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Town in North Carolina, United States
Photo: Government & Heritage Library, State Library of NC from Raleigh, NC, United States, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Wake Forest is a town in Franklin and Wake Counties of North Carolina, immediately to the north of the state capital Raleigh. With a population just over 41,000 that primarily commutes to work in the Research Triangle Park, the town is the 9th fastest growing municipality in the state of North Carolina. On first approach, it doesn't look much different from the other satellite cities and towns surrounding the Research Triangle: a sometimes congested central highway passes through shopping centers and restaurants around which are clustered sprawling residential neighborhoods. Gently rolling hills are dotted with green, a reminder of the feature for which the town is named. However, leaving the highway and driving downtown reveals an area frozen at a particular point in time. The town is primarily known for its historic character, but also for outdoor activities in the Falls Lake Recreation Area.
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A multi-use facility, the Factory offers shopping, dining, and many activities, from ice skating at the Polar Ice House to indoor soccer and lacrosse at the MVP Sports Center Soccerplex to skateboarding at the Factory Skateboard Park to tanning at Tan Elegance.
The museum collects and displays the history of the town and the historic university born there.
Cultural arts and event venue with bookable event and meeting space that is the frequent site of exhibits, concerts, plays, recitals, and conferences.
In the area once called "Faculty Avenue," a cluster of historic buildings line a quiet street. The Historic Preservation Society of Wake Forest occasionally offers walking tours of some of these properties, including the popular biennial Christmas Historic Home Tour.
Falls Lake, a 12,410-acre (50 km²) reservoir located in Durham, Wake, and Granville counties in North Carolina, offers multiple access points for hiking, camping, boating, mountain biking, fishing and swimming in Wake Forest, where the state recreation area is housed. With fees varying by location, there are more than 300 campsites in the park, ranging from RV accommodation to group campsites to individual, self-supplied tents. There are five swim areas. It is part of the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail.
Open to the public year round with 18-hole and 9-hole options.
18-holes in a semi-private club with public access
9-hole course established in 1907 in historic Wake Forest
A chain born in the nearby city of Smithfield, this vintage-themed fast food restaurant serves very authentic North Carolina pulled pork barbecue with a vinegar-based sauce as well as traditional Southern fried chicken. Deep fried hush puppies and sweet iced tea complete the package. There is not much on offer here, though, for vegetarians or those seeking healthier fare.
An American drive-in fast-food restaurant chain based in Oklahoma, Sonic offers burgers, hot dogs and related fares including a wide variety of shakes and flavored ice drinks. Food is served to diners in their cars.
Backfins Crab House is a low-key seafood place in Wake Forest known for excellent food and sometimes slow service.
A local institution with five locations through the Research Triangle, Brigs serves upscale breakfast and lunch, with options ranging from shrimp and grits (a Southern classic) to homemade crab cakes with a horseradish-parsley Hollandaise sauce to blue-berry stuffed French toast and beyond. Their fare can pack the calories, but they do offer sensible selections as well.
Born in the Carolinas, the Carolina Ale House now spreads its sports bars across 6 states. This location offers the usual steak, burgers, chicken and similar food with lots of oversized televisions displaying sports and a full bar menu.
Georgia-born pizza chain serving a variety of customizable, hand-made pies.
The White Street Brewing Co., founded in Wake Forest in 2012, has a taproom downtown pouring their original brews seven days a week. In addition, they sell kegs and cases.
An all-suite hotel offering extended stay, Candlewood Suites Wake Forest hosts an evening reception on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Smoke-free hotel with free wi-fi in rooms offers a free hot breakfast and is within walking distance of one of the more popular breakfast and lunch hotels in Wake Forest. Hotel has a salt water pool, usable seasonally when weather permits.
Home built in 1901 is within walking distance of downtown Wake Forest. Smoke-free. Breakfast is offered from 9-10AM each morning. Rooms are traditional with en suite bathrooms. Free wi-fi is offered.
A non-profit organization that hosts a wide variety of vendors selling locally produced food while also offering educational events around food production
By car
By bus
Go Wake Forest bus service offers routes that loop around Wake Forest and also an express connection to Raleigh, with stops at the Triangle Town Center shopping mall, the State Government, and the…
By train
There is no train service in Wake Forest. The nearest station is in Raleigh.
The immediate downtown area can be walked, but Wake Forest is a sprawling area best traveled by car. If you are visiting the area there are several car rental locations nearby at RDU International Airport.
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Raleigh/Durham · International · RDU
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