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Events in North Carolina

Amazing Eats @SimplyCrepes #Raleigh for Best Chicken-Waffles, Patio Dining & NEW Spring Menu ! 

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Disclaimer: Thank you Simply Crepes for inviting us to feature your new Spring Menu. Although the restaurant hosted us, all opinions are 100% my own, courtesy of my tastebuds.

Spring has sprung and here in the triangle that means alot of things. Robins are singing, bumblebees return and most of all , IT’S PATIO AL FRESCO DINING AGAIN TIME !!

We can think of no better place to kick off outside eating than a trip to Simply Crepes, located in beautiful Lafayette Village in North Raleigh.

They invited SobeSavvy to sample a few items off of their brand new Spring seasonal menu. We visited pre sunset on a gorgeous Sunday late afternoon and took advantage of their outside space adjacent to the grass courtyard.

Once seated we started with their “spring fling” Wine Flight. Rose’, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay were served.

We had an order of their now iconic brussell sprouts served w/bacon and goat cheese. The Chardonnay complimented this dish well. This dish is the ONLY brussel sprouts that my husband EVER EVER eats. It is THAT good !

Next up was their Le Cordon Bleau crepe. Filled with ham and chicken in a scrumptious sauce, this dish was superb with a glass of Pinot Grigio.

Simply Crepes decided to do their own new unique twist on a old time favorite. CHICKEN AND WAFFLES ANYONE ? The “waffle” is a crepe of course and the chicken is crispy fried chicken tossed in their maple bourbon sauce served over smoky apple wood bacon. THIS.WAS.PAST.GOOD.

I have had a myriad of this staple dish over the years. Had it up north, had it down south and frankly it was played out in my mind. Not anymore ! The flavors all combined to make a heavenly dish. The chicken was so tender and the maple bourbon sauce is incredible.

The crepe at the bottom just soaks up all this goodness. Oh, it also comes with a side of bacon creme sauce !!

Our little one wasn’t that hungry and opted for their great creme brulee oatmeal. Yes. It tastes as good as it sounds !

Mimosa Monday and Wine Wed are always great times to enjoy their wine deals

Simply Crepes make it a point to always local source when they can and openly list their suppliers for all to see

Don’t forget to check the board for their specials !

The sun was setting and our meal was over. Great dinner on a great early evening enjoying the warm breeze. Make simply crepes a must do dinner choice and ask for an outside seat!


#outandaboutAva celebrates #NationalCrayonDay @SkyZone #SkyZoneRaleigh + @usfg coupon 

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*Disclaimer:  SobeSavvy.com was hosted by  US Family Guide and Sky Zone Raleigh, however the opinions are my own.

Hey Moms, Dads, Girls and Boys are you ready to JUMP for Joy ?! That’s what we did with invited friends and family at Sky Zone.  Our event- “Celebrate #NationalCrayonDay the #SobeSavvy Way” – was a theme party held for our little artist, #outandaboutAva, who loves to color!  

Sky Zone Raleigh is a trampoline park that is entertaining for the whole family! Got an upcoming birthday to plan for your little one and want to save time & money but splurge on FUN!? Then look no further than Sky Zone Raleigh where they offer several out-of-this-world birthday (and special event) party packages to make your party soar, literally!

Here is what we got with their Jump Around Package

1 Hour of Open Jump Time; includes SkySocks of all sizes!

Access to the Foam Zone and Sky Slam

2 large deep dish one-topping pizzas
1 bottle of water per guest

Party plates, napkins, cups and utensils

40 minutes in a private party room after your jump time 
Party room set up and clean up
Sky Zone party host available throughout your entire experience

Sky Zone Raleigh T-Shirt for ☆Ava 

Prior to the party, I sent out Evite invitations courtesy of Sky Zone and encouraged guests to fill out waivers prior to the event. This made check in go smooth and quick. The staff was well organized, friendly and welcoming when we arrived 30 mins before jump time. We used that time to learn the rules and to pre-game! Once we got our Sky Zone socks, we were ready to soar…. but first, a Sky Zone selfie! 

