Raleigh: North Carolina’s state capital and one aspect of the famous Research Triangle Park (also including Durham and Chapel Hill). It isn’t most people’s first thought when they think of “must take” photos – nothing like the Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower of Pisa, or the Grand Canyon. While Raleigh might not be on the top list of places to visit, there are some incredible places to take pictures in Raleigh that are just as amazing – maybe even more so because there are many fewer people!
P. S. Every place on this either is or should be wheelchair accessible unless otherwise stated.
Also, some of these are totally, completely edited. Most of my photos aren’t edited to the degree that some of these are, but I was having tons of fun, and they will still provide plenty of inspiration for you. I think you’ll be able to spot them.
Flower-Filled Places to Take Pictures in Raleigh
I’ll be honest, the first thing that comes to my head when I imagine beautiful pictures is flowers, color, and nature-filled shots. That’s why I’ve started with the best flower fields and places to see flowers in Raleigh. Keep in mind that Raleigh gets super cold in the winter – so most places do not have any sort of color from about December to March. The exact times flowers will be blooming varies, so keep that in mind when photo-hunting. Even without flowers, these places are fun to explore – and fun to take pictures of!
Dorothea Dix Park
Dorothea Dix Park is Raleigh’s largest city park at 308 acres! They host dozens of events from yoga and tai chi to scavenger hunts and walking tours. There are plenty of places to take pictures in Raleigh at Dorothea Dix just because of its sheer size, but my favorite places for photos are the Sunflower Field and Flowers Field. Every March Flowers Field blooms with daffodils, and in the summer the sunflower field overflows with, well, sunflowers. Flowers Field is off Umstead Drive (behind the Flower Cottage) and near the historic cemetery – the sunflowers are planted in the field on the opposite side off Hunt Drive. The park provides a great map for when you arrive.
If you’d like to visit the park for photos outside of flower blooming times, there is a view of downtown people love to photograph from Flowers Field and plenty of greenery otherwise.
Address: 2105 Umstead Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603
Parking: During business hours M-F, park visitors are to use Public Parking only. All parking lots are available to park visitors weeknights & weekends.
Hours: Daily from dawn to dusk
JC Raulston Arboretum
There are buds in bloom year-round at NC State’s living laboratory – that’s right! The arboretum serves as both a classroom and lab for students, scientists, and the general public. Not only is it a nationally acclaimed garden, but it also has one of the largest and diverse collections of adapted landscape plants in the Southeast – which make for a beautiful place to take pictures in Raleigh! Not matter when you go, you’ll find something blooming, but if you want specific ideas they keep you updated with what’s showing! They even hold special photography classes and events throughout the year.
Address: 4415 Beryl Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606
Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-4:30pm and Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm
Juniper Level Botanic Garden
Juniper Level is a large 28-acre garden with three main garden areas for display. There are also art installations, small waterfalls, and houses to see! It’s a great place to take pictures in Raleigh because of the serene nature and variety of plants. Keep in mind they have strict rules about the types of photos you can take (personal and non-commercial use).
Pro tip: While there are some things in bloom during the winter, for best flower photos you should wait for the spring and summer weekends.
Address: 9249 Sauls Rd, Raleigh, NC 27603
Hours: Open to the public eight weekends per year (can arrange a private tour or visit another time. Be aware they have some problematic language on their site (i. e., ableism). Hours Fridays and Saturdays are 8am – 5pm and Sundays 1pm – 5pm. The remaining weekends this year are the weekends of April 30, May 7, July 16, July 23, September 17, and September 24.
Raleigh Little Theatre’s Rose Garden
The Rose Garden behind Raleigh Little Theatre is a popular spot for families, students, and photographers alike. The grounds have 60 beds of roses including hybrid teas, antique roses, miniatures, and more. It’s surrounded by trees, an amphitheater, stone shelter, fountain, and arbor that contribute to making this place one of my personal favorite places to take pictures in Raleigh. There’s just something magical about it – I’d tell you some of the ideas for photos I had, but I don’t want to spoil the surprise for when I can do them!
Many people flock their to have picnics or sit under the sun, so it may get crowded on nice days – even more so if it’s a weekend with a show at the theatre. There is lots of parking around the garden on the street above, but make sure to read the signs for where and when you can park. The garden is in the middle of a few neighborhoods, so bear that in mind if you choose to walk around searching for more photo spots.
