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Founded in 1792 as the state capital of North Carolina, Raleigh offers an exciting glimpse into the Southeastern United States. Whether you're interested in its 200+ years of history, unique natural environment (home to the Venus flytrap! ), or the local cuisine, the city has something for everyone to explore.
For a comprehensive list of Raleigh activities and events, head to visitraleigh.com. But, if you're looking for recommendations, our local conference organizers suggest the following:
Recommendations
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is a natural history museum in downtown Raleigh with four floors of permanent and visiting exhibitions across two buildings. Open Monday through Sunday, the museum allows visitors to walk through North Carolina's natural history from prehistoric fossils to modern-day live animal and plant exhibits. The museum's special exhibit over ISCA 2026, Staying Alive, highlights the ingenuity of nature's self-defense arsenal through 17 exemplary live animal displays.
Marbles Kids Museum
The Marbles Kids Museum is a family-friendly downtown destination encouraging kids to learn through play with a variety of interactive exhibits. Learn about renewable energy sources like solar and wind in the EcoSphere exhibit, or create something new in the imagiFAB kid-friendly makerspace. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday to children age 0–11 and adults.
JC Raulston Arboretum
Situated just five minutes from NC State's campus in West Raleigh, the JC Raulston Arboretum is a botanic research garden open to the public free of charge 365 days a year. The arboretum features a number of themed gardens, including a Japanese garden, perennial border, and winter garden. Visitors can explore the 10.5-acre collection independently or follow a number of self-guided tours.