A Realtor’s Guide to Experiencing the Best Cary Has to Offer

Cary has long been one of the most popular destinations for families relocating to the Triangle area as it has been consistently ranked one of the best places to live in the country. With its proximity to Raleigh, Durham, and RDU, and with plenty to offer residents including new and established neighborhoods, great schools, extensive shopping and dining options, beautiful parks, and a robust community events calendar, Cary real estate is in high demand. Erica Anderson, a top REALTOR and owner of Team Anderson Realty, has been serving the real estate needs of the community since 2014.

Downtown Cary

Downtown Cary is a quaint, charming, walkable historic district that offers plenty of options for those visiting the area. If you are just starting your morning, you may want to stop by Brew Coffee Bar for one of their delicious hand-crafted specialty coffees; or you may want to visit La Farm Bakery, a long-time favorite of locals, which offers a wide array of freshly baked bread, French pastries, and coffee, as well as a menu full of delectable breakfast and lunch items. Ashworth Drug Store has been a staple of downtown since 1957; with its nostalgic 1950’s vibe you will feel like you’ve traveled through time. While you wait for your prescription, you can grab a seat at their old-fashioned soda fountain and treat yourself to a soda, hotdog, milkshake, or ice cream. Crosstown Pub & Grill is a great spot to grab delicious pub fare, and Serendipity Gourmet Deli is a favorite destination for lunch downtown. Bond Brothers Brewery is THE place to go to enjoy high-quality, artisanal brews with friends- it was named Best New Brewery by USA Today in 2017. You also want to make sure to visit Cotton House Craft Beers; located in The Passmore House, built circa 1900, they offer a variety of seating options t0 choose from including rocking chairs on the front porch, comfy seats at their prohibition-style bar, cozy chairs by the fireplace, a seat on the back deck, or a table on their lawn. They offer beer, cider, red and white wines, and they also host food trucks every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Peak Olive Oil Company is a must-visit for those who enjoy cooking; they specialize in fresh olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars. If you are a lover of wine, don’t forget to stop by Chatham Street Wine Market, which focuses on unique, small production wines from around the globe.

The Cary Theater is at the heart of downtown; built in 1946, it underwent renovations in recent years and is now the hub for art house entertainment, ranging from independent and classic films to live performances. For art enthusiasts, Cary Gallery of Artists is a cooperative operated by local artists featuring both traditional and contemporary art with over 300 pieces on display from a variety of artists. Downtown Cary is also home to the Cary Arts Center, which offers programs, performances, and gallery exhibits. Cary’s Downtown Park is a favorite gathering place in the community, offering space for musical performances, outdoor movies, games, and an open green space for picnics or recreational activities.

Shopping and Dining

Cary offers residents and visitors a wide array of dining options to choose from, that are sure to please any palate. In addition to just about every chain restaurant you can think of, Cary is also home to a variety of unique, locally-owned establishments. Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen is a favorite among locals, known for its delicious, farm-to-table Southern fare. Bosphorus is another popular destination for foodies, which provides hearty Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine. Chef’s Palette aims to provide their patrons with an artistic dining experience offering an array of beautiful and delectable entrees. If you are looking for upscale fine dining, look no further than Herons at the Umstead Hotel and Spa, one of only 64 Forbes Five-Star restaurants in the world; this intimate dining room features a full-view kitchen, a curated, private art collection, and floor-to-ceiling windows providing views of the garden. Sushi-Thai Cary and Oiso Sushi & Korean offer some of the best sushi in town. If Italian is what you crave, we recommend Bellini Italian Cuisine or Enrigo Italian Bistro for authentic, mouth-watering Italian dishes. Gonza Tacos Y Tequila and Totopos Street Food & Tequila are some of the best places for Mexican food with a twist.

Cary provides plenty of shopping options to suit your every need. Crossroads Plaza is a popular shopping destination consisting of a variety of stores including Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Best Buy, Home Depot, Marshall’s, HomeGoods, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Old Navy, Ulta, DSW, Bath & Body Works, just to name a few. Across the street from Crossroads Plaza, you can find more stores like Lowe’s Home Improvement, World Market, Kohl’s, Petsmart, Joanne’s Fabrics, and more. There are plenty of dining options in the area for when you’ve shopped up an appetite!

Cary also boasts a Trader Joe’s, Wegman’s, BJ’s Wholesale, Lidl, Whole Foods, and Fresh Market, as well as more common grocery stories like Harris Teeter, Publix, and Food Lion. H-Mart Cary is a must-stop if you love Asian food; they offer a huge selection of imported packaged food as well as ready-to-serve meals.

