Planning a visit

<p>My family is planning a first visit of the campus on Easter Monday and Tuesday and drive back to NJ on Wednesday. On Monday we have an info session, walking tour or bus tour and afternoon engineering info session planned. On Tuesday we will take the walking tour or bus tour (whichever we were unable to fit in the day before). The rest of the day we would like to get acquainted with Raleigh. We have never been to the area and would like to make the most of our time there to see if it could be the college that is right for my son. I would imagine there is a lot to see and would like any recommendations on things not to miss to get a real feel for the campus and area. Thanks for any recommendations.</p>

<p>Since I assume you are interested in engineering be sure to get down to the Centinnial Campus. You will not see this on the walking tour. I am not sure about the bus tour as I never took one. Most of the engineering depoartments are now located there. While some what isolated from the main campus all the falcilities and labs are new. When compared to some of the other enginnering schools with engineering buildings and labs that appeared 40 to 50 years old these new facilities helped steer my soon to NCSU.</p>

<p>Eat in one of the restaurants along Hillsborough St. where you’ll see lots of students hanging out. If your S is into fitness/working out, check out Carmichal gym (my S practically lived there) on campus. </p>

<p>If you want to go to downtown Raleigh check out [Downtown</a> Raleigh :: You R Here](<a href=“http://www.godowntownraleigh.com%5DDowntown”>http://www.godowntownraleigh.com)
If you want great BBQ (NC’s is the greatest) go to The Pit.</p>

<p>We were able to stay in ES Village dorms over the weekend at a great rate. It’s graduate housing, and on the edge of campus, but it gave us a feel for how the buses run on campus. We took the bus to the visitor center and ate at one of the buffet dining halls nearby. Across from the baseball field. </p>

<p>They also offered movies on campus. You can get a list from the visitor center as well. We also ate on Hilsbourough St at I think David’s (Asian) and a Greek place on West which was very very good? Have fun. We really liked the campus.</p>

<p>Amazhon that is great that you were able to stay in the graduate housing. Did it happen to be when school was not in session for the school to have that kind of availablity? Also, Hillsborough Street has been added to my agenda…thanks to you and PackMom.</p>

<p>Yes and no. When we arrived by train it was 9pm at night so all the school offices were closed, but they made arrangements with the resident advisor to meet us and give us the keys. I was able to do everything online, but I would call them to confirm availabilitly. Go to their housing page and look for guest housing. They were very accommodating to us. The RA even carried our bags! Gotta love that southern hospitality. </p>

<p>Since we were in the grad dorms in apartment style housing, that section of campus is occupied mainly by students with families, so there were kids running around, etc. We didn’t mind. Its definitely not your typical freshman dorm. This part of campus is for older students, but we wanted to be close to the action and have to worry about finding a hotel nearby.</p>

<p>Amazhon – I didn’t realize there was such an option. I wish I had learned of this before our earlier visits to NC State. What a great find! It sounds like you had a very practical campus visit!! </p>

<p>I am curious to know how the train worked out for you. Did you take a bus or cab from the train station to campus. We have looked into using Amtrak for summer orientation and would rely heavily on the train for transportation back and forth to the NE for school breaks. Any insights here are welcome.</p>

<p>If anyone has more ideas like the Hillsborough St. area it would be appreciated. We plan on seeing both the main campus and Centennial but any other areas the students w/o cars can get to by bus or walking that we should see to get the real feel of the off campus since we have the extra day. No theater or sporting events unless on campus…but I believe the week we are going is finals week…I would think sports would be over. Thx for the suggestions.</p>

<p>Cameron Village is a nice place to shop, eat, and buy groceries. Check out the local custard place, Goodberrys. Cantina 18 is a new local Southwestern restaurant that is very good. There are plenty of other choices too.</p>

<p>Glenwood South is a popular place for hanging out in restaurants and bars. Armadillo Grill is a local, fresh Mexican place popular with students (high school students go there often for lunch), and Mellow Mushroom is always packed, especially when the weather is nice. (I actually prefer Moonlight Pizza.) Char-Grill is an institution if you like cheap hamburgers. MoJoe’s is supposed to be better - it’s not just a walk-up place like Char-Grill.</p>

<p>I agree that the R-line (free city bus that circles around the area) is a nice idea to see downtown. Check out Fayetteville St which they finally opened 3 years ago and frequently has street fairs. The Pit is really yummy. The owner did a Throw Down with Bobby Flay and won.</p>

<p>If your S has any interest in the Krispy Kreme Challenge (check out the history), you might want to drive on over the Person Street. It’s a huge NC State event.</p>

<p>Enjoy your visit! Spring is the best time in NC - no bugs or humidity. Of course, if you have allergies, bring some meds. Raleigh isn’t the City of Oaks for no reason.</p>

<p>Definitely take allergy meds. Its brutal in the the spring and last year was especially harsh. </p>

