Outdoors in Raleigh: 5 city spaces that offer fall escape
Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year, spinning with crisp air, pumpkins, cider and the urge to explore before winter makes its appearance. It's no secret that Raleigh is a wonderful city known for outdoor adventures and plenty of nature.
But if you're new to Raleigh or haven't had the chance to get out much, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Where do you even begin, and how do you find things to do to get out of the house that will please the entire family?
Luckily, reading this guide will get you outside in nature and moving in the right direction. Read on to learn about the fantastic outdoor adventures you can add to your hometown getaway list.
Visit William B. Umstead State Park
One of the nicest things about Raleigh is that you can have unforgettable outdoor experiences without leaving the city. One of the best ways to do this is to visit the beautiful William B. Umstead State Park, colloquially called simply Umstead.
It's one of Raleigh's most accessible parks, located just 10 miles northwest of downtown Raleigh. You'll find it's a wonderful place to disconnect from city life, taking you through dense trees and beautiful lakes.
You'll find a wide network of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. You can also enjoy fishing, paddling and picnic time with family and friends. The park boasts picnic shelters, a large visitor center and seasonal boat rentals.
Check out what's blooming at the JC Raulston Arboretum
When it comes to things to do in Raleigh, JC Raulston Arboretum should be one of the first things on your list.
This beautifully diverse garden has earned national accolades, and rightfully so. It has a massive collection of plants adapted to use for landscaping in the area. You'll find plants specifically tailored to regions like the Piedmont, which means certain inspiration for your own home and garden.
You can enjoy over 10 acres of fascinating plants and blooming flowers. The arboretum also has plenty of fun events you can check out like Moonlight in the Garden and Garden Story Walk.
Be sure to do some research beforehand and buy tickets in advance since events tend to sell out quickly.
See Dorothea Dix Park
If you're looking for outdoor activities complete with skyline views and an urban feel, you don't want to miss this gem. Dorothea Dix Park is named after Dorothea Dix, who was responsible for helping to establish mental health hospitals in the US during the 19th century. What is now park land was the site of the area's largest mental health hospital for decades.
Today, the city of Raleigh owns the park and runs the non-profit Dix Park Conservancy to support maintaining the park.
Dorothea Dix Park is less than half a mile from downtown Raleigh, so if you want to stay extra close to the city, this park is your best bet. It spans almost 308 acres, making it the largest park in the city.
In the summertime, you can enjoy the well-known "flower field" of gorgeous sunflowers that go into full bloom each year, which provides a beautiful experience and sustainable energy for the city. It's also the perfect place to take quiet walks as well as enjoy views of the downtown skyline.
Popular events include the SunFest in July, with September and October bringing walking tours, yoga, food events and more.
Walk or bike on the Neuse River Greenway Trail
If you want to immerse yourself in Raleigh nature and get a combination of lush woods, water and a connection to downtown Raleigh, hop on this trail as soon as you can.
This paved trail is a whopping 27.5 miles, featuring scenic views of the Neuse River from numerous boardwalk areas. You'll get to walk through historical sights and wetlands and have opportunities to stop and check out the wildlife.
It also allows you to connect with the Walnut Creek Trail, which is around 19 miles in length and takes you on an east-west route through Raleigh. The trail is full of various bird species along with the Walnut Creek Wetland Center.
The Walnut Creek Trail gives you access to North Carolina State University's Centennial Campus, which is just a few miles from Dorothea Dix Park and downtown Raleigh.
When you're out, get into the fall season swing and check out a few fun fall events like pumpkin patches and hayrides.
Explore Raleigh City Farm
Sometimes you need an outdoor activity that doesn't only involve parks and hiking. In these cases, Raleigh City Farm is your go-to destination.
Since 2011, this nonprofit urban farm has been dedicated to growing food for the community. It hosts a "Pay-What-You-Can" farmstand that allows community members to be able to afford to purchase produce.
In addition, Raleigh City Farm shares with local nonprofits to help decrease food insecurity.
You can attend various events that include Wine+Weeds which allow you to enjoy a locally sourced compostable cup of wine before weeding for an hour. During the event, you'll learn about composting and gardening while getting to know other people from your community.
Other October events involve Monday yoga sessions, farm foraging on Thursdays and a harvest dinner. You can also take yourself on a guided tour if you don't want to get involved in an official event.
There are also various workshops like Holiday Crafting and Planning that you can attend along with volunteer opportunities. It's the perfect mix of getting outdoors and getting involved in your community.
Check out this link to see what upcoming events spark your interest.
Fall is the perfect time to get out of the house in the City of Oaks
By all means, give this "things to do to get out of the house" list room to grow and keep adding to it. The more you immerse yourself in Raleigh, the more you'll see what it has to offer.
Continue doing research and don't be afraid to do some unplanned exploring when you're out and about. You never know what unexpected gems you'll come across.
