Date Archives: May 2022

There is nothing quite like classic Carolina BBQ, and there is no better place to find it than right here in the heart of North Carolina. Raleigh has so many legendary BBQ joints where you can find top-of-the-line pulled pork, brisket, or ribs topped with a classic smoky yet sweet Carolina BBQ sauce.

Our real estate agents are always recommending great BBQ destinations to our clients. Want a taste of what the area has to offer? Check out these local spots!

• The Pit Authentic BBQ - 328 W Davie St, Raleigh, NC 27601
  Dig into some delicious pit-smoked pork or some Texas-style beef brisket at The Pit Authentic BBQ. With delicious meat and tasty sauces served in a renovated 1930s meatpacking warehouse, you can have the true BBQ experience. If you want to live nearby, check out some of these Raleigh homes for sale just a few miles away.
  
  
• Chop Shop BBQ And Grill - 210 E Six Forks Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609
  Enjoy huge portions of delicious smoked meat and classic southern cuisine at this low-key BBQ joint. Chop Shop BBQ started as a food truck at the NC State Fairgrounds and turned into one of the very best BBQ restaurants in Raleigh in 2018. Enjoy a signature BBQ sandwich or platter paired with some unique sauces.
  
  
• Big Al's BBQ - 950 Gateway Commons Cir, Wake Forest, NC 27587
  Not only does Big Al's serve some fantastic smoked meats, but they also have some of the most unique flavors of BBQ sauce in Raleigh. Sure, they have all the traditional flavors, but you'll also find peach, blackberry, and even cinnamon barbeque sauce. All-in-all they have over a dozen sauces. Excellent meat and creative sauces combined with friendly service and southern hospitality, and you have one of Raleigh's best BBQ joints.
  
  
• Sam Jones BBQ - 502 W Lenoir St, Raleigh, NC 27601
  You'll find some great wood-fired whole hog BBQ at Sam Jones. This family-owned restaurant serves 7 different BBQ platters, including chopped BBQ, slow-cooked chicken, smoked turkey, and spare ribs. Don't forget to try a piece of their delicious Skylight Inn style cornbread.
  
  
• The Blue Note Grill - 709 Washington St, Durham, NC 27701
  Want to enjoy your BBQ with a side of live music? The Blue Note Grill is the place for you! Situated in the downtown Durham historic Central Park District, you'll enjoy fantastic BBQ ribs from their full-service restaurant while listening to talented local musicians. Both the food and the venue itself have won numerous awards, making it a local favorite near Durham homes for sale.
  
  
• Bullock's BBQ - 3330 Quebec Dr, Durham, NC 27705
  When a restaurant has been around since the 1950's you know it has to be good! Offering fantastic BBQ dishes for years, Bullock's BBQ has perfected its craft and has become a local staple in the Durham area. See what all the hype is about and order from their fantastic takeout menu. Or have them cater your next event. 

Easy access to great BBQ dishes is just one of the many great things about living in the Raleigh area. Contact us for more local recommendations.

With nearly half a million residents within the city proper and millions more in the metro area, Raleigh homes for sale are distributed across a variety of colorful neighborhoods. Raleigh suburbs attract buyers from all over, and each one has its own distinctive character.

There are no less than twenty major named suburbs of Raleigh, and our real estate agents know them all. That said, we know that the prospect of exploring twenty neighborhoods can be a daunting one, and comparing them all might sound almost impossible.

Although there's much to see and do all around Raleigh, a few of its suburbs stand out for their charm, amenities, and beautiful homes. Consider these neighborhoods as you begin your Raleigh home search:

• Chapel Hill
  With about 60,000 residents, Chapel Hill homes for sale sit within the most hip and happening of Raleigh suburbs. With a typical morning commute of only 20 minutes, it is famous for amenities including the Ackland Art Museum and Morehead Planetarium, college sports, and a thriving arts scene.
  
