The days of shooting pool in a run-down, hole-in-the-wall bar are long gone thanks to the professionals at Brown's Billiards.
At Brown's everyone takes the game of billiards seriously, and that fact is obvious when you walk into their classy establishment. You'll find ten full-size tournament tables, high sitting benches and a raised bar area to make it easy for your friends to watch you make that incredible shot. There's also a fully stocked bar, a great kitchen and grill serving up everything from nachos to burgers, and special sections for patrons to enjoy poker and darts.
If just riding your bike isn't quite enough for you, let your inner daredevil come to the surface at Capital City BMX. The BMX Track races are organized according to age groups and skill levels to ensure fair but always dramatic competition. The BMX program is sanctioned by the American Bicycle Association. Spectators are admitted for free.
The Carolina Hurricanes hit the ice every season and not only do they live up to their name as they storm the opposing team's goal line, but they also stir up their fans in the stands with a ferocity that equals a force worthy of their name.
And not only do these accomplished players manage to steer the puck into the net and put points on the board for themselves, they also make time to help area groups and charities. This sports team is all about proving they know the value of their fans and what's important to them, and the significance of giving back to their community.
Raleigh's Minor League Baseball team, the Carolina Mudcats, work hard to bring the magic to the diamond every spring.
With a faithful and ever-growing fan base, the players and coaches work hard to not only win games, but to provide a great afternoon or evening of sports action and family fun. There are always lots of great activities going on at the stadium like Philanthropy Friday Canned Food Drives to benefit the local food bank, baseball clinics for kids, fireworks displays after selected games and awesome giveaways during home games. So batter-up and get set for some great family fun with the Mudcats!
The Carolina Rollergirls are the original Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) league of Raleigh. Founded in Jan. 2004, it has been their mission to bring an alternative sport to Raleigh while training for national roller derby competition. Watch the Carolina Rollergirls compete at Dorton Arena at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds.
In addition to constantly reaching for academic excellence, the University of Carolina at Chapel Hill takes great pride in its athletic program, represented by the various sports and events that involve the participation of the men and women known as the Carolina Tar Heels.
Whether its men's or women's baseball, football, basketball, cross country or fencing - just to name a few - a winning attitude and the highest level of sportsmanship are clearly in display as the student athletes put forth their best efforts to maintain a standard of exceptional performance and a relentless pursuit of victory.
Raleigh has long been considered a city in a park, and it lives up to that reputation with its lush foliage and greenery that give the city a truly natural essence. The City of Raleigh Parks offers a wide-array of parks and facilities.
And, because of those natural surroundings, the area features nearly 60 miles of recreation trails, many of them unique facilities that make up the city's park system. Such trails as the Allegheny, the Brentwood and the Durant trails all provide inviting opportunities to hike, run or walk through some of the most naturally enticing corners of Raleigh.
Splash into your vacation by taking an invigorating swim at the Falls Lake State Recreational Area. It's one of the largest recreational facilities in the state and offers a wide variety of activities like camping, biking, and fishing in addition to swimming. Also, there are plentiful picnic and playground areas, ensuring that every member of your family will find fun either in or out of the water.
If delving below the water's surface has always been something you've wanted to do but never knew where to start, let the pros at Fantasy Lake Scuba Park lead you on an underwater adventure you'll never forget!
The park is the largest of its kind on the east coast, and it offers a wide range of scuba diving recreational activities. Situated in a scenic, 100-acre natural environment, there's indescribable beauty both above and below the water's surface that you'll just have to see for yourself!
Kings Bowl America formerly Sparians has been purchased by Kings Bowl America and is now closed. Kings North Hills is now open featuring new ownership, new management, a complete redesign, new made-from-scratch menu and much more!
The North Carolina FC are a professional soccer team competing in the North American Soccer League, and play home matches at WakeMed Soccer Park where they have played since 2007.
The North Carolina State University Wolfpack's athletic teams compete in 24 intercollegiate varsity sports. Carter-Finley Stadium is the home of NC State football and also plays host to the N.C. High School Athletic Association state championship games.
Put the pedal to the metal at the Rush Hour Karting track. This is a fun, state-of-the-art indoor raceway, where you can get your kart to go as fast as 40 miles per hour as you compete for the best time and the championship title!
Shelley Lake is a 53-acre lake/park combination that features plenty of outdoor fun, with two miles of paved, scenic greenway trails that also include exercise stations along the way.
Enjoy fishing, canoeing, sailing and row-boating on the lake; there is a fee for boat rentals. Come out and enjoy a brisk walk or maybe a romantic boat ride and stay and watch the sun set with your family or that special someone.
Racing fans will be all revved up to catch the sports action at the Wake County Speedway as the schedule of races gets underway from April until late August.
It's a family friendly environment, and the no-alcohol rule ensures that the fun will be strictly monitored and safe. The only drama will be on the speedway, as all the drivers vie to finish first under the checkered flag.
If gazing at Raleigh's natural beauty from behind a set of bike handlebars is more to your liking, then the perfect place to pedal is the William B. Umstead State Park.
Underneath the hardwood pines, you'll be able to have your choice of canoeing, picnicking, horseback riding, mountain biking and other recreation activities. Along the 22 miles of trails in this gem of a park, you'll see a side of Raleigh that will captivate you, no doubt enticing you to return on a regular basis.