Thornton Townes

As the state capital of North Carolina, Raleigh offers a variety of entertainment and professional opportunities. The city has museums, parks, trails, galleries, art, and culinary adventures, ensuring there is always something to do. As part of the Research Triangle, the combination of recreation and business provides a balance for residents. D.R. Horton offers a wide range of homes for sale in Raleigh, North Carolina, with spacious open floorplans and smart home technology. Our new construction houses provide a comforting retreat after a day in the city or hiking through the parks.

Community life in Raleigh, NC

Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina, offers a wide range of entertainment from museums to festivals to community programming to culinary adventures. With the Raleigh Beer Trail and various local restaurants, there are always great dining options around town, but the foodie experiences are just the start of the great things to do close to home in Raleigh, NC.

Sometimes referred to as the “Smithsonian of the South,” Raleigh, NC is home to numerous great museums, art, and historic attractions. The town is home to over 150 public art displays, and you can take a self-guided walking tour to check out the fabulous pieces. If you’d rather enjoy indoor artwork, there are plenty of galleries in town, not to mention the Contemporary Art Museum. While the art is impressive, one of the most popular museum attractions is the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, home to what many consider to be one of the greatest dinosaur fossils ever discovered. The “Dueling Dinosaurs,” as they are known, consist of two complete skeletons of a T. rex and Triceratops in a predator-prey encounter, making for a fascinating display. The museum also features behind-the-scenes experiences with scientists working to learn more and uncover the secrets of the past.

The holidays also provide plenty of entertainment, though this time through shows, festivals, and interactive experiences. Spooky season features plenty of Halloween fun throughout the city. In Cary Park, you can attend one of the pumpkin carving workshops to create your own work of art to decorate your porch. The Oakwood Cemetery Series is another popular event. Burning Coal Theatre collaborates with the cemetery to produce a series of short plays highlighting the lives of the people buried there. Playwrights from the Research Triangle write all of the shorts.

Halloween is not the only holiday with plenty of events offered in town. Raleigh, NC becomes a winter wonderland with experiences and adventures that rival those of beloved Christmas stories, and the light displays are absolutely awe-inspiring. The season kicks off with the Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting and Holiday Market. The event features more than just the lighting of the tree; it has pictures of Santa, a local vendor market, and live performances. One of Raleigh's most popular experiences for the holiday season is the Holiday Express, which features plenty of fun for the whole family. The outdoor event features a train ride through the park, an impressive display of holiday lights, Santa’s Mobile Workshop, a visit with the man himself, Candy Cane Lane with your choice of holiday craft, a S’more Station, and games like Reindeer Roundup. Festive Fridays at Dix Park also offer a variety of fun holiday experiences, with themes ranging from Silent Disco Night in your ugly sweater to holiday lights. The Illuminate Art Walk is another popular event, with large-scale light installations that delight all ages. These are just the beginning of Raleigh’s holiday events and programs, so you will surely find something to brighten your spirits for the holidays.

Raleigh, NC, offers more than just holiday programming. The city has programs for every age group, and finding an event to attend close to home is easy. There’s always something going on.

Outdoor fun in Raleigh, NC

Sometimes referred to as a “city in a park,” Raleigh, NC, features more than 10,000 acres of parkland and green space, with plenty of biking, running, kayaking, and other outdoor recreation opportunities.

Dorothea Dix Park is a great space for various outdoor adventures. The park is over 300 acres and features one of the largest adventure playgrounds in the Southeast, a 5-acre field of summer sunflowers, a large dog park, art displays throughout the park, and plenty of events and programs that are free to attend. Whether you want to gather with other residents for a yoga class or simply enjoy the natural beauty, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

The city is home to more than 180 miles of hiking and greenway trails, providing plenty of options for exercise in the great outdoors. The American Tobacco Trail, which connects various communities within the Research Triangle of North Carolina, is one of the best-known trail networks in the area. The multi-use trail spans over 20 miles and welcomes equestrians, bikers, walkers, and runners.

Raleigh is also home to William B. Umstead State Park. Free admission to the park grounds makes it easy to enjoy nature’s beauty and get some fresh air close to home in Raleigh, North Carolina. The park features over 20 miles of trails through the forest, a visitor center with information about the park's natural elements, over 10 miles of biking and horseback-riding trails, and fishing. A boat rental is also available if you’d like to enjoy the park from the water.

New construction homes in Raleigh, NC

Raleigh, NC is a great place to live at any stage of life. With multiple large companies in the area, numerous universities, and plenty of government positions, there are countless professional and educational opportunities. The strong economy, combined with plenty of entertainment, from local events to outdoor recreation, ensures there is something for everyone. D.R. Horton offers a range of homes for sale in Raleigh, NC with spacious open living and kitchen areas and smart home technology. Browse our listings of Raleigh, NC houses and contact us to find a home that fits your needs.