A bid for the 2010 NASFiC
August 5-8, 2010
Raleigh, NC, USA

The city of Raleigh is the State Capital of North Carolina and the fifteenth fastest growing city in the United States, with a population greater than St. Louis, Cincinnati or Minneapolis. Along with Durham and Chapel Hill, Raleigh is part of the Triangle, a region that is a world center for bio and information technologies. Raleigh is also home to North Carolina State University, a major research university, and to the Carolina Hurricanes, the 2006 Stanley Cup champions. Raleigh is the City of Oaks due to the large number of oak trees around the city.

The city of Raleigh was first laid out in 1792 as one of the only planned capitals inside of the United States. By order of the General Assembly it was built within ten miles of Sir Isaac Hunter’s Tavern, a popular watering hole and the area’s largest land mark. It was named after Sir Walter Raleigh, the financier and organizer of Ronoke Colony, England’s doomed first attempt to colonize the New World.

Downtown Raleigh is a vibrant mix of historical landmarks and trendy urban environments, mixing the best of the old South and the new. It offers plenty of dining opportunities and an active music scene, alongside hallowed cultural institutions.

Museums | Dining

North Carolina State Capital Building One East Eaton Street http://www.ncstatecapitol.org

NC State Capital Building

Completed in 1840, the NC State Capitol building is one of the best preserved civic buildings in the Greek Revival style and a National Historic Landmark. In addition to the historic building, stunning statuary fills the grounds. In the rotunda is a striking tribute to George Washington, depicting him in the guise of a Roman general, with a quill in hand instead of sword. The State Capital grounds is also home to monuments prominent North Carolinians, and to those who have served in the armed forces. Whether it is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, whose subject is two soldiers carrying a wounded comrade to an LZ for evac, or the memorial to Private Henry Lawson Wyatt, the first Confederate soldier killed in the civil war, they are a stirring tribute.

North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences Toll Free: 877-4NATSCI http://www.naturalsciences.org

NC Museum of Natural Sciences

The NC Museum of Natural Sciences is the largest museum of its kind, attracting seven hundred thousand visitors annually. The museum has expansive exhibits detailing the ecology and wildlife of North Carolina, including the Mountains to the Sea exhibit which features live animals and a twenty-foot waterfall. The crowd favorite is the paleontology exhibit, starring the rare skeleton of Acrocanthosaurus, “The Terror of the South”, and the world’s only fossilized dinosaur heart. General Admission is free, but there may be a cover for special exhibits.

Acrocanthosaurus: Terror of the South

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North Carolina Museum of History Phone:919-807-7900 http://ncmuseumofhistory.org/	NC Museum of History
The North Carolina Museum focuses on preserving the history of North Carolina. It currently houses one hundred and fifty thousand artifacts covering six centuries of history. Permanent exhibits focus on the every day life in the Carolinas and Carolina military history, though the exhibits change regularly so feel free to check out the museum’s website for updates. Admission is free.

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Marbles Kids Museum Phone:919-834-4040 Imax:919-882-IMAX http://www.marbleskidsmuseum.org/	Marbles Kids Museum
Marbles Kids Museum focuses on interactive exhibits that appeal to children’s natural curiosity. The museum also contains Raleigh’s only IMAX Theater. IMAX documentaries and Hollywood films are both played on the five story high screen. For information about admission prices or for IMAX show times consult the Marbles website above.

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North Carolina Museum of Art Phone: 919-839-6262 http://www.ncartmuseum.org

Gyre, at the North Carolina Museum of Art

The NC Museum of Art’s collection covers over five thousand years of human history, from Egyptian funerary art to modern digital art forms. The museum is best known for its European collection, featuring works of European masters from the Renaissance through the impressionists, including: Claude Monet, Raphael and Sandro Botticelli. Major works from well known artists, as well as new works that expand the mediums of art are displayed in the Modern collection. It also houses an impressive collection from across the Americas, and Africa as well as Hellenistic and Egyptian art. The NC Museum of Art is also home to one of the only two galleries in the United States displaying Judaic ceremonial art. Admission to the museum’s permanent collection is free.

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Mecca Diner 13 E. Martin Street Phone: 919-832-5714 Triangle.com Review	Front Window of the Mecca Diner
The Mecca is oldest continually operating restaurant in Raleigh, and a favorite with locals from business executives on down. The food is traditional diner fair. Nothing fancy, plenty of greasy goodness and at a reasonable price.

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Raleigh Times 14 E. Hargett Street Phone: 919-833-0999 http://www.raleightimesbar.com/
The Raleigh Times is built in the restored site of the old Raleigh Times newspaper. The 100 year old building serves as a compliment to their fresh take on bar cuisine and their inovative drink lists. They are known locally for their wide selection of belgium beers.

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The Mint 219 Fayettville Street Phone: 919-821-0011 http://www.themintrestaurant.com	The Mint, Downtown Raleigh
The Mint provides fine southern dining with global influences care of executive chef Jeremy Clayman. In additional to upscale dining, the upstairs contains Mbar, with first rate bartenders serving cocktails in a posh environment overlooking the main restaurant floor.

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Tir Na Nog Irish Pub 218 S Blount Street Phone: 919-833-7795 http://www.tirnanogirishpub.com/

Signage for Tir Na Nog

Offering Irish and European style cuisine, Tir Na Nog is a good place to pick up a late night meal or a hearty lunch. To compliment their food they offer a wide selection of beer, from your favorite Irish imports to local microbrews. If you are a connoisseur of spirits, Tir Na Nog also offers over fifty different whiskies. Thursday is Local Band, Local Beer Night featuring new local acts from Raleigh’s diverse music scene, and specials on locally produced beers.

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Old City Market Triangle.com Review	The Old City Market, Downtown Raleigh
Located next to beautiful Moore Square, the Old City Market was built as a hub for buisness in 1914. Today it is home to shopping and restaurants that cater to every taste and price range. Best of all it is an approximately eight minute walk from the Raleigh Convention Center. Dining opportunities at the Old City Market include:
Angelo's Phone: 919-832-2994 City Search Review Big Ed's Country Cooking Phone: 919-836-9909 City Search Review El Rodeo Phone: 919-829-0777 Metro Cafe Phone: 919-926-8796 http://www.metrocafe.org/ Rum Runners Phone: 919-755-6436 htpp://www.rumrunnersusa.com Woody's at City Markt Phone: 919-833-3000 http://www.woodyscitymarket.com Zydeco Downtown Phone: 919-834-787 http://www.zydecodowntown.com/	Entrance to El Rodeo. A live band in front of Big Ed's

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