From destination restaurants to outdoor movies to water sports, here are 13 things to do this summer season in Raleigh. 
by Lexi Amedio and Molly Asbill

During summer, the days feel longer, you’re energized by the sun and schedules are a little less rigid. All of these factors make summer a wonderful time to pick up a new hobby, try something you normally wouldn’t do, and maybe broaden the boundaries of your comfort zone. Raleigh has plenty of creative options for you to enjoy all the gifts of the season right here in town. Whether you are a creature of habit or an adventurous type, this summer bucket list will have something for everyone! Read on for 13 things to do to make the most out of summer 2025 in Raleigh. 

Explore the City by Bike 

One way to get outside without overheating: biking. For ideas of where to explore, check out Oak City Cycling’s public event calendar. This friendly downtown bike shop hosts events like The Most Medium Tuesday Social Ride (dubbed “the slowest ride in town”), Coffee Outside! (a BYO coffee, casual social ride) and even a Mountain Bike Meet Up ride (an adventurous ride at the Lake Raleigh/Centennial trails) to offer something for every biker. If you don’t have a bike, check out the Bike Library, located in the Southwest corner of downtown, a unique bike shop offering repairs, rental services, and coffee. 

Host a Happy Hour on the Porch

Summer is the perfect time for a casual, no-pressure gathering on your porch, patio or balcony. Invite your colleagues, family or friends for an after-work beverage and app to make every evening the best evening. Plan to make a fun beverage with one of these summer cocktail recipes and create a charcuterie spread with meats, cheeses and other delicious goods from a local purveyor (we love the boards for Wine Authorities and the dips from Neomonde). On the speakers: a summer-inspired playlist with songs from all North Carolina artists

Catch an Outdoor Show

Raleigh has something for everyone: local artists, family-friendly movies and band performances. See what big names are up next at the Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek (3801 Rock Quarry Rd), the Red Hat Amphitheater downtown (500 South McDowell Street).. For a smaller-scale experience, check out Live After 5 with Chatham Rabbits and Jack the Radio on August 22. If you’re craving a classic movie night, the North Carolina Museum of Art is bringing its outdoor movie experience to Moore Square in Downtown Raleigh (201 S. Blount Street) for a free series featuring family-friendly movies, crafts, games and food trucks. On August 22, they will be screening Wicked, a fan favorite! For a classic drive-in experience, check out the schedules for the Triangle Cinemas and Drive-In and Raleigh Road Outdoor Theater, which have all sorts of movies showing every weekend. 

Watch a New-to-You Sport

Whether it be through watching the Carolina Mudcats on fireworks night, or the women of the Carolina Courage soccer team bringing the heat, there are a handful of sporting events to watch around the Triangle this summer. Not only can you watch prime athletics around Raleigh, but you can also try your hand at a few as well. Check out spots like Pin Point Raleigh for indoor pickleball courts and golf-simulators to escape the heat and still work on your game. 

Enjoy Ice Cream, Any Time of Day

What better way to beat the heat than with a few scoops of freshly churned ice cream made with local ingredients and fresh produce? Two Roosters (multiple locations), a Raleigh institution, bases its creative menu around local ingredients and seasonal cravings. This summer, we have been loving their lemon bar ice cream flavor developed by 1st grader Lucy for the Kid Chef Series. Goodberry’s (multiple locations) serves freshly made custards daily across the Triangle. Be sure to check out their fun calendar of daily flavors on their website to plan your trip accordingly. For small batch, award-winning treats, try Andia’s Ice Cream at Iron Works (2201 Iron Works Drive), serving up everything from monthly flavors to ice cream brûlée, or for a trendy delight, try Jeni’s Ice Cream in the Village District (2014 Cameron Street). For a pasture-to-palate rural summer experience, drive out to NC State’s Howling Cow Dairy Center (100 Dairy Ln) to try their original flavors made with milk from their cows.

Cool Off in the Water

Fitness on the water? Yes, please. Rent a paddle board or a kayak through WakeRack, with pick up and drop off lockers near Lake Wheeler, Falls Lake and Jordan Lake where you can grab your kayak or paddleboard, along with everything else you need for a trip out on the water. The closest lakes to downtown Raleigh are Lake Johnson, Lake Raleigh, and Lake Wheeler, each under a 25-minute drive. With a handful of lakes in and around Raleigh to choose from, all things water activity are just in reach to have the perfect lake day, all while staying here in town!

