WEB EXCLUSIVEOne of Raleigh’s fave music venues debuts widespread improvements, just in time for summer concerts.
This summer is all about living it up—and making up for lost time—so it’s no surprise concerts are on the top of everyone’s summer bucket list. And being right in the heart of Downtown Raleigh, Red Hat Amphitheater is perfect for dancing the night away to your fave bands coming through town. To prep for the venue’s summer lineup, Red Hat has been undergoing new improvements for a better concert experience that surely won’t fall flat.
For starters, the venue got a fresh coat of paint and updated signage. And ladies especially will rejoice at the additional bathroom stalls added—no more long lines! Additionally, in an effort to create a safe and inclusive environment for all, Red Hat now has designated gender-neutral bathrooms.
Speaking of safe, Red Hat’s decking has been redone with a new anti-slip, anti-rot, environmentally friendly material. Talk about a win-win for both concertgoers and the environment. And we can’t forget to mention the seat upgrades. The venue has swapped out its seats for something a little more breathable—hallelujah!—and that contours to your back for ultimate comfort. Don’t worry, Red Hat didn’t forget about the musicians; the green room has also completely been updated with natural greenery, a gas fire pit, games, an arcade system and even an Atari! We can’t think of a more fun way to get amped for a concert.
WEB EXCLUSIVEExplore the beauty of the NC coast and beyond right from the heart of Downtown Raleigh.
A day at the beach without having to make the drive or come home covered in sand? Yes, please! All July long, the NC Museum of History will be offering both in-person and virtual events highlighting the sunny North Carolina coast—sunscreen not required.
There’s the Beach Music exhibit, a rich and interactive gallery highlighting all the hits, dance moves and stories behind the iconically Carolinian music. Expect to see the familiar sights and sounds of the most influential bands of beach music, including the Embers, Chairmen of the Board, and the Tams while you check out the flashy costumes worn by some of the stars; play beach music faves from a vintage 1965 Wurlitzer jukebox; watch a live feed of Carolina Beach; and even learn how to shag.
Additionally, the Are We There Yet? photography gallery looks back at North Carolina’s tourism boom, which was largely thanks to a state-run marketing effort in the 1930s called “Variety Vacationland.” The efforts put NC on the map as a destination, not just a stopover, and this exhibit highlights the successful campaign and its impacts on local tourism.
Besides the beach, the museum is also featuring a virtual stroll through America’s finest example of Greek Revival residential architecture through a special edition of History + Highballs; a behind-the-scenes look at the Toy Boom! exhibit with curator Katie Edward; and more.
With everything going on at the history museum this month, there’s more than enough ways to get your fill of sun and fun (and history!) right in the heart of Downtown—plus, it’s getting way too hot outside and the AC is pretty excellent.
WEB EXCLUSIVEFlixBus offers stress-free travel to 80 destinations across the country, so get ready to book your next vacation.
Bus travel is the new plane travel, thanks to FlixBus (No airport security! No baggage fees! No running through the airport to catch your next flight!). Having just launched service in 12 Southeast cities (including Durham and Charlotte), the intercity bus network makes dropping all your responsibilities to go on a summer vacay convenient, affordable and comfortable, with 80-plus destinations in 11 states from which to choose for your next weekend escape or weeklong getaway. Um, who’s ready who’s ready to plan a trip?!
FlixBus Destinations Map
Ride to your destination in style with seats that are designed to be extra-comfy—think reclining abilities and extra legroom, so you can reallyyyyy stretch out on your journey. Yes, please! And if you’re working for the weekend, you can connect to FlixBus’ free Wi-Fi on board while charging up all your electronics with private power outlets at each seat. Talk about convenience.
FlixBus is also dedicated to both safety and sustainability. Bus travel is already one of the most eco-friendly ways to travel, but FlixBus takes it a step further with high levels of efficiency in terms of fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Passengers can even choose to purchase CO2 Compensation tickets, a voluntary environmental contribution that helps offset carbon emissions produced during your journey. Ergo, you can travel green while saving some green!
So, if you were looking for an excuse to book a girls’/guys’ trip, a romantic rendezvous, a family getaway or a solo vacation (who couldn’t use one of those right now), here you go. And if you’re not sure where to get away to, check out some of our travel guides for a little vacay-spiration. Safe travels!
WEB EXCLUSIVEDorothea Dix Park’s The Oak Room is perfect for kiddos and dogs alike.
Before we know it, summer will be over (time flies when you’re having fun in the sun!), so take advantage of the warm weather and the kiddos being out of school by spending some quality time outdoors—with your pup, if you have one!
Lucky for us, Raleigh is home to a plethora of beautiful green spaces that make getting outside a breeze, and your doggo surely could use a day out to stretch its legs. Dorothea Dix Park—recently dubbed the Central Park of the South by Travel and Leisure Magazine—is the perf locale for any occasion: charcuterie with the squad, a family picnic or an afternoon of fetch with the dog!
And hanging out at Dix just got a whole lot brighter with the recently debuted Oak Room, located right next to Harvey Hill, Dix Park’s new go-to spot for families and dog owners alike. While the kiddos are hanging out on the swings and Fido runs free, relax on the benches or the bench swing, and pack a picnic lunch to enjoy under the shady picnic tables (a great way to cool off and refuel during a day of play). Water fountains designed with both water bottle and dog-drinking capabilities will keep you and your furry friends hydrated all day long. This hidden gem will no doubt become a crowd fave this summer when it comes to beating the heat while soaking up some sun!
WEB EXCLUSIVEExplore Raleigh’s African American heritage with the Downtown Raleigh Alliance’s Black History Walking Tours.
Lace up your sneakers and head Downtown—we’re going walking through history. The Downtown Raleigh Alliance’s digital self-guided Black History Walking Tours are the perfect way to explore and learn about the untold history of Raleigh, with stops highlighting Black leaders, entrepreneurs, institutions and places that played pivotal roles in the community.
DRA currently has two tours available—the Raleigh’s Black Main Street and the Historic African American Churches tours. Stops include familiar locales Downtown like the Hamlin Drug Store, East Hargett Street and the Raleigh Furniture Building, with each stop providing a brief writeup on the history of the building, when it was built and its current condition. In between stops, you can read up on some of the people who were influential in Raleigh’s Black community, like Calvin Lightner, an American architect, building contractor and mortician; and Mollie Huston Lee, the first African American librarian in Raleigh.
Next month, DRA is launching two new walking tours exploring the Prince Hall Historic District and East Raleigh – South Park Historic District. The Prince Hall Historic District, formerly South Person/South Blount, is home to several Raleigh landmarks—and US National Register of Historic Places—like the Prince Hall Masonic Temple and the Rogers-Bagley-Daniels-Pegues House.
This area has been home to the African American community (largely given its proximity to Shaw University and to East Hargett Street) since the Reconstruction era. Additionally, the Prince Hall Historic District is dubbed Raleigh’s first African American and mixed-use district.
The East Raleigh – South Park area’s history runs just as deep. African Americans moved to the area en masse just after the Civil War and continuing through the turn of the 20th century, making it Raleigh’s largest historic African American neighborhood.
So the next time you’re gearing up for an afternoon stroll Downtown, why not tune in to a little bit of Raleigh’s history along the way. You might just learn a thing or two. Click here for tour information and map.
