The city of Raleigh is the deserving capital of North Carolina and is the perfect destination for a family holiday or romantic getaway. It is known as "The City of Oaks" for the many oak trees that line the city's streets; these trees offering a pleasant and natural feel to the otherwise metropolitan atmosphere.

The city was built to be open, engaging and unique, celebrating a fun, lively vibe. Raleigh has the appeal of a classic Southern town and is best known for its world-class museums, best Broadway shows and live concerts, Capital area historic sites and shopping Mecca status. Its central position right in the heart of the state of North Carolina makes it easily accessible with whatever mode of transport you choose to come in on.

If you decide to fly in, there are 5 convenient locations from which you can pick up your rental car. This is probably the best option to choose as it will give you the freedom to discover all that Raleigh has to offer, without the restraints that public transport can place on tourists. To begin your discovery of Raleigh, here are a few tips to get your itinerary started:

1. The Museums

As the capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is home to some of the most prestigious museums in the state. Among these are the North Carolina Museum of Art, Museum of Natural Sciences and Museum of History. For those sports fanatics out there, you are sure to find something interesting at the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, which showcases some of the most famous and inspirations moments in sport history.

For those young at heart, the Marbles Kids Museum is sure to please. With interactive fun and exciting exhibitions, you really can't go wrong. The local museum attractions would have to be the Raleigh City Museum. This amazing building is home to interesting and unique exhibitions that are guaranteed to make for a great day out.

There are just so many museums to see that you will no doubt run out of time to see them all. So plan your time wisely to ensure that you get to experience the best that Raleigh has to offer.

2. Historic Oakwood

For a slice of Raleigh's days gone by, a visit to Historic Oakwood is in order. This Nineteenth Century neighbourhood is home to an enchanting restoration of Victorian and Antebellum homes, making it the perfect place for a pleasant afternoon drive in your rental car. This historic district is located near downtown Raleigh, with its varying architectural styles making it the hub of history in Raleigh. Historic Oakwood has earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places, continuing to be one of the main drawing cards of the Raleigh region.

3. Shelley Lake Park

The beautiful and enticing Shelley Lake Park is centred on 50-acre Shelley Lake. This natural wonderland is the ideal place for recreational pleasure and stretching your legs on the greenway trails. Take a leisurely walk around the lake and soak up the natural setting as you watch the sailboats lazily cruise by. Get your feet wet and hire a canoe, paddleboat or rowboat and venture out right to the centre of the great lake. Shelley Lake Park is the perfect place to get back in touch with your inner nature lover and to breathe some fresh air into your lungs.

4. City Market

As mentioned before, Raleigh holds shopping Mecca status and the heart of shopping in Raleigh would have to be City Market. Situated just 3 blocks east of the main street in downtown Raleigh, this quaint shopping area is the perfect place to uncover some great bargains, unique finds and trendy cafes. City Market was built in 1915 and has thrived to become one of the most popular tourist hotspots in the area. The cobblestone streets add to the market's charm and make for a memorable shopping experience that may haunt your credit card bills for many days to come.

5. Artspace

For all those art lovers out there, you certainly won't be disappointed when you visit Raleigh. Artspace is a not-for-profit gallery and workspace for local artists and is the perfect place to views artists in their natural habitats. Artspace presents quality exhibitions and educational programs and is a venue for showcasing regional, National and International artworks. This is a great way to spend an afternoon and will broaden your artistic horizons dramatically.

If you are stuck for ideas as to where you should make your next holiday destination, than take some time to consider the city of Raleigh. With so much to see and do you won't be left with a minute to spare!

Christine Barton