Cities within one hour of Garner, North Carolina, provide residents the chance to experience a diverse lifestyle. Garner is just minutes from world-class restaurants, local retailers, breweries, and brewpubs; plus, its proximity to Raleigh/RTP makes it ideal for businesses in search of a skilled workforce.
Raleigh
Raleigh is an inspiring blend of tradition and innovation, boasting both large technology companies like Red Hat and an outstanding research university like NC State. But Raleigh retains an intimate feel as its downtown is filled with historic buildings that house eateries and shops for shopping or eating out.
The North Carolina State Capitol is an ideal starting point for your tour of Raleigh. Take a guided tour or discover it yourself; this building has plenty to offer, such as visitable rooms and beautiful statues.
If you’re seeking something more active, visit JC Raulston Arboretum in Jacksonville – it offers a delightful garden full of plants as well as stunning waterfall and bridge features. Additionally, check out McDowell/401 heading into town!
Umstead State Park is another noteworthy spot, featuring miles of hiking trails and activities for all members of the family – there’s even a swimming hole! Additionally, this park houses numerous attractions, such as an 1850s farmhouse, an equestrian center, and a working gristmill – to name but a few!
Cary
Cary is one of North Carolina’s largest cities and home to the USA Baseball National Training Complex. This vibrant city offers a lively arts scene, tasty eateries, must-visit breweries, and thrilling sporting events, not to mention stunning parks and lakes to discover! Additionally, its high safety ranking makes Cary an attractive location for families.
Cary offers numerous attractions, such as Fred G. Bond Metro Park – perfect for nature walks and hiking – located by Bond Lake, with a public boathouse offering various types of boats for rent. Additionally, Cary Arts Center features art exhibitions as well as open studio classes offering painting, pottery making, glassblowing, and metalworking classes.
Maximillian’s Grill offers globally inspired meals that feature local ingredients alongside their extensive wine menu featuring rare vintages, craft cocktails and mocktails, and pretzel bread pudding as an unforgettable must-try dish!
Durham
Durham offers unforgettable experiences, from tantalizing food to an exhilarating nightlife scene. Its vibrant downtown district is home to hundreds of independent eateries and boutiques, plus it’s home to Duke University.
Durham attracts many bright minds from all around the world who visit Duke and North Carolina Central universities, as well as its world-class research park for study or work purposes. These brilliant minds have given rise to revolutionary creations such as AstroTurf, AZT LED lighting, and the barcode system, to name a few.
No visit to Durham would be complete without taking in a Duke basketball game, as college hoops are practically a religion there, and locals love showing their team spirit at games. Fans gather outside the arena in Krzyzewskiville before popular games begin; once played, they often get rowdy during most exciting matches before heading over to one of Durham’s downtown pubs for postgame drinks! Another must-see attraction in Durham is American Tobacco Campus, a historic Lucky Strike factory transformed into a cultural hub featuring trendy restaurants, bars, and galleries, as well as hosting Eno River State Park’s miles of scenic hiking trails and picnic spots – an excellent sight-seeing area that appeals equally well to families, couples or solo travelers alike!
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is known for being home to one of the United States’ premier universities – the University of North Carolina – which draws students with its vibrant student body. A mixture of small-town charm and metropolitan amenities, Chapel Hill offers plenty of attractions that will keep visitors occupied throughout their visit – such as University campus tours, Ackland Art Museum visits and Morehead Planetarium & Science Center holidays are sure to make your trip unforgettable!
UNC is known for its legendary basketball program, but there’s much more to Chapel Hill than just Tar Heel Blue. From Gimghoul Castle to Franklin Street and more, Chapel Hill offers something for everyone.
Bolin Creek Trail provides outdoor enthusiasts with an ideal way to appreciate Chapel Hill’s nature, making a 2.5-mile greenway accessible for hikers, bikers, pedestrians, picnic shelters, and restrooms for visitors. Families will especially love visiting 1870 Farm – a local community farm featuring sheep, goats, llamas, chickens, as well as petting pens, and tours!
Greensboro
Greensboro, the county seat of Guilford County and part of a triangular metropolitan area encompassing Winston-Salem and High Point, boasts a long and distinguished textile manufacturing heritage that is evident today in an evocative collection of grand commercial and civic buildings, which now serve as a home for an array of arts and culture organizations like Greensboro Opera and Ballet.
History enthusiasts shouldn’t miss visiting the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, which features a permanent display of Ku Klux Klan robes alongside documents related to reforms that legalized black voting rights in America. Don’t miss it!
Foodies will want to visit Greensboro’s primary market, an increasingly popular gathering spot for local farmers and producers selling fresh fruits and vegetables, handmade cheese, homemade bread and pastries, smoked meats, and much more. Here, you will also find some of Greensboro’s finest restaurants, such as Machete or Funderburk’s Soul Food, in addition to plenty of bars and nightclubs, such as Elm Street Lounge, which hosts live music while offering cocktails!
Burlington
Burlington is an attractive city for families, offering many attractions tailored to kids of all ages. With ample parks that provide opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking trails and camping, plus its Alamance Battleground State Historic Site that pays homage to an important Revolutionary War battle fought here, Burlington makes for an excellent family trip destination.
At Downtown City Park, visitors can also take advantage of an assortment of shopping boutiques and outlets offering unique goods, as well as enjoy its thriving cultural scene with world-class museums, theaters, ballet, festivals, and music to satisfy every taste. In addition, Downtown City Park hosts amusement rides such as the historic Dentzel Carousel.
Burlington residents love Cedarock Park, an outdoor sports and recreation facility offering 75 acres of activities such as hiking, disc golfing, fishing, and more. Open daily from sunrise to sunset, visitors can hike, play disc golf, and fish while spending quality time here.
Burlington offers visitors another popular activity: racing. To experience it firsthand, head to Elon, North Carolina’s Ace Speedway raceway, which features a quarter-mile paved oval track. There, you will find stock, modified, and UCAR division championship races taking place regularly.
Roanoke Rapids
Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, is an oasis of natural beauty and cultural vibrancy, boasting both rich history and lively traditions. Set near idyllic lakes and the Roanoke River, Roanoke Rapids blends small-town traditions with modern approaches to commerce – perfect for day trips from garner. Explore its historic downtown district and cultural attractions during one of your excursions from Garner.
Roanoke Rapids offers something casual or gourmet for every palate imaginable, including online food ordering from restaurants such as Popeyes Louisiana Chicken (1811 Julian R Allsbrook Hwy) and Zaxby’s (1907 Julian R Allsbrook Hwy). Or browse places by cuisine and category before ordering directly through an app – fast, easy delivery service is guaranteed by these establishments!
Roanoke Rapids offers visitors several unique attractions. One is the Roanoke Canal Museum and Trail, which demonstrates how this former trade route became a hydroelectric power resource. You can explore its original 7.2-mile towpath for stunning views of both waterways and surrounding forests. Halifax County Arts Council Gallery also provides a delightful exhibition of paintings and prints for viewing pleasure.