Raleigh, North Carolina was established as the state capital and the seat of Wake County in 1792. Raleigh is rich in history and culture. A small but fast-growing area, and consistently rated among the best places to live in the United States, it maintains a welcoming, small-town feel. At the same time, Raleigh offers unique opportunities not found anywhere else in the world.

It might be difficult for a visitor to choose among the many cultural activities in Raleigh, which is home to the North Carolina Museum of Art, the North Carolina Museum of History, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and numerous smaller museums and galleries.

The North Carolina Symphony and the North Carolina Theatre, just two of Raleigh's many performing arts organizations, are housed in the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts. One can enjoy outdoor concerts at the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek, or see national and international acts at the RBC Center, which also is home to the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes. Speaking of sports, minor league baseball is yet another popular Raleigh pastime.

North Carolina State University is located in Raleigh, as are Shaw University, St. Augustine's College, Peace College, Meredith College and Wake Tech Community College. Raleigh is close to Chapel Hill and Durham, both of which contribute to the area's reputation for excellent academics, as well as housing college basketball rivals UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University, respectively.

Situated approximately halfway between the mountains and the Atlantic coast, Raleigh boasts four distinct seasons and has plenty to satisfy nature enthusiasts. There are many parks, botanical gardens, and other outdoor recreational sites in the area. Furthermore, visitors interested in learning more about North Carolina's many agricultural products should visit Raleigh's State Farmers' Market, open year round.

Shopping and dining are popular Raleigh pastimes, as well. Visitors will encounter quaint boutiques, as well as large, modern shopping centers catering to their retail needs. Raleigh dining options range from classy top-rated restaurants on down to rustic local fare. The city's nightlife includes local music venues, comedy clubs, and dance clubs.

Raleigh has numerous hotels, inns, and bed and breakfasts available to visitors. Raleigh is easily accessible via flights to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, as well as by Amtrak train.

Fun Raleigh Fact: Since 1992, there has been an "acorn drop" downtown each New Year's Eve as part of its First Night Raleigh celebration.