We asked Raleigh’s Instagram stars for the city’s best photo spots. Here’s the list.
All are welcome in Raleigh, NC.
That’s what one of the city’s most popular murals says. And judging by Instagrammers — both the local ones and those who visit — it’s true.
Raleigh was named one of the top 10 most Instagram-worthy cities in a recent report by K. Van Bourgondien, a flower bulb sale company. For their ranking, the organization considered things like the number of art museums and historical homes, average temperature and precipitation, the number of hashtags on Instagram (in this case, “#Raleigh”) and more.
We talked to some local Instagram stars to learn their favorite Insta-worthy spots in Raleigh. Here’s what they said.
From the famous: Raleigh’s best Instagram spots
▪ Find Love Travel: Samantha Oppenheimer, who runs @findlovetravel’s Instagram account, has some blog posts for the best Instagram spots in Raleigh. Check out The Most Instagrammable Places in Raleigh, NC and Photo Worthy Murals in Raleigh, NC You Shouldn’t Miss on her blog at findloveandtravel.com.
Here are a few of her favorite spots:
The Dillon: ”Want one of the best rooftop views of Raleigh’s skyline? The Dillon, located in the warehouse district is not only a really cool place to hang out on a rooftop but also gives you views of Raleigh’s instagrammable skyline!” Oppenheimer wrote in her blogpost. Find it: 223 S. West St., Raleigh
Marbles Kids Museum’s Wall Mural: Oppenheimer loves the Marbles mural because of its bright, eye-catching colors. Find it: 201 E. Hargett St., Raleigh
Globe at the Museum of Natural Sciences: “There are a lot of different angles you can choose to when photographing the globe giving you [an] insta-worthy shot!” Oppenheimer wrote in her blogpost. Find it: 119 N Salisbury St, Raleigh
▪ Experience Raleigh: “One thing that I think people really appreciate more than ever these days is the beauty and character that’s outside — and accessible — year round in Raleigh,” said Susan Murphy, creator of @experience_raleigh.
“We have spectacular parks and greenways everywhere. There’s a juxtaposition of old and new architecture. And we have four seasons, moderate weather and such natural beauty. And I didn’t even mention all the murals!”
Here are a few of her favorite spots:
Boylan Bridge: “Boylan Bridge provides wonderful views of downtown, as well as the railroad tracks (with cargo as well as passenger trains) and Union Station (also very insta-worthy itself),” Murphy said. Find it: 234 S. Boylan Ave., Raleigh
The Willard Rooftop at the AC Hotel on Glenwood South: “The newest rooftop photo op is definitely from The Willard Rooftop at the AC Hotel on Glenwood South. You can see panoramic views of the skyline, and if you look closely, you can even see the North Hills/Midtown development (just outside the beltline) in the distance,” Murphy said. Find it: 9 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh
The Wings of the City outdoor art installation at Dorothea Dix Park: “One of my favorite places is Dix Park. I love how the green grass and trees and blue sky frame the skyline views. The different areas and varied landscape provide so different vantage points. It’s a welcoming place,” Murphy said. Find it: 2105 Umstead Dr., Raleigh
▪ Remus & Fawkes: “Raleigh has beautiful green outdoor spaces paired with stunning architecture and art that makes it really special,” said Kayla Davis, who runs the Instagram account @roamingwithremus. The account features her dogs Remy, a Lab-Husky mix; and Fawkes, Husky-Malamute-German Shepherd mix.
“It seems like you could find an Instagrammable spot just about anywhere in the city, but I feel like Dix Park is the ultimate example of everything I love about Raleigh, especially the daffodil blooms in early spring, and the sunflower fields in summer!”
Here are a few of her other favorite spots:
NC State Centennial Campus: Visit for the gorgeous architecture. Find it: Oval Dr., Raleigh
Raleigh Rose Garden: “Just stunning in the summer!” Davis said. Find it: 301 Pogue St., Raleigh
The Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park: Enjoy the outdoor art installments, trails and summer flowers. Find it: 1800 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh
▪ A Southern Wake Couple: “Raleigh has it all — history, culture, nature, and food. We have gorgeous parks downtown along with these incredible old homes that show the history of Raleigh, “ said Rachel Dawson, who runs @a_southern_wake_couple’s Instagram account.
“All matched up with incredible restaurants, murals and buildings that just bring so much life to the city itself. All of this can be caught on camera and you can feel the energy from Raleigh, which is what makes it so Instagram worthy!”
Here are a few of her favorite spots:
Raleigh Times Bar: “They have an awesome menu, rooftop bar and such a fun vibe!” Dawson said in her Instagram post. Find it: 14 E. Hargett St., Raleigh
The NC State Fair: Snap a photo in front of the Ferris wheel — or from the top! (Note: The NC State Fair takes place in October.) Find it: 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh
Lafayette Village: “This adorable village is French inspired and all of the details make you feel like you just stepped into a travel machine and stepped out in France!” Dawson said in her Instagram post. Find it: 8450 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh
▪ Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan: As a bit of a bonus, we asked The N&O’s NC government and politics reporter (@dawnbaumer) for her favorite places to snap photos in downtown Raleigh: “Moore Square, Transfer (Food Hall) patio lights with downtown backdrop, the view of the Capitol from Fayetteville Street, the Acorn of course. And the State Seal (outside the Legislative Building’s Jones Street entrance) is pretty awesome.” She asks us to remind you that you aren’t supposed to walk on the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina.
