things to do in Raleigh

2017 Mother’s Day Reflections & Raleigh Events

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water lilies at NC Art MuseumOver the past two years, I’ve learned that Mother’s Day is all about the balance for me. After losing my mother so suddenly in 2015, I realize I yearn for more reflection and relaxation (aka alone time without kids) to counter my natural tendency for wide-open family fun and adventure. I’ve consciously let the reflection and relaxation needs run their course because I know later that day, that week, or that month I’ll be a less crazy better mom and wife. 

After our traditional Nags Head trip with friends last year (aka the fun and adventurous side of things) I walked solo around the NC Museum of Art’s Museum Park while listening to music and my favorite parenting podcast, Atomic Moms. It helped me clear my head, process things, and feel grounded. This year, I’ll probably head to a similar place after getting home from our Nags Head trip. 

So, if you’re around in Raleigh this week/weekend and are looking for a special way to celebrate the special wife or mom in your life, look no further than this list of upcoming organized events in the local parks and my personal mix of outdoor outings to balance adventure with relaxation.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there and cheers to making memories and searching for finding balance.

Organized Programs

  • You are my Sunshine Mother’s Day Craft at Buffalo Road Athletic Park (Tues., May 9 at 11am) – Join the super fun Fit4Mom Midtown Raleigh Stroller Strides group after class for a Mother’s Day footprint craft. All ages welcome & all supplies will be provided. Meet by the playground and we’ll make sunny feet under the shade at the picnic tables; all ages welcome; FREE
  • Dorothea Dix Guided Walking Tour at Dorethea Dix Park (Tues., May 9 from 5:30-7:30pm) – Take a 2-hour, 3.5 mile tour that covers the history of the buildings, land, and legacy of Dorothea Dix, the current use of the area as the headquarters of the Department of Health and Human Services and the steps the City will take in planning a future park; pre-registration required; FREE
  • Moonrise Stroll at Falls Lake State Recreation Area (Tues., May 9 from 7:30-8:45pm) – join an easy 1.2 mile hike to watch the nearly full moon rise over Falls Lake; start location – Beaver Dam Recreation Area, Duck Cove Trailhead; all ages; FREE; hikers are encouraged to pre-register
  • Birds & Nests at Annie Louise Wilkerson Park (Wed., May 10 from 10:30-noon or Sat., May 13 from 10:30-noon) – go on a bird hunt, make a craft, and meet Mama and Papa bluebird and take a peek in their nest box; $3; ages 3-5 with parent; course # 205486, 205487
  • Gifts for Mom at Worthdale Community Center (Wed., May 10 from 10-11am) – Make a special gift for Mom; $8; ages 2-5; course # 207187 
  • Mother’s Day Crafts at Hill St Community Center (Wed., May 10 from 5-6pm) – create a special Mother’s Day Craft; ages 5-12; FREE; course # 197397
  • Mother’s Day Tea Party at Greystone Community Center (Thurs., May 11 from 10-11:30am) – do you want to make Mom feel special? Come and enjoy time with your mom/caregiver at our Mother’s Day Tea Party. This workshop will give children an opportunity to create a special gift for their mother. Enjoy tea/juice and cookies; ages 18 months to 4 years with parent participation; $9; course # 205695
  • Photography walk at JC Raulston Arboretum (Thurs., May 11 from 2-3pm) – let mom explore the close-up world in the garden and achieve strong compositions and fun abstracts; $10 members/$15 non-members 
  • nature play space at Durant Nature ParkNature & Sensory Play Day at Durant Nature Preserve (Fri., May 12 from 10-noon) – come check out Durant’s Sensory and Nature Play Garden! Enjoy self-guided activities to delight the senses and encourage nature play. Although registration is not necessary, it is helpful for preparation; all ages, with parent participation; FREE; course #205363 
  • Wee Wetland Walkers at Walnut Creek Wetland Center (Fri., May 12 from 11am-noon) – this program is designed to move at a toddler’s pace: Run. Stop. Pick dandelions. Run. Climb on a rock. Find an interesting leaf! Join others for an easy-paced hike around the greenway, accompanied by one of our naturalists. Registration is not required but is helpful for planning; FREE; all ages; course # 203539
  • Parents’ Evening Escape at Millbrook Exchange Community Center (Fri., May 12 form 6-8:30pm) – Mom and Dad deserve a night out! Let your child join us for a fun-filled night of games, activities and pizza. Participants will create a Mother’s Day gift while you’re out; $15; ages 5-10; course #205154
  • Nature Scavenger Hunt at Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve (Sat., May 13 from 1-2pm) – Exploring the preserve, and learn about nature while uncovering the hidden nature-themed treasures! Make an afternoon of it and bring a picnic lunch to enjoy before or after the hunt; ages 4 years and up with adult participation; $1; course # 206618
  • Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Bon Voyage at NC Art Museum (Sat., May 13 or Sun., May 14 at 10:30am) – Discover all the places art can take you as you travel the world without leaving the Museum walls; FREE; half-hour tours for ages 5-11 with their adult companion
  • Are you my Mama at Blue Jay Point County Park (Sat., May 13 from 1-2pm) – Create great Mother’s Day cards while learning about different styles of mothering in the animal world; $1, all ages but most appropriate for ages 5 years+, pre-registration required  
  • Mommy & Me Tea Party at Eastgate Park (Sat., May 13 from 2-4pm) – Celebrate Mother’s Day with a spot of tea at an afternoon tea party for mothers and daughters of all ages. We will enjoy tasty treats while sipping steaming cups of tea or ice cold lemonade. Mothers, grandmothers, daughters and other significant women in your young lady’s life are all welcome; $10 per person; all ages, course #205100

