Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill are three distinct destinations within close proximity of one another. Together this metropolitan area is commonly referred to as the Triangle – a family of communities.

All represent the best of southern hospitality and seem more like sprawling towns rather than major cities – yet they are both. Each has a flavor all its own that makes it an irresistible place to visit, linger in and return to.

Take Raleigh, for instance. As North Carolina’s Capital and the Triangle’s largest city, Raleigh enjoys a reputation as a vibrant city on the move. Its new Convention Center opened in September and growth in its Midtown (North Hills) and Uptown (Crabtree Valley) areas contribute to its increasingly upscale image. Amid the many oaks that soften its downtown, the old and the new come together in such districts as Glenwood South, where you will find a trendy night and dining scene comparable to the best found in other major cities in America, and the Moore Square Art District, which includes the old charm of Historic City market complete with cobblestone streets and street lamps surrounded by unique shops, dining and nightlife.

Durham, home to Duke University and North Carolina Central University, is also undergoing a vigorous revival. The widely anticipated Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) has opened with an outstanding lineup of entertainment. The old tobacco warehouses that dot the city are being converted to stylish apartments, condos, retail centers and restaurants. They include successful renovation projects like Historic Brightleaf Square and the American Tobacco Campus which have become magnets for locals and visitors alike who enjoy their outdoor concerts and unique restaurants and shops. You’ll find great dining in Durham, too, with over 30 area restaurants and chefs having been recognized by national media for their regional cuisine.

In the western corner of Research Triangle, Chapel Hill combines small town charm with cosmopolitan chic. It is picturesque and inviting and lives up to its reputation as “the Southern Part of Heaven.” Home to the University of North Carolina, the nation’s first state university, its downtown centers around Franklin Street where day and night the sidewalks are filled with pedestrian traffic enjoying the best in upscale shopping, dining and entertainment options.

Together, Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill enjoy temperate year-round weather and easy drives to either of the beaches or the mountains. Put simply, this Triangle of communities offers the best of all worlds.

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 at 3:34 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.