Spring Bucket List 2025

Spring is finally here! With longer and warmer days ahead, there is lots of fun to be had in the Triangle over the next months - including some of the area’s most prolific events!

For the Art Lover

New season, new opportunities to support local art - the Triangle has no shortage of activities for art lovers this Spring!

• Art in Bloom | March 19-23 | NCMA’s most prolific annual event, local florists create floral interpretations of some of the museum’s art piece - be sure to schedule high tea at the museum, with a menu inspired by the floral creations.

• Dreamville | April 5-6 | Rumored to be J.Cole’s last year putting on this music festival, you will not want to miss this year’s Dreamville Festival, taking place at Dix Park in Raleigh

• Spring Daze | April 26 | Head to Bond Park for art, environmental activities and fun for the whole family!

• Peakfest | May 3 | Celebrate the “Peak of Good Living” (Apex’s moniker), for the 44th year of the annual celebration of art, food and community.

• Artsplosure | May 17-18 | Raleigh’s premiere showcase of art and culture, this May event is another must-do if you are in the area. Local artists, creators, and musicians show off the area’s creative side.

Rooftop Season!

Rooftops are having a moment in the Triangle, with what seems like a new rooftop popping up monthly. With new additions to some established favorites, you are guaranteed to find the perfect spot to sip a cocktail with a view:

• Willard | The perfect rooftop stop if you are going out in Glenwood South, check out their event calendar for special events, including their jazz brunch.

• Durham Hotel | On top of The Durham Hotel, a perfectly mid-century boutique hotel, this rooftop offers sweeping views of Downtown Durham and tasty cocktails. Take a look at their events calendar for special events.

• Level 7 | North Hills’ premiere rooftop bar - highly recommend grabbing a drink here after Beach Music or before your dinner reservation in North Hills.

• Urban Oak | Raleigh’s tallest rooftop opened this year, and tops the new Tempo hotel in Downtown Raleigh.

• High Rail | Opening last year in Seaboard Station, this bar offers delicious cocktails, this bar offers south-facing views of Downtown Raleigh.

• 10th & Terrace | Located inside the Residence Inn in Downtown Raleigh, this is the perfect spot for a rooftop brunch. They also offer cocktail specials based on concerts taking place at Red Hat Ampitheatre.

• Velvet Hippo | This rooftop is known for their rotating, seasonal menus and decor, and absolutely delicious food. On the weekends, they turn up the notch up with a DJ and dance party for their patrons.

• RH Rooftop | Stunning restaurant, opening last year in North Hills, over the RH Gallery - check them out for brunch or dinner, they offer a great wine and beer selection.

• La Terrazza | From the folks that brought us Mulino, La Terrazza opened last year and offers tasty Italian fare with views of Downtown Raleigh.

• Nightingale | Holly Spring’s one-and-only rooftop has absolutely stunning decor and their food is incredible.

• Ava | Rooftop in Cary’s Fenton Development - grab a post-dinner or post-shopping drink at this spot.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

The Triangle is known for its feverish love of sports so, of course there are plenty of opportunities watch your favorite sport this Spring!

• Both the Durham Bulls and Carolina Mudcats start their season in the Spring - this is the perfect time to go to game, with cooler temps compared to summer games.

• The Carolina Hurricanes are wrapping up their season - perhaps a playoff run is in our future, like last year?

• Soccer season is in full swing - catch a NCFC or Carolina Courage game at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.

• The Triangle, aka the home of college basketball, is the perfect play to be for March Madness - sport bars in the area are filled with fans reppring UNC, Duke or Carolina!

Get Out in Nature

The Triangle is renowned for its forested towns and cities, making nature easily accessible to its residents. Check out these items if you are wanting to get out in nature this Spring:

• Take a hike at one of the area’s state parks like Eno River State Park and Umstead State Park.

• See some blooms at local gardens like Sarah P. Duke Gardens, the WRAL Gardens or Raulston Arboretum. Duke Gardens has its famous Cherry Blossom Alley, a can’t-miss moment in the beginning of March where cherry blossoms adorn the garden’s entrance.

• Do a picnic in Dorothea Dix Park (overlooking Raleigh’s skyline) or Durham Central Park (perhaps after a visit to the Durham Farmers’ Market).

• Go for a bike ride or run on Raleigh’s extensive Greenway Trail System or the American Tobacco Trail in Western Wake and Durham counties.

Get Your Grub (and Sip) On

The Triangle’s robust food scene only gets better this season with this incredible slate of foodie events!

• Peak City Pig Fest | April 11-12 | Head to Downtown Apex for bbq food trucks, a beer garden, and kids activities.

• Pimento Cheese Festival | April 12 | Is there anything more North Carolina than pimento cheese? Head to this festival in Downtown Cary for pimento cheese creations from local foodtrucks and vendors.

• ‘Cuegrass | April 19 | Local legendary BBQ joint, The Pit, puts on their annual ‘Cuegrass festival, a celebration of two of Raleigh’s favorite things - bbq and bluegrass!

• Brewgaloo | April 25-26 | One of the country’s largest and most renowned beer festivals, this event has to be radar if you are a beer lover. 100+ local beer vendors, food trucks, live music and more - what could be better!

• Got2beNC Festival | May 16-18 | Enjoy three of days of celebrating everything NC! Shop from local vendors, eat delicious food and enjoy carnival rides and games - it’s a mini state fair!