Triangle Favorites

Cary, Raleigh, and Durham have some of North Carolina’s best, which is why SmartAsset ranked Raleigh as the third HAPPIEST CITY  in the United States and Durham as the 19th. Having family in Raleigh and Cary with some NC State in the house also brings me a lot of love and memories in the NC Triangle. Downtown Cary Park is a major event hub, and the city itself has a huge emphasis on performing arts. Durham is home to the Durham Bulls and has one of the most underrated downtowns. Raleigh is the state capital for a reason, and overflows with incredible food. The Triangle is one of the few places I can say truly never runs out of things to do. Let's dive deeper into some of my favorite places in the Triangle area… 

Aaktun Coffee and Bar, Durham

Downtown Cary Park

So underrated! Cary Park hosts events focused on wellness, food, music, art, and family entertainment. The famous Pimento Cheese Festival was just hosted at Cary Park and per usual, was a hit! Visit the April Events Calendar linked below to see the amazing spring events Cary Park has to offer. 

• https://www.customcarolinatravel.com/post/what-to-do-in-nc-this-april 

• 327 S Academy St, Cary

Aaktun Coffee and Bar, Durham

Truly one of the best restaurants I have been to. I am a huge breakfast person, and their fluffy, delicious breakfast sandwiches set the bar very high. This Tulum-inspired cafe by day and tiki experience by night creates a well-rounded experience where you can find fun and tasty food and drinks no matter what time of day or night you go. The chef-owner of Aaktun is a two-time James Beard semifinalist, and the staff is incredibly kind and thorough when explaining their diverse menu. This is a must-visit!

• https://aaktun.info/ 

• 704 Ramseur St, Durham

Aaktun Coffee and Bar, Durham

Tazza Kitchen, Cary and Raleigh

Tazza Kitchen is a Baja-inspired kitchen inspired by the owners' amazement at the simplicity of the food in the Valley of Guadalupe. Although they are famous for their pizza and tacos, their unique bowls are my favorite. 

• https://www.tazzakitchen.com/ 

• Raleigh: 432 Woodburn Rd, Raleigh

• Cary: 600 Ledgestone Way, Cary

Tazza Kitchen, Cary

Fenton Shopping Center, Cary

This vibrant and lively shopping center looks straight out of a summer magazine feature. You could enjoy a full day of fun in Fenton at its Club Pilates, Free People, Paragon Theatres, Colleta Italian, and more. My favorite part is the Carriage House coffee truck. Not only is it adorable and serves delicious coffee, but its mission statement of spreading joy by serving the best gourmet coffee has a ripple effect that shines through their service and sets the tone for an amazing day. 

• https://fentonnc.com/

• https://fentonnc.com/stores/carriage-house-coffee/ 

• 201 Fenton Gateway Dr, Cary

Press Coffee, Durham

If you are looking for a French crepe and beverage environment that screams European from the flavors to the design, Press is for you. Their Durham location is tucked into the American Tobacco District. Their crepes and coffee were authentically delicious, and I am very much hoping they make their way to Charlotte, even though I would 100% drive two hours for their crepes alone! Whether you like sweet or savory, or breakfast or lunch, there are delicious options for every craving. Be aware of their changing menu as they operate under a certain menu during the week and another over the weekend. 

• https://pressccc.com/ 

• Graham: 133 N Main Street, Graham

• Durham: 359 Blackwell Street, Durham

• Raleigh: 400 Hillsborough St, Suite 108, Raleigh

Press Coffee, Durham

Lafayette Village, Raleigh

To keep the French vibe rolling, make your way over to Lafayette Village, a slice of Europe brought to Raleigh. This shopping center was designed to closely resemble the streets of Europe and reminds me of the streets that begin the movie, Beauty and the Beast. There are French-designed experiences such as Le Macaron Pastries and the Chocolate Boutique, but many more Raleigh favorites, like Juicekeys, are part of this lovely shopping center.  

• https://lafayettevillageraleigh.com/ 

• 8450 Honeycutt Rd

Lafayette Village, Raleigh

21C Museum Hotel, Durham 

In the heart of Downtown Durham, 21C Museum Hotel takes an artistic spin on your traditional hotel. This museum and hotel combination bursts with creativity and comfort. Their rotating exhibit themes and iconic pink penguins at the front bring the artistic touch the Triangle is known for to Durham. 

• https://www.21cmuseumhotels.com/durham

• 111 North Corcoran St, Durham

Pullen Park, Raleigh

Home to one of the oldest amusement parks in the WORLD, Pullen Park is a Raleigh classic. As the weather warms up, you can experience kiddie boats, a carousel, pedal boats, carnival games, and the classic Pullen Park train. They offer multiple playgrounds taken to the next level, labeled by age, and that also include sand and water stations. One of my theories of why Raleigh is ranked the third happiest city in the country is that the parks in the city and the broader triangle area are truly unmatched!

• https://raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation/places/pullen-park-amusements 

• 520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh

Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh

As a bookstore lover, this cozy but huge bookstore was an absolute dream. This two-story 4.8 4.8-star reviewed store has won multiple awards for the breadth of its offerings and devotion to sparking a passion for literature in children and beyond. This is a must-visit!

• https://www.quailridgebooks.com/

• 4209-100 Lassiter Mill Rd

The Triangle area is truly such an important piece of what makes North Carolina special. Stay tuned for our May events calendar, coming soon, to explore the best events in the Triangle area! Follow @customcarolinatravel on Instagram and stay tuned for lots to come in May at customcarolinatravel.com. WE ARE SO HAPPY YOU ARE HERE!