Guidebook for Raleigh
Food Scene
Stanbury
938 N Blount StGreat ever changing menu. Call in advance to get in,
Great atmosphere. Food is wonderful at $$$$ prices. The bar menu is half price during happy hour. Go on Thursdays for a packed house.
37 locals recommend
Sullivan's Steakhouse
410 Glenwood AveGreat atmosphere. Food is wonderful at $$$$ prices. The bar menu is half price during happy hour. Go on Thursdays for a packed house.
This has the cutest giftshop to walk around while you wait for weekend brunch. Take advantage of the free coffee.
33 locals recommend
NOFO @ the Pig
2014 Fairview RdThis has the cutest giftshop to walk around while you wait for weekend brunch. Take advantage of the free coffee.
This place has taken a theme "clockwork as in orange" and turned it into a lifestyle. The maindoor is a garage pulldown they usually have open to the street. Dark Hollywood regency style.
14 locals recommend
Clockwork
519 W North StThis place has taken a theme "clockwork as in orange" and turned it into a lifestyle. The maindoor is a garage pulldown they usually have open to the street. Dark Hollywood regency style.
This pizza is just amazing. I like the Big Buddah, My retirement plan is mostly finding their recipe and eating until I can't stand it.
41 locals recommend
Lilly's Pizza
1813 Glenwood AveThis pizza is just amazing. I like the Big Buddah, My retirement plan is mostly finding their recipe and eating until I can't stand it.
Drinks & Nightlife
Jazz lounge. Very different and a nice change from the usual bar and restaurants.
40 locals recommend
C. Grace
407 Glenwood AveJazz lounge. Very different and a nice change from the usual bar and restaurants.
The place for beer connoisseurs. Try the beer and cheese soup and check out their trivia nights and be a beenknurd.
24 locals recommend
Flying Saucer
328 W Morgan StThe place for beer connoisseurs. Try the beer and cheese soup and check out their trivia nights and be a beenknurd.
Upscale cocktails, underground, good music at a tolerable volume. There may be a small membership fee so bring cash,
34 locals recommend
Fox Liquor Bar
East Martin StreetUpscale cocktails, underground, good music at a tolerable volume. There may be a small membership fee so bring cash,
Best sunset views in Raleigh though the food and drinks are so-so.
26 locals recommend
Boylan Bridge Brewpub
201 South Boylan AvenueBest sunset views in Raleigh though the food and drinks are so-so.
Bida Manda
222 S Blount StIf you want a different palate this place is really really great.
Everything Else
The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery
104 Glenwood AveCupcakes. Need I say more?
Besides being a great free museum, there's a butterfly pavilion on the top floor!
288 locals recommend
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
11 W Jones StBesides being a great free museum, there's a butterfly pavilion on the top floor!
This is just a beautiful nursery to poke around and smell the roses. As a bonus, the small cafe in the back has been featured in several magazines. There is a long line at lunch time.
7 locals recommend
Nice Price Jr.
222 N Bloodworth StThis is just a beautiful nursery to poke around and smell the roses. As a bonus, the small cafe in the back has been featured in several magazines. There is a long line at lunch time.
Massages, facials, all the offerings of a traditional spa with medical grade professionalism,
Synergy Face + Body | Inside the Beltline
3700 Glenwood AveMassages, facials, all the offerings of a traditional spa with medical grade professionalism,
So this is nearby in Cary. But, for the low low price of $100, though it is difficult to find anything for just 100 on their menu, you get access to a world class spa experience from 8 AM to 8 PM. This includes steam rooms saunas many relaxing lounges, fireplaces with piles of blankets, coffee tea snacks a meditation garden hot tub indoor hot tub outdoor pool showers. Lounges are separated by gender and coed. I have done 10 hours just enjoying the free stuff more than once. After getting access via the requisite $100 or more service I bring salt or coffee scrubs polish and hair treatments to make a full day of it. Check out Herons to really splurge on a treat. Lounges are separated by gender and coed. 
17 locals recommend
The Umstead Hotel and Spa
100 Woodland Pond DrSo this is nearby in Cary. But, for the low low price of $100, though it is difficult to find anything for just 100 on their menu, you get access to a world class spa experience from 8 AM to 8 PM. This includes steam rooms saunas many relaxing lounges, fireplaces with piles of blankets, coffee tea snacks a meditation garden hot tub indoor hot tub outdoor pool showers. Lounges are separated by gender and coed. I have done 10 hours just enjoying the free stuff more than once. After getting access via the requisite $100 or more service I bring salt or coffee scrubs polish and hair treatments to make a full day of it. Check out Herons to really splurge on a treat. Lounges are separated by gender and coed. 
Target
1000 Shoppes At Midway DrA few short miles away in a shopping plaza 
City advice
Getting around
A to B
Uber and Lyft are the best ways to get around without a car. Always remember to check the license plate on the car to what you should be expecting in the app!