Cary, NC Guide

Cary, NC Guide
Area Information
[Located only 17 minutes outside of downtown Raleigh, Cary is a bustling town perfect for those who want a little separation from the city. Cary has certainly become a force to be reckoned with in the greater Triangle metropolitan region, offering top-notch restaurants, shopping centers, and more. Although in an urban area, Cary still has many parks, nature reserves, and other outdoor attractions. It’s no wonder that Cary has been rated one of the best places to live in North Carolina. Find out more about this wonderful community below.
Things to Do in Cary, NC
Restaurants
Cary has tons of variety when it comes to food. Start your morning with authentic French breads and pastries at La Farm Bakery. If you’re looking for Turkish or Mediterranean fare, head to Bosphorus, an elegant eatery with rave reviews. If you prefer ramen, Noodle Boulevard is the place for you with authentic, fresh dishes. Looking for a little taste of home, Lucky 32 has homemade southern-style cooking. Check out some more Cary favorites below:
- Lugano Ristorante
- Totopos
- Belle
- Craft Public House
Arts and Attractions
Cary, NC has a number of fun activities for the whole family. The Cary Arts Center, located in downtown Cary, is the perfect place to go to express your creativity! They have an art gallery available for public view and offer open studio classes, and even have a theater with a variety of performances.
About 10 minutes away from the Cary Arts Center is the Koka Booth Amphitheater. Head to this beautiful outdoor space to see concerts, symphony performances, or movie screenings. They also host various events throughout the year like the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival. If you’re looking to attend additional events throughout the year, check out these festivals hosted in Cary:
- Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts FestivalTotopos
- Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival
- Cary Diwali Celebration – Festival of Light
- Ritmo Latino Music, Art and Dance Festival
- And more!
Parks and Recreation
Cary is a great city for outdoor recreation, boasting a number of parks and nature trails. The Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve is a 104 acre registered natural area and is run by both the state of North Carolina and the town of Cary. They have over two miles of trails to explore, and they offer environmental education programs for those who want to learn more about the environment where they live.
Fred G. Bond Metro Park is an expansive 310 acre park, one of the largest municipal parks in Wake County. With a large lake and canoe rentals, multiple walking trails, fields, and picnic areas, this is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life. Be sure to check out these other spots near Cary:
- William B. Umstead State Park
- Prestonwood Country Club
- Lake Crabtree
Shopping
Cary has lots of options for shopping, and one of the most notable is Crossroads Plaza. They have many major retailers like Ulta, DSW, Target, and HomeGoods. They also have a wide range of food options like CAVA, Chipotle, and Jason’s Deli, so once you’ve worked up an appetite shopping, you can grab lunch nearby.
At the Waverly Place Shopping Center, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for in this open-air space. Not only do they have great shops and restaurants, but their landscaping, fountains, and acre of green lawn make a beautiful and lively addition to your shopping experience.
Living in Cary means you’re also only 15 minutes away from all of the shopping at Crabtree Valley Mall, so you’re sure to find what you’re looking for!
Schools & Employment
If you’re looking to establish your career in a new city, Cary is a great choice! With close proximity to the Research Triangle Park area, three major universities, and a blooming technology hub, there are many exciting career opportunities in Cary!
Cary is served by the Wake County School System, which should be noted for its top-performing public schools. Cary residents attend such high-performing schools as:
- Cary High School
- Green Hope High School
- Middle Creek High School
- Davis Drive Middle School
- East Cary Middle School
- Mills Park Middle School
- Adams Elementary School
- Briarcliff Elementary School
- Carpenter Elementary School
- Cary Elementary School
- Davis Drive Elementary School
- Farmington Woods Elementary School
What’s more, there are also a number of quality private schools in the area, such as:
- Cary Academy
- Cary Christian School
- Grace Christian School
- Hopewell Academy
- Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic School
Cary, NC Neighborhoods
Ready to explore the Cary area? Browse these Cary neighborhoods below:
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