marathon & Half Marathon in April are the major festivals and events held in the city.

City Attractions

If you are a history buff the visit the city neighborhood which boasts of some of the beautifully restored Victorian-style homes built between 1870 and 1912. North Carolina Museum of Art is a major attraction in Raleigh which displays art from the period of Renaissance, ancient Greece and Rome, and America. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences showcases some of the most engaging animal relics, the most famous being the Willo, the world's only dinosaur with a fossilized heart. North Carolina Museum of History is a best stopover for those interested in knowing more about the history of the country.

Pullen Park is a famous park in Raleigh and interested tourists can take fun ride on Gustave A Dentzel Carousel or relax at the various cafes located here. Mordecai Historic Park, which is the birthplace of Andrew Johnson, the 17th president of the United States, is another attraction. Children should miss visiting the Marbles Kids Museum while the North Carolina State Capitol represents one of the best-preserved examples of Greek revival architecture in the United States. Some of the other attractions which tourists can enjoy in Raleigh include J S Dorton Arena (engineering and architectural marvel), William B Umstead State Park (suitable for leisure walk, hiking, cycling etc), North Carolina Symphony (event venue), Carolina Ballet (America's premier arts organizations), JC Raulston Arboretum (10-acre garden) and Dead Broke (famous for its farming activities).

Eating and Shopping

From fast food joints, to laid back cafes to fine dining restaurant, there is something in store for every traveller holidaying in Raleigh. Being your Raleigh culinary journey by enjoying a treat at Clyde Cooper’s Barbecue, Guasaca for Venenzula food, Chirba, Fiction Kitchen (vegetarian restaurant), Poole’s, 18 Seaboard, Oui, 42nd St. Oyster Bar for sea food delicacies, Humble Pie, Bella Monica, Big Ed’s City Market Restaurant, Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern  and Cafe Helios, which are famous eating places in the city. The city also offers best nightlife options offering eclectic crowd and the best of booze and parties. Zydeco Downtown, Tír na nÓg Irish Pub, Berkeley Cafe, Irregardless Café, Bogart's American Grill, Charlie Goodnight's Comedy Club and 42nd Street Oyster Bar are some of the most popular nightclubs in the city for a fun filled evening.

For all the shopping aficionados, Raleigh is the place to be. Be it flea markets, glamorous shopping malls, high end boutiques or branded outlets, the options are plenty. Some of the most popular shopping destination are - Raleigh Flea Market (art, antiques, crafts, home decor and gift items), State Farmers Market (for regional produce), Triangle Town Center & Commons (upscale shopping mall), North Hills (exclusive boutiques and specialty stores), Crabtree Valley Mall (branded stiff), Crossroads Plaza (hopping center), City Market (art, antique and specialty shops), The Cotton Company (Cotton Warehouse), Cameron Village (this attractive shopping center) and Cary Towne Center