Wake County Attractions and Activities
Alltel Pavilion at Walnut Creek
An outdoor amphitheater on 212 acres with a seating capacity of 20,000-7,000 of which is theater-style seating under cover-Walnut Creek features several concerts each week during the spring, summer and fall of nationally renowned artists such as Lauren Hill, Bare Naked Ladies, Tom Petty and many others. 919-831-6400
ArtsPlosure
Artsplosure has been showcasing unique and impressive artists from across the country, and locally for over 21 years. One of Artsplosure 's largest events is the Spring Art Festival, which attracts some 75,000 people to Raleigh.
ArtSpace
A downtown renovation project, offering 26,000 square feet of studio and gallery space to working visual and performing artists. Visitors can tour the gallery and studios while the artists are working, providing an opportunity to talk to the creators about their work.
Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park
Booth Amphitheatre is unlike any other venue in the area. It is located among 14 acres of hardwoods and pines and situated next to Symphony Lake with the capacity for 7,000 people.. The Amphitheatre's performance season runs April through October and features an eclectic mix of entertainers which includes live music concerts and festivals, the North Carolina Symphony Summerfest Series and Movies by Moonlight movie nights.
Carolina Ballet
The Carolina Ballet, Inc. aspires to be one of America 's premier arts organizations. The Carolina Ballet, exposes audiences to traditional ballets by legendary masters and new works by inventive choreographers.
Carter-Finley Stadium
Carter-Finley Stadium is home to the N.C. State Wolfpack football. The stadium seats 51,500. Come and enjoy the energy of the Packs rowdy fans and alumni!
Exploris
Exploris is the worlds first interactive museum about the world. It offers an interactive museum, an IMAX theatre, as well as, programs for school children and adult community forums.
Legends of Harley-Davidson Museum
The only Harley-Davidson drag racing museum in the world is located in Raleigh in one of the largest Harley dealerships in the United States.
NC Museum of Art
The museum boasts a modern 164-acre site in West Raleigh and is known for its collection of European masters. In addition, the museum presents 12 to 15 exhibitions each year, including work by contemporary artists. A wide range of classes, workshops, films and lectures are offered for children and adults.
NC Museum of History
The North Carolina Museum of History Division promotes the understanding of the history and culture of North Carolina for the educational benefit of all North Carolinians.
NC State Fair
The first State Fair held by the State Agricultural Society in 1853. The fair is held annually at the NC State Fairgrounds in mid October. In 2005 attendance was at 795,930 one of largest attendance rates in its history. Some of the attractions include over 110 rides, traditional foods, educational agricultural exhibits and a variety of concerts held at the Dorton Arena located on the Fairgrounds.
NC Symphony
The nation 's first state-supported symphony (since 1932), the 68-member symphony performs Classical, "Pops," Young People 's concerts on Saturday mornings, outdoor "Summerfest" concerts in Cary, special performances of "The Nutcracker" with the NC School of the Arts ' dance department and "The Messiah" with the Raleigh Oratorio Society. The symphony is based in Raleigh 's Memorial Auditorium. There are 55 performances annually in the Research Triangle region area, with an additional 200 performances and 70 educational concerts statewide each year.
North Carolina Theatre
A professional theater, established in 1972, brings productions of large-scale Broadway musicals to the area.
Raleigh Little Theatre and Rose Garden
Established in 1936, the Raleigh Little Theatre has several performances each year, as well as classes for children and adults. The theater annually features more than 150 performances of 14 various productions.
NC Master Chorale -(Formerly the Raleigh Oratorio Society)
Founded in 1941 as a non-profit association, the Raleigh Oratorio Society 's 160-voice symphonic choir presents three performances each season. One concert is usually presented with the North Carolina Symphony as a part of the Symphony 's Raleigh Classical Series.
RBC Center
Home of NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes hockey and N.C. State University men’s basketball, this arena was completed in 1999. The $152 million RBC Center is built on a 140-acre tract that has 700,000 square feet and four different seating levels that is equipped with three concourses, 61 luxury suites, and club seats. The arena seats 19,000 in hockey and 19,722 in basketball. The RBC Center provides a variety other events such as concerts, ice shows, circuses, corporate meetings and trade shows.
The Opera Company of North Carolina
The Opera Company of North Carolina was founded in 1996. The Opera Company features both North Carolina operatic talent and internationally renowned superstars as well as the rising young stars of tomorrow. They performing arias, scenes and ensembles from opera's most beloved works.
Theatre in the Park
Theatre in the Park is a city-supported performing arts center located in Raleigh, North Carolina. In its twenty-five year history, Theatre in the Park has earned a reputation as one of our state's most exciting and innovative theatre centers. Theatre in the Park annually presents the best in comedy, musicals, Shakespeare and contemporary drama and over 40 original plays.
Durham County Attractions and Activities:
American Dance Festival
The festival is held at Duke University for 6 weeks each summer. Nationally renowned choreographers and dance companies gather for intensive classes, workshops, and performances (including world premieres) almost every evening. Recent participants have included Paul Taylor, Merce Cunningham and the Pilobolus Dance Company.
Cameron Indoor Stadium
Home to the Duke Blue Devils Men 's Basketball team. This indoor stadium seats a maximum of 9,314 people located on the campus of Duke University.
