Your ultimate guide to a weekend getaway in downtown Cary
Want to escape the bustle and traffic of the city, but still have plenty of things to do? Take a trip to historic downtown Cary and spend a few days popping into family-owned bakeries, sipping coffee in cafes, and tasting new brews.
Once overlooked as a suburb of Raleigh, Cary has grown into a town with its own identity, complete with a charming walkable downtown filled with cafes, bars, arts and culture. You can get there in two and a half hours from Charlotte by car, or travel by Amtrak and arrive to the Cary Station, located right in the heart of downtown, in about three hours.
The combination of laid back southern charm mixed with the big city amenities of downtown Cary will make it a new favorite spot for a quick weekend getaway.
Stay
The Mayton Inn
301 S. Academy St.
This four-star boutique hotel is located conveniently in the center of downtown Cary. The small size of the inn gives it a cozy bed and breakfast feel, but with the privacy and amenities of a luxury hotel.
Book a massage at the in-house Tonic Remedies Spa or grab a drink from the Verandah bar before exploring the town. As an added plus, the Mayton Inn is a short walk from the Amtrak station, so you can spend your whole trip car-free.
Eat
Academy St. Bistro
200 S. Academy St.
This local upscale cafe serves up a Italian-American inspired menu in the heart of downtown Cary in a charming but elevated atmosphere. Grab a drink off the cocktail menu, which features creative twists on old standards such as a Jamaican Mule, a Moscow Mule made with spiced rum instead of the traditional vodka, and sit on the patio for prime people watching.
Annalore’s German Bakery
308 W. Chatham St.
Go to this authentic German bakery for freshly baked traditional European pastries, cakes and treats made from locally sourced ingredients. Try an apple strudel or a slice of the Prinzregenten Torte, a cake made of seven layers of sponge cake with chocolate buttercream in between for a decadent treat.
Ashworth Drug
105 W. Chatham St.
Go back in time and grab a stool at the old-fashioned soda fountain at Ashworth Drugs for a tasty and low-cost lunch. Ashworth has been serving up milkshakes, floats, fresh orangeade and lemonade, and pimento cheese sandwiches since 1957.
Big Dom’s Bagel Shop
203 E. Chatham St.
Grab a breakfast sandwich on a hand-rolled bagel made fresh each morning. Diners with a sweet tooth will love the B’donut, a brown butter-sweetened baked donut.
Crosstown Pub
140 E. Chatham St.
This casual neighborhood pub serves up bar fare and comfort food such as fish ‘n chips, homemade black bean burgers, scratch-made soup and more.
Fresh
138 E. Chatham St.
Popular local ice cream shop Fresh uses hormone-free milk and fresh ingredients to make flavors such as Midnight Chocolate Crunch, Kona Coffee and more from scratch. Fresh also has non-dairy and low-sugar options for those with special dietary needs.
Kababish Cafe
201 W. Chatham St., Ste 103
Everything is made from scratch at this Indian restaurant — nothing is frozen or preserved. Owner Samreem Nawaz told CharlotteFive that the restaurant has an extensive vegetarian menu, as well.
Pro tip: It’s BYOB with no corkage fee, and the space is both kid friendly and pet friendly.
La Farm Bakery
220 W. Chatham St.
This authentic French bakery brings European old-world baking traditions to the heart of Cary. James Beard semi-finalist Lionet Vatinet and his team of bakers make a rotation of over 30 different types of bread alongside pastries, cakes and other treats.
Once in a Blue Moon Bakery
115 W. Chatham St.
Stop by for a sweet bread or breakfast pastry in the morning, or choose from a wide assortment of freshly made cookies, cake, pie or cheesecake for a sweet snack or dessert. This bakery features vegan and gluten-free options for those with special dietary needs.
Pizzeria Faulisi
215 E. Chatham St.
This authentic Italian-style wood-fired pizza shop is a downtown Cary favorite. Arrive early on weekends to avoid a wait. Get adventurous and try a unique pizza like the Red, White and Blue, featuring sour cherries, chilis and blue cheese or stick to a classic flavor like Margherita with tomato, mozzarella and fresh basil.