10 top Raleigh spots for your Instagram shoots
Here’s a list of 10 Insta-worthy spots that The N&O previously put together.
1. Sir Walter Raleigh Statue: From his perch outside the Raleigh Convention Center, Sir Walter presides over the city’s biggest gatherings, always decked-out in season-appropriate attire. The city’s bronze mascot practically begs for a snapshot.
Find it: 500 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh. raleighconvention.com
2. Gandhi statue: Hidden behind Marbles Kids Museum downtown, the 9-foot statue of Mohandas Gandhi shows the Indian activist in full stride above an inscription of the famous quotation he more-or-less said: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Gandhi’s presence obviously elevates any portrait.
Find it: 201 E. Hargett St., Raleigh. marbleskidsmuseum.org
3. The Daily Planet: This 72-foot model of Earth went up in 2012 — the can’t-miss icon that stands outside the Nature Research Center in the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences. Inside it’s a three-story theater with viewing balconies on two levels, but outside it has graced the covers of a thousand holiday greeting cards. Especially popular: Holding up the planet, Atlas-style.
Find it: 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh. naturalsciences.org
4. “All Are Welcome” mural: Over the past decade, as downtown Raleigh awakened, some of its bleakest walls got splashed with paint, making the city a destination for mural gazing. One of the favorites, Luke Miller Buchanan’s “All Are Welcome,” graces the southern wall of famed Poole’s Diner (from award-winning chef Ashley Christensen, known for her activism) and greets drivers coming up South McDowell Street — one of the city’s busiest entryways.
Find it: 426 S. McDowell St., Raleigh, facing Red Hat Amphitheater
5. Andy Griffith statue: In “The Andy Griffith Show,” Deputy Barney Fife famously described Raleigh as his off-duty party location. So it’s fitting fit that North Carolina actor and sitcom co-star Andy Griffith would grace Pullen Park as a life-size statue, fishing pole in hand, looking admiringly down at Opie.
Find it: Pullen Park is at 408 Ashe Ave., Raleigh. The statue is to the left of the carousel, not far from the boat house.
6. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Gardens: On the Southeast Raleigh street named for the slain civil rights leader stands a 6-foot statue of King in clerical robes. Though a place for solemn reflection, the life-size sculpture stands at ground level, making it ideal for group photos.
Find it: 1215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Raleigh, at the intersection of Rock Quarry Road
7. Hunt Library, NC State University: For a place built for quiet contemplation, the sprawling James B. Hunt Library presents a colorful string of sightseeing opportunities. From the purple lounge chairs in the Rain Garden Reading Lounge to the egg-shaped study chairs, the library’s eccentric design tempts students and visitors to snap a quick shot. Two people, it turns out, can fit inside the eggs.
Find it: 1070 Partners Way, Raleigh. lib.ncsu.edu/huntlibrary
8. Raleigh Rose Garden: With 60 year-round rose beds, Raleigh Little Theatre’s backyard draws weddings, food truck rodeos and an army of iPhone cameras. Not only do the blooms show off rare color, but the amphitheater and the semicircular pergola give the garden the feel of a scene from Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which it has hosted in years past.
Find it: 301 Pogue St., Raleigh. raleighlittletheatre.org
9. ‘Sayre Rings,’ N.C. Museum of Art: No set of Instagram pics can be complete without a shot from Thomas Sayre’s “Gyre” sculpture in the Museum Park, which inspires people to pose with the giant, half-buried hoops springing out of their ears or spiraling out of their heads. Cast from Earth and soil, the rings line up for perfect portraits.
Find it: 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh. ncartmuseum.org
10. Lassiter Mill falls: Few realize that sleepy Crabtree Creek, which flows under Capital Boulevard and through some of Raleigh’s more industrial neighborhoods, forms a picturesque waterfall. But those who visit the park off Lassiter Mill Road, not far from North Hills, invariably pose in front of the rushing water, often with lips locked.
Find it: Near the intersection of Old Lassiter Mill and Lassiter Mill roads
Give us the locals-only scoop on hidden spots
Where are your favorite Insta-worthy spots in the city?
What makes Raleigh a top 10 Instagram city?
Raleigh was ranked no. 9 on K. Van Bourgondien’s list. The top three spots went to St. Louis, Richmond and Philadelphia.
Here are Raleigh’s stats:
- 19: The number of botanical gardens.
- 16: The number of art museums.
- 85: The number of historical homes.
- 65.7: The 2021 average temperature (in degrees Fahrenheit).
- 0.48: The 2021 average precipitation (in inches, minus December).
- 30,700,000: The number of Instagram hashtags (“#Raleigh”).
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This story was originally published February 23, 2022 at 9:01 AM with the headline "We asked Raleigh’s Instagram stars for the city’s best photo spots. Here’s the list.."
