Cary is a friendly and growing town on the doorstep of Raleigh. With many beautiful parks, safe neighborhoods, and good schools, it has taken the persona of a family-oriented city.
There are plenty of outdoor activities nearby, like hiking and bike trails and parks like Bond Park that provide boating, fishing, and picnics. In addition, Cary provides a very high standard of living with a small-town charm and contemporary conveniences including plenty of restaurants, shops, and cultural events.
This article will provide you a list of 20 unique things to do in Cary, North Carolina for your next visit:
1. Explore Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve
One of the most visited places by any nature enthusiast while in Cary, NC is the Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve. The preserve measures 140 acres and features beautiful trails through the lush forests down a rare grove of Eastern Hemlock trees.
Well-marked trails invite one for a great hike, bird-watching, and spotting the local animals. Within it, the Stevens Nature Center offers educational exhibits and programs relating to the natural environment of the area.
When searching around for things to do in Cary, NC, Hemlock Bluffs is a getaway from the maddening crowd right within the center of town.
2. Explore The Cary Arts Center
The Cary Arts Center is located in a very handsome historic school building restored to provide the city with its primary setting for visual and performing arts. It offers classes, workshops, and performances intended for all ages, making it the rallying center for creative expression within the community.
An art lover or just in search of something special to participate in, Cary Arts Center should not be missed. Its friendly atmosphere and diverse programming make it the perfect destination for those in search of what to do in Cary, NC.
The center plays a major role in fostering an appreciation of the arts and linking the community to shared cultural experiences.
3. Discover the Page-Walker Arts & History Center
The most charming, multidimensional arts and cultural center in Cary, North Carolina, put together with a historic 19th-century railway hotel, is the Page-Walker Arts and History Center.
A variety of programs and exhibitions that celebrate both local heritage and contemporary creativity will be offered. Visitors are allowed to tour the lovingly restored building, which includes a gallery space, meeting rooms, and a community garden.
Finally, cultural events, performances, and special programs find their way into the Page-Walker Arts & History Center with the help of involvement and appreciation of art and history by the community.
4. Visit The Sri Venkateshwara Temple
The Venkateswara Temple, located in Cary Town is one of the better-known Hindu temples and enjoys a reputation as a spiritual and cultural cornerstone within the local Indian community.
The establishment of this temple was based on religious needs and to carry on with the cultural activities that its followers generally follow back home.
It performs all types of worship services, from daily pujas to special festivals that attract participants throughout the region. The serenity of the temple, along with its carvings and gala events, also makes it one of the major landmarks in Cary Town.
5. Explore The Bond Park
Bond Park is the most extensive community park and one of the major ones, located in Cary Park, North Carolina, within residential communities.
This 310-acre park features amenities for recreation for both residents and visitors, including picturesque walking trails, picnic spots with a scenic view, and a vast freshwater lake that is used for fishing and paddle boating.
It further contains various sports amenities like soccer fields, tennis courts, and playgrounds to cater to both active and leisurely activities. With its nicely maintained greenery, Bond Park is one of the favorite places for outdoor activities and community events.
6. Stroll Through Downtown City
Cary Downtown comes off as very vibrant, yet warm and welcoming, possessing a successful harmonious marriage between historic charm and modern comforts.
Cary Downtown's heart features picturesquely tree-shaded streets lined with quaint shops, plus one of those warm, friendly atmospheres that invite natives and visitors alike. You will find boutique shops, cozy cafes, and different restaurants to suit each taste.
It also has numerous cultural and community events: farmers' markets, outdoor concerts, and local festivals that help draw the community together.
7. Discover The Cary Greenways
The Cary Greenways form part of the fun things to do in Cary, NC; they offer the residents and visitors a host of scenic trails and outdoor recreational activities.
Such well-maintained pathways twist their way through attractive landscapes, connecting parks, neighborhoods, and natural areas throughout the town.
Great for walking, jogging, and cycling, Cary Greenways are relatively quiet escapes into nature that are sure to push you toward an active lifestyle. The trails allow the viewer to see scenic views, wildlife, and the serenity of the green spaces of Cary.
8. Visit The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
One of the most picturesque annual events would have to be the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival. Night falling is all it takes for the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary to light up into a visual wonderland.
Showing perfect depictions of traditional Chinese art and culture, various beautifully hand-crafted lanterns light up the evening sky as guests walk around to take in the beauty of this festival.
The exhibits are arranged thematically, where visitors can walk through huge sculptures in light, traditional Chinese performances, and hands-on activities. It represents not only a showcase of the beauty of lantern artistry, but also one package of cultural activities, including dance performances, music, and food.
9. Visit Fred G. Bond Metro Park
Fred G. Bond Metro Park is an outdoor multi-use facility serving citizens of Cary on a year-round basis. It features large stretches of grass, walking trails, and sports surfaces, like tennis courts and athletic fields.
Visitors can enjoy the park amenities amidst nature's beauty, participating in activities in almost all kinds of weather.
Be it a sunny day, which is just right for picnicking and playing on the sports fields, or a cool day, just right for walking along the trails, Fred G. Bond Metro Park is a place to be in any kind of Cary weather.
10. Explore The Garden Supply Company
Garden Supply Company is located in Cary, North Carolina, and is one of the largest garden centers in that location, catering to the needs of advanced gardeners and simple plant lovers.
