A Weekend Wandering the Triangle
books, and gardens, and chai—oh my!
This past weekend, I packed my bags and headed to Chapel Hill to visit a friend, and we made the absolute most out of the weekend exploring the best that the Triangle has to offer. From sipping chai teas to venturing into independent bookstores and lollygagging in gardens, the whole trip went by in a flash. Here’s the full scoop if you’re planning a weekend visit or are a local wanting some extra plans for a Saturday or Sunday.
Day 1: The Chais (and Art, and Rooftops)
We began our adventure with a morning visit to Isaac’s Bagels, a cozy spot known for hearty breakfast sandwiches. I opted for the egg and sausage, hold the cheese as my lactose-intolerant self has learned to do. We ate our bagels at the little sage green tables on the side of their building. It hit the spot with the right amount of saltiness and fluffiness.
Next up, we hit the North Carolina Museum of Art, which is basically a playground for adults. We hopped on the musical swings (yes, swings that make music as you sway!), wandered through the dreamy outdoor sculpture park, and gawked at everything from modern mirror installations to a remarkable collection of bronze statues. We were especially drawn to a sweetly pensive cherub statue which was elegantly carved and lit just right. This museum blends art and atmosphere with rare ease.
We made a pit stop at Lucky Tree, a café that doubles as a local art gallery. The iced chai with oat milk earned a solid three out of five stars (not groundbreaking, but certainly refreshing). The ambiance, however, was warm and welcoming, with mismatched chairs and handmade mugs adding to the charm.
Dinner brought us to Juju, where the crispy Brussels sprouts stole the show with their perfect caramelization and sweetness. We also ordered the fried chicken buns, which were light yet flavorful. To close the evening, we climbed to the rooftop at The Velvet Hippo for city views and conversation, followed by a few rounds of pool at The High Dive.
Day 2: The Books (and Boats and Botanicals)
We kicked off our second day with a chai at Guglhupf. Another three out of five stars for me, this one with a nutty aftertaste that was quietly refreshing. However, the icing on their vegan oatmeal cookie stole the show. It was light, sweet, and unexpected.
Fueled and ready, we headed to Bond Lake to rent a two-person pedal boat where we pedaled our way across gentle ripples, watching fish leap from the water and ibis wade elegantly at the edges.
From there, we made our way to the North Carolina Botanical Gardens. If you’ve never been, go. Immediately. The flower displays were bursting with color, a whole section was devoted to herbs, and winding hiking paths lined the outskirts of the property. Every twist and turn on the pathway only brought more beauty. We lingered among the wildflowers, took photos beneath leafy arches, and breathed in the scent of spring on the breeze.
Our next destination was a bookish one: Epilogue on Franklin Street. It’s a cozy bookstore and café hybrid where many books display handwritten descriptions making browsing feel more personal. Be sure to check out their sister store: Prologue.
We wandered into Carr Mill Mall next, where Golden Fig Books totally won my heart. They had multiple used book sections with amazing price tags scattered throughout the store with near-pristine copies. I am convinced most of them had never even been opened before. I loved their used psychology section as tons of those books are on my TBR. Also, on my TBR is Remarkably Bright Creatures and every copy they had included super cute yellow sprayed edges with pink shells and coral icons. A dream for bookworms on a budget.
In the evening, we attended mass at the Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, a vast and beautifully modern Catholic church with marble interiors, serene lighting, and soaring ceilings. It was an architectural marvel that I genuinely couldn’t get over.
Dinner at Madre was an absolute highlight and a must when in downtown Raleigh. Their tapas menu was vibrant and accommodating, as they would literally take your menu and scribble modifications directly on it if you had a food sensitivity or allergy. We started with the bread and butter (oil and vinegar for me) and then devoured the salchipapas (crispy potato, chorizo, dijonaise) and the eggplant con miel (lemon thyme honey, sea salt), which were both already dairy free. I can still taste the sweet honey lightness of the eggplant that felt like biting into air, and the hearty potatoes with my new favorite sauce. I fell in love with the hanger steak modified to be made without butter per their written adjustment which was just as satisfying. Every dish was thoughtfully presented and full of flavor.
We ended the night out on the town at Moon Room, a moody little bar with an unexpectedly delightful feature: a photo booth. It was out of paper, which meant unlimited photos emailed directly to us—for free. The photos were crisp, well-lit, and far too easy to get carried away with. We took dozens.
Needing a little sweet treat, we went to Paris Baguette Bakery Café for a chocolate hazelnut cake slice with Nutella which we enjoyed at a bench in the Downtown Cary Park. Here we talked and people watched as the park was lively with anyone and everyone enjoying the twinkling lights all around.
Day 3: The Gardens (and Chipmunks)
Our final morning began with a quiet visit to the Azalea Garden, where blush pink hydrangeas, lined the paths. Chipmunks skittered among the blooms, chirping through the foliage.
It was quiet. Calm. Beautiful. The perfect note to end on.
The Triangle (Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh) offers a delicate balance of culture and comfort, nature and novelty. This trip was a reminder of how nourishing it is to spend time in fun places with good people. Whether it was the caffeine high from the chai teas, the quiet of a cathedral, or the thrill of finding a perfectly priced novel, I savored each moment.
Until next time, Triangle.