YOU SHOULD KNOW: 
– Sky Zone Raleigh does not allow outside food or beverages, with the exception of cake or cupcakes.

– Sky Zone separates by size and age.  Any jumper age 4 and under is considered a toddler. For safety purposes toddlers are permitted to jump on Toddler Court and Foam Zone only. Only toddlers are permitted to jump on Toddler Court. 

Our party’s theme was just in time for National Crayon Day, which is celebrated today on 3/31. Everyone young and old loves to color, so we thought this would be a great idea. Since this was not a birthday party but a theme party, I asked that no one bring gifts for our daughter. Instead, each child brought 1 wrapped coloring book/1 box of crayons for a gift exchange. Check out one mom’s creative gift wrapping skills:

These days parties are not just for birthdays..you can celebrate anything, anytime at Sky Zone! Here is what my mom friends had to say when asked to share their thoughts on Sky Zone Raleigh

  • SkyZone does an awesome job keeping the kids active and involved. There is something for every age group!
  • The facility is really clean and well kept.

  • My son and I really enjoyed SkyZone. I enjoy that they keep the toddlers seperate from the big kids.
  • The party attendant (Jessica) was attentive and friendly. I felt great letting my child go free to jump and play.
  • SkyZone was amazing! My 2 yr old daughter had lots of fun and I enjoyed watching her play. The staff was very sweet and attentive.
  • Lots of fun, very clean, friendly staff

  • SkyZone is lots of fun! I like that kids and adults are separate for safety. 
  • Great party place for kids to run and play around. I liked separation by age and that parents can play with kids. Will definitely come back and consider having child’s birthday party here as well!

Everyone had an awesome time bouncing across their patented, all-trampoline, walled playing courts. As a mom who worked a 9 to 5 today, I enjoyed being able to let Skyzone Raleigh do the planning, set up (and cleaning up) for the party. For me saving time is priceless! I appreciated not having to do everything. This party was stress free, which made me jump for joy !

Thanks Sky Zone! 

Click here to see my fun video recap of our good times at Sky Zone! Find all the exciting details to schedule your party at http://www.skyzone.com/raleigh/Birthday-Parties! My SobeSavvy readers get to save with this coupon >>>>! Best Birthday Ever! – 15% off Jump Around Birthday Package

Ever been to Sky Zone before?  Tell me your experience below in the comments! Thanks for reading and feel free to share.

Win 2 Tix to @GreatGrapesFest 4/22 in #CaryNC @drinkeatrelax @BoothAmp #SobeSavvyGiveaway

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Hey Triangle Wine Lovers & Foodies..get ready to “Uncork the Fun” at the 14th Annual Celebration of Great Grapes Wine and Food Festival in Cary, NC on Saturday, April 22.
Thanks to our friends at Drink Eat Relax, SobeSavvy.com is giving away a pair of tickets to 1 lucky winner! Winner chosen randomly. Giveaway ends 4/5/17   Enter Here>>>> http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e33baee06/

Here are the details! 

TICKETS
VIP SESSION 11AM – 7PM
VIP SESSION TICKET:$49.00 plus Tax in advance/$55.00 Plus Tax on the Day of the event
Enjoy The VIP Area. The VIP Ticket option offers you early entrance into the event, a souvenir glass & bag and access to all the show tastings. Plus you have access to the VIP area which features specialty higher-end wine selections not available elsewhere, free water and soft drinks, and featured food tastings (served Noon – 3pm).

DESIGNATED DRIVER TICKET – NO ALCOHOL SAMPLING
D.D. TICKET $20.00 Plus Tax sold on the Day Of Event Only

REGULAR SESSION 12PM-7PM
REGULAR SESSION TICKET:$33.00 IN ADVANCE Plus Tax/$35.00 Plus Tax On the Day of Event

Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the lawn. Bring the family, bring your friends and take a day to UNCORK THE FUN!

ITEMS ALLOWED
Lawn chairs & blankets
Sealed Bottles of water (1 per person) cameras
all bags are subject to seach

For more information please visitwww.uncorkthefun.com. Please drink responsibly.