Address: 2703 Everett Ave, Raleigh, NC 27607
Hours: 24/7 365 days a year. Best enjoyed from April (at the earliest – best blooms in May) to October (or the first frost).
WRAL Azalea Gardens
The Azalea Gardens is free (parking too!), public, and located in between NC State’s Main and Centennial campuses. It’s an excellent place to take pictures in Raleigh because it’s 1.5-acres of concentrated color (when the flowers are blooming). If you want azaleas in particular, spring and fall are when they are in full bloom, but there are other buds throughout the summer as well. The rest of the grounds encompass another 3.5-acres for more photo expedition fun too.
There are over 60 varieties of azaleas, including natives and Encores, plus dozens more plants and flowers that have been added over the years.
Address: 2619 Western Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27606
Hours: Daily from dawn to dusk
Downtown Raleigh Places to Take Pictures
The downtown area of cities are always super popular among visitors and residents alike, which is one reason they strive to make downtown areas full of places to take pictures. Raleigh is no exception! This list is only a small portion of places to take pictures in Raleigh, but they are some great stops. (For the best photos, my favorite spots aren’t even downtown – I like natural places like gardens.)
Note: Parking downtown can be difficult, and it’s often pay-only. Keep that in mind when visiting.
All Are Welcome Mural
I’ve loved this mural since it first appeared in 2015. It was planned and painted in the midst of HB2, and the owner of the building reached out to artist Luke Buchanan to put something up to signify their displeasure with the new law. It was revamped in 2019 because the message still holds true today. Residents and visitors alike love stopping to take a photo to the “entrance to downtown.” (As a resident, I totally don’t call it that, but I see the appeal.)
Address: 428 S McDowell St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Hours: 24/7 365 days a year
Boylan Bridge
People absolutely love this place to take pictures in Raleigh. The bridge provides a nice view of downtown Raleigh, and it’s a favorite spot for many. Personally, it isn’t my favorite nor would I make it a priority, but it’s a great industrial shot and place for portraits. I like the train tracks on the other side of the bridge too!
Address: 234 S Boylan Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603
Hours: 24/7 365 a year, but best at dusk and dawn. There is a restaurant less than a block away for parking and refreshments, and parking scattered throughout the area.
City Market Raleigh
City Market is a lovely cobblestoned area downtown that (usually) has pretty lights strung over head. It’s not as big or impressive as it could be, but it’s still cute. From 1914 until 1957 (the new Farmer’s Market and, you know, the advent of supermarkets made it unnecessary), the market was a hub for families and friends to picnic and grocery shop. It’s a great place to take pictures in Raleigh because of it’s old-timey charm infused with modern stores and restaurants. It’s also on the National Register of Historic Places if you are interested in that!
Address: 306 Parham Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Hours: Business hours vary, but the area is technically always open.
Marbles Kid’s Museum
A kids museum might sound like an odd place to take pictures in Raleigh, but it has two great places outside to take pictures. For a colorful pop, there is an exciting geometric mirror – and for sleek metal with a fun flair, make sure to visit the museum during closing hours because their gates are an awesome backdrop!
The colorful mural is at the corner of E. Morgan Street and S. Blount Street, while the gate is at the entrance to the courtyard area. If you can’t visit outside of opening hours, you should still be able to take some cool pictures with them open.
Address: 201 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Hours: The museum is open 10am-5pm Wednesday to Sunday, but the outside areas for cool photos are technically always open.
Nash Square Park
If you want a little green space in this concrete jungle, there are a couple of parks to take pictures in downtown Raleigh – but the best one is Nash Square Park. There are plenty of trees, rest areas, and places to take pictures in Nash Square. It’s also a great place to rest for a little while on your photo adventure!
For a limited (unknown) time, Berkeley the Squirrel will reside at Nash Square. Berkeley was carved from a 90-foot willow oak that was thought to be about 120 years old. Age and disease were causing it to lose limbs, so artist Corey Lancaster carved it into Berkeley!
Address: 200 S McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Hours: All day everyday! But be wary about visiting late at night as it is downtown.