Carolina Theater
This 1926 performance hall is a rich part of Durham 's history - the last remaining of 13 original theatres in Durham and has been lovingly restored. The Carolina Theatre 's programs celebrate the rich diversity of our region through the cinematic and performing arts.
CenterFest
This weekend festival features high quality visual arts by more than 120 artists drawn from across the Southeast. A variety of performances are held on three stages. Great food is an important part of this festival with an array of international flavors and traditional fare.
Chuck Davis' African-American Dance Ensemble
The AADE is a professional touring company of dancers and musicians whose mission is to preserve and share the finest traditions of African and African-American dance and music through research, education and entertainment. Led by founder Chuck Davis, the African-American Dance Ensemble performs on stages all over the area, showcasing traditional and contemporary West African steps.
Durham Arts Council
The renovated Arts Council building downtown includes exhibit spaces and classrooms for arts instruction and theater, as well as performance space for local arts organizations.
Durham Blues Festival
A dynamic blues festival held each year to celebrate blues music.
Durham Symphony
The Durham Symphony began in 1976 and became a not-for-profit organization in 1977. All musicians are professionally trained volunteers. The DSO 's mission is to foster the appreciation of music through the production of high-quality music for and by the residents of Durham and surrounding communities.
Festival for the Eno
The Festival for the Eno has become a North Carolina Fourth of July tradition. Now in its 21st year, The Festival raises money to help purchase and protect parklands along the Eno River. This three-day, five stage event hosts musical performers, crafters, poets, authors, demonstrations and exhibits from all over North Carolina.
Nasher Museum of Art
Located at Duke University, this $23 million, 43,000 square foot museum consists of five separate pavilions. The museum features a sculpture garden, classrooms, galleries, a café and gift shop.
North Carolina Museum of Life & Science
The newly expanded museum includes several outstanding science, technology, nature and environmental exhibits including the first American space capsule to orbit the earth, and a one-mile narrow gauge railroad passing through a 48-acre wildlife sanctuary.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
The extensive gardens and a native plant area are located on the grounds of Duke University.
Wallace Wade Stadium
Home to the Duke Blue Devils Football team. Also includes an eight lane, synthetic rubber track surface and holds up to 35,000 people on the Duke University campus. It will also serve as the site for the 2000 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship.
Orange County Attractions and Activities
Ackland Museum
The Ackland Art Museum exhibits from a permanent collection of more than 14,000 works of art from around the world. The Ackland 's holdings are particularly rich in Old Master paintings and sculptures by artists such as Degas, Rubens and Pissarro; Indian miniatures; Japanese paintings; North Carolina folk art; and prints, drawings and photographs. Additionally, the museum exhibits four to six temporary loan exhibitions annually.
ArtsCenter
The ArtsCenter 's 300-seat theater offers a wide variety of musical and theatrical events throughout the year, including plays, family shows, dances, and traditional blues, pop, world music, folk, and jazz concerts.
Carolina PlayMakers Repertory Company
NC 's only full-season, non-profit, professional theater. PlayMakers unites students in the conservatory training program at UNC-CH with professional actors in quality performances. The company performs in the Paul Green Theatre, a state-of-the-art facility seating 500 patrons.
Coker Arboretum (UNC Campus)
The Coker Arboretum, located on the University of North Carolina campus, is the oldest of the Garden 's tracts and was founded in 1903 by Dr. William Chambers Coker, the University 's first Professor of Botany.
Dean E. Smith Center Complex (UNC)
The Dean E. Smith Center Complex opened in January 1986 and includes the Dean E. Smith Center and Koury Natatorium. The Smith Center is the third largest on-campus arena in the country, with a seating capacity of 21,572 for basketball games and 21,444 for concerts.
Kenan Memorial Stadium (UNC)
Kenan Memorial Stadium is where the University of North Carolina Tar Heels football teams have played since 1927. The stadium seats 60,000+ people. It also features the Hall of Honors, the Heavner Theater for football archives, display cases of historic artifacts, interactive kiosks, video presentations and vintage photographs.
Morehead Planetarium
The Morehead Planetarium, one of the largest planetariums in the United States, and is located on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus. The Morehead Planetarium Building and grounds, include a 68-foot, domed Star Theater and Zeiss Model VI Star Projector, scientific exhibits and classrooms, 24-inch Cassegrain reflecting telescope and observation decks, Visitor's Center, art galleries, rose gardens and a massive sundial.
N.C. Botanical Gardens
The North Carolina Botanical Garden is the largest natural botanical garden in the southeast. Consisting of 600 acres of preserved land, it includes nature trails, carnivorous plant collections, aquatics and herb gardens.
North Carolina Collection Gallery (UNC)
The North Carolina Collection traces its origins back to the establishment of the North Carolina Historical Society, organized in 1844 and its contents illustrates four centuries of the colony and state of North Carolina’s history.
Orange County Historical Museum
Museum exhibits the first hundred years of Orange County 's history, which includes the collection of silversmith William Huntington; Colonial weights and measures-the only complete set in the US and portraits of notable Colonial figures.
Orange County Speedway
Orange County Speedway is one of the fastest 3/8-mile paved ovals in the nation. The high-banked, wide turns make for fast, close competitive racing action.
Arts & Entertainment