Sweat It Out at an Outdoor Fitness Class

It’s hot enough to get your hot fitness fix out of the studio! Dorothea Dix Park (2105 Umstead Dr) hosts Wednesday night Yoga in the Park on Harvey Hill. The yoga is free to attend, but registration is required. Or, for an energizing flow, visit one of Unita Yoga’s year-round outdoor sessions. Suitable for all skill levels, these classes are located anywhere from breweries to parks, so check their event schedule for updated class times. Occasionally in the summer, they even practice on paddleboards! If group fitness classes aren’t your vibe, see how 3 local fitness experts move their bodies around the triangle, and design your personalized outdoor workout.

Check Some Books Off that TBR (To Be Read) List

Visit any or all of these 10 Great Places to Browse Books to indulge in a new fantasy novel, sci-fi world, historical non-fiction, or romance narrative while simultaneously exploring Raleigh. Get the best of both worlds at Blackbird Books and Coffee, where you can grab a latte while you browse, or pick up a novel at So & So and bring it straight to Standard Beer + Food to enjoy with a frozen G&T. If you need even more options, check out this list of 10 great places to browse books in Raleigh.

Serve Up a Feast of NC Summer Produce

Yes, the State Farmers Market is open all year — but now’s when you get peak tomatoes, corn, peaches and more. For inspiration for your next visit, consider this recipe for a southern staple: Succotash Salad from Chef Ricky Moore’s N.C. Centric Summer Recipes, see this how-to on grilling delicious summer zucchini, asparagus, mushrooms and more, and this list of recipes made for summer produce-based inspiration. Produce is one of the greatest joys of summertime, so don’t miss out on this year’s harvest! 

Peruse Raleigh’s Playgrounds

Who says there’s an age limit on a playground?! Not us. Reconnect with your inner child this summer by visiting some of Raleigh’s premier playgrounds and splash pads. Bring your friends, kids, and family to enjoy a fun-filled day of play. The brand new 18.5-acre Gipson Play Plaza is the largest adventure playground in the Southeastern United States. It features climbing towers, water play areas, and places to picnic and relax. Only a short drive away from the Play Plaza is Pullen Park, the 5th oldest operating amusement park in the U.S. At Pullen Park, you can rent a pedal boat, ride the carousel, enjoy the playground, take a swim, and even participate in an art class. You’re never too old to have fun! 

Plan a Sunset Picnic 

Whether you’re looking for a panoramic view of the city’s skyline or a spacious grassy hill for a more quiet evening, Raleigh’s parks and public spaces offer a variety of perfect places to indulge in a sunset picnic this Summer. Grab a blanket, a bite to eat, and good company, and choose between prime golden hour spots like Dorothea Dix Park’s expansive fields, the Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Double down on a picnic experience with a side of history at Historic Yates Mill County Park, maybe even followed up on the way home by a scoop of ice cream from nearby Howling Cow Creamery. Get out and explore this list of the best picnic spots for a picturesque sunset picnic, or just some time away from the bustle of the city.

Escape to a Destination Restaurant

Feel transported — without getting on an airplane — by visiting a restaurant that offers exotic cuisine, with an ambiance to match. Want to visit the Adriatic Sea? Check out the coastal-Croatian seafood at Scott Crawford’s Brodeto. Wish you were wandering an Italian piazza? Swing by Mul Mulino Italian Kitchen and Bar for handmade pasta under the stars. For even more inspiration, browse WALTER’s curated list of destination restaurants. 

Take a Shady Hike Along the Water

Don’t let the heat keep you cooped up this summer, get outside and explore some of Raleigh’s best — and most importantly, shaded — hiking trails! Raleigh is surrounded by beautiful trails and picturesque areas that offer an escape from bustling city life. Head out early to enjoy the shorter and cooler mornings at the Shelley Lake Park loop, or check out hikes that lead to a stream or lake where you can take a dip if it gets too steamy, like Eno state park. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water to drink, and your hiking shoes! Check out this story for our top 5 shaded trails around the triangle this summer.

This article was originally published on waltermagazine.com on July 28, 2025