In case you missed it..check out my photos of last year’s festival HERE ! It’s a fun event that is family friendly, so be sure not to miss! 

Good Luck..and see you at the 14th Annual Great Grapes Wine and Food Festival! 

Top 5 Reasons to see The Wolf in #Raleigh ! Thru 4/2 @TheatreRaleigh #FamilyFun

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Looking for some family fun or somewhere different than the playground to go with your little one? Then head to the Kennedy Theatre at Duke Center For Performing Arts to see  “The Wolf” presented by Theatre Raleigh. 

This kid friendly production, directed and choregraphed by Lauren Kennedy Brady, combines elements from well known stories as Little Red Riding Hood, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, The Three Little Pigs and Peter and the Wolf. Follow those characters and see what they have in store for The Wolf.
SobeSavvy.com shared a review of the play in 2016, so we were excited to be invited again to experience this fantastic play with #outandaboutAva, now 5 yrs old. To see her reaction to this play a year later, now that she is a year older was wonderful!

Savvy Tip: Make sure to stop by the fun “Capture the Wolf” photo booth and hang around after the show to meet the cast!

Top 5 Reasons you should see The Wolf 

  1. Whether you are age 3 or 93, this play is for everyone. Both young and adults audiences will find the production to be entertaining and delightful!
  2. We loved how the characters perform in close physical proximity to the audience. The show is so engaging and approachable, we felt like we were part of the play!  
  3. Kennedy Theatre is uniquely intimate, which is one of the main reasons The Wolf is perfectly suited for this venue.Kids can even sit on floor pillows stage side to help capture The Wolf!
  4. For 1 hour (no intermission), you can feast your eyes on dance, theatre and imagination all in one room. 
  5. You don’t want to miss your chance to finally see The Wolf get outsmarted! Take that, take that..we’re not afraid of the Big Bad Wolf!

The Wolf is an original show written by Joe Calarco and Andre Catrini and is part of The 2017 Family Series sponsored in part by Duke Health and plays until April 2,2017. For showtimes and ticket information, check here.

Photo Recap 5th Annual Bull City Food & Beer Experience @BullCityEXP @DPAC #Durham #soNCsavvy

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Unlimited Craft beer samples, unlimited gourmet food in a luxurious setting ? Where can this be found you say ? It was at the 5th annual Bull City Food & Beer Experience http://www.bullcityexperience.com/ Held at the fabulous DPAC in Durham. This one of a kind event took place in the lobbies of all 3 floors of the venue. Every imaginable beer was represented here from 35 breweries and a plethora of gourmet bites from 35 restaurants in and around Durham were sampled alongside the suds.
FOOD

BEER

Guests had 3.5 hours to stroll, eat , drink and repeat . It was a festive atmosphere and people came to have fun and talk beer. Some were beer novices and some were experts. The breweries pouring were very informative and educational. Who knew so much goes into a can or a bottle ? Grapefruit beer, apple cider and tangerine beer were just a few of the interesting types on tap

Everyone in attendance got to keep their tasting glass as a reminder of this wonderful event. Be sure to get your tickets early when they go on sale for next year. They sell out fast. Cheers !

Check out scenes from this year’s fun event here>>> https://youtu.be/yuJOjcUBuZM

#FoodieFriday Spotlight on #NasherCafe ~ Weekend Brunch in #Durham #NasherMuseum

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Yesterday, I shared highlights from my recent visit to the Nasher Museum with my family. Well no visit is complete without dining at the Nasher Cafe.

Winner of Open Table Diners Choice 2015, it did not disappoint. It’s set in a open bright area adjacent to the museum lobby with patio dining available.

The restaurant is one of the many culinary dining experiences of the Giorgios Hospitality Group. A native of Greece, Giorgios Bakatsias has been the creative force behind more than 25 restaurants, food venues and gourmet markets in the Triangle.

KIDS MENU

My daughter ordered off the kids menu for fruit plate and her own little deconstructed sandwich.

Crayons and coloring options to spark your lil one’s creativity

Hot Chocolate Smiles..no whipped cream but the staff customized with steamed milk foam and chocolate drizzle. How fun!

The kids menu is for ages 12 and below. All kids meals are served with choice of fresh fruit or kettle chips. #outandaboutAva loved dipping her apple slices in the nutella. Finger foods are a hit with kids!

BRUNCH MENU

They have a special weekend brunch menu on Sat and Sundays. It was hard to choose when so many items looked appealing. We finally settled on the Steak and Eggs and the Fajita Omelette. Both were done to perfection.

BRUNCH COCKTAILS

We had one of their specialty blackberry cocktails and a classic mimosa. These always mean “BRUNCH TIME” !!

DESSERTS

Two cookies almost bigger than her face !

Molten Lava Cake was GOOOOD !!!!!

We all really enjoyed everything. Service was awesome and our waitress couldn’t have been better.

Perfect spot for culture and food in a stylish comfortable setting.

 

Save Money & Plan the Best Birthday Ever! – 15% off @SkyZone Jump Around Birthday Package @usfg

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Hey Moms, Dads, Party People! Got an upcoming birthday to plan for your little one and want to save time & money but splurge on FUN!? Then look no further than Sky Zone Raleigh. Sky Zone offers several out-of-this-world birthday (and special event) party packages to make your party soar, literally!

If you’ve never heard of Sky Zone, it’s an innovative indoor trampoline park that offers a variety of activites. Let me share some of what they have to offer:

  • wall-to-wall trampoline courts that are designed as a fun and fit outing for all ages, shapes and sizes. 
  • Open Jump, allowing guests to leap, bound and soar 
  • Ultimate Dodgeball, a friendly and healthy dodgeball competition. 
  • Sky Zone’s original SkyRobics class, which combines advanced calisthenics with a three-dimensional cardio and strength training program

 This park is the ideal venue for groups seeking unforgettable events such as theme parties, corporate team building, field trips and much more! For a unique and memorable birthday party, or for the end-of-the-year team celebration, bring your group to Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park. Get ready to soar higher than ever before as you bounce across our patented, all-trampoline, walled playing courts. 

Ready to take your next birthday to the SKY? Save time and money and let Skyzone Raleigh do all the planning, set up (and cleaning up) for you. Find all the exciting details to schedule your party Here: http://www.skyzone.com/raleigh/Birthday-Parties!

And guess what…My SobeSavvy readers get to save with this coupon >>>>! Best Birthday Ever! – 15% off Jump Around Birthday Package
http://usfamilyguide.com/coupons.php?bid=12680&dealid=2648 .@usfg
Have you ever been to Sky Zone before? Let me know below. I plan to treat #outandaboutAva and her friends soon for a special themed party. Stay tuned as I will share my full review and pics here!

Link

#ArtThursday Spotlight on #NasherMuseum | Things to Do in #Durham #NC #yonasher 

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This past Sunday, I planned a Family Funday at The Nasher Museum of Art. Set on Duke University’s West Campus, this museum is known for leading-edge exhibitions that travel to institutions worldwide. On display now are the works of Nina Chanel Abney , which was one of the main reasons for my visit.

The exhibition Nina Chanel Abney: Royal Flush is on display until July 16, 2017 and features art from a 34-year-old African American woman from Chicago who was identified by Vanity Fair magazine as one of the many artists championing the Black Lives Matter movement.  Be sure to mark your calendar for April 11, 7pm for Artist Talk with Nina Chanel Abney where you will get a chance to meet the artist and celebrate her first solo show at the Nasher Museum.

Royal Flush is a 10-year survey of approximately 30 of the artist’s paintings, watercolors and collages. It is her take on various current and historic observations and comparisons to societal attitudes and norms toward everything from race relations to sexuality. It was colorful and insightful. Since my daughter is 5, I opted to take her into the exhibit and focus on the colors, shapes seen in the artwork. I explained how Abney uses spray paint and stencils to create her art and talked about the materials used such as acrylic on canvas.

* Savvy Tip:  You can ask staff  to show you a preview of Nina Chanel Abney’s work regarding the mature content so you can make the call of whether or not to bring your child into that pavilion. 

In the other pavilion, you will find their permanent collection with objects ranging
from Medieval art to African art to Central American to European. They have a scavenger hunt that goes along with that pavilion in particular, so my child really enjoyed that activity! You get a minibooklet where the little ones are to find various artworks depicted throughout the museum. They even are to make a sketch of their favorite piece. Needless to say, #outandaboutAva loved playing detective in the Nasher Museum !

Savvy Tip: Admission is always free every Thursday , 5-9pm . Go to nasher.duke.edu/calendar to see when you can catch other free events like their Free Highlights Tour and Free Family Day !

The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University is a stylish modern museum that always has interesting exhibits, tours and guest speakers. In addition, they have a wonderful restaurant in the museum where we had the pleasure of dining at their popular Sunday brunch. Check back here tomorrow for my #FoodieFriday review of the Nasher Cafe !

 If you are looking to make Sunday Funday plans with your family while visiting Durham, NC, I highly recommend a visit to the Nasher Museum !

 


 
 

 

 

Looking for Family-Friendly eats in @TownofCary ?Head to Brixx Wood Fired Pizza @BrixxParkside #Yum

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My husband’s first job as a teenager was at a pizza joint, so he is a pizza snob. He makes our pizza at home and is very particular about his pie. Because of him, my family LOVES PIZZA!  Always have. A few years back while visiting Rome, he needless to say, was in utopia.Many of those awesome pizza spots had one thing in common. Their pizza was baked in a brick oven. I did a little research as to why pizza in brick ovens just seemed “better” than pizza cooked in a traditional oven and here is the TMI answer :

Because of the high heat stored in the dense walls, the brick oven is designed to cook pizza very quickly. It takes approximately 2-3 minutes maximum for the pizza to cook.

Better crust – At such high temperatures, the radiant heat from the fire and the heat bouncing off the inside walls of the oven crisps the outside of the pizza very quickly. Any moisture in the dough is thus sealed off. This prevents the base of the dough from becoming soggy and results in a flavorful crust that’s puffy, yet soft and chewy.

Unique flavor – Only a wood-fired brick oven pizza imparts that unique smoky flavor that cannot be reproduced in a normal kitchen oven. The high temperature produces other flavors not achieved by slow cooking.

That being said, SobeSavvy was delighted to be hosted by BRIXX Wood Fired Pizza at Parkside Town Center this past weekend. With over 30 locations in 11 states, Brixx prides itself on being unique. Did you know they had 5 locations in the Triangle, 1 in Chapel Hill, 2 in Raleigh and two locations in Cary – in Parkside Town Commons and in Bradford Shops? We are lucky to have that many options nearby!

Much more than just a pizza and beer kinda place. The dining room was bright and colorful. They even have mini chalkboards for kids and kids at heart to be artists while sitting at the table !

At the bar, you’ll find they have over 24 craft beers on tap and 14 wines by the glass.

The foundation of its menu – traditional and whole wheat dough, focaccia bread, fresh mozzarella from Wisconsin cheese curd, meatballs, hummus, bruschetta and more – from scratch every morning and it shows or rather tastes ! We started with delicious tomato soup and a order of bruschetta . The focaccia toast was fresh and the balsamic glaze was divine over the roma and sun dried tomatoes!

I ordered the Chicken Florentine pizza and the wife ordered a Mediterranean Salad with grilled salmon on top. The salad was fresh and flavorful while my pizza was great!

My little one ordered penne pasta w/meatballs. She gave the thumbs up the way only a 5 yr old can! Service was superb and we even had root beer float to close out our first Brixx experience .

Brixx is dedicated to supporting the local environment as well, recycling everything possible and offering mostly draft beers to eliminate landfill waste.
We enjoyed our visit and look forward to trying some of their pasta dishes and sandwiches when we return.

SobeSavvy Tip: Take advantage of their #LateNightBOGO specials. Brixx has some of the best daily specials in Cary, including all bottles of wine half-priced Sundays and $2.50 craft drafts Mondays. Open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. – serving guests for lunch, dinner and late night eats. When other restaurants are cooling down, Brixx is heating up!

