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Raleigh, NC

Leisure

Sophisticated Palate

Shopping in the Triangle has become a luxurious experience. The newest shopping malls in the area flaunt such upscale retailers as Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, while unique boutiques and specialty shops cluster around open-air plazas, some with movie theatres and office and residential space. Add to the mix an outstanding assortment of restaurants and cafés, and you’ll discover why Raleigh is so popular among shopping and dining connoisseurs.

In downtown alone, 110 blocks of shops, galleries, restaurants and cafés create a vibrant, eclectic canvas for shopping and dining, from the thriving Glenwood South area, to the Warehouse District, to City Market. (Visit www.downtownraleigh.org for some great suggestions!) You’ll also find an equally impressive selection of dining and shopping options no matter which direction you travel outside the Beltline.


Area Shopping Guide

Brier Creek Commons
8000-9000 Brier Creek Parkway, 27617
www.briercreekcommons.com

Strategically located at Brier Creek Parkway, U.S. 70 and Interstate 540, Brier Creek Commons offers 794,000 square feet of retail shops on 99 acres. It combines large anchor stores with a lifestyle center that includes a movie theatre, entertainment venues, restaurants, specialty shops and unique boutiques. Brier Creek Commons features Barnes & Noble, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Eastern Federal Cinemas, Home Goods, Michael’s Crafts, Petsmart, Target, TJ Maxx and Total Wine.

Cameron Village Shopping Center
1900 Cameron St., 27605
(919) 821-1350
www.shopsofcameronvillage.com

Nestled just inside the Beltline near downtown Raleigh, shady trees and covered brick walkways connect more than 100 stores at Raleigh’s oldest shopping center. In addition to its unique boutiques, national retail stores and various services, Cameron Village offers cafés and fine restaurants. Shops sell everything from shoes, books and jewelry to clothing, gifts and antiques.

Carolina Premium Outlets
1025 Industrial Park Dr., Suite 905
Smithfield 27577
(919) 989-8757
www.outletsonline.com/sefsnc.htm

Carolina Outlet Center, in nearby Smithfield, offers more than 75 outlet and factory stores, including Banana Republic, Eddie Bauer, Liz Claiborne, Polo Ralph Lauren and many more.

Cary Towne Center
1105 Walnut St., Suite 200
Cary 27511
(exit 291 from I-40)
(919) 460-1053
www.shopcarytownecentermall.com

Cary Towne Center has over 140 fabulous stores and eateries, making it truly a total shopping experience. The shopping center is home to five department stores — Belk, Dillard’s, Hecht’s, JCPenney and Sears — as well as stores like Ann Taylor Loft, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Bath & Body Works and Helzberg Diamonds.

City Market
www.citymarket.citysearch.com

Located in the heart of downtown Raleigh at Martin and Blount streets, historic City Market is home to art galleries, specialty shops and restaurants. The original cobblestone streets of Raleigh’s earliest outdoor marketplace are lit by lamps and filled with 19th-century charm.

Crabtree Valley Mall
4325 Glenwood Ave.
Raleigh 27612
(919) 787-8993
www.crabtree-valley-mall.com

For over 30 years, this Raleigh-area mall has provided shopping in an upscale environment with a unique mix of over 220 stores, many of which are exclusive to the region. Anchor stores include Belk, Hecht’s and Sears. The mall announced plans to replace its departing anchor, Lord & Taylor, with an extension that will include 30 new stores. These will join other national retailers such as Restoration Hardware, Ross-Simmons, Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, and Williams-Sonoma. A food court and several restaurants, from The Cheesecake Factory, to P.F. Chang’s, to Kanki Japanese Steak House, offer a taste and price to suit everyone.

Crossroads Plaza
213 Crossroads Blvd.
Cary 27511
(919) 233-8087
www.shopcrossroadsplaza.com

This open-air shopping center is home to more than 70 exciting stores, including many top retailers such as Old Navy; Marshall’s; Bed, Bath & Beyond; and REI. Several restaurants are located throughout the plaza, offering sushi, Italian and Cajun as well as fast food fare.

North Hills
Six Forks and Lassiter Mill Roads, Raleigh
(919) 833-7755
www.northhillsraleigh.com

The exquisitely renovated North Hills has been voted “Raleigh’s Favorite Shopping Center” by readers of Metro Magazine. North Hills is the region’s first Midtown district — a mixed-use project combining retail, office, dining, entertainment, hotel and residential facilities. North Hills has been called “Raleigh’s version of Madison Avenue” and features a unique collection of department stores and specialty shops, restaurants, a world-class athletic club, and a movie complex. The Alexan North Hills and The Lassiter condominiums are destined to become two of Raleigh’s most exclusive addresses.

Oak Park Shopping Center
6001 Glenwood Ave.
Raleigh 27609
(919) 787-0181
www.oakparkshops.com

A vintage, late-1950s shopping center, Oak Park was built to accommodate its namesake residential development nearby. For shoppers, the center has a diverse lineup of stores, friendly pubs and restaurants.

Prime Outlets at Morrisville
1001 Airport Blvd.
Morrisville 27560
(919) 380-8700
www.primeoutlets.com

Prime Outlets at Morrisville is an elegant, enclosed center with hardwood floors, an impressive food court and more than 20 of the nation’s most famous brand-name stores, including Bass Shoes, Saks Fifth Avenue (Off 5th), Samsonite, Nine West and Van Heusen.

State Farmers Market
1201 Agriculture St., 27603
(919) 733-7417
www.ncdamarkets.org

For seasonal fresh fruits, vegetables and plants from North Carolina’s farms, this market is the place to go. The 75-acre market sells over 300 different items, including preserves, baked goods, pork products and seafood. The market site includes restaurants and a garden center. Special events are planned throughout the year.


The Streets at Southpoint and Main Street
(919) 572-8808
www.thestreetsatsouthpoint.com

Located on Interstate 40 in Durham, the Streets at Southpoint is home to North Carolina’s first Nordstrom department store. The two-story, indoor shopping mall also features Belk, Hecht’s, JCPenney and Sears. The outdoor Main Street is anchored by a 16-screen movie theatre as well as specialty shops and restaurants.

Triangle Town Center & Commons
5959 Triangle Town Blvd.
Raleigh 27616
(919) 792-2020
www.triangletowncenter.com

The 1.3 million-square-foot Triangle Town Center is home to North Carolina’s only Saks Fifth Avenue department store. Located at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Interstate 540, Triangle Town Center also includes Belk, Dillard’s, Hecht’s and Sears, as well as 125 specialty shops and restaurants. Triangle Town Commons has a variety of restaurants and shops, including exclusive specialty retailers such as Bed, Bath & Beyond; Dick’s Sporting Goods; and Orvis.