The facility has a huge selection of plants available, comprising annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, and even gardening tools, varieties of soil, and fertilizers.
This center complements that with a charming retail area carrying unique garden decor, pottery, and outdoor furniture. Garden Supply Company makes itself one of the premier places to shop in Cary for gardening needs and inspiration.
11. Visit The Carpenter Historic District
The Carpenter Historic District is one of those enchanting and well-preserved areas that takes one back into the town's early history.
It represents this historic accumulation of homes and buildings, most of which were built during the latter part of the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th.
One would appreciate, upon a walk around the Carpenter Historic District, the architectural styles during that time-from the humble bungalows to the more traditional Southern homes.
12. Visit The Cary Theater
The Cary Theater is one of the major attractions in Cary, a significant venue within the town's cultural scene that happens to be the hot spot for Cary NC events.
Located within the historic building walls, the theater is home to eclectic programming inclusive of classic film series, independent movies, live performances, and community events.
On the other hand, the Cary Theater fairly often hosts special events, film festivals, and cultural celebrations, which can turn the venue into a very lively hotbed of activity in entertainment and community interaction.
13. Discover The Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area is the hotbed of outdoor activities for any person who loves nature. The park consists of over 14,000 acres of the large reservoir and offers some good prospects for fishing, boating, and swimming.
It features an extensive network of hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and even campgrounds, which makes it a top spot for a day trip or a longer stay.
From the scenic beauty of the lake right down to the abundance of wildlife, it forms a place of total tranquility far from urban hustle and bustle.
14. Visit The Cary Regional Library
The Cary Regional Library is a modern facility, key to the community for many reasons, and offers varied access to services and programs.
It also extends the collection of books, audiobooks, and digital media with varied reading interests and needs. The library is popular in educational and cultural events, including author talks, workshops, and children's storytime.
The Cary Regional Library is an active center for learning and community activities with comfortable reading areas, computer stations, and study rooms.
15. Explore The Stevens Nature Center At Hemlock Bluffs
The Stevens Nature Center at Hemlock Bluffs is a unique facility for the preservation and showcase of the beauty of the surroundings through nature. The center is part of the Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve and informs guests about various ecosystems through educational displays and hands-on interactive exhibits.
It gives insight into the different flora and fauna of the region, especially the highly unusual hemlock trees for which the preserve was named. Guided nature walks, environmental education programs, and hands-on activities for all ages are also afforded by the Nature Center.
Because of its emphasis on conservation and nature education, Stevens Nature Center is one of the best resources to learn about and find an appreciation for the local environment.
16. Visit The Chatham Hill Winery
Among the more note-worthy restaurants in Cary is Chatham Hill Winery. Chatham Hill Winery provides a decidedly different experience in dining and wine tasting in Cary. It boasts a selection of artisan wines handcrafted from grapes locally bought, showcasing the region's viticulture.
Guests are at ease in a setting of wine tastings, light to heavier wine, coupled with gourmet snacks from artisan cheeses to charcuterie. The winery also offers wine tastings, tours, and special events and is a favorite stop for anyone desiring to enjoy the finest wines with fine food.
17. Visit The Cary Heritage Museum
The Cary Heritage Museum makes for a good spot to get to know the town's history. Located in one of those historic buildings, the museum has many different types of exhibits that show just how different the town of Cary has become from its early beginnings until today.
Exhibits include a plethora of historical artifacts, photographs, and documents that give insight into the lives of the early residents of Cary and how their town transformed until now.
The museum also offers education programs and community events that further engage a visitor in the heritage of Cary. Being concerned with local history and involving the local community in its operations, it represents a key cultural resource.
18. Discover The Crossroads Plaza
Crossroads Plaza is one of the major commercial hubs in Cary, North Carolina. It houses an excellent mix of retail and service-based outlets. It includes, among other tenants, some of the biggest national retailers, specialty shops, and restaurants that can house a full range of tastes and requirements.
Besides shopping, visitors can enjoy different types of dining-from casual eateries to the more high-end restaurants. Besides that, occasional events and promotions take place in the plaza, making it a much livelier place for the community.
Convenient location and all-around facilities make Crossroads Plaza very popular both with locals and tourists to shop, eat, and enjoy the more lively atmosphere.
19. Explore The WakeMed Soccer Park
WakeMed Soccer Park was a major sports facility regarding hosted a lot of soccer events and activities.
Home to North Carolina FC and the North Carolina Courage, the 24-field complex encompasses a state-of-the-art, several thousand-seat stadium with a couple of practice fields and one large main field.
The park allows professional and amateur soccer matches to take place alongside tournaments and community events. Besides soccer, other sportive events and amusement activities, such as running competitions or community festivals, take place within WakeMed Soccer Park.
20. Stroll Along The Skidmark Park
Skidmark Parks is located in Cary, North Carolina, and is considered one of the most renowned centers to visit for skateboarding and BMX. It contains several ramps, rails, and other obstacle forms that can accommodate varying levels of experience for both skaters and riders.
The facility is well laid out with good surfaces to ensure dynamic environments for trick practice, competitions, and a generally active skateboarding community.
The facility also supports events and gatherings, and it has become the central hub for many local and regional skate and BMX activities. With a commitment to providing an only A-plus experience for riders and skaters alike, Skidmark Parks is one of the key areas for action sports lovers in Cary.
