Cute little wine bar downtown that closes on the early side (10pm Tues/Wed/Thurs, 11pm Fri/Sat, 7pm…read moreSun) but nice for an early evening sip. It's got modern, slightly rustic vibes, lit brightly for the art gallery in the back room. There's a good amount of seating and it's not completely filled with the undergrad crowd like other bars in the area. I see they host a book club and if I lived in Raleigh, I'd be all over that-- this is the perfect atmosphere! They have a nice bubbles by the glass selection (4 options, including a Lambrusco), which is really impressive since so many wine bars give you one, two at most. Vegan options on the menu include hummus, olives and pickles. I was planning to eat there, but time got away from me and they do a strict closing time, so maybe next time.

One of my favorite after-work haunts. Very little beats sitting on a swing with a good friend, a…read morebowl of cheese crackers, and a generous pour of wine. I particularly love the work of independent artists hung around the interior! We're having our holiday party here this year and I'm super excited for it - didn't even know this was also an event space.

This art gallery is truly a hidden gem right in the heart of downtown. I've walked passed the front…read moredoor over two dozen times and didn't look twice, which I'm now kicking myself over. It's all thanks to Rod O. for his stellar review that I made my way to Adam Cave Fine Art and I can assure you I will return. The gallery itself is in an old building directly on Hargett Street (next door to Landmark Tavern). Walk up the old, creaky, wooden steps to a beautiful, open room with hardwood floors, bright natural lighting and paintings hung all around. The gallery consists of three separate rooms and has rotating exhibits every 1.5 months or so. The current exhibit, David Dunlop, is an incredible treat to view with beautiful nature and city scenes painted on aluminum with oils (exhibit on display until April 19th!) Although there were only a handful of people upon our visit, Adam Cave, the owner, was greeting everyone and interacting with them on a personal level. There was also complimentary cheese and wine being offered which was a very classy touch on a Sunday afternoon. I checked the website to see if there was a calendar of events so you'd know when they'd be offering these type of perks in the future, but didn't see any information. I did sign up for the e-mail per Adam's request, so hopefully I'll be updated on future events and exhibits through that. Adam Cave Fine Art Gallery is definitely a must visit during First Friday, and will now certainly be on my list (and it's so convenient to anyone already downtown!) I highly recommend giving the gallery a try, I guarantee anyone that appreciates art will appreciate the gallery and you can't help but feel you've stepped back in time as you walk up the flight of steps into a world of beauty in a beautifully restored building.

From the owner: Adam Cave Fine Art is a Raleigh, NC art gallery offering paintings, prints, and sculpture by over…read more25 regional and nationally known artists.

Bottom line: LaMantia Gallery is a nice and intimate gallery displaying art of the owner as well as…read moreothers, a great art resource for our area. The Deets: I had the pleasure of accompanying my friend Carley W. to a private event here at LaMantia Gallery recently. This location of LaMantia Gallery is located in Village District (formerly Cameron Village) near downtown Raleigh, with the first gallery being located in Northport, NY. This intimate gallery has a curated selection of not only artist/owner James LaMantia's art but other artists as well. I loved the art displayed here during the event, some of which I did take pictures of with the permission of the artist. I also got to meet Mr. LaMantia as well, and he was very welcoming and pleased in the interest in the gallery/his art. I had a great time discussing each item of art with my friend at that event, what we each saw in them and what new things we could discover together. It was a great experience, and I love this intimate gallery being available in our area.

Perhaps the time to stop by here is during SPARKcon when presumably everyone will have their best…read moreon display. It kills me to give this place a low rating since anyone who can do what I cannot -- create art -- deserves all the kudos she or he can get. VAE was disappointing. The venue itself is perfect, well organized, good lighting, and with the art thoughtfully displayed. With the exception of the oil paintings of birds on wood, with the corresponding feathers in jars below; the crayon bunches spelling vandal; and the clay slab with hammerheads embedded within, there was really very little else that captured attention in such a way to make you feel the emotion of what the artist was attempting to capture. Still, I freely admit what was displayed showed a talent beyond anything I could do, but I cannot give this a higher rating without minimizing the other incredible art available in other galleries in the area. Timing is everything, and maybe my timing was off. I'll try again another day and perhaps then be able to change my rating upward.

I really enjoy stopping by the VAE (Visual Art Exchange), although I admit, I usually go by during…read moreRaleigh's First Friday Art Walks. I really enjoy that VAE changes their exhibits, sometimes by extreme measures, with the different artists they bring in. The large space is divided partially by a wall and they also have an area in the back called "The Cube" that always features one exhibit. The artist that ends up in the cube is usually a little more "modern" then those in the larger space. I've seen a whole variety of works, everything from puppets to hanging pieces of brush to animated short films, the list goes on. I love that VAE rotates their galleries monthly and is always bringing in a variety of artists. I've seen a lot of photography, mixed media and oils, it's definitely always unique, beautiful and covers a spectrum of work. I truly think that each gallery change provides something for everyone, but even if you aren't a fan of the work one month, I HIGHLY encourage you to return and give it another try the next month. The works of art are usually all for sale, plus they'll sometimes have local pop-up shops in the gallery. Their website is a wonderful source too for all things happening. Plus, if you go early enough on First Friday, they'll have wine and sparkling juices, a nice treat to sip on while you enjoy the gallery. VAE also helps put on PBaRt every year, a once a year event that benefits Raleigh's SparkCON. Unfortunately, if you're reading this review and it's current, you JUST missed it (it was last weekend!) But definitely put it on your agenda for next year, it is a AWESOME event! VAE is definitely more of a "traditional" art gallery then DesignBox next door [not that the pieces are always tradition]. If you're looking for more artistic ideas and gadgets, I encourage you to check out the studio next door!

A great eclectic collection of local artists. Friendly front desk receptionist. Fun to see some…read moreartists currently working in their studios. Inspiring experience.

I drove in from Charlotte area to attend a 'First Friday' event hosted by my daughter-in-law. Her…read moreand my Son live in New Hampshire so she came into town to for the entire month of July to paint and get prepared for the 8/1/25 event. Molly is a talented and experienced artist, primarily in oil and acrylic. They had invited about a dozen or so people from around CLT Region who came into town to see her and James since they live in NH. It was an interesting evening because it started raining hard just about 7p as the event was getting in gear. I'm sure it deterred quite a few from attending. There are two floors with other 'artist in residence' so it was a lively and diverse Friday crowd. I did make it 'upstairs' to meet Caitlin Cary, a local artist who has a studio there. Some may know here as vocalist/violin player with Ryan Adams formerly of the band Whiskeytown.

We had some time to kill and were looking for a non-chain coffee spot. This one was close by and…read morehad great reviews. So we decided to give them a try. We had a little difficulty finding it. GPS brought us to the parking lot behind the building. There isn't clear signage to direct you where to go. We managed to find our way up the stairs and into the building. There are a number of businesses located inside. Lucky Tree is super cute. It's set up to encourage working, with plenty of charging spots all around. There is a variety of seating, from long wooden tables to smaller individual areas. We ordered a chai latte and golden milk latte, both with oat milk. Both drinks were good. Fyi there is a separate entrance from the side that takes you directly to another smaller parking lot.

I decided to try this out for a quick coffee stop while in town for a conference. The service was…read morefriendly and quick! I tried the breakfast bagel bites, which were soft and warm. I loved the cheese on top! I was not a huge fan of the flavor the almond flour gave them but it was not overpowering. I would probably get them again! They had a lot of options as far as specialty lattes but I am glad I went with the Vanilla Maple. I was worried that the maple flavor would be too much but it complimented the vanilla well. The inside was VERY well decorated, and I would've loved to stay and do a little computer work! I could see myself coming by and sitting down for a quick brunch, meeting up with friends, or staying for a work session.

On this First Friday weekend, I had a chance to go by Litmus and see a friend's opening of her…read moreartwork exhibition with a small reception. Upon going there and finding out what they are doing for the artists in the area, I have to say I am a fan of their work and concept. Upon inspection in the inside, it is a very simple modest venue. Though it is not in an upscale category, it is a nice simple place for local artists to show their art and grow their talents. I say grow their talents because as you look around inside, you see what the "studios" part of the name is about. In the majority of the space, there are large stalls or mini-studios that are available to rent by local artists so they can have a private place to pursue their muse. Maybe their body of work has outgrown their home or they just need to be around their peers, but it offers a place for them to go and do their work in a environment dedicated for that purpose in whatever medium they work in. And when I found out these studio stalls were at a ridiculously low price per month, I was even more impressed. It appears that they are about giving a great opportunity to local up-and-coming as well as more experienced artists to make use of their talent and pursue their passion, as well as display the results when completed. Because of this, I am a fan of Litmus Gallery & Studios and wish them well in their endeavors.

Litmus is a a lovely gallery and artist co-working space on the backside of The Depot. It's easy to…read moremiss or even NEVER see, as its location doesn't bring in a lot of foot traffic. However, if you know where you look, you'll actually be surprised how convenient it is to the typical Depot activities [neighbors to Deep South and around the corner from The Junction Bar & Salon]. The space seems small from the outside and can be a little misleading, but once you're inside you have the option of starting in the small gallery space to the right, which rotates artists monthly, or walking down the narrow hallway to the back. You'll pass multiple rooms on your left and right that local artists have rented out as their studios. It's the same concept of 311 Gallery in Raleigh or The Golden Belt in Durham and they put on some stellar First Friday events [a table stocked with finger foods and LOTS of boxed and bottled wines!]. They've got all sorts of artists including someone who creates busts and clay modes that bring to mind work from the Greek and Roman period [there was also an advertisement requesting for NUDE models, so if that's your calling in life, here's your place!] Lots of photography, mixed media, pottery and paintings were in the mix and the space was welcoming although I noted that you had to begin the conversation if you want to learn about the space. Overall, a great space to add to your First Friday tour and a little hidden, which keeps the crowds down.

