15 Unique Things To Do in Cary, NC
Things To Do in Cary, North Carolina
Are you looking for fun things to do in Cary, North Carolina? Check out these unique things to do in Cary!
Whether you live in Cary and are looking for something fun and unique to do or planning to move to the area, we have come up with this list as a guide to get you started! Considered to be one of the best Raleigh suburbs for its high-safety rating and family-friendly atmosphere, new residents moving to Cary will quickly learn that there is always something to do, whether you are planning a staycation or a date night out.
These are the top 15 things to do in Cary, North Carolina!
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Koka Booth Amphitheater
Best For: Music Lovers
Open: For Events
Location: 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC, 27518
Ages: All ages
Koka Booth is home to many events throughout the year in Cary, ranging from various music artists, Food Festivals, Larger- scale community events. It is most well known as home to the NC Chinese Lantern Festival, which attracts more than 200,000 visitors annually between November and January. If you are asking yourself, what is Cary, North Carolina, famous for? This is one of the many events attracting people from all over to one of the fastest-growing cities in the South.
Suppose you are looking for something to do in the hot summer months. In that case, the Koka Booth Amphitheater entertains people of all ages under the stars, surrounded by the canopy of tall pines and accommodating over 7,000 patrons.
Fred G. Bond Metro Park
Best For: Outdoor Activities
Open: Year-Round
Location: 801 High House Road, Cary, NC, 27513
Ages: All Ages
Bond Park is the largest municipal park in Cary, NC totaling 310 acres of open space, offering many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Featuring a boathouse that overlooks the lake, you will find boat rentals, bait, poles, ice cream, and snacks.
Many people will ask, Can you swim at Bond Park Lake? Unfortunately, the answer is no, but you will quickly see that many options are available to keep you entertained! Picnic shelters are available for reservations and on a first-come-first-serve basis. So, bring your picnic baskets and friends and enjoy this hidden gem, just moments from historical downtown Cary!
Downtown Cary Park
Best For: Outdoor Activities
Open: Year-Round
Location: 316 N. Academy Street, Cary, NC, 27513
Ages: All Ages
Located in the CENTER of downtown Cary, this Cary park is still being completed and is anticipated to be completed in 2023. The downtown Cary Park will total seven acres of open space dedicated to several different areas:
- Performance Pavilion
- Bark Bar
- Dog Park
- Gathering Garden
- Academy Street Plaza
- Children's Play Area- The Nest
- Towne Square
- Park Street Courts
The proposed programming will include Arts & crafts classes, outdoor concerts on the lawn, book clubs, fitness classes, story-time programs, and movie nights.
Cary Arts Center
Best For: Art Enthusiasts
Open: Year-Round
Location: 101 Dry Avenue, Cary, NC, 27511
Ages: All Ages
Just a hop, skip and jump away from Downtown Cary Park you will find the Cary Arts Center, which is truly the heart of the Art Activity you can find in Cary.
Many patrons frequent the Cary Arts Center for studio programs ranging from Art, Clay, Glass, Metals, and Jewelry. On a rotating schedule, the Arts Center has various Art Exhibitions open to the public. The Arts Center Theater holds up to 431 people and will host multiple Events, Performances, Classes, and Camps throughout the year. You can even host a private event in the Rental Rooms or rent out the Theater to host your special event upon request.
Art lovers will find that the Cary Arts Center has something for everyone tucked right in the heart of downtown Cary.
The Cary Theater
Best For: Movie Lovers
Open: Year-Round
Location: 122 E. Chatham Street, Cary, NC, 27511
Ages: All Ages- depending on Movie Ratings
The Town of Cary purchased this building in July 2011. As Cary's first ever indoor movie theater, once known as "The Cary," this charming and historic theater would impress any avid movie-goer!
Memberships are available for those who choose, known as the Cary Film Circle Membership. Many will enjoy the variety of movies featured at The Cary Theater and will be sure to enjoy this beautiful historic theater for many years!
