Keeping the soul of Raleigh alive in lieu of another teardown are singer Tift Merritt and Durham hotelier Daniel Robinson, whose plans for the storied Yellow Gables Inn in Mordecai will lean into a sort of deja vu midcentury moment in Raleigh history.
The once-popular rest stop on the hip thoroughfare from Florida to New York a la 1920s to ’50s is one of only two popular remaining stays that hasn’t been destroyed. Now, Merritt and Robinson have resumed plans for reno and restoration. “The goal is to highlight the property’s historic and architectural references without kitsch,” says Robinson, “and with emphasis on the more casual side of Raleigh’s emerging culture: artistic, playful, accessible, informal.”
With construction set to begin on The Gables Lodge in Q1 2023 and a newly signed hospitality agreement with Early Bird Night Owl (projects include The Willard, The Durham Hotel, and The Mayton and Peck & Plume), the hoteliers are primed to keep the soul of the 1925 inn built by William and Ella Johnson in a moment where residents are desperate to cling to some of our significant structures.
The property’s stone garage, rich finishes and 17 cozy rooms will harken back to memories of family road trips and impromptu rest stops at less-than-fancy motels. At Gables, travelers—and Raleighites—will also be able to enjoy a drink from the lodge’s neighborhood bar. Get ready to make those staycation plans. gableslodge.com
By Anna Beth Adcock and Lauren Kruchten | Photos courtesy of Airbnb
Raleigh landed the No. 2 spot on Airbnb’s top trending U.S. cities for Labor Day weekend. Here, some local Airbnbs to rent for a staycation.
The unofficial end to summer, Labor Day weekend is known for that final mass exodus to the coast. But—hear us out—why not skip the inevitable Labor Day weekend traffic and consider a staycation close to home?!
Though it should come as no surprise to us Raleighites—ahem, the City of Oaks is the No. 6 best place to live in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report, after all—our fair city was recently ranked the No. 2 destination for travelers this Labor Day weekend by Airbnb (!). With the long weekend still a couple weeks away, there’s plenty of time to book local lodging—or even become a host to earn a little extra vacay money. Here, we round up some of our top local Airbnb picks for the holiday. … And, well, we’d give this staycay five stars!
Fancy the Midtown life? This fenced-in home in North Raleigh is perfect for families—with two legs or four! Located minutes from local parks, trails (there’s a public Greenway access a half-mile away!) and free fam-friendly activities—plus 20 minutes from Downtown and seven minutes from North Hills—this Airbnb gives you the privacy of a quaint and quiet neighborhood without all the noise or parking probs you’d have to deal with in Downtown. Upping the appeal factor, there’s a fully stocked kitchen for all you home chefs, a super-large dining room table to fit the whole fam, and a play structure in the backyard for the kiddos.
With its sought-after location in the Warehouse District, this super-walkable condo—with a private garage to boot—is ideal for those looking to spend some time exploring popular spots like Barcelona Wine Bar (tapas + wine = the perf happy hour pairing), Boxcar (get your game on!) and CAM Raleigh (calling all culture vultures!). Or, take a stroll through Raleigh’s newly launched social district; catch a concert at Red Hat; or grab a seat at one of Raleigh’s many delish restos (hey, Oak Steahouse!). Complete with a kitchen, free parking (!) and a ton of great amenities, this modern Airbnb is a must-stay for a weekend of city livin’ on Labor Day or any day.
Take your hot girl walks Downtown this Labor Day weekend with a squat in this refurbished 1930s Airbnb, complete with gorgeous hardwood floors and high ceilings. Located only a few blocks from Raleigh staple Transfer Co. Food Hall and with easy access to Red Hat Amphitheater, Moore Square and Raleigh’s Greenway trails, this modern cottage positions patrons for an easygoing stay-and-play weekend sans the drive down 40. To boot, the charming abode boasts a private patio, a space for working (if you must!)—and it’s nestled in a quiet neighborhood only a few blocks from DTR, giving you all the convenience without any of the nightlife noise. Booking now…
If shopping, eating and drinking is your ideal staycay, this Village District Airbnb is calling. Walk to local faves like The Flying Biscuit Cafe, Tazza Kitchen, Benelux Coffee, Charlotte’s and Cheshire Cat Antique Gallery; hit up a new show in Goodnights’ just-bowed temporary Village District locale in the old K&W; or grab a scooter and venture Downtown. But thanks to high-end design details (we see you suspended fireplace and luxe white furnishings!), chilling at the house is also a solid option.
Snooze under the stars in this spacious and stylish woodsy wonder featuring an open-kitchen concept, large living room (perf for a casual night in by the fireplace) and a wooden deck complete with potted plants and string lights (ooh, la, la!). With a setup this sweet, you’ll have no problem getting some much-needed R&R—but if you’re looking to get out and about, DTR is just 20 minutes away, and you can get to Crabtree Valley Mall in 10. A Starry Night, indeed!
The November issue of Raleigh Magazine will be on stands around town and delivered to your doors and mailboxes in just a few days! If you can’t wait until then, here’s a quick look at some of the stories we have in store.
ABC 123
Ever seen a unicorn? Well if you’re a bourbon lover in NC who’s happened to land an impossible-to-find bottle of Blanton’s or Buffalo Trace, then maybe you are one of the lucky few. So why can’t you get the bottles you want? Why do people make a break for SC and other states for bottles? (Spoiler alert: Ours is one of only seven where the state owns all the liquor stores directly). Here, we do a deep-dive into NC’s arguably archaic state-run system.
Waterfront Park
Picture this. Riding your bike on rolling waterside greenways before propping up for a brew with views. Strolling with your partner or pup before popping into a hip retail spot. Perching with a book before meeting friends for a bite on the banks. All positioned in a reimagined high-density residential area chock-full of 7- to 12-story mixed-use buildings with residential, retail and restaurants. Enter the Midtown Waterfront District, the City of Raleigh’s newest anticipated project.
Raising the Bar
Photo by Food Seen
Feeling aged out of the bar scene? Time to rethink your weekend plans. Hear us out. Local hospitality entrepreneurs are reimagining—and elevating—their spaces to “age in” those who feel they don’t “belong” and re-attract patrons of all ages Downtown.
48 Hours in Raleigh
Got visitors in town this holiday season? Whether you’re hanging with your hip single besties, friends with young kids, your empty-nester parents, some art-savvy culture vultures or your octogenarian grandparents, we’ve got you covered with 48-hour schedules of what to do—and where to put them up—during their time here. With this in-depth guide, they’ll experience not a second of boredom—and you’ll be left feeling oh-so stress-free. Also, our planner easily transitions to a self-help staycation guide.
Let’s Get Fizzical
White Claw, who? Meet your new go-to RTD (aka ready to drink) obsession: Ranch Water Hard Seltzer. A riff on the trending Texas sipper—dubbed Ranch Water—this new sipworthy canned creation from Lonerider Brewing Company features notes of Ranch Water, agave, lime puree, sea salt and tequila essence, and weighs in at a mere 80 cals and 3.6% ABV. Rolling out in November, we betcha can’t stop at just one…
