Routes to Raleigh: Dashing from the North
Let’s say that, hypothetically, one or more of you fine folks would choose to road trip to our beautiful city for the Bash. Boy, do we have a (hypothetical) itinerary for you! Parts two and three to follow shortly.
Road Trip Itinerary. Vancouver, BC to Raleigh, NC.
Read time: 5min
(1) Starting Point: Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Financial District. Getty, https://bit.ly/vancouverstockphoto.
To Do: Stanley Park, an absolutely massive 1,000-acre urban park in Vancouver’s backyard. Head over in the morning and spend a few hours exploring the zoo, beaches, and aquarium.
To Eat: Kissa Tanto, tucked away in the upper story of a faded building in Chinatown you’ll find one of the city’s hottest supper clubs. Kissa Tanto fuses the flavors of Japan with the warmth of Italian cooking.
To Drink: The Diamond, a cocktail lounge in the heart of Gastown with an old soul. The Diamond is a cool, laid-back place to meet a friend for a cocktail and apps. Additional fun fact, it was given number 17 in a roundup of the top 50 bars in Canada.
(2) Seattle, Washington
To Stay: Ace Hotel Seattle, a boutique hotel set in former maritime workers' lodging. This trendy hotel in the Belltown district is a nine-minute walk from both Pike Place Market and Olympic Sculpture Park.
To Do: Pike Place Market, home to more than 200 artisans selling everything from homemade baked goods to hand-thrown ceramics.
To Eat: Pestle Rock, Serving up Thai cuisine in the heart of Ballard, Pestle Rock is a culinary gem. Most are used to the taste of Bangkok-style Thai food, think Pad Thai, but don’t come here looking for that. Pestle Rock specializes in Thai food from Isan, known for its pungent, spicy dishes.
To Drink: La Marzocco Cafe, a chic coffee shop slinging beans from around the world and bites from The London Plane.
(3) Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis Skyline at Dusk. Getty, https://bit.ly/minnstockphoto.
To Stay: Alma Hotel, a 15-minute walk from the central downtown area, Alma is a beautiful, boho-styled boutique hotel. Bonus: the hotel’s restaurant sources its produce seasonally from local organic growers and makers.
To Do: Minneapolis Institute of Art, home to more than 90,000 art pieces, MIA is one of the largest art museums in the U.S.
To Eat: Named after two grandmothers, Sooki and Mimi is James Beard Award-Winning chef, Ann Kim's, newest restaurant located in the uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis.
To Drink: Meteor, in their own words, “An old ass bar with good ass drinks.” Enough said.
(4) Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin. iStock, https://bit.ly/madisonstockphoto.
To Stay: Graduate Madison, located just a block from the university’s campus, Graduate is set alongside Lake Mendota on historic Langdon Street, and just around the corner from Memorial Union Terrace.
To Do: Captial Farmers Market, if you happen to be there on a Saturday morning—on the drive back, perhaps—check out the Danes County Farmers Market around the capital building. There is a large variety of vendors; you can even eat breakfast combining the carts. Enjoy a picnic of your goodies on the capital grass!
To Eat: The Old Fashioned, paying tribute to all things Wisconsin. From cheese curds to 50 local beers on tap, they have it all.
To Drink: Showcasing new and innovative spirits from microdistilleries around the Midwest, The Robin Room is a cozy cocktail hangout in a retro space.
(5) Charleston, South Carolina
To Stay: Hotel Emeline, a trendy boutique hotel located in a restored estate from 1852. The hotel is a minute’s walk from the Charleston City Market and a mile from The Battery defensive seawall. Bonus, doggos welcome!
To Do: The Battery, a pedestrian-only walkway and park along Charleston’s waterfront. You’ll find Charleston’s famous Pineapple Fountain here. Pineapples are a symbol of welcoming in the south, and this fountain is one of the most visited sites in the city.
To Eat: Leon’s Oyster Shop, a relaxed seafood joint serving oysters, southern-style meals, and fried chicken in a cool space with a patio.
To Drink: Félix, a Parisian-inspired cocktail bar and small plates restaurant in the heart of Charleston.
Welcome to Raleigh, Northerners!