North Carolina State Capital Building
The state capitol building is a popular place to take pictures in Raleigh, but I must admit – it’s not a favorite of mine (but remember, I just really like nature spots). It’s the Greek Revival style of architecture completed in 1840 and another National Historic Landmark building. It’s best shot at dawn or dusk, like most photos, but it holds especially true here so you can get the details of the building.
Address: 1 E. Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Hours: Since this stop is mostly for outdoor photos, you can go anytime.
North Raleigh Places to Take Pictures
Raleigh is a big city – too big if you ask my mother. She strongly believes we should be broken into smaller areas! Partly because you can drive over 30 minutes to get to somewhere that still has a Raleigh address – that’s where the “North” Raleigh designation comes in. There are some lovely outdoor spaces just a little ways away from the downtown area and NC State campus, where many of these locations are.
Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park
A 157-acre gift to the city of Raleigh, Dr. Wilkerson stipulated that this park be used primarily for nature and wildlife education. There are three short trails to explore and take photos, plus a Mountains-to-Sea Connector trail. There’s also a native plant garden and nature play area where you can explore.
There are trees, fields, meadows, and a cute farm pond to see, photograph, and pose with. Plenty of wildlife too!
Address: 5229 Awls Haven Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday hours are 10am to dusk and Sunday hours are 1pm to dusk (closed Monday).
Durant Nature Preserve
Durant Nature Preserve is 237-acres of trails, trees, and more. Two lakes, wildflowers, five miles of trails, picnic areas/shelters, wetlands, a steam – this nature preserve has a ton of places to take pictures in Raleigh. There’s even a lodge, butterfly garden, and bird garden! I especially love the changing colors in the fall.
Address: 8305 Camp Durant Road, Raleigh, NC 27614
Hours: Daily 7am to dusk.
Falls Lake/Neuse River Greenway
Falls Lake is a State Recreation Area of seven access points around the shoreline of a 12,000-acre undeveloped reservoir. Each access point is a park, and technically none are in Raleigh. However, the Neuse River Greenway runs from Fall Lake Dam near Falls Lake Recreation Area through Raleigh to Clayton. The Greenway is one of the great places to take pictures in Raleigh because of the plentiful wildlife and river views. Not to mention, it’s the longest greenway trail in North Carolina and a segment of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. If you don’t want to drive all the way to the recreation area, there are plenty of access points closer to true Raleigh addresses – but you’ll be quite close to Falls Lake if you are in North Raleigh anyway!
Address: For the start of the greenway – Falls Lake Tailrace Parking, 12101 Old Falls of Neuse Rd, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Raleigh accesses: Buffaloe Road Athletic Park, 5812 Buffaloe Road, Raleigh, NC 27616
Anderson Point Park, 20 Anderson Point Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610
Hours: Technically open 24/7
More Places to Take Pictures in Raleigh
These spots are strewn about Raleigh, grouped neither by location or theme – but they are still amazing places to take pictures in Raleigh!
Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest
At 245 acres, Schenck Memorial Forest is mostly used by students and the college (NC State) as a research and teaching forest. However, it makes for a nice place to take pictures in Raleigh because it’s a little hub of serenity in the middle of a city – that, and it’s not widely used. It’s mostly trees and wildlife, not much color other than green, so it you are looking for color or industrial vibes, this location definitely isn’t the place. But it a few trails, a stream, and education spots for the weary photographer in need of a break.
Address: 5101-5667 Reedy Creek Rd Raleigh, NC 27607 (parking isn’t great)
Hours: 7am – 9pm daily
Free Expression Tunnel
Another awesome place to take pictures in Raleigh is the Free Expression Tunnel on NC State campus. It was first opened in 1939 as a pedestrian tunnel, and by the 60s the university was promoting it as a place for students to create art (instead of other, illegal places on campus). There isn’t always something amazing in the tunnel, but it’s always worth checking out to see if you can get some cool shots. Do be aware that if there is a special event or sports game, the tunnel with either be painted as a blank slate (out of respect) or with rival teams logos/colors/etc. (as a prank).
Address: The exact address is 2553 Yarbrough Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, but you can’t drive straight to it without a pass. Park (usually paid) at either Tally Student Union or somewhere on Hillsborough street and use your GPS to walk there.
