A short 35-minute drive north from downtown Raleigh brings you to the charming town of Wake Forest, North Carolina. In this guide, I’m sharing with you the best things to do in downtown Wake Forest including my personal suggestions for restaurants, shopping, bars, events and activities the whole family can enjoy!
The heart of Wake Forest is essentially a few streets, with White Street being the main thoroughfare and the carefully preserved historic district is full of charm, culture, local retailers, and of course history.
You can park your car once and easily stroll through the vibrant downtown district, grab a bite to eat, do some boutique shopping, check out a gallery, have a drink, or attend an event or festival.
With a population of just over 50,000, Wake Forest ranks as North Carolina’s 21st largest city but downtown still remains quaint, walkable, and full of small-town appeal.
The top neighborhoods in Wake Forest are one of the popular places to live in the Raleigh area, especially in North Raleigh as it offers a wonderful lifestyle and is considered one of the most popular Raleigh neighborhoods for families or couples. If you’re thinking of living in Wake Forest, click here.
- Things to Do in Downtown Wake Forest
Things to Do in Downtown Wake Forest
Enjoy these Wake Forest Coffee Shops
Black & White Coffee
We are regulars at Black & White’s location in the Warehouse District in downtown Raleigh and have always loved their coffee. But we’d never visited their original location in Wake Forest until recently. We typically order lattes and they were on point.
Black & White is a bean to bar coffee roaster offering a full coffee bar menu and seasonal specials with knowledgeable and friendly staff. Their Wake Forest headquarters is one block off the main street and has indoor seating plus minimalist artwork on display, and an outdoor patio area.
There were some people working online indoors when we visited, but I must admit I do prefer the vibe, ambiance and interior of their Raleigh location. Also, the Raleigh patio area has shade, whereas the WF location did not. But the coffee is always quality!Â
Black and White Coffee is a black owned Raleigh business by US Barista Champions Kyle Ramage and Lem Buttler.
- Address: 314 Brooks St, Wake Forest
- Website: blackwhiteroasters.com
Wake Forest Coffee Company
Located right in the heart of White Street, WF Coffee Company is a cozy low-key cafe offering organic coffee from places like Ethiopia to Costa Rica, Peru, Sumatra, and Guatemala, plus light bites – apparently their coffee cake is top notch, next time!
Open seven days a week, the interior offers plenty of seating with art by local artists displayed on the wall. Outdoors is a very pleasant sitting area on the sidewalk to watch the world go by. Here you can expect friendly service and it makes for a nice spot to meet friends and catch up.
- Address: 156 S White St, Wake Forest
- Website: wakeforestcoffee.com
Eat at these Restaurants in Downtown Wake Forest
Over the Falls
When we asked our @ThisIsRaleigh Instagram community where to eat in Wake Forest, an overwhelming majority said we had to eat at Over the Falls. And our order of house made dips with pita bread, wings, Asian Tuna salad, and Bacon & Cheddar burger didn’t disappoint.
This pub style bar & grill has a cozy ambiance with seating options at tables, in a booth, or outdoors and we loved their large mural of Niagara Falls featured on the wall (where the restaurant name comes from).
The menu is large and they are known for their award winning specialty salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizza & wings. They offer daily specials and gluten free options. The bar features 12 craft draft beers, plus wines and an extensive bourbon list used in their handcrafted cocktails, martinis and mules.
- Address: 419 Brooks St, Wake Forest
- Website: otfalls.com
Sugar Magnolia Cafe
From the charming exterior to the cute interior, Sugar Magnolia Cafe is another lovely spot to grab a coffee and so much more!
On offer here is not only another good cup of coffee option, but tea including unique tea parties (reservations required for all tea services), salads, sandwiches and bubbly. And they have a kids menu!
We enjoyed one of their popular items, the homemade chicken salad sandwich and Turkey Bacon Chipotle Panini.
- Address: 219 S White St, Wake Forest
- Website: sugarmagnoliacafe.com
Bodega Tapas, Wine, and Rum
Bodega is well known for its small plates influenced by European wine regions, an curated wine list by a Frenchman, and an extensive rum selection offered in 1 ounce and 2 ounce tastings and unique cocktails.
Pair all this with excellent service and a cozy ambiance and you have one of the most popular places to dine and drink downtown towards the Southern end of White Street. If you love tapas, check them out.
- Address: 110 S White St, Wake Forest
- Website: bodegawakeforest.com
The Burger Shop
Burger lovers can head to The Burger Shop who serve classic handmade and never-frozen burgers, hand cut fries and hand squeezed lemonade.
The menu might be simple here with a focus on burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, chicken tenders and sides, but simple is often best. And I found the prices to be reasonable.
