If you search for great places to live in the Raleigh area, you’re sure to find Apex. Both locals and newcomers have been moving here making it one of the fastest-growing older towns in the area. It is a charming city with a picturesque walk through time. Enjoy over 60 buildings dating back to 1870s-1940s as you walk through the downtown area and see little shops and restaurants.
Enjoy a slice of New York pizza from Anna’s pizzeria before you shop in the Rusty Bucket for home decor and accessories, or jewelry at Moon and Lola, founded by Raleigh’s Kelly Shatat. There’s so much to see and do in this historic town.
For newcomers, here’s a quick guide through some of the charming finds you will discover in Apex.
Art and Theater
The Halle Cultural Arts Center has three galleries and a 150-seat theater that offers art exhibitions, performances, and even classes and track-out camps for children and adults. The beautiful building facade on its own is something to see. They even offer free Tuesday morning movies!
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Museums and History
North Carolina Railway Museum and New Hope Valley Railway are a highlight! Visitors can ride a real locomotive train for an hour and learn about railroad history. Model trains are also on the grounds for people to see, as well as Thomas the Train for the little ones! Trains operate April-December and they even offer a Halloween train. During the Easter season, they have an egg hunt that offers a chance for kids to ride four miles of tracks and spot the eggs hiding along the way before they find them. For the young at heart, they have a program called Operate-A-Loco in which you can drive the train on an 8-mile roundtrip through the North Carolina woods and live your dream of being a train operator for an afternoon.
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The Maynard-Pearson House, built around 1870, is a historical home once lived in by Samuel Pearson, founder of Yates Mill in Wake County. The Apex Historical Society has preserved and restored the building, and visitors can learn more about the people who lived there.
More history can be seen walking the historic Hughes and Salem Streets; the area is on the National Register of Historic Places. A Christmas tour of historic homes is offered, as well as a Peak-tique Antiques and Collectibles Festival (named because of Apex’s town motto, “the peak of good living.” The Apex Union Depot was built around 1914 and offers visitors a view of architecture from the late Victorian times. It was the first depot in what would become Apex and was at first a shed with a desk and chair. The fire station is also over 100 years old, with two railway cars buried beneath it.
Here are a few foodie restaurants you’ll find
Award-winning Anna’s Pizzeria is located in the charming downtown and feels like you’ve stepped into a New York pizzeria. Offering seasonal beer and wine options, and authentic pizza and Italian dishes, you don’t want to miss this family-friendly restaurant.
Looking for more of a date spot? Daniel’s Restaurant and Catering offers great Italian food and over 500 different wines. Alpaca Peruvian Charcoal Chicken is also a great lunch spot for South American chicken and delicious sides like plantains and tostones.
The Peak on Salem offers great cocktails and southern food in an upscale dining experience.
Right on Salem Street, it is conveniently close to all the action.
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NC Eat & Play’s Megan loves Apex’s newest restaurant, Scratch
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Megan also loves Fresh. Local Ice Scream
She says, “There is nothing more charming than grabbing a couple of scoops with the family and strolling through the historic downtown sitting on its many benches while people watching.”
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Events in Apex
Live bands perform at the Apex Historic Depot. In front of the Apex Train Depot, bands perform for visitors and locals from the spring to fall season. What a fun backdrop to some great music on a night out with friends!
Downtown Apex offers Trick or Treating for the little ones on Halloween, as well as Christmas on Salem St. Pictures with Santa at the Chamber of Commerce, train and carriage rides, and a tree lighting–this is the place to be for a festive Christmas.
Apex also has the Founders Day Celebration in late winter, with a 5K run, food, and music. The Apex Latino Arts Festival, Apex Jazz, and Music Festival– there always seem to be a fun event going on! The Peak City Pig Fest in mid-June is a barbeque competition with pig races, music, and a beer garden. For The Olde Fashioned Fourth of July, Apex does Uncle Sam’s Parade on Wheels Down Salem Street for kids 12 and under to ride bikes or scooters. The list goes on! As you can see, Apex has no shortage of fun events for people of all ages.
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Shopping
Beaver Creek Commons and Crossings offers major retailers visitors and new homeowners will recognize: from Target, T.J. Maxx, Dicks Sporting Goods, and a movie theater, there is plenty to do!
Apex Parks
Apex Nature Park has a disc golf course, pickleball courts, turf fields for various sports, trails, and a large dog park! Take your fur baby there or a group of friends for a match on a nice, warm North Carolina afternoon. Apex Nature Park Amphitheater offers a Summer Outdoor Music and Movies Series, allowing families to pack up their lawn chairs and snacks to enjoy a movie under the stars.
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The Seymour Athletic Fields have lighted tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, a playground, and a picnic shelter.
Visit Kelly Road Park, a 25-acre park that offers playgrounds, picnic areas, courts, and a softball field.
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Last note: Don’t let the small-town vibe fool you. This town is a big winner with great local shops, restaurants, and things to do.
Sources
- VisitRaleigh. “Apex, N.C.: Things to Do in Apex, N.C.” Apex, N.C.
- The Anna Pizzeria’s Family. “Anna’s Pizzeria.”Â
- Apex Chamber of Commerce. “Community.” Apex Chamber of Commerce, 30 Mar.
2020 - http://thepeakonsalem.com/
- Mace, Jody. “Christmas on Salem Street in Apex 2019
- Triangle’s Train, New Hope Valley Railway. “Apex Union Depot | Triangle’s Train | New
Hope Valley Railway.” Triangle’s Train | New Hope Valley Railway |, 18 Apr. 2017, - Pearson, John William. “About the Apex Historical Society House Timeline.” Apex
Historical Society, Apex Historical Society, Jan. 2011, - “Nature Park & Seymour Athletic Fields | Apex, NC – Official Website.” Apex North
Carolina, www.apexnc.org/800/Nature-Park-Seymour-Athletic-Fields. Accessed 1 Mar.
2021.
