A visit to Raleigh, N.C., is more than a trip to a blossoming Southern metropolis—meeting attendees will feel enriched and energized the instant they’re warmly welcomed by smart, savvy locals! Raleigh’s bright minds head top-tier technology, education and life science institutions; its artists create a bevy of cultural and culinary touchstones; and its storytellers proudly carry on the collective heritage of a rich, historic capital city.

Attendees can invigorate their senses by sampling the many flavors of cutting-edge Southern cuisine enhanced by artisan craft brews and spirits; get their toes tapping to the sounds of emerging music and bands, as well as rollicking bluegrass festivals and more; discover gifts and treasures from local boutiques, including many handmade and custom designs for truly eclectic finds; and, join in broadening their horizons through an enticing array of visual and performing arts exhibitions.

Attractions in Raliegh

James B. Hunt Jr. Library

Located on NC State’s Centennial Campus, the James B. Hunt Jr. Library is one of NC State’s two main libraries, complementing the D. H. Hill Jr. Library on North Campus. The library is best known for its architecture and technological integration, including a large robotic book storage and retrieval system, which houses most of the university’s engineering, textiles, and hard sciences collections. The library is named after James Baxter “Jim” Hunt Jr., the four-term 69th and 71st governor of North Carolina. For directions on how to get there, look at: https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/parking.

North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University (NC State or NCSU) is a public land-grant research university in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1887 and part of the University of North Carolina system, it is the largest university in the Carolinas. NC State has an enrollment of more than 35,000 students, making it among the largest in the United States.

The JC Raulston Arboretum

The JC Raulston Arboretum is a nationally acclaimed botanic garden located in Raleigh, North Carolina, with one of the largest and most expansive collections of landscape plants adapted for landscape use in the southeast United States. Plants especially adapted to Piedmont, North Carolina, conditions are collected and evaluated in an effort to find superior plants for use in southern landscapes. Open to the public every day of the year. Free admittance. Consistently ranked as one of the best things to do in Raleigh.

North Carolina Museum of Art

North Carolina Museum of Art is one of Raleigh’s top cultural destinations. The museum offers free admission to its world-class collection spanning over 5,000 years of art, from ancient artifacts to contemporary masterpieces. Step outside and enjoy the 164-acre Museum Park, where art and nature come together through outdoor sculptures, walking trails, and peaceful green spaces. With rotating exhibitions, live performances, films, and family-friendly programs, the NCMA is a perfect spot to unwind, get inspired, and experience the creative spirit of Raleigh.

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Located downtown, this free museum offers four floors of exhibits on everything from dinosaurs and deep-sea creatures to space and North Carolina’s natural habitats. It’s a great spot to explore between conference sessions or unwind with hands-on science and stunning displays.

Dorothea Dix Park

Dorothea Dix Park, Raleigh’s largest city park. Just 20 minutes from the conference, this 300-acre green space offers scenic walking trails, open fields, and beautiful skyline views. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic, a peaceful stroll, or catching one of the many free community events happening year-round.

Pullen Park

Pullen Park is a public park immediately west of downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. It is located on Ashe Avenue and is adjacent to the Main and Centennial campuses of North Carolina State University, covering an area between Western Boulevard and historic Hillsborough Street. Founded in 1887, Pullen Park is the oldest public park in North Carolina. The park features picnic areas, a concessions stand, along with several small rides, including the Pullen Park Carousel, train, and kiddie boats. Pedal boats are also available for rent seasonally on the park’s small lake.

Historic Yates Mill County Park

Just a 15-minute drive from the conference venue, this 174-acre park offers peaceful trails, a scenic pond, and a glimpse into local history with Wake County’s last working gristmill. The park features the restored mill; a visitor center with a museum focused on milling and on the natural history of the area, classrooms, an auditorium, and space for research conducted by North Carolina State University faculty and students; a 20-acre (81,000 m2) lake; and extensive hiking trails. The park is managed as a native wildlife refuge with a mission to study and interpret the park’s cultural, natural, and agricultural heritage.

Downtown Cary Park

Comprising seven acres in the heart of Downtown Cary surrounded by Academy, Walker, Park and Walnut Streets, Downtown Cary Park is the culmination of more than 20 years of community vision, planning, and execution. Creatively envisioned and purposefully designed, the Park embodies a spirit of collaboration and versatility with play structures, event venue, public art, bark bar and dog park, and mixed-use open spaces all working in concert with the area’s natural environment.