When North Carolinians began looking for a location for a permanent state capital, having tired of different towns hosting the seat, they sought a central site that would be accessible from all over the state. In 1792, the commissioners bought 1,000 acres from Joel Lane, an early landowner. They named it Raleigh after Sir Walter Raleigh, who had founded the “lost” colony of Roanoke where Dade County, NC is today. William Christmas, a commissioner who was also a surveyor, drew up the plan for what would become one of the earliest planned cities in the country. It would have a city square in the center, where the capitol building would be built. On the four corners would be parks named after four early governors. The streets, named after other prominent citizens, were laid out from the center like spokes in a grid pattern. The town began with a courthouse and a jail. For many years, in addition to official business, the courthouse also held balls and other social events. Although the state was agriculturally based, with tobacco its primary crop, Raleigh became the retail center. Family-owned businesses sprung up, selling wares in general stores, taverns and restaurants, millinery and fabric shops. The city also became an early publishing center for newspapers, flyers and printing of all kinds. Early residents dubbed Raleigh “City of Oaks” because of its many old, majestic trees, and they vowed to always keep a watchful eye that future development would not be at the expense of the area’s natural beauty.

Raleigh has been called “City in a Park” because it is surrounded by, and intertwined with, open spaces and trails to enjoy without having to take a long drive out into the countryside. Hiking, biking and walking trails are in nearly every park and greenspace. Lake Johnson Park, Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, and Lake Crabtree County Park all have trails and loops to challenge you as much or as little as you want to experience, including popular paved trails and more secluded gravel or dirt paths.

Pullen Park is the oldest park in the state, founded in 1887, and is just west of downtown. Kids love the carousel, train and boats, plus there are pedal boats to rent on the lake, weather permitting. The park also has an Arts Center, Aquatic Center and a theater. The East Coast Greenway, a network of trails going from Maine to Florida, also wind their way through Pullen Park.

If you’re lucky enough to visit Raleigh on one of the eight weekends per year that the Juniper Level Botanic Garden is open to the public, you can see rare specimens of plants that you may not find anywhere else in the world. If you miss an open weekend, visit the Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden instead and check out its 60+ types of roses, plus free outdoor movies in the summer.

The North Carolina Museum of Art houses paintings by the Old Masters as well as Egyptian, African and Judaic finds, and the Southeast’s largest collection of sculpture by Auguste Rodin. Kids will be mesmerized by the STEM activities at Marbles kids’ museum. The Pope House, open by appointment only on weekends, showcases the area’s most prominent African-American, Dr. Manassa Pope.

Several organized tours will show you around town, including walking tours and private pedicabs that invite you to sit back and relax as you are wheeled around and shown the city’s sights.

When hunger pangs hit, Raleigh has no shortage of fine dining restaurants that put the city on the Forbes list of the 12 best global places to visit for gourmet fare. Or make everyone happy at Transfer Co. Food Hall or Morgan Street Food Hall. For adult refreshment, visit Raleigh Beer Garden, which has the largest selection of beers in the world, certified by Guinness World Records. More than 350 on tap!

And of course, once you move to Raleigh, you’ll have plenty of time and places to sample before deciding which BBQ side you’re on, Lexington or East Coast style . Changing your mind is perfectly OK too.