For some of us, a trip to the farmers market is just another point on the weekly to-do list — wedged somewhere between a Saturday morning run and an afternoon of errands or house projects. But there’s a much more delightful alternative when the day’s to-do list revolves entirely around the market itself. For this option, we recommend heading to Raleigh, where the State Farmers Market feels like a provincial shopping center in the heart of our capital city (click here to read about one writer taking her son on his first market trip). Here, local vendors, permanent shops, and three restaurants span a 75-acre space in close proximity to parks, downtown museums, nearby attractions, and more. From starting your morning with a down-home breakfast to ending your day with a cold beverage — and everything in between — the State Farmers Market and its neighbors offer plenty of ways to spend a delightful spring Saturday..
Many visitors stop by the Market Bakery to pick out a cinnamon roll, but don’t skip a loaf of their fresh-baked bread. photograph by Charles Harris
A rule I’ve learned through experience: Never shop on an empty stomach. Fortify yourself to tackle all the items on your grocery list by making the Market Bakery the day’s first stop. Their warm cinnamon rolls are renowned and best enjoyed on the spot — grab extra napkins for the delightfully melty icing. A loaf of fresh cinnamon-raisin or herb bread will travel well, so grab one to take home. And go ahead and treat yourself to one of their fresh-squeezed citrus ’ades to sip while you shop.
What’ll ya have? An abundance of peak-season peppers, melons, and seemingly endless variety of fruit and vegetables turn grocery shopping into an adventure. photograph by Jack Hollingsworth
Next, work your way through your list. The State Farmers Market is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and half the thrill is seeing what fresh produce you can score from the local vendors in the 30,000-square-foot, open-air Farmers Building. Will you still find tidy bundles of asparagus? What about the first bucket of ripe strawberries? The variety changes with the growing season, and you can check to see what’s available by clicking here. Starting in March, you can also browse an array of plants, from fresh-cut flowers to pothos in hanging baskets, potted rubber plants, and more — just in time for the start of patio season.
Find fresh cucumbers, squash, and tomatoes from local vendors at the State Farmers Market during the summer months. photograph by Jack Hollingsworth
While the Farmers Building is an ever changing array of seasonal fruits and vegetables, the selection you’ll find in the Market Shoppes remains a bit more consistent throughout the year. In addition to the goodies at the Market Bakery, you can also shop for small-batch cheeses, regionally raised and processed meats, North Carolina wine, jams and jellies, handmade soaps, and more. Pro tip: Between the Farmers Building and the Market Shoppes, get a little extra bread, some good cheese, ripe berries, and just-baked cookies for a mid-day picnic.
The State Farmers Market’s restaurant features a country breakfast — fuel for the shopping trip ahead. photograph by Charles Harris
Once you’ve checked off the final item on your shopping list, it’s time to address the lunchtime stomach rumbles. And luckily, you don’t need to travel far to do so, thanks to the market’s on-site restaurants. Satisfy cravings for lightly battered, crispy Calabash-style seafood with a combo platter from N.C. Seafood Restaurant. Order your choice of shrimp, scallops, oysters, catfish, or flounder (among other items) with hush puppies, coleslaw, and fries, and save room for a slice of lemon pie for dessert. If you prefer more varied, down-home eats, the State Farmers Market Restaurant is iconic. In more of a brunch mood? They serve breakfast all day, offering famous buttermilk biscuits, plenty of pancakes and French toast from the griddle, your choice of eggs, pork tenderloin, and North Carolina country ham, plus much more. For handhelds, order a homemade chicken salad sandwich, tenderloin sandwich, or hot dog with all the fixings.
Afterward, stretch your legs at nearby Dix Park. Located on the site of North Carolina’s first psychiatric hospital, the park is named for the late mental health activist Dorothea Dix. Today, more than 300 acres of green space welcome families, dogs, cyclists, and runners, and the aptly named Big Field is the site of many community events. Take little ones to the brand-new Gipson Play Plaza, the largest playground in the Southeast, or marvel at the larger-than-life art installations, including the Pollinator Hotel and Meadow of the Deer. In July, explore the park’s sprawling Sunflower Field.
Unwind with a local craft beer on the patio at Trophy Brewing & Taproom’s Maywood Avenue location. photograph by Brian Strickland
Not quite ready to call it a day? Greet golden hour on the patio at Trophy Brewing & Taproom, less than a half-mile from the market. With a dozen different brews on tap, plus cider and wine options, you can settle around one of long, wooden outdoor tables with a cold beverage and brewpub-inspired bites from a local food truck. If you’d prefer to hit the road, grab one of their four-packs to add to the day’s bounty and enjoy it back home.
Looking for more? Click here to check out five of our favorite ways to play in downtown Raleigh.
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