Tucked amid the rolling landscape southwest of Raleigh, Apex is known as “the peak of good living” — even the town’s 44-year-running PeakFest celebration bears its moniker. Apex lives up to the hype: A strong sense of community thrives on front porches, fills the parks on summer evenings, and turns out for year-round festivals that spill into the streets.
Downtown, a community-supported food and drink scene means there’s always something new to taste from family-owned Italian kitchens to modern breweries and cozy cafés. Outdoor enthusiasts find easy access to well-maintained trails for an after-work stroll, while families gather at cultural centers for concerts, art classes, or a night under the stars. A small town within reach of our capital, Apex feels both timeless and current.
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Dine: For the perfect breakfast and lunch spot, make your way to Fratelli’s Delicatessen. Here, the aromas of fresh bread and cured meats give way to classic sandwiches and hearty Italian specialties. Sabatino’s Italiano is a favorite for family dinners, especially if you’re in the mood for pasta and wood-fired pizza. Expect a cozy setting where everyone feels like a regular.
Enjoy sweet and savory Italian treats at Fratelli’s Delicatessen. photograph by Randall Haskins/Town of Apex
Sip: Southern Peak Brewery captures Apex’s spirit of community with small-batch beers poured in a relaxed taproom. For a different kind of pick-me-up, The Turkish Coffee Lady brings global flavors, offering rich, aromatic brews and sweets that make every visit feel like a journey through Istanbul.
A neighborhood fixture, Southern Peak Brewery hosts regular events like live music and food trucks at its taproom on Windy Road. Photography courtesy of Southern Peak Brewery
Experience: Apex’s creative anchor, the Halle Cultural Arts Center, showcases everything from rotating gallery exhibits to live performances. Outdoors, its “Rhythm & Reels” series brings families together at the Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre for free concerts and movies under the sky. Inside the Halle, an “On the Steps” concert series provides an intimate way to enjoy acoustic sets from touring artists.
Unleash your creative streak at Mad Splatter’s studio and splatter room. photograph by Mad Splatter
Play: If all the arts inspire you to create something for yourself, check out Mad Splatter studio’s pottery, splatter painting, and canvas art classes. Or grab some friends and head to Whole Brain Escape, an escape room where you’re challenged to crack codes and solve puzzles before time runs out.
Apex Community Park: This outdoor recreation hub is complete with ball fields, a playground, pickleball courts, and wooded trails that wind around a sparkling lake. Cast a line in the water, enjoy a picnic, or take a leisurely stroll or jog around the trail loop.
The American Tobacco Trail offers a picturesque route through Piedmont terrain, running from Durham to southern Wake County. photograph by Randall Haskins/Town of Apex
American Tobacco Trail: For 22 miles through Wake, Chatham, and Durham counties, this historic railroad line-turned popular greenway grants a shaded escape for cyclists, runners, and horseback riders. Breezes cool the route during the fall and wildflowers brighten it in spring.
Amid the 14,000-acre recreation area, Jordan Lake is a quintessential destination for boating, hiking, camping, and swimming in central North Carolina. photograph by Randall Haskins/Town of Apex
Jordan Lake: A crown jewel among North Carolina’s state parks, Jordan Lake delivers adventures from boating and fishing to swimming and hiking. With 15 miles of trails, the reservoir draws nature lovers from across the Triangle. If you don’t have your own boat, you can rent a fishing boat or kayak from the nearby marina. Campgrounds along the shoreline make it easy to extend the fun overnight. Reserve a spot in advance or take your chances at Loop 3 and 4 at Parkers Creek and Loop E at Poplar Point — these two walk-up campsites are available first-come, first-served.
Kick back on the terrace at Cloer Family Vineyards with a glass of Matador, a merlot wine. photograph by Randall Haskins/Town of Apex
Cloer Family Vineyards: When you’re ready to relax and unwind, sip a wine flight on the terrace or shaded picnic tables at Cloer Family Vineyards. Afterward, stretch your legs with a stroll through the vineyards where muscadine, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, riesling, and merlot grapes grow.
Fall: In October, Witches Night Out transforms downtown into a lively evening of shopping and dining for those sporting their best witch hats, while the Apex Latino Arts Festival in September fills the streets with music, dance, food from several Latin American countries, and colorful traditions.
