A Fox's Favorites in North Carolina's Capital
by Ashley Hillig
Riddle me this. My fellow residents in Tennessee say that, as a Coloradoan, I’m from the West Coast (FYI, Colorado does not sit on a coast). So why is North Carolina, a state with an actual shoreline, referred to as the South?
I apparently have a few things to learn about the South, so I’ve set out to explore it as much as I can. Destination #1…Raleigh.
Climb on!
You may be asking yourself, what kind of crazy person decides to climb 55-foot rock walls the morning after a late night flight? Well, it seemed like a good idea to this girl. My cramped forearms would beg to differ.
On Saturday morning, we visited Triangle Rock Club in Morrisville. The gym offers day passes and belay courses to catch even the rustiest of climbers up to speed. Twenty minutes later, we were approved and searching the dozens of walls to find the easiest of the options.
Physically, we came out of the experience without a scratch. Emotionally, my ego was significantly bruised by the six-year-olds climbing past me in search of the most difficult routes in the gym.
Beer me!
Nothing can soothe a bruised ego like a beer...or 350+ beers. Saturday’s second adventure took us to Raleigh Beer Garden for some patio relaxation. The three-story building is home to the “world’s largest beer selection under one roof” and, let me tell you, it was overwhelming. Our strategy for ordering was along the lines of telling the bartender to “pick your favorite IPA” and we were never disappointed in the choice.
If you find yourself in town, make sure this spot is on your list to visit. The decor was unique and I’m still drooling over the mac-and-cheese balls.
Ooh la la!
Our night ended with dinner at Second Empire, a local restaurant packed with plenty of history. After being seated in a brick room in the basement of the building, our server, an adorable frat boy dressed in a starched button-down, explained to us that the room was used during Prohibition to house the liquor for secret parties. The small windows near the top of the walls were once secret doors disguised with parts of the exterior finishes where bottles would be smuggled inside.
Second Empire is definitely a spot to hit if you’re a history buff looking to nerd out or are in the mood to experience one of the best steaks of your life.
Even with only one full day available for exploring, Raleigh treated us well. Here’s to hoping my next southern adventure is just as memorable. Asheville, here I come!
Header image from Visit Raleigh.