Fortnight Brewing Company
Best For: Beer Enthusiasts
Open: Monday-Thursday 3 pm-10 pm; Friday & Saturday, 12 pm-11 pm & Sundays, 12 pm-9 pm
Location: 1006 SW Maynard Road, Cary, NC, 27511
Ages: 21+ for consumption of alcohol
Cleanse your palate with an assortment of beverages, food trucks & outdoor seating! Enjoy an adult outing at Fortnight with family and friends. This brewery offers a variety of rental spaces to host special events throughout the year, as well as an outdoor space where you can bring your favorite pooch to join in on the fun!
Whether you are an avid beer enthusiast or want a unique and different spot to meet up with friends, you will want to keep this spot on your list!
Ashworth Drugs
Best For: Quick Eats
Open: Monday-Friday, 9 am-6 pm & Saturday, 9 am-3 pm
Location: 105 W. Chatham Street, Cary, NC, 27511
Ages: All Ages
Ashworth Drugs is undoubtedly one of Cary's oldest treasures. In the Center of Downtown Cary, Ashworth Drugs is a classic American restaurant and drug store featuring an old-fashioned Soda Fountain. Famous for its hot dogs and orangeade, this local spot will not disappoint as it is a quick, inexpensive option. Go back in time as you enjoy this Classic Cary hotspot.
Have some shopping to do? Kill two birds with one stone as you browse this nostalgic pharmacy and wait for your table. This spot is always a fan favorite for the kids to enjoy a milkshake and a break from the summer heat.
The Herons at The Umstead Hotel & Spa
Best For: Fine Dining
Open: Breakfast: Monday-Friday 7 am-10 am, Brunch: Saturday & Sunday 7 am-1 pm Lunch: Monday-Friday 11:30 am-2 pm Dinner: Tuesday-Saturday 5 pm-9 pm
Location: 100 Woodland Pond Drive, Cary, NC, 27513
Ages: All Ages
Located within The Umstead Hotel & Spa, The Herons brings decadence to the next level. Whether you are going for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner, The Herons will not disappoint. They are featuring a showcase of the work of Executive Chef Steven Deveraux Greene. High-quality food pairs with an expert presentation, bringing this five-star restaurant to the top of our list of places to go if you're looking for a unique culinary experience.
Check their website before making your reservations, though, as a dress code should be followed to dine in this establishment. Have a special occasion that deserves some recognition? The Herons should be at the top of your list!
Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve/Stevens Nature Center
Best For: Outdoor Activity
Open: 9 am-Sunset Daily- Open 365 days a year
Location: 2616 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, NC, 27518
Ages: All Ages
Hemlock Bluffs is a State Nature Preserve managed by the Town of Cary. The park is 140 acres, including the 3700-square-foot Stevens Nature Center. Here you can enjoy the trails and immerse yourself in North Carolina's tall pines. To maintain the wildlife habitat, only walkers on foot can walk the many trails at Hemlock Bluffs. Want a fun place to visit with your pup? Dogs are allowed on leashes to explore the courses as well!
Visitors can enjoy environmental educational experiences at the on-site Stevens Nature Center, which is run by the Town of Cary. Hemlock Bluffs and the Stevens Nature Center are both completely free to visit; however, there is a donation box in the lobby for those who wish to donate. You won't want to miss the natural beauty of this oasis in Cary!
Cary Action Sports
Best For: Outdoor Activity
Open: Wednesday-Friday 4 pm-8 pm, Saturday 1 pm-8 pm, Sunday 4 pm-8 pm
Location: 2040 NW Maynard Road, Cary, NC, 27513
Ages: Participants Under the age of 16 will require adult supervision
Skateboards, scooters, bikes, and inline skates! Cary Action Sports, formerly known as Sk8 Cary, is owned and operated by the Town of Cary and will excite anyone who loves outdoor sports!
You will find safety equipment (helmets and pads) in the pro shop for rental use if needed and snacks and drinks to keep you going throughout your visit. This is an excellent option if you're looking for something more adventurous to try right here in Cary!
Cary Tennis Park
Best For: Tennis lovers!
Open: Monday-Sunday, 8 am-10 pm
Location: 2727 Louis Stevens Drive, Cary, NC, 27519
Ages: 4+
Featuring 32 Championship courts, the Cary Tennis Park is a State-of-the-Art Tennis facility operating for both young and old tennis lovers! Included in the 32 courts is one stadium court with permanent seating and seven covered courts, four permanent Pickleball Courts, a pro shop, two comfort stations, showers, a ball machine, and much more!
