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Travelers Raleigh I love visiting Asheville and even tops North Carolina’s most famous city, Charlotte, as the trendiest place in the state.
The residents of Asheville may be happy to hear that Southern Living has revealed who is next in line in the hopes of getting their beloved city back.
While Asheville is still a great place to visit, one city is gaining traction in the fall, as the Blue Ridge mountains mingle with vibrant reds, golds, and oranges. North Carolina’s new travel hotspot.
With a thriving arts scene, incredible food and luxury hotels to spoil yourself, it’s time to capture the laid-back city Cary on your card this fall.
Raleigh’s up and coming friendly neighbor
You could say what Fort Worth is to Dallas, and Cary is to Raleigh – a popular sister city on the rise.
Although she’s commonly known as Raleigh-Durham, Cary has entered the chat unapologetically!
The region is also called the ‘Research triangle‘ Given how many popular universities call this area home, there’s a lot more to expect than the typical college towns.
But just like in student towns, there always seems to be something going on.
Raleigh may not be one of the biggest cities in the country, but it’s big enough for Cary to hide in their shadows for so long.
Today it is thriving and has remained relatively quiet until now.
It’s the kind of place the local population escapes for an extended weekend, but now it’s your turn to enjoy everything this underrated city has to offer.
Taste the flavor and get lost in the art
Sometimes the South can be unfairly pigeonholed, as if the only culture here is their own, like boot-wearing honky-tonkers waving their rebel flags.
Cary is here to blow your observations out of the water!
While there are certainly Southern staples, like North Carolina’s famous barbecue – and who would turn that down?! – there is also a healthy mix of cultural aspects that goes beyond the South’s long-standing, narrow-minded reputation.
Food and art go hand in hand– I mean, it’s called culinary art for a reason. Both bring people together, and community is the cornerstone of that Southern hospitality.
That’s why many locals gather at “the pond” in Cary’s Downtown Park.
And how cool is it that you can grab a beer at the dog park while Rufus runs wild?!
Cary’s craft beer and barbecue scene may surprise you, but what you might be surprised by is the abundance of international cuisine on offer here, such as SAAPa luxury Laotian restaurant with an impressive 4.7 rating on Google.
Cary isn’t just a place to fill your piehole, though.
Many famous acts have come through town, such as John Mayer and Chris Stapleton, and there are many other ways to enjoy the arts.
The city actually offers one Public art card to showcase the work of local artists, but each year’s biggest hit is the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival scheduled for their 49th edition in 2025.
Tip: Academiestraat is the place to be! This street has been given new life over the years, a new hub for cafes, restaurants, shops and street art murals.
Treat yourself to one of Cary’s luxury hotels
Some travelers have no problem dropping in at three-star hotels, typically saving money to spend on local experiences instead of the softest pillows and highest thread count.
Despite being a small city with only 180,000 residents, Cary offers first-class experiences across multiple luxury stays.
These are the best 2 hotels in Cary:
- The Umstead Hotel and Spa (5 star)
- The Mayton (4 star)
There are also plenty of vacation rentals available throughout the city, but many visit these hotels as a ‘staycation’ splurge.
The Mayton is a luxurious retreat with a boutique feel. Best of all, it’s centrally located downtown, making discovering Cary’s charming delights a breeze, surrounded by top restaurants, cafes and the Page-Walkers Center for Art and History.
Yet the ultimate getaway lies on the scenic outskirts of Cary.
Umstead Hotel and Spa (emphasis on ‘spa’!).
This is what Southern life says: “The tranquil setting is accentuated by luxurious suites and rooms with stunning views of the surrounding forests, a world-class spa complete with outdoor bathtubs and excellent dining options.”
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