Activities

North Carolina provides some of the best outdoor living in the country, and Cary is no exception. In addition to being a couple hours drive from the beautiful beaches along the NC coast, or a few hours to the majestic mountains of Western NC, Cary offers loads of natural parks, hiking trails, and greenways to explore. Fred G. Bond Metro Park is the city’s largest municipal park and is a favorite spot for sports, picnics, and hiking; in addition to beautiful Bond Lake, which offers its visitors the ability to rent pedal boats, canoes, kayaks, row boats, and sailboats, the park also offers 4.2 miles of trails, a variety of athletic fields, picnic shelters, playgrounds, and greenways. Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve offers beautiful, shady hiking trails where you can view a variety of plants and wildlife. Apex Community Park, which straddles the border between Cary and Apex, boasts 160-acres of fitness and nature trails, baseball fields, batting cages, tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts, a playground, and a beautiful lake that offers fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

Koka Booth Amphitheatre is one of the most popular attractions in Cary offering a robust calendar of live performances, Movies by Moonlight, concerts, and music festivals throughout the year. It’s an impressive outdoor venue where you can buy tickets under the amphitheater, or on the lawn, and watch your favorite band or artist perform. Some of the past entertainers have included Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, Kacey Musgraves, John Legend, The Lumineers, Sturgill Simpson, John Mellencamp, Sheryl Crow, and Little Big Town, just to name a few. Koka Booth also hosts the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival each winter, which gives visitors a dazzling evening experience; traversing the meandering path, you will walk past hundreds of unique, magnificently hand-crafted lantern sculptures, each comprising of thousands of lights.

Of course, you can’t talk about North Carolina activities without mentioning golf. Cary’s Prestonwood Country Club, a privately-owned, family-friendly club, is one of the most popular in the area. Prestonwood boasts 3 distinct 18-hole courses, of which a combination is used annually for the SAS Championship. In addition, they offer some of the best all-inclusive amenities available, including tennis, an impressive aquatics center, and a fitness center. MacGregor Downs is one of the most prestigious private clubs in the state; their Willard Byrd-designed course is annually rated one of the best courses in the Southeast US. Lochmere Golf Club is a semi-private course located in Cary. Knight’s Play, while technically in Apex, but very close to the Cary border, is a public course offering 18-hole and 9-hole courses, as well as a 60-station driving range.

Phillip’s Farm, a working, family-owned farm, has been serving quality products and providing family fun to the community for over 100 years. They currently farm strawberries, corn, hay, and straw, and sell Christmas trees during the season. During the fall, Phillip’s farm becomes a top destination in the area, where people flock to make their way through the family-friendly corn maze and take part in the fall festivities offered at the farm. For the not-so-easily-scared, don’t miss the spooky “Haunted Farm” attraction on Friday and Saturday evenings in late September and October, which is always a frightful crowd pleaser!

Cultural Events & Festivals

The Town of Cary offers a calendar full of events and festivals year-round. The Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival, held in August, is one of the most popular weekend festivals in the area; it features over 300 artists, live music, food and drink vendors, and activities for children. Saturdays in May, downtown hosts the Spring Daze Arts Market featuring local artists. There are numerous other events held throughout the year including Cary Dog Days, Children’s Day Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Playtime in the Park, Cary History Hunt, and En Plein Air, just to name a few.

Real Estate in Cary

Cary real estate is in high demand due in part to the excellent school choices and abundance of successful companies located within town limits, like SAS and Epic Games (from Fortnite fame). There is a plethora of subdivisions located in Cary, giving homebuyers lots of opportunities to choose from, whether it be new construction or well-established neighborhoods. Amberly is a master-planned community located in West Cary offering townhomes or single-family homes with great amenities, including a 16-acre lake, 2 pools, waterslides, fitness center, Residents Club, and walking trails ($300s-$900s). Cary Park, which is anchored by a 28-acre lake, is one of the more popular subdivisions in the area; it offers single-family homes, townhomes, and condos, as well as amenities like a walking trail around the lake, pool, clubhouse, and playgrounds ($200s to over $1M). Lochmere is one of the most desirable communities in the area; located in East Cary, this neighborhood of single-family homes, townhomes, and condos boasts 3 beautiful lakes and is surrounded by trees and nature, and, additionally, offers residents 3 community pools, tennis and volleyball courts, and walking/biking trails ($300s to over $1M). MacGregor Downs is one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in Cary; a private golf community, it boasts beautiful, luxury homes amidst a picturesque backdrop ($500s to over $2M). Preston is another luxury home and private golf community, offering residents world-class amenities; they also have condos and townhomes available ($200s to over $2M). One of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Cary is Copperleaf, a gorgeous community of high-end homes surrounded by green space, which provides residents walking/biking trails that connect to Cary’s Greenway systems, as well as the American Tobacco Trail ($800s to over $1M).