Home Grown Adventure & Relaxation

2016 Valentine’s Day Ideas in the Parks

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20110614-063105.jpgWhy not celebrate Valentine’s Day by exploring a park or program with a loved one?  Whether it’s a spouse, friend, or special little one these ideas are sure to entertain and provide fun memories:

Paint Your HeART Out at Sertoma Arts Center – Saturday, February 6 from 10:30am-noon; create your own Valentine-inspired artwork on canvas; for all ages; $6 and up; for more info

Valentine Surprise Arts & Craft at Abbotts Creek Community Center – Monday, February 8 from 10-10:30am; make a Valentine-themed arts and craft project with playtime on the playground afterwards; ages 0-12; $2; program barcode 189906

Valentines & More at Pullen Community Center – Tuesday, February 9 from 10-11:30am; read books, make crafts and have Valentine-themed fun; ages 2-5; $5; program barcode 182523

Valentine Card Making at Greystone Community Center – Tuesday, February 9 from 4:30pm-5:30pm; use supplies to make original Valentine’s Day cards; ages 6-10; $7; program barcode 188526

Mosaic Heart Art at Sanderford Road Park – Thursday, February 11 from 5-6pm; make a Valentine’s Day inspired arts and craft; ages 5-15; FREE; program barcode 182872

Valentines for Everyone at Optimist Community Center – Friday, February 12 from 12:30-1:30pm; participate in a Valentine-themed arts and craft project and edible creation; ages 3-5; $6; program barcode 183486

Creative Crafts at Hill St Community Center – Friday, February 12 from 5-6pm; create a Valentine-themed project; FREE; ages 5-12; program barcode 180959

Kidz Crafty Cooking at Chavis Community Center – Friday, February 12 from 5-6pm or 6:15-7:15pm; cook a Valentine-themed treat; $5; ages 5-6

Breakfast with the Birds at Historic Yates Mill County Park – Saturday, February 13 from 9-10:30am; enjoy a coffee or hot chocolate for the kiddos followed by a trail walk with a park naturalist to identify and count the birds; all ages; FREE; bring a reusable mug

Heart’s Delight Cooking & More at Pullen Community Center – Saturday, February 13 from 11am-1pm; make heart-shaped edible treats, create a craft and play games; ages 5-11; $5; program code 182733