<p>@SNL-the train from Delaware was eight hours and it was delayed on the way home. It’s a very long ride. Amtrak is offering a buy one ticket get one half off for students and parents visiting colleges, so we used that. It was a ten minute cab ride to campus. We probably could have walked if not for the luggage and the fact it it was 9:00 at night. The cabbies outside the station were a little scary… But when we left we scheduled a pick up with a cab company and that was much better. The cost was under $10 which is half what I pay in Delaware to get to the station.</p>

<p>Would I take the train again? I hate to drive, so for me the answer is yes. Just bring lots of mags, books and DVDs. I would definitely feel comfortable putting her on the train home. The station in Raleigh is very small and straightforward. Oh and we found out Amtrak is twice as expensive on the weekend to get to Raleigh than during the week so we stayed from Thursday to Monday but the room on campus was so inexpensive we didn’t mind the extra nights. Good luck.</p>

<p>We decided to book a room at the Brownstone Holiday Inn on Hillsborough St. Their reviews were mixed so i called and they said they were redoing the hotel and only booking the finished rooms. Then I looked on google maps and it does not necessarily look like an area students might hang out. Is there a certain area that Packmom meant that NCState students hang? Certain areas on Hillsborough look a bit run down…of course the photos could be old. Also, does anyone know if the RALEIGH SW NC STATE Holiday Inn which is also close to campus edge at 3741 THISTLEDOWN DRIVE might be a better choice. Thanks for any help.</p>

<p>We stayed a few weeks ago at the one on Thistledown. New & nice but I wish we had stayed closer to campus.</p>

<p>vryproudmom…Yes, it is old (NCSU has been there since 1887). I would stick with the Brownstone Holiday Inn. It’s just the most convenient. We’ve stayed there. </p>

<p>You need to look at the part of Hillsborough that is across from State. It’s not the idyllic sleepy college town but there’s something sort of cool about the fact that my ('09 grad.) S1’s favorite hangout was also my ('81 grad.) DH’s favorite hangout and it’s still exactly the same. </p>

<p>Get back on your google maps…I’m guessing you were looking at “street view” and type in 2426 Hillsborough St. Raleigh NC. Pan around that area a little. It’s right across from NCSU.<br>
Some things that look super dumpy …like the ancient IHop on Hillsborough… are the things of NC State legend because generations of NCSU students have chowed down there in the wee hours of many a weekend morning. It’s a dump but everyone who’s ever gone to State knows the Ihop (and the bowling alley) on Hillsborough.<br>
Best of luck on your trip!</p>

<p>Thx PackMom…that 2426 area was what I was hoping for…down by the hotel it is just old - not quaint. I am going to keep the reservation at the Hillsborough Street Holiday Inn and will report back if it is better than the Trip Advisor reviews. Although Capemay’s brand new review is tempting I will listen to her advice of wishing she were closer. Thank you both</p>

<p>I have stayed at both locations and agree with both assessments. Thistledown is more convenient if visiting the Centennial Campus, but still not within walking distance. We were in a newly renovated room at the Brownestone Inn. We had no complaints about the actual accommodations at either hotel.</p>

<p>Have you looked into the suggestion of Amazhon: guest housing on campus?</p>

<p>^Just a reminder. The dorm apartments at ES Village are not renovated. So if you are looking for an upscale stay you will be disappointed. Our goal was to stay on-campus, try out the wolfline bus system (some lines don’t run on weekends, so check), and the low price since we were staying a few extra days. The rooms do have a fridge, stove, oven and microwave, dining table, remote tv. Its a very basic apartment style dorm room. Painted concrete walls, older bathroom, etc. They provide towels (but I suggest you bring your own).</p>

<p>I may stay there again for Parent Orientation. I don’t like to drive so the thought of renting a car or relying on a cab to get around isn’t for me. Plus I am lucky enough to have a sister who lives in Cary so when we went out to dinner, we had a ride and didn’t have to figure out how to get around. Good luck! Hope our kids meet in the fall.</p>

<p>I did briefly look into the Village dorms but they said 1 bedroom on the website…which I thought was unusual if families stay there. Amazhon did you get a 2 bedroom? I may still call.
My S is ending his sophomore year but we want to have all college tours wrapped up (as we did with our oldest) by the end of junior year. Especailly the far away trips (we are from NJ and plan on driving) Taking 3 AP’s in junior year so S does not want to miss classes for the drive and the visit. There is another school in New England that has their annual open house the same weekend that NC State has theirs in the fall. Hence his Easter break is the last chance to visit while college is still in session.
Good Luck to all who are commencing this fall.</p>

<p>No, you are correct. Our space was a one bedroom. I am single mom and we’re a family of all girls, so it worked out fine for us. There were two full beds in the bedroom. My niece slept with her baby sister and my daughter slept out on the sofa. The sofa was tiny though. We literally only slept there and were site seeing most of the time, so we were able to work it out. I know that may not be ideal for every family.</p>

<p>Yeah, my niece is a senior and my daughter is a sophomore. We did most of our visits during my nieces junior year and only visited where she was accepted this year. It was quite a bit of time missed in school. Luckily my daughter was able to visit a few campuses while my niece was looking as well. Of course her number one choice is in California, so who knows when we’ll get out there…</p>