by Lauren Kruchten | Sep 25, 2023 | Do, October 2023
Fall weather + Great Trails State Day Oct. 21 = the perfect time to pull up your boots and hit the dusty trail.
Despite the cooling temps, you should no doubt stay on your hot girl/boy walk game. Sweaters, crunchy leaves and a chilly breeze… name a better way to spend a gorgeous fall day/weekend—we’ll wait (!). On Oct. 21, the Great Trails State Coalition, the same group behind NC’s Year of the Trail, is hosting its first annual Great Trails State Day—giving you all the more reason to take a stroll on one of Raleigh’s superb walking/hiking trails. Here, local trail picks for where your boots should be walkin’ this fall.
Umstead State Park
With 20 miles of hiking trails—NTM gorgeous lake views—this natural park paradise is a primo choice to get your nature on. For those really looking to get their steps, opt for the 7.2-mile Sycamore Trail, topping out as the park’s longest.
North Carolina Museum of Art Trail
Art meets nature at the Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park, featuring installations by international artists along environmentally sustainable landscapes, gorgeous gardens, and miles of Greenway and wooded trails. Post-hike, find a cozy spot on the lawn to enjoy a picnic—or a nap (we aren’t judging).
Neuse River Greenway Trail
For scenic river views, look no further than this attractive segment of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail feat. 27.5 miles of paved trail winding through wetlands, historical sights and agricultural fields.
Shelley Lake Park
A leisurely stroll awaits via 2 miles of paved scenic greenway trails around the lake—and further blow off steam on the basketball courts or by throwing a line off the dock or pedestrian bridges.
Historic Yates Mill County Park
TLC said not to go chasing waterfalls, but do water-powered gristmills count? Either way, do it for the ’Gram—then make your way through the 174-acre park and wildlife refuge via trails ranging from 0.8 miles to 2 miles.
Lake Johnson
Choose your own adventure by taking either the paved greenway trail or natural surface trail, both looping the lake. And for primo sun-soaking, pop a squat near the dam and pack a picnic.
Durant Nature Preserve
Designated as a Nature Preserve in 2010, Durant park boasts 5 miles of trails for exploring the park’s 237 acres of streams, lakes, hardwood and pine forests, wetlands, lakes, and more. Mountain biking and fishing are also permitted.
by Melissa Howsam | Mar 31, 2022 | April 2022, Do
Hate leaving those cute puppy dog eyes every time you go out? So don’t! … Get out of the doghouse and treat your four-legged bestie to a date in the city. Whether your dog digs snacks (who doesn’t?), play, or maxin’ and relaxin’, we’ve got the perf picks to get
that tail wagging.
Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard
This chill neighborhood garage bar with its large heated patio and massive brewyard has quickly become a go-to year-round fave for pup parents and their fur-children for its big pup-friendly vibes, giant lawn games, live music… bow-wow-wow yippie yo yippie yay! bowstringbrewyard.com
West Street Dog
Happy hour = happy hound at West Street Dog—aka an indoor off-leash dog park with a full bar… so a pup pourhouse, if you will. For playdates, doggy daycare and social hour at night and on weekends are also on offer. But be careful, most dogs can’t hold their licker (had to). weststreetdog.com
Raleigh Beer Garden
If Fido is a foodie—or just feelin’ a lil husky—head to Raleigh Beer Garden for its Hungry Dawgs menu, feat four-legged-friendly treats like carrots, bacon, burgers and more. Clearly, a doggone good time. theraleighbeergarden.com
Dix Park Dog Park
Suns out, paws out! Romping around unleashed in Dix Park’s dog park is a fave for a reason—especially for its size-specific play spaces… so you don’t have to worry about your Chihuahua getting run over by a Great Dane. dixpark.org
Wye Hill
You go for brunch or brews or dinner or views—your fur-ever friend goes for the ulti-mutt experience—aka that massive dog biscuit (bone appetite!), a dedicated dog bowl and, well, those primo vistas of DTR (and you, of course). wyehill.com
House of Hops
Eternal hoptimists come with four legs too, and your four-legged friend’ll be yippin’ “ale, yeah” to some liquid therapy—either inside with pals or out on the patio woofin’ it while you play cornhole or just chill. Hoppy tails to you… North Glenwood & McNeil Pointe, houseofhopsnc.com
NCMA
Rover’s gonna love rovin’ North Carolina Museum of Art’s Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park. Whether roaming the trails, propping up near the pond, sniffin’ the sculptures or basking in the sun on the Ellipse lawn, your pup’ll no doubt be yippin’ “art art!” ncartmuseum.org
