15 Best Things To Do In Cary, NC

1. Explore and admire the Ivey Ellington House

If you’re into unique sights, a place you can visit in Cary is Ivey Ellington House. This historic home, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is of the Gothic Revival style and features a pitched roof, pointed windows, and board-and-batten sidings. It was originally built by John Ellington in the 1870s. Ellington was a business associate of Frank Page who was the founder of Cary. In 2005, the house was carefully restored and eventually purchased by the town.

Ivey Ellington House

Address: 135 W Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511, United States

2. Check out Sri Venkateswara Temple of North Carolina

Another one of the popular attractions in Cary is the Hindu temple Sri Venkateswara Temple of North Caroline. It serves the Hindu people of the Research Triangle of the state (North Carolina State University, Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). This famous structure was completed in 2009 and was designed after its namesake temple in Southern India. If you’re looking for a unique place to visit in the area, come to this temple and learn more about its history.

Sri Venkateswara Temple of North Carolina

Address: 121 Balaji Pl, Cary, NC 27513, United States

Website: Sri Venkateswara Temple of North Carolina

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 1pm, 5pm - 9pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 9pm

3. Beat the heat at Triangle Aquatic Center

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

A great way to spend the day with your family in Cary is by going for a dip at Triangle Aquatic Center. It is a community center that offers three swimming pools, a coffee shop, and a swim gear store. The public swimming pool also hosts events, and you may even choose to book a party package here. If you’re in Cary for vacation but would still like to stick to your regular exercises, Triangle Aquatic Center also offers fitness classes.

Triangle Aquatic Center

Address: 275 Convention Dr, Cary, NC 27511, United States

Website: Triangle Aquatic Center

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 5:30am - 9:30pm; Sat: 5:30am - 5pm; Sun: 8am - 4pm

4. Unwind with friends at BREW Coffee Bar - Cary Theater

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Looking for the hippest hangout spots in Cary? For coffee lovers out there, BREW Coffee Bar in Cary Theater is a must-not-miss. This unique coffee shop with a chic and contemporary interior offers a wide range of gourmet coffee and tea, such as rose latte and turmeric ginger chai. If you prefer to brew at home, this coffee joint also carries a few coffee bean and grounds from different brands. BREW also features a full beer and wine selection to level up your Cary Theater experience.

BREW Coffee Bar - Cary Theater

Address: 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511, United States

Website: BREW Coffee Bar - Cary Theater

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 6pm; Sat - Sun: 8am - 6pm

5. Learn about local culture at the Page-Walker Arts and History Center

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Formerly a hotel, this building was renovated and turned into a center for cultural arts. Visit the Cary Heritage Museum to learn about the historical background of the town and the local culture, from way back when to right now! The Page-Walker Center also features many art exhibitions, from galleries featuring local and regional artists to architecture and furniture. Make sure to check out the special events that are often held here, especially if you’re at all interested in the art, music, or film scene. Don’t know what to do in Cary, NC? Check this place out!

Page-Walker Arts and History Center

Address: 119 Ambassador Loop, Cary, NC 27513

Phone: +1 (919) 460-4963

Website: Page-Walker Arts and History Center

6. Explore Cary's wildlife at the Stevens Nature Center at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

For the bright sunny days, where everything outside looks absolutely beautiful, think about heading to the Stevens Nature Center at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve. This attraction in Cary, NC, features a wide variety of different plants, as well as bird-watching and wildlife spotting. With many trails offering peaceful and serene views of the bright green forest with rivers snaking through the trees, it’s a perfect place for a nice walk with family! And for a bit of an educational opportunity, the Nature Center includes great environmental programs and exhibits about the history of the area, for all ages, including kids!

Stevens Nature Center at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve

Address: 2616 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27511

Phone: +1 (919) 387-5980

Website: Stevens Nature Center at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve

7. Go boating at Fred G. Bond Park

New York’s Central Park isn’t the only park in the middle of a city! The Fred G. Bond Metro Park is a 310-acre (125.5-hectare) natural paradise in Wake County. With a beautiful lake, feel free to simply lounge around the edge, or rent a variety of boats from the boathouse! Whether you prefer pedal boats, kayaks, or have some sailing chops, they’re all available to rent here. If water activities aren’t your preferred choice of activity, maybe try out the Challenge Course, a challenging but fun obstacle course - it’s a great way to get in some exercise, without going to the gym!

Fred G. Bond Park

Address: 801 High House Rd, Cary, NC 27513

Phone: +1 (919) 462-3970

Website: Fred G. Bond Park

8. Hear some new music at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Any fan of the performing arts will enjoy the Koka Booth Amphitheatre. With a huge variety of concerts of large and small names, it’s a place where anyone can find something they’re interested in. Being outside, it’s also a great place to take advantage of cool summer nights, to check out your favorite live artists or take a chance and listen to something new!

Make sure to check out the calendar, there are often unique events, like comedy shows and various cultural festivals, like the Dragon Boat Festival and Oktoberfest!

Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Address: 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary, NC 27511

Phone: +1 (919) 462-2025

Website: Koka Booth Amphitheatre

9. Go on a hike down the Greenways of Cary

Cary is known for putting a great effort into making the city walkable and bikeable, not only to preserve some of the environment that has been loved for generations but also to help reduce our environmental impact. Walk down these greenways, taking in the nature at a slower pace, or bike through the multiple paths, all around the city! It’s a great way to exercise while sightseeing and explore a unique aspect of Cary, all at once!

Greenways of Cary

Website: Greenways of Cary

10. Dive into ceramics at the Cary Arts Center

If you’re feeling like an artsy afternoon, visit the Cary Arts Center, another centerpiece of art and culture in Cary, North Carolina. The Arts Center includes many exhibitions by a variety of artists, as well as opportunities to participate in the art-making process yourself, with open studio classes in painting, clay, glass, metals, sewing, and woodworking! It’s also home to a 431-seat theatre, where there are often orchestral performances, plays, musicals, and all sorts of special events, so if you’re more of a theater person, it’s certainly a place of interest, as well.

Cary Arts Center

Address: 101 Dry Avenue, Cary, NC 27511

Phone: +1 (919) 469-4069

Website: Cary Arts Center

11. Go see a movie at the Cary Theater

For a night on the town, the Cary Theater is a great place to visit in Cary, NC, if you enjoy a collection of different acts. A historical building, it was Cary’s first indoor movie theater. Catch some of your old favorites, or see some new and upcoming indie art movies, all at super affordable prices! Opera fans can also anticipate some screenings of productions by the Royal Opera House in London, England!

Cary Theater

Address: 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511

Phone: +1 (919) 462-2051

Website: Cary Theater

12. Get some shopping done at Cary Towne Center

With all the shops you know and love, Cary Towne Center is a great place to spend an afternoon, relaxing and looking through stores. The kids have a great play area, for when they get a bit bored or feel free to take a swim at the aquatic center! Cary Towne Center is a great place to look for something you need or to just stroll through!

Cary Towne Center

Address: 1105 Walnut St, Cary, NC 27511

Phone: +1 (919) 467-0145

Website: Cary Towne Center

13. Try the craft beers at the Bond Brothers Beer Company

For anyone who enjoys beer, the Bond Brothers Beer Company is a must-stop location. The craft brewery offers a multitude of highly acclaimed craft beers for you try. A quirky feature of this brewery is that it also includes a running club! On Tuesday nights, run with the team and enjoy beers in the taproom, straight after!

Bond Brothers Beer Company

Address: 202 E Cedar St, Cary, NC 27511

Phone: +1 (919) 459-2670

Website: Bond Brothers Beer Company

14. Have a wine night at Chatham Hill Winery

More of a wine person than beer? No fear, the Chatham Hill Winery is a sophisticated winery in the area, specializing in traditional wines, using what they describe as a minimalist but detail-oriented approach to craft the best wines from grapes grown all over North Carolina. If you’re thinking of getting some casual but classy drinks, Chatham Hill Winery is the place to be.

Chatham Hill Winery

Address: 8245 Chapel Hill Rd, Cary, NC 27513

Phone: +1 (919) 380-7135

Website: Chatham Hill Winery

Nearby attractions

15. Walk the trails of Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve

When you don’t know what else to do in Cary, a nature trip with your closest friends (or even by yourself!) is always a good idea. Just less than 15 minutes from Cary is Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve in Raleigh. This wooded, natural area with a boardwalk has a beech tree forest, floodplains, and a one-mile trail. The hike is beginner-friendly, and everyone in your group can absolutely join in and have a grand time being in the middle of nature.

Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve

Address: 7800 Holly Springs Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606, United States

Website: Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Cary is worth a visit!

If you’re in the area, take a look at these attractions in Cary! There’s something here for everyone, so whether you are looking for a great place to stop for some wine or beer, or a way to take in the scenic surroundings, Cary is sure to please all visitors.