Which is the best area to stay in Raleigh?
By Sarai Pearson. December 18, 2023
When being a tourist and newcomer to Raleigh, North Carolina, North Hills is one of the best places to stay. From a variety of shopping centers with high-end chains and boutiques to upscale hotels and apartments, North Hills truly has it all. In this 90-acre urban destination, visitors will never run out of things to do. Start the morning off with some fresh coffee from Jubala Coffee or hit the gym at Fitness Connection. Many enjoy spending their afternoons watching a movie at the cinema while others prefer to relax with a massage at the spa. In the winter, you can bundle up before hitting the ice ranks right in the center of North Hills. With 40 restaurants to choose from and 8 coming soon, ending the night with a delicious meal will be the cherry on top of a fun-filled day of exploring what North Hills has to offer.
With a variety of activities to do and sights to see, Raleigh has become a rather fast-growing city within the United States. Nicknamed the “City of Oaks” for its abundance of oak trees lining up along the streets, it is truly a beautiful sight to see. Not only is Raleigh the capital of North Carolina, it is located within the perfect distance from beaches such as Carolina Beach as well as the mountains including the Blue Ridge Mountains. Check out the surrounding cities, or simply enjoy all that Raleigh has to offer.On the map, which shows the most convenient area to stay in Raleigh NC, you can see a selection of some of the best located hotels.
If you were interested in finding out where to stay in Raleigh, you may also be interested in knowing where to stay in Asheville NC and where to stay in Charlotte.
Other areas to stay in Raleigh
Downtown

For those who seek the art and culture within the city, then Downtown Raleigh is the place to stay! As you stroll down the streets, you’ll quickly notice the art on every corner, in every district. With over 167 pieces of public art, you will see anything from sculptures such as Rainbow Head by Jerstin Crosby to murals such as Flower Clouds by Adam Peele. You can take the time discovering these art pieces by using DRA’s interactive map. Once you finish you don’t want to miss out on one of the 30 galleries and studios.
Afterwards you can check out one of the 8 museums to admire the eye-catching art or expand your knowledge of the natural sciences. Now it wouldn’t be complete without the inclusion of the performing arts. Take up the opportunity to watch an opera or ballet and end your night with some live music at one of the 17 music venues and theaters.
Most booked hotel in Downtown:
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Brier Creek
For the young adults who prefer to relax a bit more and stay within a general area, Brier Creek is the place for you. Get some last-minute shopping in while you are at the shopping center or even pick up some groceries at the grocery store before you kick back and watch the latest movie in theaters. You shouldn’t fill up too much on the popcorn though as Brier Creek has a diverse range of food options including Greek at and Peruvian food!
Many visitors enjoy hiking and horseback riding through the William B. Umstead State Park or maybe they prefer to hit the gym. For those who prefer to relax and get pampered, enjoy a massage at Massage Envy and enjoy a nice haircut at the Blo Hair Salon. By nighttime you certainly won’t want to miss out on the rooftop deck breweries!
Most booked hotel in Brier Creek: Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh Brier Creek
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Crabtree Valley

A visit wouldn’t be complete without some shopping, for all your shopping needs, Crabtree Valley is the place to be. With over 200 stores and restaurants spreading over 1,300,000 square feet, Crabtree Valley is a 2-story shopping mall that truly has it all. It doesn’t matter the type of shopper you may be, there is always something for everyone.
Clothing stores such as Pacsun and Paisley Boutique for the stylists and game stores such as Gamestop for the gamers, nobody leaves empty handed! Even with toy stores including Lego and Tic Tac Toys, your little ones will be jumping with excitement! Have a special event to go to afterwards? You can get your hair and nails done right here at Crabtree! And with 35 restaurants to choose from, you can quickly grab a pizza to-go at Luciano, or watch your meal get made right in front of you at Kanki!
Most booked hotel in West Madison:
Best Western Plus Raleigh Crabtree Valley Hotel
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Our recommended hotels in Raleigh NC
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in Raleigh NCNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.