There are so many things to do in Cary, North Carolina that sometimes people don’t know where to start. So I have created this Downtown Cary one day itinerary tour of the downtown area just for you. Your bellies will be full of delicious food, your lives will be enriched with all of the culture available and your hearts will be filled with happy memories. Let’s get started together!
Stop #1 = Breakfast at La Farm Bakery
Begin your morning at the original La Farm Bakery, located on Cary Parkway. This authentic French bakery is the creation of Lionel Vatinet, a Master Baker and multiple award winner. The bakery offers daily specials and their mouth water house favorites. Everything from the classic french pastries to quiches and melt-in-your mouth sandwiches… no one leaves La Farm hungry. You can even grab their scone mix to go, along with many other pre-packaged treats that you can enjoy at home. You. Will. Thank. Me.
Stop #2 – Bond Park
Now that your belly is happy, take a super short drive over to Bond Park, located on High House Road. This park attracts folks from so many towns for its picturesque lake, miles of walking/hiking trails, outdoor exercise equipment, fishing, pedal boats, kayaks, canoes, picnic areas and a big grassy field for kite flying. You can enjoy summer concerts, food trucks and more here. This can be an all day destination unto itself, but we have more to see. So onward we go!
Stop #3 – The Cary Downtown Park (opening 2023)
In the heart of downtown Cary is the brand new Downtown Park. This urban oasis will include a state-of-the-art children’s playground, a dog park complete with a Bark Bar (enjoyed by humans & pups alike), game courts for friendly competitions, native gardens and a large event lawn to watch entertainment on. Just steps away is the downtown library, if you should fancy a book to read on a bench under one of the trees. Once this opens in the fall, it will be THE destination for downtown Cary.
Stop #4 – Cary Arts Center
Across the street from the downtown park and library is the Cary Arts Center. It is the historic home of the original Cary High School dating back to the 1870s. You can find outstanding gallery exhibitions from local artists, try your hand at an art class or even see a performance in the theater. The possibilities are endless.
Stop #5 – Lunch at Di Fara Pizza Tavern
People who know good pizza… (I mean really good NYC style pizza)… those people know the one true destination is Di Fara Pizza Tavern. This pizzeria has its origins in the heart of NYC and brought their award winning, mouth watering, super-sized pizza to North Carolina! Barstool Sports rated this pizza a DOUBLE 9.4 out of 10. Chef’s kiss ;-*
Stop #6 – Page Walker Arts & History Center
This was the original railroad hotel built by the founder of Cary, Allison Francis Page. Enjoy the Cary Heritage Museum, walking the beautiful grounds, taking in an art exhibit and maybe even taking a class. Page Walker is history at its best!
Stop #7 – Downtown Murals
We love our local artists in Cary. We love them so much that they are commissioned to create breathtaking murals for all to see on our historical buildings and throughout the town. Grab your camera and snap your post-worthy memories of the “Cary Then & Now” mural, or the “All Aboard” mural or any of the many others sprinkled throughout downtown! They’re so amazing!
Stop #8 – The Cary Theater
Do not miss the newly renovated, historic, first indoor movie theater of Cary! Just looking at the building from the street will bring you back to a simpler time! Catch a film festival, classic film or a local theatrical or dance performance. There is a coffee house attached for a sweet treat or pick-me-up. Totally worth the stop!
Stop #9 – Pre-Dinner Drinks at Bond Brothers Brewery
This brewery literally put downtown Cary back on the map. This tasty stop was named USA Today’s Best New Brewery in the country! It’s a craft brewery, taproom and beer garden all in one. They host different food trucks every night of the week and have such a large selection of beers. They are kid and dog friendly (with family games, outdoor activities and dog water bowls everywhere!) Truly the most fun stop for your evening!)
Stop #10 – Dinner at Scratch Kitchen & Taproom
OH MY southern food! They have some of the absolute tastiest combination of eclectic flavors with a southern twist that you will leave full, happy and wanting more! People go just for the Scratch Fries, Lobster Mac & Cheese and their desserts in a mason jar! Truly mouthwater, finger licking good!!
BONUS STOP – Fresh Local Ice Cream
If you still have room for dessert, or can squeeze this in somewhere else throughout the day, do not miss Fresh Local Ice Cream. A mom & pop ice cream shop with so many flavors to choose from… you may not know where to start! (Family favorites: Midnight Brownie Crunch, Carolina Crunch & Blueberry) They even have vegan options for me!!
So the next time that you’re visiting Cary and need a tour guide’s itinerary of what to do in downtown, be sure to follow the list above. Let me know what you think if you do follow along. Clearly I couldn’t fit all of the amazing downtown options into one day, so you will see the honorable mentions listed below.
Welcome to Cary, North Carolina! Sit a spell… It’s nice to see you!
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
- Lunch @ Ashworth Drugs Classic Soda Fountain
- High Tea or Cocktails @ The Mayton Inn
- Brews & Food Trucks @ Cotton House
- Coffee & Treats @ Esteamed Coffee House
- Sandwiches @ Serendipity Cafe
- Desserts @ Once In A Blue Moon Bakery & Cafe
- Bagels @ Big Dom’s Bagel Shop
- Pub Food @ Crosstown Pub & Grill
- Italian @ Pro’s Epicurean
- Authentic Chinese @ Taipei 101
- Cocktails @ Sidebar
- Pizza @ Faulisi’s Pizzeria
- Tasty Grub @ Hank’s Downtown Dive
- Champagne Bubbly @ RBF