There’s a large dining area that feels like a classic diner-like atmosphere. And it’s just a quaint home town burger joint and from all reports is always busy, which is always a good sign.
- Address: 203 Wait Ave, Wake Forest
- Website: wakeforestburgershop.com
The Lemon Tree Cafe
Located in the same complex as Over the Falls and Page 158 Books (see down below), the Lemon Tree offers freshly prepared salads, soups, wraps, sandwiches and more. To keep it fresh, the menu changes daily and offers something different to try every time you visit.
Dine in or take food to-go. The Lemon Tree offers catering and ready-to-bake meals as well. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.
- Address: 415 Brooks St Suite C Downtown, Wake Forest
- Website: thelomontreewf.com
Shorty’s Famous Hot Dogs
Shorty’s has been a downtown Wake Forest staple since 1916 and includes all the nostalgic signs and atmosphere such as billiards and memorabilia-covered walls to make for a classic neighborhood hotdog joint.
A family-owned business for over 100 years, all of their hot dogs, sandwiches, and burgers are grilled to perfection and topped with fresh ingredients, including their popular homemade chili.
- Address: 214 S White St, Wake Forest
- Website: shortysfamoushotdogs.com
Plant Cakes Bake Shop
Want some delicious gluten free treats that are completely organic, non-GMO, and plant based as well? But wait, they are also free of artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, sugar alcohols, and preservatives.
Plant Cakes Bake Shop on White Street has a lot of gluten free anmd vegan doughnuts, muffins and cupcakes and are so popular they made our list of gluten free restaurants in Raleigh.
- Address: 410 S White St, Wake Forest
- Website: plantcakesbakeshop.com
Lumpy’s Ice Cream
We featured Lumpy’s in a previous article on best ice cream spots in Raleigh. Obviously Wake Forest is not in Raleigh, but it was so popular we just had to add it. Lumpy’s was founded by Buck Buchanan who moved from Vermont to Raleigh and the ice cream is adored by locals.
Buck committed to sourcing ingredients locally and using full-flavored, all-natural ingredients with the simple philosophy of: keep it simple and keep it local.
Classic flavors to choose from plus fun names like; Bernie’s Butter Pecan, Georgie’s Fuzzy Peach Dream, Bennie’s Bacon and Bourbon, Bubba’s Backyard Blackberry, Angel’s Apple Pie, and Wired Hippie (Coffee ice cream with trail mix).
- Address: 306 Wait Ave, Wake Forest
- Website: lumpysicecream.com
Visit these Bars & Breweries in Downtown Wake Forest
Norse Brewing
This Scandinavian themed brewery has a unique, cool vibe with tasty beers and elevated food. Norse Brewing also came highly recommended by the locals when we polled our Instagram community – the locals always know!
Nice range of craft beers to shoes from including a Wit beer to pilsner to sours and stouts, plus a few ciders and seltzers. Inviting and relaxing atmosphere with both inside and outside seating, and ample TVs to catch the game!
On the menu is a great selection of share plates like duck fat fries, loaded beer cheese tots, mussels and pimento cheese with pits. Great range of burgers, salads, fried grouper, elk sausage, chili, and desserts. We enjoyed some wings, a salad and a burger.
- Address: 203 Brooks St, Wake Forest
- Website: norsebrewingco.com
White Street Brewing
Originally a car dealership, this brewery opened in 2012 with a focus on Belgium and German style beers, plus IPAs and limited releases – I’m a big fan of their White Street Kolsch.
The century-old structure still maintains its original character with exposed brick and beams and every time we visit downtown it appears to have a lively atmosphere. If you love breweries, out this list in Raleigh.
- Address: 218 S White St, Wake Forest
- Website: whitestreetbrewing.com
Unwind on White
The concept of upscale wine lounge meets yoga studio ay Unwind on White features boutique wines and craft beers with a unique rooftop patio setting with views over downtown.
You can order wine by the bottle or the glass, or just buy some to take home. And they host events ranging from wine classes to yoga workshops and everything in between.
- Address: 153 S White St, Wake Forest
- Website: unwinednc.com
Tonic Bar Social Club
If you’re looking for a casual bar and a place for some craft cocktails and live music, consider Tonic Bar. They serve rotating taps of North Carolina craft beer, bottled imports, imports, crafted cocktails and wine by the glass and bottle.
Enjoyed by the locals for its community vibe and live music on Friday and Saturday nights
- Address: 158 S White St, Wake Forest
- Website: tonicsocialclub.com
Go Shopping in Downtown Wake Forest
NC General Store
North Carolina General Stores is the quintessential local corner store where you can shop for a variety of Carolina-made products from local art to BBQ sauces and specialty foods, pottery and photography. The store serves as a gallery for local artist Nathan Forrest, a painter who captures on canvas his passion for N.C. landmarks, historic places, people and wildlife.
