Walkable Warehouse District Day Trip

Start your walkable tour of Raleigh’s Warehouse District with brunch at Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing. Pair complex beer and cocktails with ingredient-forward, chef-driven bar food and a view overlooking downtown Raleigh. We sampled the BBQ Fries, Shrimp & Grits, and Shakshuka, which were all delicious, as well as several signature and seasonal cocktails.

I also appreciate that they include a 3% gratuity for line cooks, prep cooks, and dishwashers, “who go above and beyond day in and day out and are ineligible by law to be included in our tip pool.” The back-of-house employees who help make these delicious meals possible deserve some more love. A reservation is a must for brunch on the weekends. Make it at least a couple days in advance if you want to get in before noon.

Next, take in views and shoot photos at Boylan Bridge, one of the first bridges built over North Carolina railroad - and at a time when trains often carried passengers with freight. And the rich railroad history here extends to this day - every week, 20-30 freight trains pass under the bridge (North Carolina Railroad Company).

Shop and explore at Father & Son Antiques, established in 1997 as Raleigh’s first mid-century modern shop. Search for antiques, vintage clothing, and records at Father & Son Antiques. Then sip a latte at Heirloom Brewshop - a must-visit for plant-lovers and coffee-addicts alike (a Venn diagram that could also be described as a circle). We admired their plants while sipping the Brown Sugar Five Spice and Caramel cold brews.

Discover local and national artists at 311 Gallery and The Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh. 311 hosted their opening reception for their pop-art and illustration exhibit yesterday on Friday, October 7. CAM Raleigh was closed when we visited but they just opened October 11 for their fall exhibitions, including Adrift from Joseph Rafferty III and I STILL LOVE YOU from Titus Heagins.

After an afternoon of exploring downtown Raleigh’s art scene, it’s time for games and drinks at Boxcar Bar + Arcade. Voted one of Raleigh’s best bars, this barcade is home to over 70+ classic and modern arcade games, over a dozen pinball machines, free weekly tournaments, and a year-round patio bar featuring live music. Plus - make it a boozy brunch when you stop in on a Sunday for their mimosa specials.

Finish your night with craft gin and absinthe cocktails at Aunty Betty's Gin & Absinthe Bar, an eclectic, low-key speakeasy bringing Irish and American traditional gin to Morgan Street Food Hall. Treat yourself to a classic martini or house G & T, sample their selection of specialty cocktails, or shake things up with the “Dealer’s Choice” for a unique mixed-drink crafted on-the-spot by their friendly and talented bar team.