by Dan Callahan
Last updated: 4:00 PM ET, Thu November 16, 2017
The United States is full of amazingly fun destinations to visit, and plenty can be found on the East Coast. But one area I think deserves more hype lies right in the middle of the Tar Heel State.
Of course, I'm talking about Raleigh.
Though it might not be on most people's bucket list that does not mean North Carolina's capital should be overlooked. With a population of just under half a million that ranks at the top for America's fastest growing metros, Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle Area are booming for more than just a taste of southern hospitality.
For those of us more interested in spending a long weekend or making good use of a long layover in the First in Flight state, there are plenty of things to do and see. I had the pleasure of touring Raleigh with family friends and my sister this November and fell in love with a few local businesses.
No matter how long you're in town for, you should not pass these places by:
An Absolute Must-Make Dinner Reservation
Though my first night in Raleigh was a bit cold and rainy, a bright and welcoming downtown restaurant quickly perked my mindset up.
Garland, a flavor-packed eatery that fuses Asian and Indian recipes, is a one-of-a-kind restaurant that knows how to serve up a different kind of southern cuisine.
A dish that stood out big time was their Lamian Noodles with Grilled NC Ribeye. Upon ordering, the waiter had to disclose that it wasn't just a ribeye steak-a common misconception, presumably because of the unique offerings on the menu-but actually a lemongrass-chili bone broth with local greens, condiments and bits of steak.
That suggestion from our waiter was the beginning of a very helpful journey through new tastes that night.
The rest of our food order turned out to be a delicious decision, which included Crispy Japanese Eggplant, Tandoori Chicken and more. Every dish was the perfect collection of local and foreign traditions, the exact flare owner Cheetie Kumar has gone after. (Fun fact: Kumar was named a James Beard Foundation finalist this year for Best Chef in the Southeast.)
The Most Unique "Find" For a Drink
Just around the block from Garland you can find a little bar called The Green Light. That is, if you look hard enough.
Apart from The Architect Bar, access to The Green Light is found at the top of a set of stairs behind a false bookcase. This is a crucial entrance for this style of bar: early 1900s dcor, which was once an architect's office.
My sister and I had a great time walking back and forth on the street looking for a literal green light before realizing there was a bookcase inside. It was a nice touch to the entire experience.
It has a style similar to that of trendy speakeasies, but is a solid stop in the Downtown Raleigh area for what they call "cocktail connoisseurs and curious wanderers".
If you're looking for a well-made cocktail in a dimly lit, old-school atmosphere: this is the place.
Brunch Is Always a Good Idea
You can't do a weekend trip without getting brunch one late morning. Turns out, we weren't the only ones with that idea.
Located in the Moore Square Art District, we soon realized why our choice of Brewery Bhavana was a hot one and filled with customers shortly after opening.
Named the #10 New Restaurant in America by Bon Apptit, Brewery Bhavana is an interesting blend of ideas you think wouldn't fit together: Brewery, floral shop, bookstore, and dim sum. With the four put together, you're left with a positive atmosphere and modern meals that truly work.
"I believe part of our success has been from a dedicated staff that has believed in what we do here from day one," said an on-duty manager who was checking on every group dining that morning. "On top of the passion, the vibe this place gives off is very optimistic for our team. It translates into excellent service that keeps our customers coming back."
In a menu that currently contains 20 beers (with more on the way), flower arrangements and a new take on dim sum, some difficult choices had to be made. Barrel-aged beer brewed on-site, scallion pancakes, Jiaozi chicken dumplings and duck egg rolls were a few excellent decisions made that morning.
Make sure you give yourself time before or after a meal to hang out under their atrium area: It's a relaxing spot to sip a craft beer while reading a book from their very own collection!
[READMORE]READ MORE: The Carolinas' Best Cities to Visit[/READMORE]
Accommodations with a Local Touch
If a hotel were able to choose a spirit animal, the StateView Hotel would choose a wolf in a heartbeat.
Whether you'll be visiting Raleigh or North Carolina State University, you won't find a hotel in the area quite like this one. I'd say that's due to the blends of Raleigh's history in the room's dcor and wallpaper showcasing patents that were filed through NC State across Lake Raleigh from the property.
Needless to say, my NC State veterinary student sister loved it all.
A part of the Autograph Collection by Marriott, StateView is located on the Centennial Campus of NC State and recently had their grand opening on October 11th. Since every Autograph property has a "mark", or personality, it was clear that this one had to go all-out on the wolf pack.
"A main goal of ours was to incorporate the wolf pack into the hotel where we saw a creative and purposeful fit," said General Manager Dale Bullock. "The design of everything from the lobby to the outdoor seating out back is meant to inspire and encourage collaboration - just as they do at NC State and in a wolf pack."
As nice as my "den" was-complete with a 49" Smart TV, in-room phone charger and walk in shower-other areas of the hotel kept drawing me out. I'm not sure if it was the brand new smell each area still had or the extremely innovative architecture, but a fire pit outside and library with cozy seating just off the lobby had me loving life.
StateView rates are very affordable and allows for your Raleigh experience to continue while you're not out exploring the city. For any conventions or conference happening in the Research Triangle, give this hotel a strong consideration.
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