Quick Summary:

  • Raleigh is an affordable and easily accessible area to visit filled with fun, interesting, and free things to do for visitors of all ages.
  • There are an abundance of free museums throughout the city, leading Raleigh to be nicknamed the "Smithsonian of the South," along with many parks and other nature areas that offer an escape from the busy city.
  • Some attractions are free only on certain days – please check before you go.


1. North Carolina Museum of Art ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Museums & Culture
North Carolina Museum of Art | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© North Carolina Museum of Art

2. North Carolina Museum of History ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Museums & Culture
North Carolina Museum of History | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© North Carolina Museum of History

3. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Category: Kids & Family
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

4. Haywood Hall House and Gardens

Category: Activities
Haywood Hall House and Gardens | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© yod77/stock.adobe.com

5. Pope House Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Pope House Museum | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© Pope House Museum

6. North Carolina Railway Museum & New Hope Valley Railway

Category: Kids & Family
North Carolina Railway Museum & New Hope Valley Railway | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© Vladimir/stock.adobe.com

7. North Carolina State Capitol

North Carolina State Capitol | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© pabrady63/stock.adobe.com

8. American Tobacco Trail

Category: Activities
American Tobacco Trail | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© meihe/stock.adobe.com

9. Cary Heritage Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Cary Heritage Museum | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© Cary Heritage Museum

10. Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park at North Carolina Museum of Art

Category: Activities
Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park at North Carolina Museum of Art | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park at North Carolina Museum of Art

11. Historic Yates Mill County Park

Category: Activities
Historic Yates Mill County Park | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© pabrady63/stock.adobe.com

12. JC Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University

Category: Activities
JC Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© M. Schuppich/stock.adobe.com

13. Mordecai Historic Park

Category: Activities
Mordecai Historic Park | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© Mordecai Historic Park

14. Artspace

Category: Museums & Culture
Artspace | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© Artspace

15. Bass Lake Park

Category: Activities
Bass Lake Park | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© muratani/stock.adobe.com

16. Wake Forest Historical Museum

Category: Activities
Wake Forest Historical Museum | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© Wake Forest Historical Museum

17. Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest

Category: Activities
Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© sjessup/stock.adobe.com

18. City Market

Category: Shopping
City Market | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© ejkrouse/stock.adobe.com

19. City of Raleigh Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
City of Raleigh Museum | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© City of Raleigh Museum

20. Historic Oakwood

Category: Attractions
Historic Oakwood | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© Historic Oakwood

21. North Carolina Executive Mansion

Category: Museums & Culture
North Carolina Executive Mansion | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© North Carolina Executive Mansion

22. Raleigh Flea Market

Category: Shopping
Raleigh Flea Market | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© Punkbarby/stock.adobe.com

23. Warehouse District

Warehouse District | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© zimmytws/stock.adobe.com

24. State Farmers Market

Category: Shopping
State Farmers Market | Free & Affordable Things to Do in Raleigh
© Michael/stock.adobe.com

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