Long Read

raleigh, NC: your next unplanned experiment

@Tobias King2/10/2026blog
raleigh, NC: your next unplanned experiment

i just checked and it's - meh, not too bad, but the air's out here doing that jacketing-up thing. layers, folks.

someone told me that the old railway bridge coffeehouse has the strongest Wi-Fi in town, but also a line of 4 a.m. gym enthusiasts blasting ’thank you, next’ while filling up their smart water bottle. local lore says the barista will only serve espresso if you apologize for your keyboard clatter.

worked from the lighthouse café today - their rooftop has those dumb bucket-hat-hatted dudes with dual monitors, and yes, they ’ve memorized the menu by muscle memory. overheard a guy ranting about ’before every first date ever’ while his cat licked his computer clean. sponsored by ’the secret menu’? maybe!

people walking on street between buildings during daytime


walked over to the fallen temple at dusk, that weird weather app says 7.9° but feels like 5 somethin’? guess that’s it when the wind chimes hit your face like a choreographed vibe. locals swear the deer downtown are the ones actually feeling the vibe here.

found this graffiti tunnel under the great antelope park - someone painted a giant ’4’ with a unicorn curling its horn into the number. not sure if art or math, but the 12th legend on the map says it's a portal to detroit. just saying.

i heard that the bell tower pub has a jazz night Tuesday - took a risk on it. got hit with a cover charge, but the sax solo? transcendent. next time: bring shred guitar.

historic downtown walking tour map - mostly a series of plateaus where grandmas sell air plants and new-age cologne. but the central park fountain? never needs refilling. must be magic.

nearest city park has a koi pond that glows at night? suspicious. tried feeding it goldfish crackers but they glared at me like i was the one being catfished. tip: don't trust locals selling ’lucky buttons’ near the petting zoo.

yep, totally just a vibe check. this place feels 37% rain-soaked concrete, 41% pretending it's not another suburb. map says: drive east until you find the "Raleigh Rovers" mural. it's just a guy in a retired soccer jersey flexing like he's running a company. 🎉 maybe that's the point.


You might also be interested in:

About the author: Tobias King

Student of life, taking notes for everyone else.

Loading discussion...