Postmaster
130 E. Cedar St.
Modern American restaurant Postmaster serves up small and large plates in an upscale setting. The menu is constantly changing, so you’ll have exciting new food options each time you visit.
Pro’s Epicurean
211 E. Chatham St.
Stop by this family-owned Italian cafe for homemade fresh mozzarella, herb-infused crepes, imported and homemade pasta and a bakery case full of scratch-made tiramisu, cannoli and more. Make sure to check out its European market for imported goods, cheeses and breads to go.
Serendipity Deli
118 S. Academy St.
This local deli has been serving up reasonably-priced sandwiches, soups and salads since 1977.
Taipei 101
121 E. Chatham St.
Chinese eatery Taipei 101 has an extensive menu with many authentic Szechuan, Zhejiang and Taiwanese-style entree and Dim Sum offerings alongside Americanized favorites such as Orange Chicken and Lo Mein.
Verandah
301 S. Academy St.
The Verandah, located inside the Mayton Inn, serves up elegant southern fare three meals a day and brunch on the weekends. The bar menu provides snacks and lighter fare from mid-afternoon to later in the evening.
Drink
Bond Brothers Beer Company
202 E. Cedar St.
This 9,000 square-foot taproom, brewery and beer garden, designated as USA Today’s Best Brewery in the Country, has 14 beers on tap, locally-made sodas and wine options. Check out the food truck that’s on site almost every day, or bring in outside food to enjoy with your brew.
Brew Coffee Bar
122 E. Chatham St.
Grab a cup of joe or a speciality latte from this Raleigh-based cafe chain featuring coffee from a curated selection of local and regionally-based roasters. Other offerings include craft beer, wine, breakfast bites and baked goods.
Chatham Street Wine Market
111 W. Chatham St.
This wine boutique and cafe has a selection of wine ranging from internationally sourced bottles to wines from smaller family-owned vineyards. Have a glass on their porch garden or stop by for a weekly tasting.
Cotton House Craft Brewers
307 S. Academy St.
Have a pint at this brewery housed inside a historic landmark. Cotton House is located inside the Pasmore House, which was built around 1900 and originally used as a boarding house. Today, the house is upfitted with a chic taproom, decor consisting of a blend of local art and historic photographs and a heated deck.
Pharmacy Bottle + Beverage
120 E. Chatham St.
Located in the historic Mitchell’s Pharmacy building, this cozy bottle shop boasts a reasonably priced selection of locally and nationally sourced beer, cider and wine, along with 16 taps and wines by the glass.
Sidebar
215 E. Chatham St.
A perfect spot for after-dinner drinks, this sleek but laid back cocktail lounge has a selection of over 20 classic and craft cocktails on the menu, along with a few wine options and beers on tap.
Do
Cary Gallery of Artists
200 S. Academy St.
Peruse through over 300 pieces of high quality and affordable art, jewelry, pottery and more at this art cooperative. If you are in town on the last Friday of the month, stop by here for a gallery opening.
The Cary Farmers Market
135 W. Chatham St.
Stop by each Saturday from 9 a.m.-noon for fresh food, local goods and entertainment at the Cary Farmers Market. The market on the second Saturday of each month features children’s activities and live music.
Cary Players
101 Dry Ave.
Spend a night at the theatre and see a performance by the Cary Players. The Players perform a diverse set of shows throughout the season, from the lighthearted “Shrek the Musical” to austere murder mystery “Death by Design,” throughout the year to appeal to a wide variety of theatergoers.
The Cary Theatre
122 E. Chatham St.
This art house theatre screens independent movies, classic films and documentaries. When it isn’t showing movies, the Cary Theatre also hosts live comedy performances, local film festivals, and other local fun events.
Downtown Park
319 S. Academy St.
Play outside at the Downtown Park. The park has games such as bocce, foosball, ping pong and checkers that visitors can play for free. Also, check the schedule for free community events such as pop-up workout classes, concerts and outdoor movies that take place in the park from time to time.
This story was originally published February 3, 2020 at 5:50 AM.