Developmental programs accommodate children ages 4-17 throughout the year on a rotating schedule. Cary Tennis Park has over 200 league teams for adults each year. If tennis is your passion or your favorite past-time, you will not want to miss experiencing all that Cary Tennis Park has to offer!
Wake Med Soccer Park
Best For: Soccer lovers!
Open: Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm, Weekends depending on Events Scheduled
Location: 940 E. Chatham Street, Cary, NC, 27511
Ages: Youth & Adult
WakeMed Soccer Park is a 150-acre multi-use sports complex operated by the Town of Cary. Ranging from Professional Level Soccer teams to Non-Profit organizations, you will be amazed at all of the features this Sports Complex has to offer.
Lighted fields and open-air, covered patios entice soccer enthusiasts to get involved in the Soccer community like never before! Amenities such as locker rooms and luxury suites will leave you wanting to come back to enjoy another reason to return to the Soccer Park. If Soccer is your passion, you will want to check this Cary hotspot out!
Bond Brothers Beer Company
Best For: Beer Enthusiasts
Open: Monday-Thursday 2 pm-10 pm, Friday & Saturday 12 pm-12 am & Sunday 12 pm-10 pm
Location: 202 East Cedar Street, Cary, NC, 27511
Ages: All ages, 21+ after 8 pm
Enjoy the vibe of this casual yet inviting brewery found right in Cary! The highlight of this venue is mainly focused on their specialty- beer! However, if you've brought the family along, you will find an assortment of snacks behind the bar and some coloring pages for the kids to enjoy!
Do you want to visit a family-friendly place and bring the dog? This brewery has you covered! Bond Brothers Beer Company welcomes our furry family members as long as they are friendly and on a leash! You won't want to miss this excellent laid-back venue on your next day off!
Pizzeria Faulisi
Best For: Foodies!
Open: Tuesday-Friday 11:30 am-2 pm for Lunch, 5 pm-8 pm for Dinner, Saturdays 12 pm-8 pm with Service all-day
Location: 215 East Chatham Street, Suite 101, Cary, NC, 27511
Ages: All Ages
We all know that Pizza is not what the South is known for, but Pizzeria Faulisi is the exception to the rule! All pizzas are about 12" around, made with local vegetables and grains, with a combination of flours found locally at Bolted Bread in Raleigh and imported flour from Italy. Each pizza is baked to perfection in a wood-fired pizza oven.
Enjoy the various varieties of Antipasti in addition to a wide selection of wines to pair with your pizza! This restaurant does not take reservations and is open to all on a first-come-first-serve basis. Come check out this Cary favorite today!
La Farm Bakery-Preston Corners
Best For: Foodies!
Open: Monday-Saturday, 7 am-6 pm; Sundays, 8 am-4 pm
Location: 4248 NW Cary Parkway, Cary, NC, 27513
Ages: All Ages
One of the best parts of Cary you will find in your explorations is the variety of restaurants inspired by authentic cuisine worldwide. This Authentic French Bakery offers choices to dine in, carry out, or Cater for an event. You will be amazed at the wide variety of bread baked fresh every day.
La Farm Bakery is a modern bakery geared to draw patrons together in their love for food and French delicacies. Their goal is to uphold centuries-old baking traditions dating back from the small towns found in France and bring them to the plates of those who frequent Cary, NC. If you are in Cary and are looking for a perfect bakery to enjoy, you will not want to miss this bakery!
Explore Cary, NC, with Raleigh Realty
While you search for unique things to do in Cary, NC, you can see that this all-American town has so many things to offer, which attracts so many people moving to North Carolina each year.
If you are searching for homes for sale in Cary, refer to our other area guides and resources on our website, including the area spotlight on Downtown Cary Park, the area spotlight on Fenton, the best neighborhoods in Cary, the best restaurants in Cary, the best coffee shops in Cary, and Cary real estate trends.
Contact us today to start your home search! We are here to help and are ready to answer any questions.
Ryan Fitzgerald
Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!