Welcome to Cary
Outdoorsy suburban living with an aptitude for athletics
Situated west of Raleigh, Cary boasts a repertoire of “best places” accolades due to its thriving economy, vibrant arts and culture scene, top-tier leisure spots, and dazzling restaurants. Cherished as a family-friendly haven, Cary endears a diverse crowd with its proximity to the Research Triangle, while also putting residents near the beach and mountains. Acres of scenic greenways, nature parks, and athletic fields imbue Cary with an outdoorsy appeal, but the town is also a notable Pro Sports mecca, cradling the WakeMed Soccer Park and USA Baseball National Training Complex within city limits. With a mix of meticulously designed single-family colonials, townhomes, and condos, Cary is truly a beautiful place to call home.
What to Love
- Annual town festivals
- Eclectic restaurants
- Sporty lifestyle
- Booming neighborhoods
- High performing schools
Local Lifestyle
Cary is a town with a suburban feel, where people flock for accessibility, an enriched quality of life, and unlimited social activities. Popular with families and young professionals seeking abode near the Research Triangle, Cary is reputed as a bedroom community. With its big-city amenities and small-town charisma, Cary offers residents the best of both worlds, and for that, has become one of the most sought-after places in North Carolina. All year round, diverse festivals and vivacious events infuse the community with celebratory vibes, and locals love to spend time in the sun, living their athletic lifestyle to the fullest.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Cary overflows with dazzling restaurants, cafes, and decadent dining rooms. Enjoy a delicious family feast under the air of sophisticated luxury and elegance at Peck & Plume, a sleek modern establishment tucked inside Downtown Cary’s boutique hotel—The Mayton. Their menu improvises on New American classics, bringing you savory plates paired with cocktails and salads. Herons take contemporary fine dining to the next level with excellent dishes flavored with Southern influences and prepared using fresh ingredients from local farms. At Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen, guests are offered exceptional farm-to-table servings on a menu featuring delights like Carolina shrimp and grits, chicken pot pie and whipped sweet potatoes to be enjoyed at any of the stunning outdoor tables.
Experience the taste and vibes of an authentic modern boulangerie at La Farm Bakery offering assorted bread, Parisian sandwiches, and special brunch on Sundays. Hearty Mediterranean kebabs and pudding can be found at the popular Bosphorus, while folks looking to savor special seafood dishes can check into Dean’s Seafood Grill & Bar, which touts an ever beloved ‘fresh catch’ menu featuring up to eight varieties of fish every week.
With over 60 stores, an array of delicious restaurants, and boutique shops spanning across 237 acres, Crossroads Plaza lures locals in for everyday retail therapy. Immerse yourself in the melody of live music at the glitzy Mac’s Tavern or get tickets for a show at the pine shrouded Koka Booth Amphitheater ensconced by Symphony Lake.
Things to Do
With a variety of recreational opportunities, sports facilities, nature trails, and performance venues, it’s easy to enjoy an active lifestyle in Cary. Explore the area’s natural beauty with a ride along the abandoned railroad bed of the American Tobacco Trail or stroll along the small streams flowing alongside the Annie Jones Greenway Trail. You won’t want to miss Bond Park, a sweeping 310-acre Wake County oasis. Koka Booth Amphitheatre is one of the town’s largest performance venues, proudly balancing nature’s aesthetic with ultramodern tech and known to host events like the Chinese Lantern Festival and North Carolina Wine Festival.
At the heart of the city, Downtown radiates with life. Hangout with family and friends here by catching an indie flick at The Cary Theatre after which you can head over to the Page-Walker Arts and History Center for an exploration of the creative exhibits, town history learned through significant historical artifacts, then come share laughs over sour beers and ale at the prestigious Bond Brothers Beer Company.
Schools
Cary is served by outstanding schools, both public and private, and is renowned for offering students an innovative and engaging curriculum with various extracurricular activities. A few of the neighborhood’s phenomenal education institutions are: