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Student Life

A Spring Break Guide to Raleigh

NC State students gather on Stafford Commons for Campus Health's Safe Spring Break Fair.
NC State students gather on Stafford Commons for Campus Health's Safe Spring Break fair.

Spring break is often a time for travel or a trip home, but simply taking the week to unwind and relax right here on campus without the hustle and bustle of classes and other activities is also a great way to spend that much-deserved week off. 

When NC State’s spring break kicks off on March 10, there’s plenty to do right here in Raleigh if you plan on staying local until classes resume on March 17. 

NC State students eat and enjoy Talley Student Union.
Students eat and enjoy the new Talley Student Union.
Longtime Hillsborough Street icon, Mitch’s Tavern.

Hit up Hillsborough Street

Of course, spring break is a great time to try a new restaurant, and there are plenty of options on nearby Hillsborough Street, including long-time NC State favorites such as Global Village Coffee, Gumby’s Pizza, Slice of New York Pizza, Coco Bongo, Mitch’s Tavern, Players’ Retreat and more. 

Get Active With Wellness and Recreation

The free time provided by spring break is a great time to explore the many benefits of physical exercise, and fortunately there are many free options for students right here on campus. 

Wellness and Recreation’s gyms will be open throughout spring break, and are free for students to utilize, with the following adjusted hours

Need help getting started? Wellness and Recreation will have both fitness classes and wellness coaching available during spring break. 

Prefer to get moving outside? Centennial Campus’ Lake Raleigh offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking and mountain biking trails, fishing, boating and disc golf. Dix Park offers yoga, trails, picnic areas and more.You can also explore the Capital Area Greenway System of over 100 miles of trails to walk, hike and bike.

Students enjoy looking around the artwork inside of the Gregg Museum.

Visit the Gregg Museum 

If you’re the artsy type, or want to check out an art museum for the first time, a free visit to the Gregg Museum of Art & Design is a perfect spring break activity. 

The museum will be open during its normal hours throughout spring break: Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m to 5 p.m.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

It’s always a great time to show your Wolfpack pride and support the university’s athletic teams, and baseball and softball have several home games during spring break, so grab your friends, head out to Doak Field or Dail Softball Stadium, enjoy a favorite item from the concession stand and watch the Pack hit the diamond. 

Student tickets are free for all sporting events, simply swipe your student ID to get in the gate. A full schedule of athletic events can be found here

Explore Raleigh 

Spring break is also a great time to get off campus for a bit and enjoy the city. The North Carolina Museum of Art–including Museum Park brimming with nature and art–and Downtown Raleigh are both conveniently close to campus. 

Downtown offers plenty of fun options such as the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and History Museum, various shops and restaurants and more. 

For ideas about exploring the city, head to Visit Raleigh’s event calendar or things to do page.