The Raleigh Trolley: A Leisurely Ride through the Present with an Insight into the Past
Do you know why Joel Lane is considered to be the "father of Raleigh"? Have you ever wanted the recipe for the cherry bounce cocktail? Perhaps you didn’t realize that the city’s namesake, Sir Walter Raleigh, never set foot on the land that was to be named in his honor. These factoids and more are shared with a welcoming smile and good ol’ southern charm to eager listeners during the picturesque ride on the Raleigh Trolley, a shiny red replica coasting along downtown Raleigh’s city streets on Saturday afternoons.
Beginning its hour long route at the Mordecai Historic Park, the Raleigh Trolley tours sightseers around approximately forty blocks of downtown Raleigh from Blount Street to Glenwood Avenue South and points in between, including stops at the State Capitol at Bicentennial Plaza, the Glenwood South district, the Joel Lane House, and City Market.
Interesting for locals and visitors alike, the knowledgeable, engaging guides highlight points of interest laced with insight along the way including the Governor’s Mansion with its artistic tile roof and eight gardens, the remaining three original homes built along Hillsborough Street during its days of affluence, and the charming Victorian homes in Historic Oakwood, also considered to be Raleigh’s first suburb, just to name a few.
Along the route, you may catch a Civil War reenactment taking place on the lawn of the Capitol, or perhaps an event unfolding at Moore Square.
If your time allows, take advantage of a stop or two. Take a stroll along Glenwood South and pop into a tasty local restaurant, or hop off at City Market and drop into an artist’s studio at Artspace. And don’t forget the art museums along Bicentennial Plaza. Both the North Carolina Museum of History and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences offer free admission to the public.
The Raleigh Trolley operates on Saturdays March through December and leaves every hour on the hour at 11:00am, 12:00noon, 1:00pm, and 2:00pm from Mordecai Historic Park. Passengers are allowed to board or hop off at any of the four stops and may re-board as space on the trolley permits, although a single ticket is valid for one full round trip only. Be sure to consult the tour guide for further details.
All aboard!
HelloMetro Tip: If you are certain you want to ride the trolley at a specific time from Mordecai Historic Park, consider calling ahead to reserve tickets. And remember, should you choose to get off at one of the trolley stops along the route, seats upon your return aren't guaranteed.
Posted by Angela Risko
