Raleigh, North Carolina, is as gracious a city as its namesake, Sir Walter Raleigh.

Raleigh, NC, is a 'Happening' Place!  Long noted as one of the best areas for quality of life in the United States, the Raleigh Business community is a Community in and of itself, joining together in fun, fun projects that can only increase enjoyment for residents and tourist alike, as well as raise Raleigh's business profile.  Contests and events are frequent (currently: "Collect cards from select Downtown Raleigh businesses to create the best poker hand in Raleigh and you'll have a chance to win a trip to Las Vegas.") Shopping and restaurants in downtown Raleigh are first rate.  As a community, Raleigh hosts exciting and fun events such as an official Oscar Night® America party on Sunday, February 29, 2004 from 7:00 pm until the Best Picture Award is given.

Arts lovers in Raleigh also boast of the BTI Center for the Performing Arts, which includes Fletcher Opera Theater, designed for opera, dance, and theatrical productions (featuring Carolina Ballet, the National Opera Company and the A. J. Fletcher Opera Institute); Kennedy Theater (featuring Burning Coal Theatre); The Lichtin Plaza (a 2 acre venue for festivals, concerts, and social functions); and the Meymandi Concert Hall featuring the North Carolina Symphony.  Special Note: Robert Weiss,  Artistic Director of Carolina Ballet in Raleigh, has rocked the world of Ballet with a stunning new production of The Nutcracker, which he created to honor the memory of George Balanchine.

Sports fans will be delighted with NCSU Wolfpack, Atheletics, Carolina Hurricanes, Carolina Courage, and the RBC Center and for nature lovers and outdoor activities, there are Raleigh Parks & Recreation, Lake Wheeler, Lake Johnson, and Pullen Park.  The Capital Area Greenway, a system of public recreation trails providing walking, jogging, hiking, fishing, picnicking, and outdoor activities, is framed by the Neuse River, Walnut and Crabtree Creeks and their tributaries.

Raleigh and North Carolina have a rich and intricate history, as highlighted in NC Museum of Natural Sciences,  NC Museum of History, and the Raleigh City Museum.

While there, do not miss the State Capitol, a National Historic Landmark, the North Carolina Executive Mansion, the North Carolina Solar Center, Historic Oak View County Park, or the Ray Price Legends of Harley Drag Racing Museum.