Raleigh is often referred to as the Smithsonian of the South because it has 20 free attractions. Its museums are of the highest caliber, from the interactive world museum, to the world’s largest natural history museum, to the most comprehensive European art collection in the South. The arts are a big part of life in Raleigh and The Triangle. There is a wide range of cultural activities, including The BTI Center for the Performing Arts and the North Carolina Symphony. There are also many smaller community-oriented events, such as summer outdoor theater, parks, and gardens. Raleigh is also home to the Carolina Ballet, the North Carolina Theatre, and the Broadway Series South.

During the summer, delight in a show or concert under the stars at the Walnut Creek Amphitheater in Raleigh or the Koka Booth Amphitheater at Regency Park in Cary.

Cary is home to world class businesses and national retail stores. Our fast-growing Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources program have something for everyone, regardless of age or interest.  Cary also enjoys tree-lined streets and well-groomed subdivisions and office parks  that show Cary has grown the right way.

Durham, better known as the City of Medicine, is home to renowned Duke Unviversity and Duke Medical Center.  Durham also has a huge technology presence with Research Triangle Park a 7,000-acre Southeast Durham-based, special county research and production district, encompassed by the city of Durham with more than 140 major research companies employing 39,000.  Because of this, Durham has faired well during recessions because of its education, medical and technology jobs.  As of November 2008, Durham can now boast the World-Class Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) the largest in the state.  Take in a show there and you won't be disappointed http://www.dpacnc.com/.
 
Chapel Hill is home to 100 working visual artists, scores of studios and galleries, two major art museums with unique collections, 13 performing arts venues, some of the region’s most successful, indigenous performing groups, more than 20 major festivals and events including 11 signature events with national or regional recognition, and numerous nightclubs and venues offering live entertainment. The  School district, which covers most of the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, along with portions of unincorporated Orange County, is recognized for its academic strengths. East Chapel Hill High School and Chapel Hill High School have received national recognition for excellence, with currently ranking East Chapel Hill High as the 77th best high school in the nation, and the highest ranked standard public high school in North Carolina . A third high school, , opened in 2007.

The town also shares with Carrboro a vibrant music scene. Cat's Cradle in Carrboro is often rated as one of the best clubs in the country for live music, and Local 506 and other Chapel Hill bars (such as the Cave, and Reservoir) often host local, national, and international acts in all genres. The Squirrel Nut Zippers, James Taylor, George Hamilton IV, Southern Culture on the Skids, Superchunk, Polvo and Ben Folds Five are among the notable musical acts whose careers began in Chapel Hill.

The Morehead Planetarium was, when it opened in 1949, one of only a handful of planetariums in the nation, and it has remained an important town landmark.