Although not at this location, Brixx at Bradford Shops offers a special lunch combo from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday – enjoy a smaller version of any housemade pizza and a half salad, quality food delivered to your table in about 10 minutes from ordering. So whether for lunch or dinner, Brixx is there to satisfy your family’s Italian cravings !

Learn more at http://www.brixxpizza.com. Be sure to Follow on Facebook for the Cary locations @Brixx Pizza – Parkside Town Commons and @Brixx Pizza – Bradford.

My Family Visit to @ncartmuseum in Black & White ~ an ode to the must see ANSEL ADAMS exhibition

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Ansel Adams is one of my favorite artist and America’s most renowned photographers. His black and white photographs reveal the importance Adams placed on the awe-inspiring power and beauty of the natural world. When I heard that his Masterworks were on display thru May 7, 2017 at NCMA/North Carolina Museum of Art, I knew I wanted to plan a day for my family (fondly referred to as #HeighPartyof3) to visit Raleigh’s beloved art museum. All hands in, let’s get ready to explore!

I have been to the NCMA before to catch a special theater performance presented by Theatre Raleigh , but have never been during the day or with my husband and daughter. We moved here in 2015 and still are discovering places we love to go to as a family. This art museum along with its park is now one of our favorite places. Admission is always free (there is a charge for programs and special exhibitions), there are Weekend Family-Friendly tours and Free Public Tours, a restaurant on the premise, and an amazing museum park ! Before you even step inside of the buildings, there is art and the beauty of nature to behold.

The North Carolina Museum of Art is the crown jewel of the Southeast U.S. art world .It is comprised of two buildings, East and West and a Museum Park. This complex has an impressive collection of art and artifacts comparable to other first tier museums. Be sure to ask for special kids art exercisize booklets that the little ones can use while touring the museum. From ancient Egyptian artifacts to Monet watercolor paintings to Rodin sculptures, this museum is world class. We started in the WEST BUILDING ,which is home of NCMA’s permanent collection, it houses Iris Restaurant  and Iris Sip, the Museum store and the Southeast’s largest collection of sculpture by Auguste Rodin in the Rodin Court and Garden. As impressive as their permanent collections are, their special exhibits are just as amazing.

*Savvy Tip: if you are seeing the museum with your child/children ages 2-5, be sure to pick up a What’s in the Box? Activity Cards. We had fun exploring art through themes provided on the cards.

We needed a food break and lucky for us we scored a coveted reservation at the renowned Iris restaurant inside of the West Building. Most museum restaurants are known for high quality food and Iris did not disappoint. Their brunch menu was available and we took advantage of it. Uur 5 yr old enjoyed their all the fixins waffle. While I had their chicken salad and hubby ate the Huevos Rancheros. All inventive and filling without being too heavy.The airy atmosphere and all of the smartly dressed guests made it a pleasant lunch to remember.

*Here is where I take my break from getting my Ansel Adams black and white photography on to show you their delicious food in color! *

After Brunch, we headed over to the EAST BUILDING , which is where the exhibitions are, the North Carolina Gallery, the seasonal film series is held, contemporary galleries, the Art Reference Library, and the Membership and Box Office is located. Here is where we picked up our tickets for our time slot to see Ansel Adams Masterworks. No photography is allowed in the gallery and they do have family friendly guided tour times. 

As one of the most famous American photographers, Ansel Adams captured the natural wonders of the American west like no other. This exhibit had a plethora of original Adam prints taken over the course of his 5 decades behind the lens. The framed black and whites are placed at even eye level with the perfect overhead lighting. It was crowded but you could still freely gawk and ponder at all of his wonderful work.

I hope my family’s visit to the North Carolina Museum of Art (and my personal black and white photo tribute to Ansel Adams) has inspired you to plan to go with your family. There is something for all ages to enjoy! Follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @ncartmuseum or Check out ncartmuseum.org for tickets and more information !

North Carolina Museum of Art
2110 Blue Ridge Road  

Raleigh, NC 27607

919-839-NCMA     ncartmuseum.org