Autumn months bring events like the Apex Latino Arts Festival and Witches Night Out to town. photograph by Kendall Hart/Town of Apex
Winter: Apex ushers in the holiday season with its annual First Friday Tree Lighting, a joyous gathering held at the Town Hall Campus. From 4:30 to 7 p.m., Town Hall hums with carols, laughter, and warm lights as town council members light the tree. The first Friday also kicks off the Snowman Stroll on Salem, which extends over a week in early December and brings extra magic to downtown Apex. Participants pick up a “Snowman Stroll Passport” at the Apex Depot Welcome Center before making their way to participating businesses, all decked out with snowman-themed displays, specials, and treats. Don’t forget to get your passport stamped as you go.
Mark your calendar for PeakFest on the first Saturday in May, which brings artists and regional talent to downtown Apex. photograph by Victorian Simmons/Town of Apex
Spring: At the annual Peak City Pig Fest during the second weekend in April, barbecue lovers convene at a downtown beer garden, complete with food vendors and craft brewers. Don’t miss the rib-eating contest held between the police and fire departments. “Come as a stranger, leave as a friend,” is the motto of another festival, PeakFest, which brings together local craftspeople, food vendors, and live music on the first Saturday in May. Going on more than 40 years of celebration, PeakFest aims to build community and celebrate local culture and creativity.
Bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket to Hunter Street Park to enjoy the Independence Day fanfare at Fireworks Frenzy. photograph by Kerrin Cox/Town of Apex
Summer: The season shines with Apex’s Juneteenth Celebration, which takes place the Saturday closest to June 19, the official Juneteenth National Independence Day, with live performances, cultural programming, and community reflection. Just a few weeks later comes the dazzling Fireworks Frenzy, the town’s signature Independence Day-eve event held at Hunter Street Park. From 5 to 10 p.m., the park buzzes with food trucks, games, inflatables, and music. A recent addition to the event, a drone light show creates a dazzling display that’s more inclusive for attendees sensitive to loud noises. For those who still crave the classic crackle of fireworks, the night concludes with a grand display around 9:30 p.m.
The Social District: Order a beverage and take it for a stroll within this downtown district containing a multitude of Apex hotspots. Oaklyn Springs Brewery, HighCraft Beer Market, Scratch Kitchen & Taproom, Peak of the Vine, The Exchange Cocktail Bar & Lounge, Anna’s Pizzeria, La Rancherita, Serafina Ristorante, and Neat & Sweet Lounge at Scratch create a lively circuit of dining and drinks, each destination earning its spot on the social district map. And for excellent views and house-brewed craft beers, be sure to visit TapStation Restaurant, the town’s first rooftop bar and restaurant, housed inside a former service station.
Once an auto service station, TapStation pays homage to the building’s past with motor-inspired decor and fixtures. photograph by Randall Haskins/Town of Apex
The Provincial Apex: Inside a restored early 20th-century building with warm lighting, tin ceilings, and exposed brick walls, this restaurant serves farm-to-table small plates, like the house-smoked fish spread, as well as “big plates,” like the slow-cooked lamb shank. Save room for the fried Honeycrisp apple pie or old-fashioned carrot cake.
Enjoy fresh, seasonal ingredients inside The Provincial’s cozy dining room. photograph by Randall Haskins/Town of Apex
Salem Street Pub: This locals’ favorite is a go-to for burgers, wings, and a laid-back evening out. Check their Facebook page for a live music calendar.
Grab a seat at Salem Street Pub’s counter that overlooks the action downtown. photograph by Randall Haskins/Town of Apex
Boutiques: With a goal of shifting the fashion and gift industries toward a more sustainable future, the women-owned Rose & Lee Collective boutique intentionally curates their selection of clothing, accessories, and gifts from thoughtful, conscientious brands. The Tulip Magnolia, a boutique in the heart of downtown, sells women’s (and some men’s) apparel in a vast range of sizes to empower shoppers to look and feel their very best. Bella + Mauve’s charm bar lets customers build their own charm necklaces, lending a personalized touch to the shopping experience.
Gift Shops: Adventures in Bloom devotees love the handmade jewelry and metal stamping bar, where visitors can craft personalized jewelry and accessories in a hands-on workshop. Under the guidance of expert instructors, participants learn the art of stamping on metal to create custom pieces. Down the street, North Left: A Modern Mercantile stands out for its collection of local and regional goods that blend style, function, and artistry. Each item — from handmade home decor and kitchenware to artisan gifts and unique stationery — is selected to reflect the town’s creative spirit.
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This story was published on Oct 06, 2025
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