Known as the “City Of Oaks,” thanks to the big majestic oak trees lining the streets, Raleigh is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. It is the second largest city in NC and the region continues to grow due to its vibrant university life and science and technology jobs. The culture, people and downtown skylines all contribute to the beauty of the area. Durham is consistently listed as a “Top 10 College Town”.

Raleigh has been ranked one of the easiest cities to drive in. There is also accessible public transportation in and around the Triangle. Raleigh’s train station can take you all up to New York or south to Miami. Lyft and taxis are plentiful and would also be an efficient means of transportation here.

Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) airport is an easy 10 mile drive to either town. Grab yourself a cab for $30-$40 or a Lyft for $20-$25, or catch a shuttle bus for your rental car company at the baggage claim area. The GoTriangle Bus #100 will take you to the Regional Bus Center where you can connect to bus routes throughout the region.

Raleigh was named the Capital of North Carolina in 1792. In the first decades of the 21th Century, Raleigh would be in multiple “ Top 10 Lists” from Forbes and Money Magazine due to its enjoyable quality of life. Durham became an industrial hub for the tobacco industry when Bartlett Durham donated land for a railway depot. Now these cities are known as a major center of education, technology and science.

The Tar Heel State is brimming with a rich history evident in the 40 free historic attractions and museums. It’s considered the ultimate southern intersection of art and technology with a great food and drink scene. The outdoor activities are plentiful with parks and lakes and mountains nearby. Plus they like their football - nothing like watching the rivalry of two teams from the same city. The quality of life here is easy going and worth enjoying even if for a few days. Who knows, you might want to consider living here!

In the winter, it can get quite cold with average night temperatures dipping into the 30s with sleet & snow. The summers, however, are hot and humid with daytime temps that reach the high 80s.

North Carolina BBQ has a vinegar-based sauce that’s delicious. Shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy and fried green tomatoes are must try favorites. But the Scuppernong grape is the state fruit and the sweet potato is the state vegetable. Who knew? Are you a pie lover? Angus Barn (only open for dinner) serves up a delicious Chocolate Chess Pie. Some of the best bbq you'll find in North Carolina is right here at Clyde Cooper’s since 1938. If you need a treat before the night ends, on the weekends the Cupcake Shoppe is open til 10 and has up to 15 different flavors such as “You Mocha Me Crazy” or a “Plain Jane”.

Burt’s Bees has its own headquarters in Durham, check out the observation hive and get yourself some honey lip balms. Videri Chocolate Factory is in Raleigh’s warehouse district and makes seriously great bonbons; coffee lovers hit up Counter Culture for a bag of beans; just go get yourself some Pinetop distillery Moonshine; and Raleigh Provisions makes cool gift baskets filled with local favorites.

Raleigh style is pretty casual; comfortable shoes are good because these towns are very walkable; hikers if you head out to the trails; jeans or shorts and a shirt are the norm, or a skirt or dress for the ladies and chinos for the guys for a nice night on the town. During the chillier nights, a sweatshirt or coat will come in handy!

Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill are nicknamed “the Triangle” since the 1959 creation of the Research Triangle Park, the largest research park in the U.S. and its central location to the three cities, or more properly, the three major research universities in them: North Carolina State University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. This area is made to walk around and get lost a bit. It’s beautiful, peaceful and filled of culture.