  
• Morrisville
  Morrisville stands out for its cultural diversity. You'll find a smorgasbord of different restaurants headed by local chefs as well as festivals celebrating many different heritages close to Morrisville homes for sale. Lake Crabtree County Park is one of the best places to go fishing in North Carolina, with boat rentals available alongside a 500-acre lake.
  
  
• Cary
  Cary is Raleigh's largest suburb, clocking in at 170,000 people. It blends natural beauty with arts and culture, and it is one of the safest places in Raleigh. Families will love the peaceful atmosphere and the inviting parks, like lakeside Fred G. Bond Metro Park, near Cary homes for sale.
  
  
• Apex
  Apex homes for sale benefit from a busy social calendar thanks to nonprofit "boosters" who are highly active in the community. You can always visit the local cultural arts center to find out what's happening next or amble through the Downtown Historic District, which dates back to the 1800s.
  
  
• Holly Springs
  Holly Springs homes for sale are tucked into one of the fastest-growing Raleigh suburbs. With a convenient location less than 20 miles from Raleigh and one of the lowest crime rates around, it's replete with world-class shopping, dining, and carefully kept green spaces. Plenty of exciting new initiatives are in the works right now!
  
  
• Zebulon
  If you're looking for small-town flair where "where everybody knows your name," Zebulon homes for sale may be just right for you. Six community parks and a championship disc golf course mean it's easy to enjoy the great outdoors in this place known as the "Town of Friendly People."
  
  
• Wake Forest
  Downtown Wake Forest has earned the name "The Renaissance Area" for its lavish assortment of art galleries and boutiques. The city of 44,000 is crisscrossed by hiking trails that will take you all through the neighborhood and beyond, giving you memorable ways to explore the woods near Wake Forest homes for sale.
  
  
• Hillsborough
  With just 7,200 locals, Hillsborough homes for sale bring you close to annual festivals and mountain views unparalleled anywhere else around Raleigh. History buffs will love to find all the architectural treasures, with some lovingly preserved structures dating all the way back to the 1700s.

Contact us to discover more of what the Raleigh area has to offer.

Just moved into one of the amazing Raleigh homes for sale? Meet your neighbors and get to know this dynamic area when you attend these wonderful festivals taking place around Wake County this summer.

• American Dance Festival - Samuel H. Scripps Studios, 721 Broad St., Durham, NC 27705
  Dancing offers a unique combination of artistic creativity and physical movement. Since 1934, the American Dance Festival provides opportunities for community members to become involved through classes and performances near Durham homes for sale. Their annual summertime "Movies by Movers" festival showcases the relationship between dancing and cinema. Other upcoming events include "Made in North Carolina," a performance of four commissioned dances by North Carolina choreographers. Visit the website for the full schedule and prices.
  
  
• Enofest - West Point on the Eno, 5101 N. Roxboro Rd., Durham, NC 27704
  Have fun while supporting a good cause at the 42nd annual Enofest. This holiday extravaganza of live music, food and beverage, crafts, and outdoor activities raises funds to help preserve the resources of the Eno River basin. In addition to three performance stages, more than 60 craft artisans and numerous food trucks and vendors will be on hand. This year's Enofest takes place on Saturday, July 2, and Monday, July 4. Admission runs from $10-$450.
  
  
• Raleigh's International Food Festival - City Plaza, 400 Fayetteville St., Raleigh, NC 27601
  Put on your stretchy pants and head out to Raleigh's International Food Festival, now in its sixth year. While food may be the main event, the pet-friendly festival celebrates Raleigh's diverse community, culture, and history. More than 30 food and dessert trucks provide a virtual buffet of global flavors where you can find your favorite or try something new. Don't miss the joyous Outdoor International Dance Party! The food fest is scheduled for Sunday, July 4, from noon - 10 p.m., and admission is free.
  
  
• Club Fair - Women's Club of Raleigh, 3300 Women's Club Dr., Raleigh, NC 27612
  Club Fair is so popular that it was decided once a year just isn't enough. On the last Sunday of the month, from May through September, the Women's Club of Raleigh hosts the festival of art, food, and music. The family-friendly event includes plenty of activities for the little ones. Hours are 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., and admission is free.
  
