Discover Raleigh
84 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) Park
Featuring extensive grounds with a mix of rolling hills, tall grass, and weeping willows, this park is a photographer's haven, especially during sunset.
NCMA Park (North Carolina Museum of Art Park)
A beautiful park with tall grass, weeping willows, and scenic paths, ideal for capturing natural light and variety. It's a popular spot for photographers, especially during sunset.
North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) and Park
The NCMA Park offers a diverse range of backdrops, including fields, paths, and a weeping willow. It is a popular spot, especially during sunset when the light is stunning. The variety of landscapes and beautiful light make it ideal for photography.
North Carolina Museum of Art (Ann and Jim Goodnight Park)
This park offers a variety of backdrops, including tall grass fields, weeping willows, and walking paths. It's particularly popular for sunset shots due to its beautiful light and diverse landscapes.
NCMA Park
Part of the North Carolina Museum of Art, this park offers a variety of natural backdrops, including tall grass and weeping willows. Popular for sunset photography.
North Carolina Museum of Art
A cultural institution surrounded by beautiful gardens and architecture, offering opportunities for both art and landscape photography.
North Carolina State Capital Building
The North Carolina State Capital Building is a historic landmark with Greek Revival architecture, making it a great spot for architectural and historical photography.
North Carolina Museum of Art Park
This location offers beautiful light, varied backdrops including bridges and greenery, making it ideal for family, maternity, or couple photoshoots. It is particularly stunning during sunset, with a spacious area suitable for play and candid moments.
JC Raulston Arboretum (nearby)
A beautiful arboretum with a variety of plant species, offering opportunities for nature and botanical photography. The gardens are well-manicured and provide a serene setting.
JC Raulston Arboretum - Lanterns
A beautiful display of lanterns in the arboretum, ideal for night photography.
North Carolina State Capitol Building
The North Carolina State Capitol Building is an iconic structure in Raleigh, completed in the Greek Revival style in 1840. It offers excellent opportunities for architectural photography, particularly during dawn or dusk when its details are accentuated by soft light.
North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA): Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park
A park featuring modern sculptures, grassy hills, and wooded trails, offering a variety of settings for family and nature photography.
NCMA Park (North Carolina Museum of Art)
NCMA Park offers a picturesque landscape with tall grass and weeping willows, making it perfect for landscape and nature photography, especially during sunset.
NC Art Museum
Situated in Raleigh, this museum offers a combination of modern architecture and beautiful gardens, perfect for capturing architectural details and natural beauty.
The North Carolina Museum of Art
Features sculptures in the art park, along with recreational trails and landscaping, perfect for capturing modern art and architecture.
NCMA Park (Ann and Jim Goodnight Park)
A scenic park with public art installations, offering a blend of nature and modern art for eclectic photography.
NC Museum of Art Park
A large park with beautiful natural light, ideal for capturing family portraits and outdoor scenes.
JC Raulston Arboretum
A beautifully maintained garden with winding paths, blooming flowers, shaded nooks, and open grassy areas. It changes with the seasons, offering vibrant colors in summer and stark beauty in winter.
William B. Umstead State Park (nearby)
A large state park with diverse nature settings, offering opportunities for nature and wildlife photography. The park includes trails, forests, and lakes.
NC Art Museum (nearby)
A museum with a picturesque setting and beautiful gardens, offering opportunities for architectural and nature photography. The building's design and surrounding art installations make it a unique spot.
NC Museum of Art (Ann and Jim Goodnight Park)
This park offers a mix of open fields and walking trails, providing a unique backdrop for family portraits and nature photography. The scenic views at sunset are particularly popular among photographers.
WRAL Azalea Gardens
Though not directly in Wendell, these gardens are nearby and offer a beautiful floral backdrop for photos, especially during spring.
Lake Crabtree
A large park with a lake, offering opportunities for nature and landscape photography, 30 miles from Sanford.
Globe at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
A large globe located outside the museum, offering a unique and iconic photography opportunity.
Downtown Raleigh Skyline
The downtown area of Raleigh offers a vibrant cityscape, perfect for capturing modern architecture and urban life. Best photographed from vantage points like Dorothea Dix Park.
Boylan Bridge
A pedestrian bridge offering views of the Raleigh skyline and surrounding landscape, ideal for urban and landscape photography.
NC State Capitol
A historic building offering unique architectural photography opportunities. Its design and surrounding park provide excellent compositions.
William B. Umstead State Park (North Entrance)
A large park featuring forests, lakes, and wildlife, ideal for nature and landscape photography. It includes hiking trails and picnic areas.
Umstead State Park
A large park with hiking trails, lakes, and dense woods, offering a diverse natural setting for outdoor photography.
NC State University Centennial Campus
While not directly in Morrisville, nearby, this campus offers a mix of modern architecture and natural landscapes, suitable for architectural and landscape photography.
Downtown Raleigh Union Station
A modern transportation hub with a sleek architectural design, ideal for urban and architectural photography.
The Dillon Entrance and Wall
A sleek, modern building with a unique architectural design, providing a contemporary backdrop for urban photography.
CAM Raleigh (Carolina Museum of Art)
Located in the Warehouse District, this modern museum features an angular metal roof and bold yellow letters, making it a unique spot for architectural photography.
Pullen Park (nearby)
A historic park with a variety of attractions, including a lake and playgrounds. It's ideal for family portraits and candid photography.
Van-Hanh Pagoda
A Buddhist temple with unique architecture and serene surroundings.
North Carolina State Capitol
A historical building with significant architectural and historical value, ideal for capturing governmental landmarks.
CAM Raleigh
The Contemporary Art Museum, featuring a blend of modern art and architecture, suitable for urban and street photography.
Lafayette Village
A European-style village with unique architectural backdrops, ideal for urban photography.
WRAL Azalea Garden
Famous for its vibrant spring blooms, this garden offers a colorful backdrop with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers and bushes. Ideal for capturing colorful portraits.
Red Hat Amphitheater
Located in the heart of downtown Raleigh, this outdoor concert venue offers a unique blend of urban architecture and lively atmosphere, ideal for night photography and capturing city life.
Fayetteville Street
A lively street in downtown Raleigh, known for its vibrant atmosphere and city life. It's a great spot for capturing urban street photography and cityscapes.
Historic Oakwood Cemetery
A historic cemetery with Gothic Revival architecture, suitable for architecture and portrait photography.
Dorothea Dix Park
A park offering views of the Raleigh skyline, ideal for capturing urban and sunset photography.
Historic Oakview Park
A historical site with a collection of agricultural buildings and a beautiful natural setting. It's a great spot for capturing historical architecture and rural landscapes.
The Dillon
A contemporary building in downtown Raleigh, offering a unique urban backdrop for photography.
Historic Oakwood Neighborhood
Known for its beautifully preserved Victorian homes, this area is perfect for capturing timeless, elegant photos with a nostalgic feel.
Union Station Raleigh
This modern train station is a hub of activity and offers sleek, contemporary architecture. It is a popular spot for photography, especially during golden hour.
Carolina Museum of Art (CAM)
The CAM is known for its unique architecture with an angular metal roof and bold yellow lettering, making it a popular spot for architectural and urban photography.
Joyner Park
A scenic park with walking trails and a rustic atmosphere, ideal for maternity and nature photography.
Monsters Wall near Trophy Restaurant and Brewery
A colorful mural featuring monsters, offering a playful backdrop for urban and street photography.
Neuse River Greenway Trail
A scenic trail along the Neuse River, offering beautiful views of nature and waterscapes. It's a great spot for capturing natural landscapes and wildlife.
Historic Oak View County Park
A historical farm with restored buildings, offering a rural and agricultural photography setting.
Nash Square
A public square in downtown Raleigh, offering urban and architectural photography opportunities.
Azalea Gardens
A beautiful garden in Raleigh, especially vibrant during the spring when azaleas bloom, offering opportunities for nature and landscape photography.
Lake Wheeler Road Park
A scenic park with a lake and walking trails, offering beautiful views of nature and waterscapes. It's a great spot for capturing natural landscapes and family portraits.
CAM - Contemporary Art Museum
Located in the Warehouse District, this museum offers a unique angular design and is perfect for capturing modern architecture and street art.