The Cotton Company
This is a cool concept that blends many downtown Wake Forest shops into one location. Browse through more than 50 businesses under one roof for local, handmade artisan products ranging from pottery, candles, bath and body, to jewelry, sweet snacks, and signs.
- Address: 306 S White St, Wake Forest, NC 27587
- Website: thecottoncompany.net
Page 158 Books
A gem of a locally owned community bookstore in downtown Wake Forest with super-friendly and knowledgeable staff and a nice selection of books (especially from local authors) to choose from.
They host events including book launches, have a book club and book fairs – and they work with publishers and authors to bring the excitement of reading and writing right to the classroom. Conveniently located next to Lemon Tree Cafe – shop, eat and read!
- Address: 415-B Brooks St, Wake Forest
- Website: page158books.com
West & Main Boutique
West & Main Boutique is locally owned and operated with a focus on spreading body positivity and size inclusivity and has something for everyBODY with carefully curated boho and western items for all body types and budgets.
- Address: 217 S White St, Wake Forest
- Website: westandmainboutique.com
White Street Boutique
The bright and spacious White Street Boutique houses multiple local boutique collections under one roof. Each vendor brings their own unique collections into the store, creating diverse and unique merchandise for your shopping pleasure!
- Address: 221 S White St, Wake Forest
- Website: whitestreetboutique.net
Arrow Tree Boutique
Arrow Tree is another women’s clothing and accessory store located right next to Brooks Street Bowl with a chic aesthetic. Featuring a variety of styles and selections from beautiful dresses to casual wear, skirts, blouses, sweaters, jackets, and accessories.
- Address: 415 Brooks St # A, Wake Forest
- Website: arrowtreeboutique.com
Fun Activities in Downtown Wake Forest
Strike & Barrel
I enjoyed taking our youngest, Savannah here or a fun game of Duckpin bowling, but that’s far from all that’s going on inside downtown Wake Forest’s premier entertainment destination!
Here you have 24,000 square feet of fun under one roof including traditional bowling, duckpin bowling, axe throwing, sports simulators, cornhole, shuffleboard, plus classic and modern arcade games.
While you’re having fun, order a bite to eat from their chef driven full-service kitchen, and take in a game on one of the many TV,s. Perfect for families, couples, or large group events.
- Address: 413 S Brooks St, Wake Forest
- Website: strikeandbarrel.com
E. Carroll Joyner Park
Just a 3-minute drive from downtown Wake Forest brings you to one of the largest parks in Wake County, E. Carroll Joyner Park.
Here you can immerse yourself in the park’s history by exploring restored farm buildings, wander through the picturesque pecan grove and step back in time with a visit to the carefully preserved log cabin.
There’s three miles of paved walking trails, a 2,000 linear foot stone ribbon wall, fishing, charcoal grills, a community center, a playground, and a state-of-the-art 1,000-lawn-seat amphitheater
- Address: 701 Harris Rd, Wake Forest
- Website: wakeforestnc.gov
Friday Night on White
Talk about a community event where the WHOLE community gets involved. Friday Night on White (FNOW) is typically held from the months of April – September and is a free outdoor music series in downtown Wake Forest featuring live music and beer on White Street.
Each concert is scheduled from 6 to 9pm, there’s food trucks and many of the local businesses downtown remain open. It’s one of the popular community festivals and events in Wake County during the year and a real festive atmosphere.
Wake Forest Farmers Market
As one of the local farmer’s markets in Wake County, the Wake Forest Market is held each Saturday and offers a vibrant and diverse selection of fresh-off-the-farm produce, pasture-raised meat, local honey and plants, and much more.
The market aims to promote sustainable agriculture, support local food systems, and provide the community with access to fresh, healthy, and nutritious food options. It was founded over 20 years ago by a local farmer and a baker, and has now grown to one of the most popular farmers markets in the Raleigh area.
Wake Forest Historical Museum
Learn about the history of Wake Forest College at the Wake Forest Historical Museum which has some interesting facts and memorabilia. You can tour the historic Calvin Jones House, visit the new museum building’s exhibits and stroll through the gardens.
Visitors can also enjoy exhibits depicting life in the Town of Wake Forest, the Mill Village, Forestville, the Hurricane, and other surrounding areas.
In Summary: Downtown Wake Forest is a Charming place to explore
From local eats to charming boutiques, downtown has it all. If you didn’t know what to do in Wake Forest NC, hopefully this guide has provided helpful advice and inspiration to explore the quaint downtown area and meet the friendly locals.
We’ll be adding to this guide as we experience more places ourselves. In the meantime, feel free to ask any questions in the comments section below, or share your highlights or suggestions for visiting the town?