  
• GalaxyCon Raleigh - Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27601
  Comic books aren't just for kids anymore. Fans of all ages will be gathering at GalaxyCon Raleigh, held downtown at the Convention Center. This year's impressive lineup of celebrity guests includes director Kevin Smith and the cast of Clerks, Tom Welling of Smallville, Katee Sackhoff of Battlestar Galactica, and the iconic William Shatner. With sci-fi, anime, fantasy, gaming, and cosplay, there's something for everyone. Mark your calendar from Thursday, July 28 through Sunday, July 31. Visit the website for hours and ticket prices.
  
  
• Peak City Pig Fest - 210 N. Salem St., Apex, NC 27502
  What's summer without a good BBQ? At Peak City Pig Fest, the mouthwatering smell of BBQ ribs will be wafting all around Apex homes for sale. Over two days, 42 teams will face off in an exciting competition sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. Live music and a beer garden complete this ideal scenario. Hours are Friday, July 22, from 5 p.m. - 11 p.m., and Saturday, July 23, from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Our real estate agents can help with any of your questions about life in Wake County. Contact us at Howard Perry and Walston to learn more.

The Triangle is known as one of the places where the future is made. Raleigh homes for sale have convenient access to a diverse economy with a vibrant tech scene. But the area is also steeped in plenty of rich history, reaching back through the entire American story.

Our real estate agents are always glad to show you everything Raleigh has to offer. Here are some of the historic homes many people choose to visit when they explore the Triangle:

• Borden Building – 820 Clay Street, Raleigh, NC 27605
  The Borden Building is among the only surviving remnants of what was once the Methodist Home for Children. Erected in 1900, the Borden Building itself acted as home to the superintendent. Later, it was converted to serve hundreds of children over the years. Since its purchase by the City of Raleigh in 1982, it and adjoining Fred Fletcher Park have been an oasis of tranquility in the midst of an urban setting.
  
  
• Heck-Andrews House – 309 North Blount Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
  The Heck-Andrews House has been praised by historians as one of the finest surviving examples of Second Empire architecture. At the crossroads of many other key sites, including the lieutenant governor's office, it was completed in 1872 and occupied for more than a century as a private residence. It was vacant until 2014, the year of a major renovation, and is now open to public visitors.
  
  
• Haywood Hall House and Gardens – 211 N. Bern Place, Raleigh, NC 27601
  Haywood Hall House and Gardens is a testament to the life of John Haywood, the first elected treasurer of North Carolina. A frame house in the prominent Federal style, it is now the oldest house on an original site anywhere within Raleigh's city limits. It has a unique collection of family portraits, a variety of original furniture, and a permanent collection of antique dolls. Admission is always free.
  
  
• Joel Lane Museum House – 160 South Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
  The Joel Lane Museum House is noteworthy as the oldest home within Wake County: It dates back to 1769. The spot is heralded as the "Birthplace of North Carolina's Capital" thanks to a fateful agreement by Joel Lane to sell 1,000 acres to the state for the construction of official buildings and infrastructure. Today, the site offers two other historic buildings and a gift shop.
  
  
• L.L. Polk House – 537 North Blount Street, Raleigh, NC 27604-1119
  L.L. Polk House features a style that has been called "gingerbread Gothic." Dating to 1890, it was built by one of the most prominent men in the state, a former part-owner of the Raleigh News and Observer. Tours are available by appointment only and will shed light on the life of Col. L.L. Polk as well as the storied history of the property itself.
  
  
• North Carolina Executive Mansion – 200 North Blount Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
  North Carolina Executive Mansion sits just steps from the Heck-Andrews house listed above. Built from local materials, it has been the official home of North Carolina's governors since 1891. It was once lauded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as "the most beautiful governor's residence interior" in the nation. Tour reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance.

Ready to start touring homes for sale in the area? Contact us today.