Pullen Park
A popular park with a lake, walking trails, and a historic Pullen Park Carousel, offering a lively atmosphere for photography.
JC Raulston Arboretum Visitor Center
A beautiful garden with a modern visitor center, offering architectural and natural photography opportunities. This spot is ideal for capturing the interaction between nature and architecture.
Oakview County Park
Oakview County Park offers historic and natural settings, with old buildings and scenic landscapes, making it suitable for historical and landscape photography.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences Globe
A large globe outside the museum, providing a unique and interactive photography opportunity.
Loblolly and Reedy Creek Trail Loop
Located in Umstead State Park, this trail offers scenic views of forests and creeks. It's ideal for capturing nature and wildlife photography.
Lake Johnson Park
A park offering scenic lake views and walking trails. It's a great spot for nature and landscape photography, especially during sunrise and sunset.
Greenway Trail
The Greenway Trail offers scenic views along the river, providing opportunities for nature and wildlife photography. It is also a great spot for capturing outdoor activities like hiking and biking.
Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve
A nature preserve offering trails and scenic views, suitable for nature and landscape photography.
Downtown Raleigh Skyline View
For capturing the city's skyline, finding a vantage point with a clear view of downtown Raleigh's buildings is ideal. Boylan Bridge offers one such perspective.
All Are Welcome Mural
A vibrant mural in downtown Raleigh, perfect for street photography and capturing urban art.
Carolina Museum of Art
A museum with a striking architectural design, particularly its angular metal roof and bold yellow letters, making it a point of interest for architecturally-focused photography.
Monsters Wall
A colorful mural near Trophy Brewing, offering a fun and lively backdrop for portraits and street photography.
WRAL Gardens
Beautiful garden with walkways, benches, and open fields, suitable for a variety of photography styles.
Loblolly and Reedy Creek
A natural area combining loblolly pines with scenic views of Reedy Creek, ideal for landscape and nature photography.
Marla Dorrel Park
A smaller park with playgrounds and green spaces. It offers a cozy setting for capturing family and children's portraits.
Marbles Kids Museum Gates
The gates of the museum are a beautiful spot for capturing unique urban design and architecture. Best visited during early morning or late evening for soft light.
Raleigh Founded Wall
A colorful mural in the Warehouse District, ideal for vibrant street photography and portraits. It's a great spot to capture urban art and city life.
Shelley Lake Park
A serene park with a lake, walking trails, and opportunities for nature photography.
Nash Square Park
Nash Square Park offers a peaceful green space in downtown Raleigh, with plenty of trees and rest areas, making it suitable for candid street photography and nature shots.
Raleigh City Market
This historic market offers a blend of old and new architecture, with cobblestone streets and modern shops. It is a great spot for capturing urban life and street photography.
Nash Square Public Park
A public park located in downtown Raleigh, offering a mix of urban and natural settings.
Raleigh Union Station
A modern transportation hub with opportunities for architectural and urban photography.
The Dillon Entrance
A sleek, modern building entrance, ideal for urban and architectural photography.
Raleigh Little Theatre
A performing arts venue offering opportunities for capturing cultural and architectural moments.
Joel Lane House Museum
Although not specifically in Winston-Salem, this historic house in nearby Raleigh offers a glimpse into colonial life. It features beautiful gardens and historic architecture.
3605 Wickersham Way, Raleigh, North Carolina
This residential location in the northern part of Raleigh, near the Wilson area, offers a suburban neighborhood environment with typical modern homes and tree-lined streets. While not a landmark or a public park, its appeal for photography lies in capturing authentic suburban life, architectural details of residential homes, and the calm, everyday ambiance of this part of Raleigh. The street's setting provides opportunities for portrait or lifestyle photography in a quiet, natural environment without the busyness of urban centers. The typical lighting conditions in the afternoon and early evening, especially during golden hour, can bring out warm tones and enhance the overall tranquility of the scene.
Capital Boulevard
This urban area offers a mix of modern architecture and street life, ideal for urban and street photography.
NRACT - North Raleigh Arts and Cultural Theatre
A charming theater with a unique facade, suitable for architectural photography.