Red Roof Inn Raleigh Downtown NCSU

College Basketball

by MovingMere

North Carolina loves college basketball like the rest of the world loves soccer.

Basketball season runs from the fall to the winter, and the biggest month is March, when March Madness takes over and productivity grinds to a halt. The ACC tournament is huge, as four of the ACC schools (NCSU, Duke, Wake Forest, and UNC-CH) are located in the state. Many of the games in the tournament are in the middle of the day, and I remember being rewarded in middle school for good grades and getting to skip class to watch the games.

After the regional championships have been decided, the teams playing in the national tournament are decided. NC State is totally going to win this year. Totally.

Pastas, pizzas, and wine

by MovingMere about 518 West Italian Cafe

This Italian restaurant offers good food and a great atmosphere. Located next to the railroad tracks in downtown Raleigh, 518 is housed in a brick building with the brick arches and walls visible from the interior. Warm bread is served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The salads are excellent, the pasta is fresh, and the pizzas delicious.

Monday nights are the best time to go, as bottles of wine are half priced. I've had most of the pizzas, but the good ol' margarita might be my favorite. My favorite pasta is a tie between the hazelnut pesto and the baked pasta. The polenta is also good.

Late lunch one Sunday in July

by gordonilla about Brio Tuscan Grill

I made a Sunday afternoon visit to the Crabtree Valley Mall, and after shopping I had lunch at Brio. IT was excellent, staff were friendly and attentive. I was there at a little after 14.00, so had a late lunch.

The recpotion staff were friendly too, and let me wait inside when there was a torrential down pour of rain after a very warm afternoon.

Sun-Th 11:00am-10:00pm, Fri-Sat 11:00am-11:00pm

BRUNCH AT BRIO ~ Available Saturday and Sunday Until 3pm.

The NC State Fair has the...

by amyday

The NC State Fair has the usual games, food, rides, and crafts as most local fairs but there is just something special about this one that you have to experience first hand.
The people are so nice!! They ask you how you're doing and really want to know the answer! They go out of their way to make sure you are having a good time.

Blossom Carolina Style

by Maria250

Raleigh is beautiful embraced by tree-shaded streets and boulevards with flowering plants.

Raleigh became North Carolina's capital 1792 right before the Civil War. "..the city was the setting of the fiery legislative debate that led to North Carolina's secession from the Union in 1861. Raleigh endured Union occupation by General Sherman in 1865..Today the capitol is the focal point for a cluster of state office buildings in the heart of the city.."

Raleigh's down town with its lovely brick buildings is home to many shopping places and centers, museums, restaurants, bars, clubs, coffeeshops, beautiful pedestrian zones with trees and fountains, flea markets, and many college campuses. The oldest college, St. Mary's College, was founded in 1842.

Raleigh is a fine place with genuine Southern flair. From the city's center it's very easy to explore the Research Triangle area, and doing some sight seeing also in and around Chapel Hill and Durham.

"Taking a ride and..."

"...finding more than what one came for.."