Historic Places to Visit in Raleigh NC

As North Carolina’s capital, Raleigh is steeped in rich history that’s still very much alive today. Through engaging museums, captivating archaeological sites, and immersive walking tours, the stories that shaped the City of Oaks continue to thrive. Be sure to add these top historic places to visit in Raleigh, NC, to your next itinerary!

North Carolina State Capitol

Built in 1840, the North Carolina State Capitol building is an icon in Raleigh and all over the US. Guests can learn about citizenship, state government, and the history of North Carolina as a capitol city through free guided tours on Saturdays, or explore the Capitol on a self-guided tour Monday through Friday between 9 am and 5 pm or Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is free, but donations are always welcome. 

Mordecai Historic Park

Downtown Raleigh is home to some of North Carolina’s most exciting historical treasures, including the Mordecai House and birthplace of 17th President Andrew Johnson. The Mordecai House is the oldest house in Raleigh still in its original location and maintains a collection of over 5,000 historical artifacts. Tickets for guided tours are available in the Visitor Center, as well as a permanent exhibit about the land’s history and a rotating exhibit. 

Historic Oakwood Cemetery

Founded in 1869, the Historic Oakwood Cemetery is Raleigh’s oldest private cemetery. Through events and meticulously maintained grounds, the cemetery keeps the stories and lives of the departed in the forefront of Raleigh’s minds. Hosting events like historian talks, cemetery tours, Strolls Through History, Dia de Muertos celebrations, and more, this cemetery is more than “just” a resting place – it is a testament to Raleigh’s dedication to keeping history alive.

Raleigh Museums

North Carolina Museum of History

Step back in time to explore the history and heritage of the state at the North Carolina Museum of History. From the first English settlement in the New World to the first African American woman to receive a B.A. degree in the United States, North Carolina’s history is rich, diverse, and extensive – and collected for you to see at one of the best museums in Raleigh.

City of Raleigh Museum

The City of Raleigh Museum is dedicated to preserving Raleigh’s past for future generations. The museum collects artifacts to curate exhibits and provide educational programming about the city’s rich and diverse history. Donations are appreciated in lieu of an admission fee. 

Pope House Museum

Explore a piece of Raleigh’s history at the Pope House Museum. Originally built in 1901, the house of Dr. Manassa Thomas Pope stands as a reminder of the brave life and legacy of the only African-American man to run for mayor in a Southern capital during the Jim Crow Era.

The Pope House Museum is the only of its kind in North Carolina, still home to original furniture and artifacts from the Pope family’s daily life – like Dr. Pope’s father’s freedman papers and Dr. Pope’s original doctor’s bag from the Spanish-American war. Located just blocks from the capitol building, the Pope House makes a great stop on any tour of historic Raleigh.

Check out more museums in Raleigh, NC here.

Raleigh’s Historic Districts

Raleigh is home to eight distinct historic districts: Blount Street, Boylan Heights, Capitol Square, Moore Square, Oakwood, Prince Hall, Glenwood-Brooklyn, and Oberlin Village.

The most well-recognized historic districts in Raleigh are likely Capitol Square and Oakwood, home to the capitol building and Oakwood Cemetery. The most unique is Oberlin Village, the longest surviving and most intact Reconstruction-era freedmen’s colony in North Carolina. 

Raleigh’s Historic Sites

Joel Lane Museum House

The Joel Lane Museum House and Gardens offer an interesting look into the start of Raleigh’s journey as a state capital. This home was the site of many of the county’s biggest moments in their beginning, from the first meetings of the Wake County Court to the final decision that dubbed the state capital Raleigh. Lane sold 1,000 acres of his land to the state in 1792 to construct Raleigh. 

The Joel Lane Museum House and Gardens is now home to a collection of antique artifacts, including an inventory of Lane’s personal possessions, a list of items sold at an estate sale on the property in 1795, and more. 

Historic Oak View County Park

This historic site in Raleigh is home to an 1855 Greek revival house, cotton gin house, detached kitchen, carriage house, pecan grove, livestock barn, and herb garden. Visitors of all ages can learn about life on Oak View in the 1850s and beyond through interactive exhibits, exploration of historic buildings, and more. 

Walking Tours

Raleigh Walking Tours, LLC

One of Raleigh’s top providers for walking tours, Raleigh Walking Tours LLC offers a number of tours around Raleigh that cater to a wide range of interests. From true crime and spooky stories to mural tours and a tour just for historic Oakwood, the City of Oaks is your oyster when it comes to walking tours. 

Tobacco Road Tours

Rated the top nighttime activity in Raleigh and Durham, Tobacco Road Tours provide guests with a variety of tours to choose from. Go for a City of Oaks Historic Walking Tour to hit the highlights and hidden gems of Raleigh’s rich history, blend the excitement of a pub crawl with the thrill of hauntings, or go all out with ghost stories galore on the Raleigh Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour.