Make a day of it in Cary at the beloved Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival, blooming into Bond Park on Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Featuring 170 North Carolina artists, this annual celebration brings together handmade goods, toe-tapping performances, family fun, and a strong nod to sustainability with Earth Day programming woven throughout. From kids’ crafts to food trucks, there’s truly something for everyone—and admission is completely free!
Buzz-Worthy Saturday: Take a Coffee Stroll Through Downtown West
Love coffee and local culture? You’ll get your fill of both on this guided 1.2-mile walking tour through the west side of downtown Raleigh. Hosted by edutainer, vibe curator, and friend of Raleigh Weekend Greg Whitt, you’ll sip samples at local gems, hear stories from Raleigh’s past, and meet fellow coffee lovers along the way. It kicks off Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. sharp in front of Videri Chocolate Factory. Rain or shine—this one’s always a crowd-pleaser and always sells out. Tickets are $25.
Save the Date and Grab Your Tickets for Berry Fine Dining: Mandolin’s Strawberry Soirée Returns
Save the date for one of Raleigh’s sweetest spring traditions! Mandolin’s annual Strawberry Dinner is back on Sunday, May 25, at 6:30 p.m. with a stunning six-course tasting menu that showcases strawberries in ways you’ve never imagined. From inventive cocktails to optional wine pairings, it’s a night that celebrates the season’s star ingredient in full flavor. Only one seating, so reservations are essential. Tickets are a splurge at $105 for food and gratuity, $150 with wine pairings, but for strawberry lovers like myself it’s a sweet opportunity to treat yourself.
Featured Getaway: Time Travel to a Centennial Celebration at Carolina Beach
The Carolina Beach Centennial brings a wave of exciting events now through September! Don’t miss the Gatsby-themed Bar Crawl, self-guided sculpture and history tours, Centennial Flotilla, and more. If you’re ready to soak up the laid-back traditions of Carolina Beach like never before, then you just have to be there.
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Featured Getaway: Experience the Heart and Soul of Carolina Beach—Past, Present, and Future
The Carolina Beach Centennial is a once-in-a-lifetime homecoming celebration for locals, regulars, and visitors alike! Come for throwback fun now through September! Visit the new I ❤️CB Sculpture, enjoy nostalgic events like the Then & Now self-guided tour, nosh on restaurant specials at local favorites, and take in quintessential Carolina Beach traditions like seasonal Boardwalk amusement rides and Thursday fireworks.
Don’t miss the chance to make memories that will last another 100 years!
Let’s Lunch! Five Great Spots for a Midday Meal in (and Around) Raleigh
Whether you’re squeezing in a quick bite between meetings or lingering over a leisurely meal with friends, these five spots deliver lunch done right.
But first, today’s your last chance to enter to win our March contest: an Advance Family Package (a $40 value) to one lucky winner—including five event tickets—to experience this unforgettable day of hands-on fun at Junior League of Raleigh’s fan-fave Touch-A-Truck event on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The family-friendly event allows kids (and kids at heart) to get up close and personal with all kinds of cool vehicles—think construction equipment, emergency response vehicles, buses, and more! Plus, there will be food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, music, and live entertainment to keep the fun going all day long.
Enter before Friday, March 28, 2025, for your chance to win FREE tickets!
Campus Convenience: Burgers, Brews, and Midday Wins at Players Retreat
A Raleigh staple since 1951, PR’s burgers, wings, and laid-back vibe make it a lunchtime classic. This is an especially good call during March Madness where every seat in the house has a good view of the constant rotation of college hoops. They’re even hosting a $100 giveaway to celebrate the season, so get your entry in by Monday night!
Bonus: speedy service means you’re back on track in no time but they’re also newly offering reservations, to boot.
Bloomsbury Bistro: Lunch, Elevated in Five Points
A Five Points classic, Bloomsbury Bistro is better known for dinner, but their new entrance to the lunch lineup is worth celebrating. Offering a wide variety of small plates, salad, sandwiches, and entrees, all appetites will be satisfied here. And a real surprise? Monday lunch hours! (PS: Those of you who miss power lunches in DTR at 18 Seaboard will be beyond pleased to see a familiar face, Brandy, now serving as GM of this neighborhood spot.👋) Grab a resy!