One of Raleigh’s most popular surrounding cities is Cary.
MONEY magazine named Cary as one of the best places to live, and it’s no mystery why: it’s home to the North Carolina Symphony in the summers, the USA Baseball National Training Complex, and a great spot for soccer fans with the North Carolina Football Club and North Carolina Courage pro soccer teams. The restaurant scene is exciting in Cary, too! Let’s dive in and see all that Cary has to offer.
If you enjoy sports, Cary is home to some great sports complexes and teams.
The USA Baseball National Training Complex is an $11 million facility and hosts the USA Baseball’s Collegiate, 18U, 15U, 12U; the Women’s National Team, and the National Team Development Program. It also hosts the annual Tournament of Stars in June, in which the top high school talent in the country plays every year. It has four fields, one stadium, and three training fields, and has seen a lot of talent.
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North Carolina Football Club, a professional soccer team based right in Cary, plays in the United Soccer League at the WakeMed Soccer Park. North Carolina Courage, the women’s pro soccer team, plays in the United Soccer League as well at the WakeMed Soccer Park. NCFC also offers fantastic children’s soccer programs with excellent training and experiences for the rising soccer fan.
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Cary is a great place for athletes!
The Cary Tennis Park is one of the largest tennis parks in the Southeast with nearly 40 courts. The SK8-Cary Skate Park gives skateboarders, scooters, and BMX bikers, as well as inline and quad skaters an outdoor skate park to enjoy right in their city.
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Cary is a central hub for music and art.
The North Carolina Symphony has 66 full-time musicians and has events featuring famous artists coming to North Carolina like the pianist Lang Lang and violinist Augustin Hadelich. The Symphony does series throughout the state and even visits local libraries for children’s programs to expose them to music. The Symphony is also featured in Summerfest concerts at the outdoor Koka Booth Amphitheatre and does fun events like playing music while fireworks go off in the park on the Fourth of July.
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The Koka Booth Amphitheatre is surrounded by trees and by Symphony Lake, making for a beautiful backdrop to all events there. Koka Booth Amphitheatre has seen great artists grace its stages like John Mayer, Lady Antebellum, and Willie Nelson. The Movies by Moonlight program during the summer is a fun way to see both old and new films outdoors.
The North Carolina Lantern Festival is a very popular event at the amphitheater. Hundreds of lanterns and a 200-foot-long phoenix are put on display, as well as many Asian food options and performances. With a large local Asian population, it is a wonderful event for kids and adults alike to teach about the beautiful culture and the food and art it has to offer. 100,000 locals come from all over the state to see the lanterns and it is something to look forward to in the Fall.
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The Cary Arts Center offers a great night out–they have performances in community theater for kids and adults, as well as local ballet. Across from the Cary Arts Center, don’t forget to visit Downtown Park, with its beautiful fountain perfect for a scenic picnic lunch. The Cary Theater is another great theatre spot–built-in 1946, see an independent film, listen to local musical artists or get some good laughs at a comedy show.
Destination-worthy restaurants and foodie stops you’ll love eating and hanging out in.
Master Baker Lionel Vatinet’s La Farm Bakery is a bakery and European-style cafe that offers various tarts, artisan bread, pastries, and products in the French style of baking and cuisine, using a tradition based upon hundreds of years of experience. The chocolate layer cake, the chocolate almond croissant, and pimento cheese spread atop their baguettes are just a few of the local’s favorites.
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Ashworth Drugs is another highlight, opened in 1957 and still serving hot dogs, Coke floats, and other classic favorites. They also serve lunch!
Pizzeria Faulisi, owned by a husband and wife team, is the best go-to spot for Neapolitan pizza and offers creative specials and fun drinks.
North Carolina is known for its breweries and Cary is no exception. Bond Brothers Beer Company is a taproom and microbrewery right downtown with award-winning IPAs, kettle sours, and stouts. They also have a large outdoor seating area that is great for still being able to go out during COVID. Food trucks are usually nearby so you can enjoy some fun food and a drink. Fortnight Brewing Company offers traditional English-style beers as well as an outdoor seating area, giving visitors a lot of fun options
for a night out with friends.
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The Herons at the Umstead Hotel and Spa is a great spot for fine dining and a fun spa day! Enjoy a night away with high-quality spa services too. The Herons was given five stars in the Forbes Travel Guide.
Fresh. Local Ice Cream sources their milk locally and offers fun flavors like Midnight Chocolate Crunch and birthday cake. Of course, NC Eat & Play has covered the sweetness of Fresh. Local Ice Cream. We love them!
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The Chatham Hill Winery is the first winery in the Triangle with grapes grown right here in North Carolina. Chardonnay, Merlot, Viognier–a lot of options and tasting sessions can make for a nice evening. They have outdoor seating and tabletop games, making this an inviting spot in the city
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Welcoming cultural events and cultural centers.
Cary offers a wide array of diverse festivals and events. The Diwali Indian Festival of Lights in October and the Kwanzaa Festival in December are just a few–there are events throughout the year for various cultures and artistic interests. These festivals, as well as local temples, speak to the wonderful diversity of the area.
The Sri Venkateswara Temple has given the tens of thousands of Hindus in the area a place to call their own. The facade was built by 14 South Indian artisans brought in especially for the task, and it’s no wonder–the ornate detailing is incredible. The chief architect, Nand Gopal Sachdeva, traveled in India for years searching for the design just right for this building and it shows. It produces a monthly magazine and has made a community center for the South Asian population in Raleigh.
Adventure awaits in its parks.
Cary has over 35 greenway trails that give locals a scenic paved path for jogging, biking, and walking. North Cary Park also offers a playground, climbing wall, basketball, and volleyball.
Hemlock Bluff Nature Preserve and the Stevens Nature Center have 3 miles of mulched trails and overlook that offer bird watching opportunities. The Nature Center has outdoor programs offering environmental education classes about the local plants
and flowers, great for adults and children alike.
Fred G. Bond Metro Park is in the middle of the city and surrounds Bond Lake. Little ones can enjoy the Lazy Daze Playgrounds while their parents catch their breath and enjoy the view.
Sources
- “Cary, N.C.” Things to Do in Cary. Accessed 1 Mar. 2021.
- Wikipedia contributors. “USA Baseball National Training Complex.” Wikipedia, 27 July 2019.
- User, Tripadvisor. “Good Beer, Nice Atmosphere – Review of Bond Brothers Beer Company, Cary, NC.” Tripadvisor, 7 Dec. 2020.
- User, Tripadvisor. “Best Pizza in Cary – Review of Pizzeria Faulisi, Cary, NC -Tripadvisor.” TripAdvisor, 31 Dec. 2020.
- “North Carolina FC.” North Carolina FC. Accessed 1 Mar. 2021.
- visitRaleigh. “Event Guide: North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary, N.C.” Event.
- Guide: North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary, N.C., 22 Nov. 2019.
- “Nature Programs and Classes | Town of Cary.” Town of Cary. Accessed 3 Mar. 2021.
- Tabletop Media Group. “Things to Do in Downtown Cary, N.C.” VisitRaleigh Insider, 3 Feb. 2021,
- TheCrazyTourist. “15 Best Things to Do in Cary (NC).” The Crazy Tourist, 26 Jan. 2020,