Hours: 24/7
Historic Oakwood Cemetery
Oakwood Cemetery is an incredible 72-acre plot of land filled with memorials, statues, paved paths, and even a House of Memory (yes, I’m making a Panic! reference in the middle of a cemetery description). Interspersed between burials, monuments, and decorations, this garden cemetery has flora throughout. You can come alone or join one of the many tours they offer to take full advantage of this historic place to take pictures in Raleigh.
Address: 701 Oakwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27601
Hours: Seven days a week 8am – 5pm EST, 8am – 6pm Daylight Savings Time
Museum Park at the North Carolina Museum of Art
The museum park outside the NC Museum of Art is an incredible place to take pictures in Raleigh. For me, there is something calming about it, and it’s spread out enough not to worry too much about other people getting into your images or vice versa (unless there is an event). The park connects people, art, and nature in a way that promotes creativity and serenity. It features so many things from public art installations, environmentally sustainable landscapes, and colorful gardens to miles of recreational trails and a terraced pond. You can even “choose your own adventure” and step into other worlds (i.e., cloud chamber).
Address: 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
Hours: Daily from dawn to dusk
Pullen Park
Pullen Park is a 66.4 acre park in the center of the city. Incredible, right? It’s North Carolina’s first public park and the fifth oldest operating amusement park in the country too! Pullen Park is one of the popular places to take pictures in Raleigh because it has so many wonderful backdrops – a carousel, train, pedal boats, arts center, café, gazebo, and lake! Not to mention the special events and decorations they put up routinely, or the pops of color planted throughout the park. Photographers and Instagrammers will be hard-pressed to get bored in this park.
Address: 520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh, NC 27606
Hours: Daily 10am – 6pm
Raleigh Market/State Fairgrounds
The Raleigh Market and/or Fairgrounds (depending on the day/time of year) is a great place to take pictures in Raleigh for people who like to people watch. There aren’t great portrait areas, but because this area is well-trafficked, there are plenty of “people in the wild” photos to capture. If you really want, you can even explore and probably find some pretty cool spots to take portraits or Instagram-worthy photos. Joy.
Address: 4285 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
Hours: Market hours are Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm except for select weekends in October for the fair. However, the whole grounds often has gates open other times (business hours) so check if you’d like to check it out without people.
St. Agnes Hospital
Before you visit this incredible place to take photos in Raleigh, please be sure to know and understand the history. Established in 1896, St. Agnes Hospital was hand-built by students in the aftermath of slavery to provide medical care and training to Black residents of Raleigh. In 1918, there was a global flu, and the Black community relied on this hospital since they were still “separate but equal.”
Now that the hospital is closed, floors, doors, roofs, and windows are all gone. Only the floor level is “accessible,” and ivy and trees are overtaking it. Part of it’s allure is the visceral emotions and what this spot is a reminder of. On that note, please be respectful of the hospital when visiting.
Address: While it doesn’t have an exact address, you can go to 1315 Oakwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27610. This address is an ATM, but the hospital is .1-miles down Oakwood Avenue. It’s also next to Oakwood Cemetery.
Hours: It’s been gated with “No Trespassing” signs, but there are sponsored times the community is encouraged to visit.
William B. Umstead State Park
Umstead State Park is a series of trails, creeks, access areas, picnic areas, and general state park-related things surrounding three man made lakes. There are more than 20 miles of trails to take amazing pictures in Raleigh, and you’ll get to choose from various wildflowers, trees, shrubs, and beavers if you are lucky (not to mention the dozens of bird species birding photographers might like).
Address: 8801 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27617 or 2100 N. Harrison Ave, Cary, NC 27513
Hours: November to February 8am – 6pm, March to April 8am – 8pm, May to August 8am – 9pm, September to October 8am – 8pm. Closed Christmas Day
Yates Mill County Park
Finally, another one of my favorite places to take pictures in Raleigh. Yates Mill County Park has plenty of draws for the interested photographer including wildlife, gardens, trails, a lake, and visitors, but it’s crowning glory is the fully restored (circa 1756) gristmill. I love the whole area, and the bridge across the water, but to head straight to the mill from the parking area turn left. I’d say more, but I don’t want to spoil it because it’s such a lovely spot.
Address: 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd, Raleigh, NC 27603
Hours: Daily, 8am – sunset
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Ahh, these are all such gorgeous picks! I’d love to visit them all someday!
I hope you can too!
Thank you! Fingers crossed! NC is such a pretty state.