The North Carolina Museum of Art

The North Carolina Museum of Art (or NCMA) is located right down Blue Ridge Road past the State Fairgrounds.

Just last year, the museum reopened after major renovations. What was once a lovely little collection of pieces housed in an unremarkable building is now a full-fledged indoor/outdoor masterpiece. (The Rodan Garden is breathtaking.)

You can get lost for hours, meandering the hallways and exhibits, exploring everything from period paintings to installation art (a hyper-realistic tree made entirely of sheet metal graces the grounds). The sheer size of the property also allows for ample parking; a nice touch for anywhere near downtown Raleigh.

Of course, it's not all beautiful art. There are plenty of other accoutrements, such as fine dining and shopping, and, of course, special exhibits. (The Norman Rockwell exhibit is just wrapping up now.) Visit the NCMA website for details on times and exhibitions.

Best Deals
Excluding special exhibits, admission is always free for the majority of the grounds.