Happy Valentine’s Day Mother Nature at Crowder District Park – Sunday, February 14 from 2:30-3:30pm; make a Valentine’s present for the birds and a card from natural objects for a special someone; all ages

Great Backyard Bird Count: Love Birds at Historic Yates Mill County Park – Sunday, February 14 from 2-3:30pm; see a slideshow followed by exploring how birds begin courtship to attract mates and warn off rivals, and also what they do to set up house; all ages; FREE

Get out and try something fun:

Breakfast in the Gardens – grab breakfast to go from Flying Biscuit or Cafe Carolina and head over to the Rose Garden for the perfect picnic

Frisbee Golf & Breakfast – catch 9 holes at Lake Raleigh or 18 holes at Kentwood Park or Cedar Hills Park with breakfast at State Farmers Market Restaurant or Big Ed’s North

Run & Coffee – run along East Fork Mine Creek Trail followed by local coffee and hot biscuits from Jubala Coffee

Walk & Wine – Go for a walk along House Creek Trail followed by a wine tasting at Ridgewood Wine & Beer

Bike Ride & Beers – Go for a bike ride along Reedy Creek Greenway followed by some yummy beers at Raleigh Brewing Company

Picnic at the Pool – pack a picnic lunch and bring the family for some indoor swimming at one of the winterized pools

Hike & Beers – Explore Durant Nature Preserve’s web of trails and playground followed by refreshing beers at Compass Rose Brewery

Hot Dogs & Ice Cream at the Park – for a super casual day, grab some hot dogs and ice cream from Snoopy’s on Hillsborough St and then walk over to Pollock Place Playground for a picnic and some playground time with the kids

Shopping & Exercise – do some shopping at North Hills with a run, bike or walk along Crabtree Creek Trail near Lassiter Mill Park

Explore Robertson Millpond Preserve – bring a picnic from home and take a romantic walk exploring the dam, federal-style home and grounds

2014 Summer Bucket List Follow-up

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bucketlist69The first day of Fall began this week with a few days of colder temperatures, which led me to reminisce about my first full summer home with both girls.  Despite having a tough adjustment period from 3-day-a-week preschool to zero-day-a-week preschool, things smoothed out and we had an awesome summer!  I find myself longing for more pool, beach and picnic days and having more of that carefree, energetic spirit!  We completed a lot of things on our original bucket list, but did so many more unexpected things too – spent time at the Rappahannock river, welcomed my niece Ava, watched Claire take her first steps, watched Ashley head off to her first summer camps, had cookouts with friends, celebrated Ashley’s swimming successes, spent time with family, and visited old college and high school buddies and all their kiddos.  For all these reasons and more, summer makes for endless fun and is our favorite season.  But, Fall is here now and that means preschool fun, Hokies football and pumpkin beer, so #bringonfall2014!

Enjoy the slideshow below with pics from our #bringonsummer2014 adventures!

