WRAL appearance
Hi {{ first name | Raleigh Lover}}!
Before we dive into all the week that was I want to pause for a heartfelt moment of gratitude.
This community—you—are the reason we get to do what we love every single day. Your messages, your enthusiasm for exploring Raleigh, your photos, your DMs saying, “We tried this because of you!”… that energy fuels us. Truly. It inspires us to keep going on the days we feel stretched thin, overwhelmed, or just a little too close to wanting to quit (and yes—those days have been real and more frequent than you’d imagine).
We’re endlessly grateful for your presence here.
We’re also deeply grateful for our partners and sponsors—and for YOU supporting them.
Their support keeps the lights on, the website running, and the content flowing. Without them, we genuinely couldn’t sustain this work. There have been moments where we were closer to shutting the doors than we’re comfortable admitting, and your willingness to show love to the businesses who support This is Raleigh is something we never take for granted. From the bottom of our hearts—thank you.
And speaking of gratitude… we had a bit of a pinch-me moment this week!
We were invited onto the WRAL / FOX50 9AM News show to talk about why Raleigh is getting international attention—and how our work has helped shine a spotlight on the city we love. Recently, we were recognized globally as one of the Top Local City Guides in the world, celebrated for the depth, authenticity, and heart we bring to showcasing Raleigh's neighborhoods, businesses, and culture.
We shared how This is Raleigh has become a trusted resource not just for locals, but for people around the world who are curious about life here, and why we’re so passionate about sharing it! (see interview here)
So as we head into Thanksgiving week, know this:
💛 We are grateful for you.
💛 We are grateful for this city.
💛 And we are grateful that together, we get to help Raleigh shine a little brighter.
Now let’s get into all the magic happening around town…
Caroline
P.S. Craig’s parents arrived this week, and we’ve been troll hunting, burger eating, and sharing their first Thanksgiving meal together.
💖 FAVORITE FINDS
Barley & Burger: we discovered this new delicious burger joint on Hillsborough St. Order the pork rinds and queso and spicy Ghostbuster burger!
Meeting Etaf Rum - it was a thrill to meet, not just the owner of Barley & Burger, but NY Times bestselling author. Her book, A Woman is not a Man was the first book I read in my neighborhood book club! How lucky are we to claim some local ties!!
North Hills Christmas tree lighting and the Downtown Raleigh tree lighting on the weekend were incredible. Click those links to see drone video we captured. wow!
Veloce Italian Market has opened in City Plaza (old Hapy & Hale building) Expect the same delicious pizzas from V Pizza, but this more grab and go style. Fayetteville needed this!
Vic’s Pizzeria on Glenwood Ave - while we’re on pizza, I had a delicious gluten free breakfast pizza here before the parade at the ABC11 event. WOW!! And, after meeting owner Michael, we realized that same owners as Vic’s in City Market, always a favorite pizza joint of ours!
Chinese chicken salad from True Food Kitchen in North Hills is a standout!
We visited Tap Yard for the first time. What an incredible neighborhood gathering space. The beer garden really reminded us of beer gardens back in Australia!
Stranger Things Season 5!! Watching episode 4 today! I love this series so much!! And so relevant to our area as the creators, the Duffer Brothers are Durham natives and weave a few Triangle references into the series!
Troll Hunting! We finally saw the trolls in Dix Park and they are incredible. We took Craig’s parents for a visit, and they were very impressed. We stopped into Willow House for coffee after - always exceptionally crated and they are now roasting their own beans on site.
Troll hunting
Etaf Run
Thanksgicing meal!
Miracle at Haymaker
⭐DID YOU HEAR?
Don’t forget about The Pantry Bowl 2025. Help raise much needed funds for the Feed the Pack Food Pantry at NC State for students, staff, and faculty facing food insecurity. For the Pantry Bowl we are aiming to get more monetary gifts than rivals UNC Chapel Hill. #GoPack Learn more here.
Our partner, Woodhouse Spa has a special free gift with a purchase of a holiday gift card. Free gift includes scented candles and luxurious robe.
Rose & Lee my favorite local boutique store has up to 30% off discount offers to celebrate their birthday weekend!
Get Ready: We will have a giveaway on Monday, thanks to our partner Ready to Roll Garage Doors, for highly coveted tickets to the Holiday Express at Pullen Park (for 12/8)
🖋 ON THE BLOG
📆THIS WEEKEND
You may like…
SAT: Pullen Park is hosting Merry and Bright, an Enchanted Holiday Evening for Grownups, There's live music, carousel and train rides, games and shimmering lights around the lake. And of course, food and beer trucks!
Great Raleigh Trolley Holiday Tours start on Saturday for the next few weeks. There are five themed Holiday tour options for all ages to satisfy your Christmas cheer.
SAT: North Carolina State Wolfpack Football vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Football at Carter Finley. Sold Out but secondary tickets available on Ticketmaster OR just watch it at an NC State Bar!
Fri & Sat: North Carolina Symphony – Cirque Holiday Pops, Martin Marietta Center
Fri - Sun: Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market One of the largest Christmas markets in NC has over 250 exhibitors selling arts, crafts, holiday food, gifts and decorations. Jim Graham Building, NC State Fairgrounds, 9am – 6pm $5-$12
More ideas 👇
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