WALTER’s annual guide to the best restaurants, shops and things to do in Raleigh, handpicked by our editors.
by Ayn-Monique Klahre & Kendall Campos
One of my favorite discussions to have: What should we do this weekend? OUR TOWN 2026 is our answer — a giant, categorized list of WALTER’s picks for where to eat, shop and explore in Raleigh, put together by our editors.
Raleigh offers so many ways to spend a weekend. You could relish city life — window shopping, museums, a cool new restaurant. Or fill it with nature: a picnic, a shady hike, a park with a great playground if you’ve got little ones. Want something quieter? Grab a book or a friend, find a restaurant with attentive service, then catch a show at a venue like the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts or Theatre Raleigh.
That’s what we love most about this town — big-city amenities with a small-town heart. Inside, you’ll find our picks broken into the categories most useful to you, whether that’s a date night at Angus Barn, a stroll through Dix Park or shopping gently used luxury at MODE Boutique. We’re just as invested in supporting the local businesses that make Raleigh what it is as we are in finding what’s new.
We hope OUR TOWN helps you broaden your palate, appreciate what we’ve got and, most of all, live to the fullest in this wonderful city we call home.
Find OUR TOWN 2026:
- Read it online
- Pick up a free copy at 14 local Harris Teeter locations and other area retailers and restaurants
- Grab one from our office: 421 Fayetteville Street, Suite 104, Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Have one mailed to you (small fee to cover costs)
- For bulk orders for a wedding or special event, contact us directly
We hope you enjoy it!
—Ayn-Monique Klahre, Editor
This article was originally published on waltermagazine.com in July 2026.
