Hidden Gems of the Triangle – Updated for 2024
There’s so much to love about living in the Triangle, with incredible food, entertainment, universities, and more found everywhere you look. But to fully fall in love with what the area has to offer, we recommend you check out the spots that you have to dig a little deeper to find. With such a massive area to explore, we guarantee there are a number of hidden gems in the Triangle that we just don’t have space to mention.
We highly recommend you consider checking out the following to start becoming a true local.
Spots where you can indulge
Ajja | 209 Bickett Blvd. Raleigh, NC
When: Wed.-Sat., 5-9:30pm, and Sun., 4-8:30pm
If you’re new to the Triangle area, you’ll want to get to know the name Cheetie Kumar. This James Beard Award finalist is a self-taught chef whose newest restaurant, Ajja, is in the heart of Five Points. This restaurant offers a Mediterranean melding of flavors and playful signature cocktails, plus a stellar patio for perfect dinnertime memories. Kumar’s restaurants are a can’t-miss.
Guglhupf | 2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. Durham, NC
When: Tue.-Thurs., 8am-8pm, Fri.-Sat., 8am-9pm, Sun., 9am-3pm
One part bakery, one part restaurant, one of the hidden gems of the Triangle, Guglhupf, brings a contemporary southwestern flair to German cooking. With breakfast, lunch, and dinner options that feature everything from German favorites to vegan options, plus pastries you won’t want to pass up, this restaurant is a must-try for Triangle residents. Guglhupf’s stunning garden patio is a cozy spot that beckons you to grab a coffee or a Benediktiner Bier and stay awhile.
Saltbox Seafood Joint | 2637 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. Durham, NC
When: Tue.-Sat., 1am-8pm
It may look like a small seafood shack, but don’t let that fool you. James Beard Award-winning chef Ricky Moore is making magic with his fresh North Carolina seafood dishes at Saltbox Seafood Joint. The menu changes daily thanks to a constantly rotating selection of seafood that comes straight from the coast. And while the menu may change, there’s one thing that doesn’t: every meal is absolutely incredible.
Morgan Street Food Hall | 411 W. Morgan St. Raleigh, NC
When: Sun-Thurs., 9am-10pm; Fri-Sat., 8am-12pm
Morgan Street Food Hall is meant to be an experience for its guests. This 22,000-square-foot re-purposed warehouse is packed with a wide variety of food vendors with all kinds of cuisine ranging from Greek to Mexican, Burgers, desserts and more!You will enjoy spots inside and out where you can grab a drink from their full bar. Order what you want, then hang around to enjoy a shared seating area with friends. Watch for events to make the most of a Morgan Street Food Hall hang.
Spaces for appreciating the outdoors
Sarah P. Duke Gardens | 420 Anderson St., Durham, NC
When: Sun.-Sat., 8am-dusk
The Sarah P. Duke Gardens are a historic part of Durham that began in 1934 with an iris garden. Today, it’s a gorgeous display of gardens, including wisteria-covered pergolas in the Terrace Gardens, a koi pond, a rock garden, a butterfly garden, and more. Triangle residents love strolling the gardens on their own. But there are also tours and other experiences available to guests looking to dig even deeper with many activities offered on the premises. Watch the website to learn more about regularly scheduled events.
Fenton | Watch for specific hours and events
Fenton in Cary has become a hangout hotspot for people across the Triangle. This mixed-use development features everything from outstanding restaurants to high-end shopping to numerous entertainment venues and more. Fenton Square, which features turn and games in the warmer months and a skating rink as things cool down, is also open to a variety of events that are open to the public. From farmer’s markets to a maker’s market to outdoor pilates to movies on the lawn and more, there’s always something for every age to enjoy. You can also grab a drink at a walk-up bar and take a stroll throughout Fenton. Phase two is just getting started.
Robertson Millpond Preserve | 600 Robertson Pond Rd. Wendell, NC
When: Sun.-Sat., 8am-8pm
Another one of the hidden gems of the Triangle is Robertson Millpond Preserve, a peaceful location situated between Knightdale and Zebulon. It will quickly become your favorite spot to escape the heat this summer because of its lush foliage, or whenever you are looking to explore a beautiful outdoor area. It’s a blackwater swamp habitat, which makes it a rare treasure in the Triangle area of North Carolina. Bring your kayaks, or rent one when you get there, to explore this one-of-a-kind 85-acre preserve. Make sure to look for the animals in this unique habitat, including great blue heron and barred owls, beavers, muskrats, frogs, and turtles.
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Historic Oakwood Cemetery | 701 Oakwood Ave. Raleigh, NC
When: Sun.-Sat., 8am-5pm
Raleigh’s Historic Oakwood Cemetery, a 72-acre cemetery located in downtown Raleigh, has been the final resting place for the departed for more than two centuries. It’s a peaceful, serene location that draws in guests of all kinds and offers insights into the rich history of the community. Drop by for a stroll or stop by to honor the gravestones of soldiers from the Revolutionary War and beyond. Some even claim the cemetery is haunted, so keep that in mind when ghost tours pop back up in the fall!
RDU Observation Deck | W. International Dr. Morrisville, NC
When: Sun.-Sat., 9am-7pm
Explore a part of the Triangle you’ve never seen before at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). The airport’s Observation Park is open to the public daily from 9 a.m. to sunset and features panoramic views of its 10,000-foot runway. Located near the Air Traffic Control Tower, it’s a fun spot for plane-watching and listening to the communications happening with pilots and the tower. The park offers free parking, a picnic and play area, and a grass lawn for relaxation while you watch planes fly overhead.
Locations where you’ll be entertained
The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema | 2116-D New Bern Ave. Raleigh, NC
When: Check website for showtimes
The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema isn’t just another movie theater. It’s quite literally a full cinematic experience. The Alamo Drafthouse Raleigh brings in modern films, but they also like to celebrate the classics on their giant screens. They offer a full menu and bar, and many of their movies are enhanced with special menus—including brunches—that are served directly at your seat. The Alamo Drafthouse is also home to Video Vortex, which allows you to rent from 70,000 DVD and VHS titles for free. Make sure you get there early, because The Alamo doesn’t play just any movie previews, but compilations of old movies, actor highlights and never-before-seen footage before their movies.
Burning Coal Theater Company | 224 Polk St. Raleigh, NC
When: Check website for showtimes
Raleigh’s Burning Coal Theater Company strives to produce works that are experienced, not just seen. They pride themselves on creating art that is explosive and high-energy, with minimal production. They also focus on re-examining classic plays as well as producing new plays that are gritty, yet forward thinking. Burning Coal Theater Company also offers programming for kids and adults 16+ to facilitate creativity within the theater.
Satellite Park | 441 Gattis St. Durham, NC
When: Dusk to dawn
Whether you remember the days of massive satellite dishes or not, Satellite Park, located next to the Duke Arts Annex on Gattis St. in Durham, is a spot you’ll want to check out. The former satellite dishes from Duke’s Tel Com department have been converted into works of art by local artists through the efforts of Mural Durham. The park is open from dawn to dusk.
Hunt for your own hidden gems of the Triangle
As the Triangle continues to grow, the area is always adding new destinations for locals to explore. Keep your eyes peeled for new spots to visit around the Raleigh Durham area. You won’t regret it.
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