Raleigh Recreation: Looking for something fun to do this weekend?

Try a walking tour of the Downtown Raleigh Historical District!

Raleigh, NC offers a lot more than a great career environment, culture, parks, and recreation.

As the State Capital, Raleigh is the center of a lot of North Carolina history. 

The First Baptist Church in downtown Raleigh is just one of over 60 points of interest on the official Downtown Raleigh Walking Tour.

The First Baptist Church can be a bit confusing.  There are actually two churches, one block apart, called First Baptist Church.

Both were originally the same congregation, originally founded in 1812.

Originally a biracial congregation, in 1868 African American members of the church left to form their own congregation.  In 1904, this beautiful brick church was built.  

This First Baptist Church is located at 101 S. Wilmington Street - the original First Baptist Church is located at 99 North Salisbury Street, and was built in 1859.  Both are local historic landmarks.

As part of the walking tour, you'll notice four churches, one at each of the four corners facing the State Capital Square.

Christ Church was built in 1848, and is a National Historic Landmark.  The fourth is First Presbyterian Church, built in 1900. 

First Baptist Church is still an active church today - if you stroll through downtown Raleigh on a Sunday morning, you'll see well-dressed church members making their way to and from this stately building. 

 101 S. Wilmington St. Raleigh, NC 

Phone: (919) 832-1649

Some other great stops on the Downtown Raleigh Walking Tour are:

North Carolina Veteran's Monument - Honoring WWI, WWII and Korean War Veterans in Downtown Raleigh

A Thousand Words: Photographs by Vietnam Veterans - Special Exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of History in Downtown Raleigh

Raleigh History Museum - Great FREE Exhibits in Downtown Raleigh!

Raleigh Historical Buildings - State Bank of North Carolina (Built in 1813)

NC Museum of Natural Science - Free Activities for Kids in Raleigh

Raleigh and the Triangle Area

Whether you're looking at relocating to Raleigh to start your career, to find a friendly place to raise a family, or retiring in a terrific climate, Raleigh and the Research Park Triangle has something to offer you. Great schools, lots of lakes and golf courses, top-rated cultural centers, universities, and hospitals - and all only two hours to the ocean and three hours to the mountains - it's no wonder that Raleigh is a "Best Place to Live"!

You may also be interested in these popular articles: