Are you looking for the best things to do in Cary, NC? Read on for a quick synopsis of Cary, North Carolina’s history, restaurants, and the best things to do in historic downtown Cary.

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Cary, North Carolina is a fabulous dot on the map that I would lovingly call “the perfect small town for big city lovers.” My husband and I spent several incredible days in Cary several years ago while on a work trip, and we quickly fell in love with the restaurants, people, and breweries in the historic downtown. Fast-forward several years, and I’m fresh off another amazing trip to this quickly-growing and ever-changing little town.

Located just west of Raleigh and southeast of Durham, Cary is home to approximately 175,000 people. The historic downtown is laid out in more of a T shape than the traditional “town square” you’ll see in many small towns across the South.

Cary is a very active and contemporary community, likely due in large part to its proximity to two bustling cities with large medical and collegiate populations. There is always something to do in Cary, and you’ll find some our favorite spots and recommendations below.

The History:

The land on which Cary, NC sits was once home to the Tuscarora and Catawba people, however, their population was decimated by the arrival of smallpox with the European settlers.

Before the American Revolutionary War, John Bradford started an inn in the area, leading to Cary's first name, "Bradford's Ordinary." And, weirdly, a majority of the land in the area was owned by two men, both of whom were named Nathaniel Jones. (I guess it had a ring to it back in the day.) One of the Nathaniel Joneses owned a 10,461-acre plantation on the east side of Cary, while the other Nathaniel Jones (denoted on Wikipedia as "Jones of Crabtree") owned the western half. Seriously, what are the odds? And how did this town not end up named "Jonesville"? I digress.

The town of Cary, as we know it today, began as a railroad community and educational center in the late 19th and 20th centuries, though it was then called "Page." Allison Francis Frank Page and his wife Kate purchased 300 acres of land around the railroad junction in 1854. Mr. Page became the railroad agent and town developer, laying out streets and starting a general store, sawmill, and post office.

In 1856, Page officially renamed the town Cary after Samuel Fenton Cary, the head of the Sons of Temperance in North America. And, if you didn't know what temperance was (I didn't!), it was a social movement promoting sobriety and abstinence from alcohol... which seems a bit ironic given the number of craft breweries, bottle shops, and wine bars in the area today.

Cary has a rich and eclectic history, including holding the esteemed nickname of "Gourd Capital of the World," and you can (and should) read about the town's growth and changes over the decades in this Wikipedia article.

The Vibe:

Sandwiched between two very modern cities, Raleigh and Durham, Cary channels the adventurous flavors, bustling energy, and youthful demographic of a much bigger locale. In Cary, you’ll find delicious international cuisine, craft breweries and a cidery, and cute boutiques… and I have yet to spend a single day in Cary without stumbling on a fun local event in the lovely historic downtown.

Cary is also experiencing exponential growth, development, and revitalization (as of spring 2023), so don’t be surprised by the large number of construction projects underway.

The Charm:

Hip, modern eateries and boutiques blanket the main drag in Cary, with colorful murals and vintage signage peppered throughout. The Cary, a historic theater built in 1946, remains an eye-catching social hub at the heart of the commercial district, and you’ll quickly pick up on the strong sense of community at the pop-up events, street fairs, and businesses.

23 Best Things to Do in Cary, North Carolina

Hit the Cary Art Loop.

Cary's Final Friday Art Crawl takes place on the last Friday of each month from 6-9 pm. Galleries and businesses keep their doors open late to welcome visitors to enjoy the artwork, libations, and sometimes live music during the event. The Final Friday Art Crawl started back in 2005, and you'll find a current list of participating spaces on the website.

My husband and I stumbled on the Final Friday Art Crawl during our first stay in Cary, and we highly recommend checking out this monthly event while you're in town if your dates line up.

Have date night at the Academy Street Bistro.

Make reservations for a date night at the Academy Street Bistro while you’re in Cary. The approachable fine-dining establishment offers indoor and patio seating, and the menu boasts a well-rounded selection of dishes to please any palate.

Wet your plants at City Garden Design’s Downtown Plant Shop & Gift Store.

What sort of plants are you into? Unusual shades of air plants? Flowering succulents? Shade-loving houseplants? Or perhaps you’re looking to design a custom live moss wall? Whatever your plant-vice is, you’ll find it and more at City Garden Design’s Downtown Plant Shop & Gift Store. The adorable boutique is chock-full of plants, pots, planters, and thoughtfully-curated gifts, so expect to spend a while scouring the tables and shelves. Additionally, the store occasionally hosts DIY moss art classes, so keep an eye on their social media.

Grab a beer at the Cotton House.

The only thing better than sipping craft beer is sipping craft beer inside the Pasmore House, built circa 1900. The Pasmore house originally served as a boarding facility for some of the first students at Cary High School, and today you're sure to fall in love with the unique blend of history and modern design.

Grab a seat at the 25-foot Prohibition-era marble-topped bar, kick back next to one of the two original 120-year-old fireplaces, or claim your spot on the double-tiered back deck. Keep an eye out for the selection of rotating food trucks; the Cotton House hosts everything from taco trucks to Ethiopian pop-ups.

Pick up a pastry at La Farm Bakery.

Lionel and Miss Vatinet started La Farm Bakery in 1999 with the dream of continuing “the centuries-old baking traditions and techniques, honoring the ordinary, yet extraordinary, boulangeries that once flourished in every little town in France.” Bread is baked from scratch using unbleached, unbromated flours daily without the use of preservatives, artificial ingredients, or frozen starters.

Pick up a loaf or two, but be sure to grab a scone or pastry for the road. I’m partial to the lavender and honey scone pictured above!

See a show at The Cary Theater.

The Cary Theater was built in 1946 as the town’s first indoor movie theater, and today serves as a multi-use cultural facility with a focus on digital arts, including film, and youth and amateur theater and music. Check out their current line-up and the Beyond Film Festival, and save the date for next October’s Zombiepalooza.

Raise a glass at Pharmacy Bottle + Beverage.

Once Mitchell's Pharmacy, today the sleekly renovated space at 120 East Chatham Street houses Pharmacy Bottle + Beverage. The hip watering hole pours craft beer and fine wine, and you can grab a 6-pack to-go of something new and exciting for your fridge at home.

Come hungry to Big Dom’s Bagel Shop.

I don't know anything about Big Dom's Bagel Shop except that they serve up giant, delicious hand-rolled bagels, and maybe that's all we need to know.

I've made a point to drop by Big Dom's Bagel Shop each time I've been in town, and my new go-to is The Hova. It is the best, most filling $12.50 you'll spend in Cary.

Drop by the Cary Farmers’ Market.

If you’re going to be in town on a Saturday, plan to swing by the Cary Farmers’ Market. Started in 1996, the Cary Farmers’ market strives to provide the community with fresh, local produce and locally made goods. Check out the current line-up of produce vendors and makers on their website.

Attend an event in Cary, NC.

From Zombiepalooza (October) to the Chinese Lantern Festival (December), there is something going on for everybody in Cary, NC. Mark your calendars for Asia Fest, the Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival, the Diwali Celebration, the Heart of the Holidays, and more.

Catch some live music over a local brew at Bond Brothers Eastside.

Bond Brothers Beer Co. pours tasty craft beer at two locations in Cary, NC, and the Eastside location is also a music venue. You’ll hear everything from singer-songwriter nights to bluegrass jam sessions and even flamenco at this popular spot.

Do dinner at Scratch Kitchen.

Any restaurant with an entire section devoted to different types of mac and cheese is fine by me. In addition to creamy heaps of cheesy noodles, Scratch Kitchen also serves yummy salads, apps, creative entrees, and bowls. I loved the Bibimbap Bowl during my most recent trip.

Enjoy Downtown Cary Park.

The park is currently undergoing massive renovations, but it should soon be back up and running and open to the public. The project description for the newly revamped 7-acre park promises “an urban plaza alight with energy, a grab-and-go market, a children’s play space, dog park, town lawn and pavilion, games court, and expansive native gardens.”

Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve offers trails, boardwalks, and a nature center.

Go for a hike with Fido at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve!

The Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve offers several dog-and-kid-friendly trails to help you “get away from it all” without actually leaving Cary. The forest is beautiful, but remember to bring bug spray during the warmer, wetter months, as there’s a good amount of standing water.

A'verde Cocina and Tequila Library has a fun, colorful vibe and excellent eats.

Order everything on the menu at A’verde.

The only thing tastier than the seasonal guac is the shirtless poster of Channing Tatum in the ladies’ room. This vibrant eatery dishes up flavorful meals alongside an impressive tequila library. Scope out their calendar of events as you plan your trip, and you might be able to catch one of their 5-course Top Chef Celebrity Dinners.

Go shopping.

Make a point to hit Good Day Cary and Gather Goods Co. while visiting Cary, NC. Good Day Cary is located on East Chatham Street, and it’s home to a lovely selection of gifts, jewelry, candles, baby items, and Houston Llew Spiritiles.

Inside Gather Goods, you’ll find a delightful book selection, candles, pottery, cards, and flower shop. Gather also hosts events from time to time, so it’s worth keeping up with their Instagram.

Caffeinate and build community at Esteamed Coffee.

There’s everything to love about Esteamed Coffee:

The space is a 1940s renovated cottage.
The coffee specialty drinks are delicious.
They are a community determined to improve the 70 percent unemployment rate for people with disabilities.

Esteamed Coffee provides the community with a positive gathering place and meaningful job opportunities for people with intellectual, developmental, communication and/or visual impairments.

Other Awesome Things to Do in Cary, NC That We Didn’t Get to Try:

Treat yourself at Annelore’s German Bakery.

For more than 10 years, Annelore’s German Bakery has been baking artisan bread, timeless pastries, and macarons.

Scream for local ice cream.

There’s an abundance of yummy-looking ice cream in Cary, so grab a cone at Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, a scoop at Fresh. Local Ice Cream, and save room for a Monster Milkshake at Andia’s Ice Cream.

Visit the Cary Arts Center.

Originally a high school in the 1870s, the Cary Arts Center regularly hosts performances in the historic space on Dry Avenue.

Connect with nature at the Prairie Ridge Ecostation.

Though it’s technically located in Raleigh, the Prairie Ridge Ecostation offers an outdoor classroom, a native plant garden and native tree arboretum, education programs, a series of ponds and vernal pools, and a trail system winding through the prairie and forest.

Catch a show at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre.

The Koka Booth Amphitheatre showcases national acts, as well as the NC Symphony Summerfest Series, and large-scale community events.

Spend the day at Fenton.

Fenton is a self-described “mixed-use development in the heart of Cary” that is home to popular restaurants and shops, and there are often events in the businesses and green space.

Have you been to Cary, North Carolina? What are your favorite places to dine, shop, and drink? Where did you stay while you were there? Leave your tips in the comments below!

This Here Town is Cary, North Carolina