Whether you like history, events, entertainment, or something else, there are great things to do in Cary, NC.
If you’re in the city and you’re not sure what to do, no worries, this guide got you covered! From visiting a museum to seeing a game of soccer, there are many great activities you can choose from. There’s something for everyone’s liking, including playing an escape game, seeing a show at a theater, and shopping at a shopping mall.
This guide consists of a large variety of activities to help you out if you’re wondering what to do in Cary, NC.
Best Things To Do in Cary, NC
See a Performance at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre
The Koka Booth Amphitheatre is an outdoor performing arts amphitheater that you can find in Regency Park in the city of Cary, NC. The venue opened in the year 2001.
The venue has a capacity of 7,000 people and lots of festivals and concerts take place at the theater throughout the year. The amphitheater hosts more than 60 events between the months of April and January.
For example, you can attend the NC Chinese Lantern Festival at the amphitheater.
Address: 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary, NC 27518
See a Game of Soccer at the WakeMed Soccer Park
You can go to the WakeMed Soccer Park to see a game of soccer. This is a stadium with 10,000 seats.
The stadium is the home of North Carolina FC, which is a professional soccer team that competes in the USL League One, and it is possible to see games of this team which makes for a very fun thing to do in Cary.
In addition to that, the soccer park is also the home of the North Carolina Courage, a professional women’s soccer team that is based in Cary.
Address: 101 Soccer Park Dr, Cary, NC 27511
Watch a Movie or Attend an Event at The Cary Theater
The Cary Theater is a historical movie theater in Cary that is located at 122 East Chatham Street.
The movie theater’s history dates back to the year 1946, and when it opened the theater hosted both live performances and movies. The Cary Theater has 175 seats in total.
Throughout the years, the building of the theater was used as a clothing store and auto parts store.
The building was restored and reopened to the public in the year 2014.
Nowadays, you can go here for film, live theater, live music, and many other types of events. During the holiday season, you can also attend special performances at The Cary Theater.
Address: 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511
Go to an Event at Phillips Farms
Phillips Farms is a historic farm with a history of more than 100 years. It has a long history of farm products and family ownership.
Nowadays, the farm is also a great place to visit for the whole family as there’s much to do throughout the year.
The activities that one can do at Phillips Farms change depending on the season.
For example, during the Christmas season, you can go to Phillips Farms to shop for Christmas trees, see movies, shop at a local makers’ Christmas market, and do much more.
Address: 6720 Good Hope Church Rd, Cary, NC 27519
Go to an Event at the Cary Arts Center
The Cary Arts Center is a facility where you can do and experience a lot related to art and culture.
Lots of events take place at the Cary Arts Center which can be great if you’re looking for things to do in Cary. For example, you can see great performances by the Cary Ballet Company at the center.
You can also attend concerts, musicals, and a variety of other events at the Cary Arts Center.
In addition to that, you can attend art exhibitions at the center. The exhibitions that you can see at the center’s gallery change throughout the year and showcase a large variety of works of art.
It is also possible to do a variety of art workshops. For example, you can do pottery classes at the clay studio of the center.
Address: 101 Dry Ave, Cary, NC 27511
Visit the Chatham Hill Winery
The Chatham Hill Winery is a winery that is located on Chapel Hill Road in the city of Cary, NC. The winery was established in 1999 and was the first winery in the Triangle, as well as one of the first wineries in North Carolina.
The winery uses the highest quality ingredients and traditional methods to produce great wines.
You can visit Chatham Hill Winery to taste the wine.
In addition to that, a variety of public events take place at the winery throughout the year.
For example, you could attend a live music event and enjoy wine by the glass. During the holiday season, there are special events as well.
Address: 8245 Chapel Hill Rd, Cary, NC 27513
Visit the Page-Walker Arts and History Center
The Page-Walker Arts & History Center is a facility that you can find inside the building of the former Page-Walker Hotel.
The building dates back to the year 1868 when it was built by the founder of Cary, and it was operated as a railroad hotel until the year 1916. In the year after that, the building was used as a private residence and for other purposes.
The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its history and architecture.
Nowadays, the building is used for a variety of events.
In addition to that, it is possible to do a self-guided tour of the building. Inside the building, you can see furniture, paintings, and books.
You can also find the Cary Heritage Museum inside the building.
Address: 119 Ambassador Loop, Cary, NC 27513
Go Ice Skating at Polar Ice Cary
Polar Ice Cary is an ice skating facility that you can find at 1410 Buck Jones Road. You can go here for public ice skating every day of the week, but the times and admission prices vary by day.
In addition to that, it is possible to learn to ice skate at Polar Ice Cary by joining ice skating classes. There are programs for all ages, including for children.
It is also possible to join a hockey program at Polar Ice Cary. There are programs for children as well as for adults, and there’s also an adult league that you can join.
Address: 1410 Buck Jones Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606
Play Games at The Neighborhood Sports Bar and Arcade
The Neighborhood Sports Bar and Arcade is a bar that you can go to for food, drinks, and games. You can find The Neighborhood at 301 North Harrison Avenue in the city of Cary, NC.
You can play a variety of games at this place making this bar perfect if you’re looking for fun activities in Cary. Some examples of games that you can play here are darts, ping pong, pinball, and basketball.
In addition to that, you can get delicious food for lunch or dinner here.
For example, you can different types of delicious pizzas here. You can also get sandwiches, wraps, and other food at The Neighborhood.
Address: 301 N Harrison Ave, Cary, NC 27513
Go to an Event at the Cary Regional Library
The Cary Regional Library is a public library that is located at 315 Kildaire Farm Road in the city of Cary.
The library is great if you like reading and borrowing books, but besides that, you can also attend an event at the library.
Lots of different events take place at the Cary Regional Libary, and these events are free to attend.
An example of an event that you can attend here is the “Family Storytime” event. Sometimes, you can also do a workshop at the library.
Address: 315 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27511
Shop at Shoppes of Kildaire
Shoppes of Kildaire is a shopping center that you can find in the southern part of Cary. It is a great place for shopping as you can find a large variety of shops here, including bookstores, apparel stores, and other types of stores.
In addition to that, you can find a variety of restaurants here, including Chido Taco, which is a restaurant with delicious tacos and other Mexican dishes.
Address: 1394 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27511
Have Fun at Dave & Buster’s Cary
Dave & Buster’s is a fun place to go in Cary where you can get great food and play games. You can find Dave & Buster’s Cary at 1111 Walnut Street.
At this location, you can play all sorts of arcade games, and there’s a game for everyone’s liking.
You can also play different virtual reality games at Dave & Buster’s.
In addition to that, you can choose from many different food options, including burgers, pizza, nachos, fries, and much more. You can both have lunch and dinner at this place.
Address: 1111 Walnut St, Cary, NC 27511
Have Lunch at Academy Street Bistro
Academy Street Bistro is a wonderful restaurant that you can find on South Academy Street where you can have a great casual fine dining experience.
At the restaurant, you can experience flavors from all around the world and you can get all kinds of unique dishes from a menu by Chef Josh Heinz.
Academy Street Bistro is an incredible restaurant for a delicious lunch. From salads to sandwiches to soups, there’s much to choose from for lunch.
One of the best sandwiches that you can get at the restaurant is the “Southern Eggplant Parm”, which is a sandwich that comes with fried eggplant, pesto, and parmesan.
Address: 200 S Academy St, Cary, NC 27511
Enjoy Dinner and See a Movie at CMX CinéBistro Waverly Place
CMX CinéBistro Waverly Place is a combined movie theater and restaurant that makes for a great thing to do in Cary. You can go there to see a movie while enjoying delicious food.
At CMX CinéBistro Waverly Place, you can see the latest Hollywood films.
You can choose from all sorts of food items from a chef-crafted menu. From bowls to sandwiches, there’s much to choose from.
You can also get great desserts, including a delicious chocolate cake, at CMX CinéBistro Waverly Place.
If you don’t want to watch a movie, you can also just go to the restaurant and bar to enjoy the delicious food, and you can also go see a movie at this place without getting food or drinks.
Address: 525 New Waverly Pl Suite 203, Cary, NC 27518
Visit the Over The Moon Play Space With Kids
The Over the Moon Play Space is a large indoor playground that you can find at the Cary Village Square Shopping Center.
The playground, which has a size of 11,000 square feet, has all kinds of unique and fun features. Children can play at the playground during “Open Play” hours.
Some of the features of the playground are a low ropes challenge course, a bouldering wall, and “Mars habitat climbing domes”.
In addition to that, the playground has great amenities for adults who take their children here, such as WiFi.
Address: 653 Cary Towne Blvd, Cary, NC 27511
Shop at the Cary Downtown Farmers Market
The Cary Downtown Farmers Market is a Saturday market. Many vendors sell crafts, local produce, and other goods at the farmers market.
There’s much more to do and see at the market besides shopping for goods from the market’s vendors.
For example, you can sometimes find food trucks at the market where you can get delicious food while exploring and shopping at the market.
Sometimes, you can also enjoy live music during the summer version of the market.
During the winter season, you can check out the Winter Market.
Address: 200 E Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511
Play an Escape Game at Game On Escapes & More
Playing an escape game at Game on Escapes & More is a very fun activity in Cary. You can find Games On Escapes & More Cary at 107 Edinburgh South Drive.
Playing an escape game is a fun and challenging activity that you can do with friends, family, or a group of other people. During an escape game, you need to find and decipher clues and solve all sorts of puzzles, to escape from a room within a certain time limit.
At Game On Escapes & More Cary, there are several different themed escape rooms that you can play.
Some of these games are great for the whole family, such as “Sorcerer’s Mistake”.
Address: 107 Edinburgh S Dr 206 STE 203, Cary, NC 27511
Attend an Event at the Bond Brothers Beer Company
The Bond Brothers Beer Company is a craft brewery, taproom, and beer garden in Cary with two locations.
You can go here to try a variety of beer styles. If you like beer, this is certainly a great place to check out.
In addition to that, there are many events that take place at Bond Brothers Beer Company. For example, sometimes you can enjoy great live music.
There are also events during which you can enjoy great food from food trucks. For example, sometimes you can get great hamburgers and fries, including vegetarian hamburgers, at the Bond Brothers Beer Company.
Address: 202 E Cedar St, Cary, NC 27511
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What To Do in Cary Tips
When considering going to any of the places on this list, I recommend checking out the website of each place in advance to see the current opening hours, such that you don’t drive there and end up not being able to do the activity.
Also, sometimes you need to buy tickets in advance or you need a reservation, so keep that in mind when you’re deciding what to do in Cary. For example, when you want to play an escape game at Game On Escapes & More, you need to make an online reservation.
Cary Things To Do Map
Thanks for reading my guide to the best things to do in Cary, NC. I hope I helped you decide what to do!