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CARY NEIGHBORHOODS

AMBERLY

CARY NEIGHBORHOOD

Amberly is a beautiful, master-planned community located in West Cary offering townhomes and single-family homes. The thing that really sets this community apart are the incredible amenities, which include: a 16-acre lake, two pools, waterslides and water play structures, a fitness center, a Residents Club, and walking trails. Amberly is an attractive option for buyers because of the great location and variety of amenities. And because it is located in West Cary, you are only minutes away from RDU Airport, making travel a breeze!

Contact Team Anderson Realty today!

COPPERLEAF

CARY SUBDIVISION

One of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Cary is Copperleaf, a gorgeous community of high-end, executive homes. The yards are generous in size, averaging ½ – ¾ acres and are surrounded by green space. The neighborhood features miles of walking and biking trails, which connect to Cary’s Greenway systems, as well as the American Tobacco Trail. There is also a 5,000 sq ft pool for residents, complete with slides and splash areas, as well as a pavilion. Additionally, there is a playground and multiple neighborhood ponds to enjoy.

Looking for a home in Copperleaf? Learn more now by contacting Team Anderson Realty!

LOCHMERE

CARY NEIGHBORHOOD

Lochmere has long been one of the most desirable communities in Cary. With its fabulous location and abundance of amenities, it’s no wonder buyers flock to purchase homes in Lochmere. Located on the east side of Cary, this neighborhood of single-family homes, townhomes, and condos boasts three beautiful lakes. The community is surrounded by trees and nature, providing a tranquil landscape. Lochmere also offers residents plenty in the way of amenities, including three community pools, tennis and volleyball courts, and walking/biking trails.

Looking for the best realty firm in Lochmere? Contact Team Anderson Realty today!

MACGREGOR DOWNS & MACGREGOR WEST

CARY NEIGHBORHOOD

MacGregor Downs and adjacent MacGregor West are two of the most prestigious neighborhoods in Cary. Nestled on Lake MacGregor, these private golf communities boast a variety of impressive luxury homes in a picturesque setting. The gorgeous scenery plays an integral role in life in these sister communities. Anywhere you walk or drive you are met with beauty, whether in the lush, manicured lawns, the pristine greens of the golf course, or the elegant homes. And of course, MacGregor Downs Country Club offers members an impressive array of activities to keep active.

Whether you are buying or selling a home in MacGregor Downs or interested in housing options in MacGregor West, Team Anderson Realty is your one stop shop! Contact us today!

PRESTON

CARY NEIGHBORHOOD

Preston is a another highly desirable community located in Cary. They offer a variety of single-family homes, townhomes, and condos in a wide range of sizes. Preston is also home to the Prestonwood Country Club and golf course, which is a privately-owned, family-friendly club, and one of the most popular in the area. Prestonwood boasts 3 distinct 18-hole courses, of which a combination is used annually for the SAS Championship. In addition, they offer some of the best all-inclusive amenities available, including tennis, an impressive aquatics center, and a fitness center.

Contact our award winning realty firm supporting Cary today!

WELLSLEY

CARY NEIGHBORHOOD

Wellsley is an active community featuring stunning single-family homes. The streets here are quiet and beautifully landscaped, and provide miles of sidewalks, perfect for an early morning or late afternoon stroll. Located in the heart of Cary, this peaceful neighborhood is tucked away, yet close to just about anything you need, including shopping, dining, activities, major employers, parks, and more. Wellsely also offers residents a swimming pool, community clubhouse, and tennis courts.

Contact Team Anderson Realty for more information today!

Ready to Buy a Home or Sell a Home in Cary?

Team Anderson Realty is an independent 5-star, concierge-style real estate firm that has been serving Cary and the surrounding areas since 2014. We provide personalized service tailored to each individual client, whether you are looking to buy a home in Cary or the surrounding areas, or if you are looking to sell your home, you need a realtor who will work hard for you. Homes for sale in Cary go fast, so if you are thinking of moving to the area, we would love to show you what’s available and help you find that perfect home. Likewise, if you have thought to yourself, “What do I need to do to sell my home?” let us put our expertise to work for you. As a top seller’s agent in Cary, we pull out all the stops to get you top-dollar for your home. We offer superior service to all of our clients, regardless of budget. If you’re in the market to either buy a home or sell a home in Cary or the surrounding areas, please let us help make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Call one of our Realtors today at 919-610-5126 and let us get to work for you!