Book a flight to Raleigh with Qatar Airways

The city has so many great attractions that it’s difficult to know what to prioritise on your trip to Raleigh, so here are a few suggestions."Marvel at the Greek Revival architecture of the North Carolina State Capitol, constructed in 1840 but reminiscent of Classical Athens. George Washington’s giant marble statue in the rotunda is particularly impressive.

The North Carolina Museum of Art is the state’s premier art museum, consisting of numerous galleries and exhibiting everything from Botticelli and Rubens to Monet and also many American artists such as Jacob Lawrence and Frank Stella.

If you like exquisite chandeliers and fine antiques then you must pay a visit to the North Carolina Executive Mansion, which is open to the public in the spring and autumn. Book a place on one of the regular tours to get the most out of your visit.

For loads of information about the state, visit the North Carolina Museum of History. This light and airy museum is packed with flags, photographs and artefacts which cover North Carolina’s history from its colonial beginnings to the Confederacy and beyond.

The Jordan Lake State Recreation Area to the south of Chapel Hill and Durham has a vast area of recreational shoreline and no fewer than nine recreational areas to explore during your trip to Raleigh. Watch Bald Eagles from a special platform or go camping, boating and trekking in the great outdoors.

In downtown Pullen Park you’ll find the impressive Aquatic Centre and the city’s Theatre in the Park. Families have been enjoying days out here for over a century, with tennis courts, picnic areas and boat rental available along with many other activities.

Raleigh’s RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) Centre is a massive stadium that holds an audience capacity of 21,000 and is home to the Carolina Hurricanes. It also stages concerts, trade shows, conferences and even circuses.

Raleigh is one of the tastiest towns in the South, according to ‘Southern Living’, and the culinary scene here has been building a great reputation in recent years.

Many restaurants in the city focus on farm-to-table cooking, with fresh meat and other seasonal produce sourced from local farmers’ markets. Barbecues, sweet tea and fresh vegetables are staples on most menus, and the city’s many award-winning chefs are constantly setting new trends in comfort food, with creative and unique takes on traditional recipes.

There are more than 1300 restaurants in the Greater Raleigh area alone, from haute cuisine fine dining restaurants and romantic outdoor cafés to trendy delis, excellent entertainment venues and plenty of international dining options too.

When travelling to Raleigh for shopping you’ll find a wealth of outlets in the Greater Raleigh area, including three huge malls along with many other prominent shopping districts. You’ll also find numerous local specialist boutiques that sell just about everything you can imagine, from unique vintage shops to haute couture and antiques of every kind.

Cameron Village in Clark Avenue offers a particularly attractive shopping experience, with tree-lined walks, restaurants, cafés and one-of-a-kind independent shops, a world away from the usual cookie-cutter malls.