"Raleigh is a great place to live if you have kids and enjoy the outdoors." .jpg)
Numerous folks told us this when we moved here. Our first 9 months as Triangle residents have given us plenty of chances to confirm it for ourselves. Yesterday we spent a couple of hours at Pullen Park, an older, established park near NC State's campus. New rec areas may have the best and most advanced play equipment, but Pullen has a few things that no other park in town is likely to match.
For example, there are beautiful, mature trees and shrubs. It is easy to imagine multiple generations of families looking at the same landscaping. Also, the paths in the park are made from pavers. My mother-in-law noted that today this many pavers would cost a million bucks. No wonder they put down mulch paths in the new parks.
Then there are the amenities: a refurbished carousel built in 1911, a gas-powered train that circles the entire park, kiddie boats (like at the fair), and paddle boats. The first three cost $1 per ride for everyone over a year old. Paddle boats rent by the hour..jpg)
Yes- those are ostriches the kids and Jen are riding. The carousel also has cats, bunnies, pigs, lions, tigers and horses.
We stayed for a couple of hours and everyone (inlcuding the adults) had a lot of fun. Safe to say we'll be back at Pullen again.
If you live in the Raleigh area, what's your favorite park/outdoor activity?
Saturday, September 20, 2008
A Day At The Park
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6 comments:
Pullen Park rates high around this house as well. Sometimes we top it off with a visit to the Krispy Kreme (on Peace St I think). They make the donuts there and you can stand and watch them. Indoors, we like the two free museums downtown. There are SO many parks in this area it really depends on what you want. Playground, Ritter Park (no messy mulch). Wildlife, Crowder Park (turtles and fish in the pond plus playground equip. for all ages). Ease of watching kiddos, Annie Jones (small park w/ swings). IMO, Kids Together park is too big and Apex Kids Town is too difficult to keep track of kiddos. :)
Thanks for the info Jenn. I always appreciate your perspective and opinion!
Surprise, surprise. J.C. Raultston Arboretum in Raleigh. It's a really great garden, its free, its interesting, and the kids like it as long as we dont go too often. We often bring a picnic lunch.
We do like Pullen as well and go at least twice a year.
The trail around Lake Johnson is really nice when you want some exer-walking. Need a stroller for the little ones though as they can get tired after a while. Never have done the boats there but have at Lake Wheeler.
We do the outdoor shuffle alot.
You can usually find us at:
*Lake Jordan (swimming and fishing)
*Lake Pine in Apex ( the ducks and geese will eat out of your hand)
* Pullen Park ( the train of course--the merry go round scares me)
* We also go to the Science Museums in Raleigh and Durham.
* We love the Flea Market!
Haven't had a chance to go to the zoo since the opened the elephant area....but maybe later this fall.
Dana forgot to mention that the geese are not the only things that eat out of your hand at Lake Pine. (hmmmm.. where are you going with this, Tom?) LOL the turtles will come right out of the water for the bread in your hand.
I have also heard there is a walking/bike path near Jordan lake called the American Tobacco Trail . It's an old railway where they took up the tracks. supposedly its a nice shady walk.
Ok Tom, now I know where you get the main ingredient for all that turtle stew you keep telling me about. ;)
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