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Guide to Raleigh Durham, USA - North Carolina
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Raleigh Durham
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Raleigh DurhamNorth Carolina, USA, has an area known as the Research Triangle, consisting of the cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Each in many ways complement one another, but Raleigh and Durham always seem to stir up a bit more commotion than their less-frequented triplet. Raleigh is the center of all that is technologically related, and is the state capital as well nearly all governmental buildings reside in this city. Durham is centered around education, and it has a university (Duke University) with tens of thousands of employees to prove it; most of Research Triangle Park (6,800 acre) is in fact located inside the borders of Durham. The city is also big on the arts and cultural events, so youre bound to find something new and exciting during your visit. See Raleigh-Durham and you may just receive a bit of enlightenment during your stay!
When to go:
The cities of Raleigh and Durham see beautiful spring and autumn days. Youll get peak temperatures of around 70F and nights are cool but not too chilly. Sunlight is out for much of the day, albeit for the occasional rainshower, but most precipitation comes in the peak summer months of July and August. Crowd volume is lower during these seasons as well, though at almost any time of year the only crowds you may come across are academics or museum-goers at a notable event.
Getting there and around:
Raleigh and Durham are both served by one international airport, Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and its location shows near geometric equivalence to either city. Its a 16km (10mi) ride to the center of the cities, and a cheap shuttle bus leaves the airport every 30 minutes. If youd like, taxis are available. The fare is hardly justified by the distance, but you do get front-door access to your hotel (something youd be hard-pressed to convince the airport shuttle bus driver to do).
Buses are king of transportation around and between Raleigh and Durham. Theyre cheap, frequently available, and go just about everywhere the cities taxis roam. If you dont feel like sticking the citys scheduling during your stay, you can always rent a car either at the airport or in town and all youll have to worry about are the rising fuel costs.
Attractions:
A wonderful place to start your exploration of Raleigh-Durham is at Artspace (Raleigh). Its located in the art district at Moore Square, and is a private center where studios, exhibits, and galleries are open to general viewings. A few notable events occur here throughout the course of the year, and you can even take home work by some resident artists from Artspaces gift shop. Admission to Artspace is free.
One of the best museums in the state, the North Carolina Museum of Art (Raleigh), is home to a beautiful collection of pieces; some whos age dates back more than 5,000 years. Highlights of the museum are the Egyptian segment, and revolving exhibits, some of which celebrate the works of Caravaggio and Rodin. A trip to the museums caf will have you looking down into an outdoor performance center, where, from above, you can see a working sculpture spelling out Picture This. Admission to the North Carolina Museum of Art is also free.
Durham is home to the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science, one of the best wildlife sanctuaries and nature centers in the country. Among the many displays of the Museum youll find prehistoric artifacts, items from the early days of NASA, and interactive exhibits. You can create your own tornado, take a trip through the sanctuary, and immerse yourself in the Magic Wings Butterfly House, where youll be able to walk through a closed space about 3-stories tall and see these beautiful colorful insects at work and play.
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