Trips Experiences Courses Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Experiences Courses Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All United States North Carolina Raleigh

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Raleigh

11 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Raleigh, North Carolina

Updated June 4, 2024

Email
Attractions
Food & Drink
Map
Leaderboards
Stories
Hotel Deals

Unusual Attractions in Raleigh

Cloud Chamber for the Trees and Sky

Raleigh, North Carolina

Cloud Chamber for the Trees and Sky

This woodland architectural installation acts as a camera obscura for the heavens.

Raleigh, North Carolina

Bain Waterworks Plant

Art Deco urban decay at this historical building.
Free Expression Tunnel

Raleigh, North Carolina

Free Expression Tunnel

In a pedestrian tunnel on North Carolina State’s campus resides an expressive and artistic free-for-all.
Art Deco butter churn sculpture

Raleigh, North Carolina

Pine State Creamery Butter Churn

A giant concrete churn carries the legacy of American resilience, unity, and greed.
The Joel Lane House in downtown Raleigh

Raleigh, North Carolina

Joel Lane House Museum

Eighteenth century house of the mysterious "Father of Raleigh."
Wade Avenue Pumping Station House

Raleigh, North Carolina

Pumping Station House

A water pumping station disguised as a residential home to assuage concerned neighbors now tricks most passersby.
Panorama of log art at Umstead Park

Raleigh, North Carolina

Umstead Log Art

This fallen red oak tree has been transformed into a piece of trailside art.
A view of the Daily Planet Theater from W Jones St.

Raleigh, North Carolina

The Daily Planet Theater

This hollow steel globe is the second-largest in the world.
See All 11 Things To Do in Raleigh

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Raleigh

Art Deco butter churn sculpture

Raleigh, North Carolina

Pine State Creamery Butter Churn

A giant concrete churn carries the legacy of American resilience, unity, and greed.
Order your dogs topped with chili, mustard, and onions.

Raleigh, North Carolina

The Roast Grill

This family-owned diner has been slinging chili dogs since 1940.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Raleigh, North Carolina

Nature 2
Houses 2
Water 2
History & Culture 2
Homes 2

Raleigh Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. A
    alisonlmyers
    1
  2. M
    mishamcmurtray
    1
  3. N
    nosbischms
    1
  4. F
    fordhamtank
    1
  5. A
    alainpump
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Raleigh.

Places Edited

  1. B
    blimpcaptain
    7
  2. Avatar image for Raven Traveler
    Raven Traveler
    2
  3. Avatar image for Norkey
    Norkey
    2
  4. Avatar image for shatomica
    shatomica
    1
  5. M
    mishamcmurtray
    1
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. Avatar image for snobbygnoblin
    snobbygnoblin
    11
  2. Avatar image for AdamTKincaid
    AdamTKincaid
    8
  3. Avatar image for NCObscura
    NCObscura
    8
  4. 7
    7oddgr
    8
  5. S
    sixfoot7man
    8
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Raleigh.

Recent Raleigh Activity

  • Avatar image for tommy2tuggz

    tommy2tuggz

    wants to go to Pumping Station House

  • Avatar image for tommy2tuggz

    tommy2tuggz

    wants to go to Pine State Creamery Butter Churn

  • Avatar image for tommy2tuggz

    tommy2tuggz

    wants to go to Bain Waterworks Plant

  • B

    boomboombowser

    has been to The Daily Planet Theater

  • M

    mpwigley

    wants to go to Cloud Chamber for the Trees and Sky

Stories About Raleigh

A coyote ogles some real estate.

Non-Human Mammals Love the Suburbs, Too

A new study suggests they're learning to live in the urban sprawl.
by Cara Giaimo
October 5, 2018
After a multi-year burial in horse manure, Stumpy was excavated, scrubbed with soap, and brought to the Museum where she was later put on display.

Why a Local Museum Keeps Burying Whales Under Raleigh, North Carolina

It mostly has to do with grease.
by Bradley Allf
October 17, 2017

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads and no pop-ups.

Learn More

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube Twitter Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Puzzles
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Art & Culture Trips
  • Food Trips
  • Hidden City Trips
  • History Trips
  • Wildlife & Nature Trips
  • FAQ
  • Experiences
  • Online Courses
  • Online Experience FAQ
  • Online Course FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2024 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.