  1. Visit the library (completed June 6)
  2. Play with water balloons (completed June 1)
  3. Visit the Eno River State Park
  4. Camp in the backyard
  5. Attend an outdoor concert (completed June 19, Pickin’ in the Plaza in downtown Raleigh)
  6. Visit Fearrington
  7. Paddle board at Lake Wheeler (completed Aug 24, Lake Wheeler via Triangle Guides)
  8. Take Ashley fishing (completed Sept 3 in OBX)
  9. Play with the slip n slide (completed July 4 in VA)
  10. Let the kiddos enjoy the water fountains at NC Museum of Art after a Stroller Strides class (completed June 24)
  11. Go blueberry picking (completed July 9, Creekside Farm)
  12. Discover three new parks and be current on blog posts (We were busy – Simms Branch Trail, Neuse River Trail MP 13.25-15, Top of the Hill Trail, Halifax Park, Hobbit House @ NCMA, Caroline County Park in VA, Optimist Pool, Neuse River Trail MP 11.5-13.25)
  13. Catch lightning bugs
  14. Explore the Prairie Ridge Ecostation again (completed Sept 16)
  15. Survive solo trips to the pool with both kids (completed at least 12 times beginning June 5)
  16. Take Ashley to the movies (completed June 14)
  17. Attend a Durham Bulls game (completed Aug 17)
  18. Discover a new (to us) brewery (strangely enough we didn’t make it to any new Raleigh breweries, but we visited two popular RVA breweries Ardent Craft Ales (July 5) & Strangeways Brewing (Aug 9))
  19. Make s’mores (completed July 5 in RVA)
  20. Fly a kite (completed June 3 @ NCMA)
  21. Watch the Sandlot movie (completed June 11)
  22. Visit Waverly Place splash area in Cary (completed July 3)
  23. Walk for ice cream at the new Quail Corners Creamery in our ‘hood (completed numerous times this summer)
  24. Grill homemade pizza (completed June 4)
  25. Visit the farmers’ market (completed Aug 13 at downtown Farmer’s Market and Sept 19 at State Farmer’s Market)
  26. Go to the beach (completed Aug 16 and week of Labor Day in OBX)
  27. Visit the Asheboro zoo
  28. Play putt putt (completed June 28 with Gaga & Papa at Frankie’s Fun Park)
  29. Enjoy a bushel of crabs (completed July 4 in VA)
  30. Take a boat ride (completed June 7 in VA)
  31. Stomp in rain puddles (completed in June)
  32. Watch the clouds overhead

[Show as slideshow]

2014 Fall Festivals @ Local Parks

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Here’s a list of upcoming Fall Festivals happening at various parks in the Greater Raleigh area:

Southeast Raleigh Community Day @ John Chavis Memorial Park – Sat., Sept 20 from noon-4pm; free event that will feature free food, health information, music, voter registration info and more

9th Annual Fall Harvest Celebration @ Historic Yates Mill Park – Sat., Sept 20 from 11am-3pm; free event includes costumed corn-grinding tours of Yates Mill, a fun children’s scavenger hunt activity, live music and dance, story-tellers, community displays, hand-craft demonstrations and sales, antique vehicles, farm tool displays, food vendors, and more; pre-registration is not required; all ages

Community Art Day Festival @ Powell Drive Park – Sat., Sept 27 from 10am-2pm; free kid-friendly activities such as bracelet making, sidewalk chalk, painting and more; performers will be on site; art vendors will be on site to purchase from local artists with vendor spaces still available

4th Annual Festival in Motion along Walnut Creek Greenway – Sat., Sept 27 10am-2pm; designed to get people out and moving in nature; enjoy this day of discovery with live music, art-in-the-making, nature games and fitness challenges

IMG_1592Heritage Day @ Historic Oak View County Park – Sat., Oct 4 from 10am-4pm; a free “county fair” type event featuring live animals, antique farm equipment displays, heritage crafts, handmade items, live music, antique cars, horse-drawn carriage rides, quilt auction, cane pole fishing, and more; food will be available for purchase

Annual Heritage Day at Jordan Lake (White Oak Recreation Area) – Sat., Oct 4 from 10am-3pm; enjoy hands on activities, live entertainment and demonstrations all relating to the unique cultural and natural resources of this region; gain an appreciation for the rich history of the land and natural resources; for more information or volunteer opportunities for this event, please contact Ranger Jim Trostle at 919-362-0586 ext. 227 or jim.trostle@ncparks.gov

Haunting at Harris Lake: Creatures of the Forest – Sat., Oct 18 from 1-6pm; free event with games, activities, crafts, and a wagon ride adventure as you search for the weird, creepy and outrageous creatures of the forest; wear a costume or come as you are; all ages

Fall Events @ Umstead Park – hosting a variety of events in Sept & Oct from Free Weekend Matinee Movies, Take a Child Outside Week events, Trail Running with a Ranger, Big Year Birdwalk, From Farm to Park and more; for additional info, visit the main Events page and search for September and October 2014