Keeping Cozy This Christmas Season
While the fall weather in Raleigh has been terribly toasty, we’re finally beginning to feel the brisk air that tells us it’s time to bundle up in our favorite cozy cardigans. In addition to the fashion, there are many wonderful winter activities that create coziness on the inside. Below we’ve listed five things to do in downtown Raleigh that will bring you out of hibernation this season.
Create something special at Wine & Design. Unwind, socialize, and let your imagination flow as you create a masterpiece to take home (or, gift to a friend during the holidays!) Whether you're a seasoned artist or a first-time painter, the ambiance and the soothing notes of your favorite wine will inspire your creativity to flourish. Wine & Design’s charming studio located on the third floor of Raleigh Union Station will help you escape the winter chill, embrace warmth, and enjoy quality time with quality friends. 510 W. Martin St. 3rd Floor
Pick a book and settle in with a seasonal coffee at Blackbird Books and Coffee. Treat yourself to a haven of literary bliss! Name something better than the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air as you settle into a cozy corner with a carefully selected book in hand… we’ll wait. Blackbird Books and Coffee is where the warmth of community and caffeine converge. Aside from their array of sips and stories, they have a little dispenser filled with handwritten notes to surprise you with a positive pep talk, a selection designated to “Blind Date with A Book”, and “Coffee & Crochet” on Wednesdays! 323 Blake St.
Enjoy a play at the North Carolina Theatre. Watch your beloved books and movies come to life at the NC Theatre. There’s extra magic in the air when the curtain rises on a winter evening. The stage comes alive with the energy of talented actors, dazzling sets, and the notes of a live orchestra. Guess what is coming soon?! ELF! The sweet, syrup-loving, Santa-knowing North Pole dweller will be on stage Dec. 9-17. Purchase your tickets here! 1 E. South St.
Fancy French cuisine at Jolie. Holding a warm bowl of Sunchoke & Apple Bisque with a glass of red wine on the side is even more wonderful when the wind is whirling eagerly outside. Jolie is a fine French bistro in Oakwood dedicated to crafting classic, time-honored French dishes as well as modern adaptations from Chef Scott Crawford and their Chef de Cuisine Clayton Ludwigson. We recommend practicing your pronunciation of “c'est délicieux”; you’ll be saying it a lot! 620 N. Person St.
Fall in love at Foundation. Single in the city? Dating during the winter months can be tough (tougher than it already is…) Why get dressed up and leave your comfy couch piled with blankets? Watching Gilmore Girls for the tenth time sounds more appealing. However, if you’re up for scheduling a date with the dude you matched with online to see if sparks fly, suggest Foundation. Foundation is a warm whiskey bar nestled underground on Fayetteville Street. The space is intimate, the cocktails are skillfully crafted with fresh ingredients, and the bartenders are fun conversationalists, if the chat with “Chad” falls flat. 13 Fayetteville St., Ste. 010