Trivia Question❓What is the distinction that makes Raleigh one of the few U.S. state capitals to have been purposefully chosen and built as a capital city from scratch, rather than inheriting the status from an existing town? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
🍽️ Raleigh's Big Weekend: Restaurant Week, Summer Concerts, and a Booming Economy! |
Raleigh is thriving this week with the kickoff of Downtown Restaurant Week, a packed summer concert lineup, and fantastic news about our local economy! 🍽️🎸📈 #RaleighEvents #RaleighEats #DowntownRaleigh
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🍽️ Dig In: Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week is Here! |
A vibrant, bustling downtown Raleigh restaurant scene during a special dining event. Multiple beautifully plated dishes are spread across a candlelit table, with a lively restaurant interior and happy diners visible in the warm background bokeh. |
Foodies, rejoice! One of the most delicious weeks of the year has officially arrived. Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week runs from July 16th to July 26th, offering the perfect excuse to try that new spot you've been eyeing or return to an old favorite. Dozens of incredible downtown restaurants are participating this year, offering special prix fixe dinners, lunch specials, and unique dinner deals at various price points. It's a fantastic way to explore the diverse culinary scene that makes Raleigh so special, all while supporting our local chefs and hospitality workers. The list of participating spots is massive and includes everything from upscale dining to casual favorites. You can grab a bite at Centro, enjoy Italian at Caffe Luna or Mulino, grab a steak at Sullivan's, or try the vibrant Latin flavors at Cuya Cocina Latina. Even spots like The Pit, Wye Hill, and The Raleigh Times are getting in on the action! Whether you're planning a romantic date night or a fun lunch with coworkers, be sure to check out the full list of participating restaurants and make your reservations early. Your tastebuds will thank you! |
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🎸 The Triangle's Ultimate Summer Concert Lineup |
A spectacular outdoor summer concert at a large open-air amphitheater in Raleigh, NC at night. A massive crowd of tens of thousands of fans fills the lawn and seats, cheering as a performer takes the stage under dramatic stage lighting with colorful beams of light. |
If you love live music, you are in the right place! The Triangle is hosting an absolutely stacked lineup of summer concerts over the next few weeks, bringing everything from country legends to indie rock favorites right to our backyard. Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek is the place to be for massive outdoor shows. Jam band stalwarts Phish are taking over on July 17th, followed by a fantastic indie double-header with Death Cab for Cutie and Japanese Breakfast on July 22nd. If you're a country fan, mark your calendar for August 7th when icon Tim McGraw brings his tour to town. If you prefer the vibe of Red Hat Amphitheater downtown, you're in luck. Songwriting legends Bob Dylan and Lucinda Williams are playing on July 28th, and Chance the Rapper will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of his album "Coloring Book" on August 29th. Over at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, you can catch rising country star Ella Langley or relive the '90s with Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms in late August! No matter what genre you prefer, grab your tickets, gather your friends, and get ready for some unforgettable nights of live music under the Carolina stars. |
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📈 Raleigh's Economy is Firing on All Cylinders |
A vibrant, modern aerial view of downtown Raleigh, North Carolina on a bright sunny day. The thriving urban environment shows a mix of modern glass office towers and historic buildings, busy sidewalks, and construction cranes in the background signaling growth. |
Great news for the City of Oaks! A new report from PNC Bank's regional researchers shows that Raleigh's economy is showing incredible strength and resilience as we head into the second half of 2026, even as hiring growth slows down on a national level. In fact, hiring in the Raleigh-Cary metro area grew at the 6th-highest rate among all metro areas in the country to start the year! What makes this growth so remarkable is that it isn't just relying on one single industry. We're seeing strong gains across the board in education, healthcare, professional services, and leisure and hospitality. Economists are particularly impressed by our leisure and hospitality growth, which outpaced other major regional hubs like Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte. According to PNC senior economist Kurt Rankin, this broad-based growth implies that local households are comfortable spending back into the local economy, creating a "virtuous cycle" that benefits everyone. It's clear that Raleigh continues to be one of the best places in the country to live, work, and do business. Here's to continued growth and prosperity for our amazing city! |
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💡 Answer to Trivia Question: It was planned and established specifically to serve as the capital, making it one of the earliest purpose-built capital cities in the United States (founded 1792). |