This place is a literal gem…read more If you're looking for art events and art decor for your home, this is a great place. I attended a DJ synthesizer workshop and I was blown away by Greta Bone's art. IG @dearlucyandfriends

I discovered Lump Gallery when trying to track down the new Flanders location during this past…read moremonths First Friday events. I'm still a little unsure if Flanders and Lump have technically combined or are just renting out of the same space, either way, you really can't go to one of the galleries without going to the other. This is due to the fact that they are literally connected to one another, go through the Lump gallery door on the left, horseshoe around the building and you'll come out through the Flanders door. I wouldn't make Lump a destination gallery, even during First Friday, as it's awkwardly out of the way (think past Lincoln theater side of Raleigh) and it's tiny. During my visit they were showcasing two artists in Lump (I believe) and they had a balloon exhibit next door at Flanders. DO go to Lump on First Friday if you're looking for a free drink, beer and wine is complementary, although please bring money for tips. DO go to Lump if you want to see something unusual, although you'll probably be able to see it and process it in less then five minutes as the space restricts it to be small. DO go to Lump if it's First Friday, during the SUMMER, and you want to enjoy the nice North Carolina weather, but please, if walking, go with someone, the neighborhood gets a little sketchy the closer you get.

The NC Museum of Natural Sciences was the perfect way to spend a very cold, wet, afternoon in…read moreRaleigh. It was a few miles from our AirBNB, so while we had to drive, there's a large parking lot right across the street. I'm not sure if parking is normally free, but it was on this particular Saturday. No one was monitoring the gate or could figure out how to pay, so we didn't. I *think* the sign said it was normally $5 on days they do charge or monitor. VERY reasonable. The museum itself is FREE unless you want to see an IMAX movie, which is reasonably priced. If you're into dinosaurs, plants, geology, or natural science in general, you'll enjoy yourself here, but the museum definitely adds a local flare and incorporates NC history and geography. While the museum is kid-friendly, it is not kid-focused. It is family focused and for all ages. My husband and I are child-free and had a great time. Of course, we are nerds and had science classes together in college. I do think this is a great museum for kids who are school aged and able to read well and ask questions. It is probably not the best option for toddlers or preschoolers when it comes to museums. The museum hosts birthday parties, and a group was there for that- what a fun idea! If you visit, plan to spend a morning or afternoon here- it definitely takes a few hours to see everything but not the full day.

I've lived in NC for almost 4 years and this was the first time I visited NCMNS! My friend had won…read more4 tickets to the whale exhibit and invited my husband and me to join. We met at 10am right when they opened. We easily found street parking and since it was on a Sunday, it was free to park. The museum is huge! I was so surprised by how large and open it was. All of the staff were friendly and knowledgeable here. We interacted with an employee in the whale exhibit and he was fantastic. The museum is incredibly clean and well maintained. There's so much to see and do. You can easily spend over 2 hours here. I especially loved the geology section, taxidermy/skulls room, and my favorite...the dueling dinosaurs!! It was SO incredible watching paleontologists work on this massive fossil. This part of the museum absolutely made it to be a wonderful experience. This is a great museum and it's free! I donated a little to the museum and also made a few purchases, one being a magnet and another being a beautiful $75 sulfite mineral. This was definitely worth our time and I'm so happy we finally visited!

Rebus Works is one of those Raleigh spots you stumble into and immediately want to stay awhile. A…read morecozy mix of coffee shop, local grocery, and art gallery set inside a historic building, filled with local goods, rotating art, and genuinely warm energy. You can grab a coffee or a local beer, then actually sit and enjoy it with indoor seating or outside on the patio. From breakfast sandwiches to specialty groceries and community events like the Sunday Funday Market, Rebus Works feels like a true neighborhood living room. A must-visit if you love supporting local businesses in Raleigh.

What a special, cozy find! Easy to access, right in the middle of a trending, walkable part of…read moreRaleigh. Lots of inside and outside seating. It was clear that the staff made a point to connect with the regulars by name and welcome newcomers, which is cool to see! They have an eclectic little shopping area and serve coffee and food. Not sure the sizes, but this would definitely be a more casual breakfast spot. My iced coffee was 10/10.