What are fun things to do with friends in Raleigh?
We checked 52 real places in Raleigh, NC from OpenStreetMap, including 8 places to eat, 8 bars and nightlife spots (21+) and 8 sights. Squad Plan's three day plans below draw on these places, and your group can vote on the one you like best.
Last updated 2026-10-14
We found 8 places to eat, 8 bars and nightlife spots (21+), 8 sights, 8 parks and outdoor spots, 8 game spots, 8 sports venues and 4 places to shop in Raleigh, from OpenStreetMap map data.
Three ready-made day plans
Costs are rough estimates per person in US dollars. Check hours and prices before you go.
Plan A
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences: Nature Research Center to Pipers
Slow pace, good food, plenty of time to talk. Group of 4 for friends hangout.
Estimated total per person: $69–210
10:00Visit North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences: Nature Research Center
11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Free to $25 (estimate)
11:00Explore Barwell Road Park
Raleigh, North Carolina
Free
12:30Lunch at Captain Stanleys Seafood
3333 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
$12–20 (estimate)
14:00Get active at Burn Athletic
7910 Skyland Ridge Parkway, Raleigh, NC 27617
$10–25 (estimate)
15:00Browse Triangle Town Center
Old Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27616
Free to $40 (estimate)
16:00Watch a movie at Marbles IMAX
201 East Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
$15–30 (estimate)
18:30Dinner at Taste of China
Rock Quarry Road, Wake County, NC 27620
$20–40 (estimate)
20:30Drinks at Pipers
Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27615
$12–30 (estimate)
Plan B
North Carolina Museum of History to The Black Flower
A fuller day of sights and new places. Group of 4 for friends hangout.
Estimated total per person: $69–210
10:00Visit North Carolina Museum of History
5 East Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Free to $25 (estimate)
11:00Explore Biltmore Hills Park
Caraleigh, Raleigh, North Carolina
Free
12:30Lunch at Greek Fiesta
Macaw Street, Raleigh, NC 27617
$12–20 (estimate)
14:00Play at Bowlero
5501 Commercial Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612
$15–30 (estimate)
15:00Get active at Weisiger Brown Athletic Facility
2500 Warren Carroll Drive, Raleigh, NC 27695
$10–25 (estimate)
16:00Browse Crabtree Valley Mall
4325 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612
Free to $40 (estimate)
18:30Dinner at Tasu Sushi Bar Asian Bistro
Rink Road, Raleigh, NC 27617
$20–40 (estimate)
20:30Drinks at The Black Flower
517 West Peace Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
$12–30 (estimate)
Plan C
CAM Raleigh to Ancillary Fermentation
High energy from start to finish. Group of 4 for friends hangout.
Estimated total per person: $69–210
10:00Visit CAM Raleigh
409 West Martin Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Free to $25 (estimate)
11:00Explore Water Tower Neighborhood Park
Raleigh, North Carolina
Free
12:30Lunch at Tony's Pizza
Rowlock Way, Raleigh, NC 27676
$12–20 (estimate)
14:00Play at ParTee Shack
Triangle Plantation Drive, Raleigh, NC 27616
$15–30 (estimate)
15:00Get active at Pullen Aquatic Center
Ashe Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27605
$10–25 (estimate)
16:00Browse The Royal
3801 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27607
Free to $40 (estimate)
18:30Dinner at Kai Sushi & Sake Bar
Sawmill Road, Raleigh, NC 27615
$20–40 (estimate)
20:30Drinks at Ancillary Fermentation
1420 Hardimont Road, Raleigh, NC 27609
$12–30 (estimate)
Family friendly things to do in Raleigh
Real places in Raleigh for a day out with kids.
Visit Marbles Kids Museum
A good first stop for a family day. Check the hours before you go.
Free to $25 (estimate)201 East Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Visit Sanderford Road Park
Free to visit, with room to run around. Bring snacks and water.
FreeRaleigh, North Carolina
Eat at Captain Stanleys Seafood
A sit-down meal for the whole family. Call ahead for a big group.
$12–20 (estimate)3333 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
Go to Bowlero
Mini golf, bowling and arcades are easy for kids. Check the hours before you go.
The Raleigh Raquet ClubTopspin Court, Raleigh, NC 27069
FItness ConnectionMain At North Hills Street, Raleigh, NC 27609
Places to shop
Triangle Town CenterOld Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27616
Crabtree Valley Mall4325 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612
The Royal3801 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27607
State Farmers Market1201 Agricultural Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
How much does a day out with friends cost in Raleigh?
Across the three day plans above, a day out with friends in Raleigh costs about $69 to $210 per person, from the lowest plan to the highest. Each total adds up the typical price of its stops, so treat it as a rough estimate and check prices before you go.
Frequently asked questions
What can a group do in Raleigh for free?
Free places on our list include Barwell Road Park, Sanderford Road Park and Biltmore Hills Park. Plans also leave time to wander around town at no cost.
Where can friends eat in Raleigh?
Good places to start are Captain Stanleys Seafood, Taste of China and Greek Fiesta. The day plans above include food stops from this list.
What is there to see in Raleigh?
Sights on our list include North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences: Nature Research Center, North Carolina Museum of Art and North Carolina Museum of History. The full list is in the places section below.
What are good things to do with kids in Raleigh?
Try visit Marbles Kids Museum, visit Sanderford Road Park and eat at Captain Stanleys Seafood. Every idea here is a real mapped place, with a rough cost per person.
What are good date night ideas in Raleigh?
Try coffee at New York Bagel, walk through Brier Creek Park and look around North Carolina Museum of Art. Start small with coffee or a walk, and save dinner for when it is going well.
What are good things to do with a large group in Raleigh?
Try bowling at Bowlero, play at Rialto Theater and park time at Barwell Road Park. Book ahead for a group this size, and send the link so everyone can vote on the plan.
What can friends do on a weekend in Raleigh?
Try saturday morning: Raleigh Lace Museum and Kristin S Conrad Lace Center, saturday lunch: Captain Stanleys Seafood and saturday afternoon: Sawmill Trail Greenway. Every stop is a real mapped place, with a rough cost per person.
What are good birthday ideas for adults in Raleigh?
Try birthday dinner at Captain Stanleys Seafood, play at Regal Brier Creek Cinema 14 and drinks at Ruby Deluxe (21+). Every idea here is a real mapped place, with a rough cost per person.
What can friends under 21 do together in Raleigh?
Try play at Bowlero, see a movie at Regal North Hills Stadium 14 and get active at Raleigh Swimming Association. Every idea here is a real mapped place. Costs are rough estimates.
Can Squad Plan make a custom plan for Raleigh?
Yes. Pick the city, your group and the vibe, and Squad Plan gives you three plans your friends can vote on. It is free for 5 plans a week.