2021

• Raleigh and Durham collectively rank #2 Best Place to Live – U.S. News & World Report, July Among Top 50 Boomtowns Nationwide (Cary) – SmartAsset, November 2021
• Among 2021’s Best Cities for Gamers (Raleigh) – WalletHub, July 2021
• #3 Among Safest Large Cities (Raleigh) – AdvisorSmith, July 2021
• #1 Among Safest Midsize Cities (Cary) – AdvisorSmith, July 2021
• Among 2021’s Best Cities for Hockey Fans (Raleigh) – WalletHub, June 2021
• Among America’s Best Cities (Raleigh) – Best Cities, June 2021
• Among Top 20 Best Summer Travel Destinations (Greater Raleigh) – WalletHub, May 2021
• Among New Destinations You Should Visit This Year (Raleigh and The Longleaf Hotel) – Tablet Hotels, January 2021
• #1 Among America’s Best Places to Live in 2021 (Raleigh) – Bankrate, January 2021
• Raleigh ranked as the 11th best-run city in America – WalletHub, June
• Raleigh tops list of best places to retire early – Triangle Business Journal, May
• Raleigh makes list of best cities to start a career – WalletHub, May
• Raleigh earned the “Leading the Way Award” for being ranked in the top 10% of local governments in the U.S. with regard to resident satisfaction with government services and customer service – ETC Institute, April
• Raleigh ranks 7th best city for STEM workers – WalletHub, February
• Raleigh’s economy is the 5th best-performing in the United States – Milken Institute, February
• Raleigh ranks 3rd in Best State Capitals – WalletHub, January
• Raleigh ranks 1st on a list of places that provide the best opportunities for shared living arrangements, earning it the distinction of being named “roommate capital” of the country – StorageCafé, January
• Raleigh ranks 3rd in Happiest Cities in America poll – Men’s Health, January
• Raleigh ranks 3rd in U.S. for Cheap Cities Seeing Relocation Boom amid COVID-19 Pandemic – 24/7 Wall Street, January

2020

• Among America’s Happiest Cities (Raleigh) – Indy Week, December 2020
• #3 Among Happiest Cities in America (Raleigh) – Men’s Health, December 2020
• Among Safest Cities in America (Raleigh) – Money Geek, December 2020
• Among The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2021 (Raleigh area) – Travel + Leisure, December 2020
• #9 Among 2020’s Safest Cities in America (Raleigh) – WalletHub, November 2020
• 2021 North American Center of Excellence (Raleigh Convention Center) – Exhibitor Magazine, October 2020
• Readers’ Choice Award (Raleigh Marriott City Center) – ConventionSouth, October 2020
• 2021 New or Renovated Meeting Site Award (Embassy Suites Raleigh-Durham Research Triangle, Cary) – ConventionSouth, October 2020
• 2021 New or Renovated Meeting Site Award (The Umstead Hotel and Spa, Cary) – ConventionSouth, October 2020
• Cities Where Women Are Most Successful (Cary) – SmartAsset, June 2020
• Five-Star Award Winner, Hotels (The Umstead Hotel and Spa, Cary) – Forbes Travel Guide, February 2020
• Five-Star Award Winner, Spas (The Umstead Spa, Cary) – Forbes Travel Guide, February 2020
• Five-Star Award Winner, Restaurants (Herons at The Umstead Hotel and Spa, Cary) – Forbes Travel Guide, February 2020
• #1 Among Best Hotels in North Carolina (The Umstead Hotel and Spa, Cary) – U.S. News & World Report, February 2020
• Among Best Music Scenes Right Now (Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill) – Rolling Stone, February 2020
• #2 in 2020 Quality of Life Ranking (Raleigh) – Numbeo, January 2020

2019

• Bronze Winner for Best CVBs/DMOs (Regional) in the Southeast (Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau/Visit Raleigh) – The Stella Awards, November 2019
• #14 Among America’s Top 150 Most Dynamic Urban Centers (Raleigh) – Point2 Homes, November 2019
• #5 Among America’s Top 10 Most Dynamic Mid-Sized Cities (Raleigh) – Point2 Homes, November 2019
• 2019 Platinum Choice Award Winner (Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau/Visit Raleigh) – Smart Meetings, October 2019
• The Best Weekend Getaways Near Atlanta: Best Food Getaway (Raleigh) – Thrillist, October 2019
• 2020 Center of Excellence (Raleigh Convention Center) – EXHIBITOR Magazine, October 2019
• #5 Among 2019 North America Airport Satisfaction Study (RDU International Airport) – J.D. Power, September 2019
• Most Instagrammable Restaurants in America (Brewery Bhavana) – Food Network, September 2019
• Among 50 Nominees for America’s Best New Restaurants 2019 (Benchwarmer’s Bagels) – Bon Appétit, September 2019
• Among 50 Nominees for America’s Best New Restaurants 2019 (Heirloom Brewshop) – Bon Appétit, September 2019
• Named NC’s First Monarch Town USA (Wake Forest) – Monarch City USA, August 2019
• Among 10 Best Ice Cream Parlors Across America (Two Roosters Ice Cream) – USA TODAY 10Best, July 2019
• #4 Among 6 Incredible U.S. Cities Hiding in Plain Sight (Raleigh) – Matador Network, July 2019
• Most Educated City Award for the State of North Carolina (Raleigh) – Insurify, July 2019
• Silver medal in Scottish Ale category (Scott’s View at Compass Rose Brewery) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2019
• Bronze medal in West Coast IPA category (Tidal Break IPA at Compass Rose Brewery) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2019
• Silver medal in American Style Fruit Beer category (DreamCycle at Crank Arm Brewing) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2019
• Silver medal in American IPA category (R&D Brewing’s Seven Saturdays IPA) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2019
• Silver medal in International Style Pilsner Lager category (R&D Brewing’s Riviera Lager) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2019
• Bronze medal in the Fruit IPA category (R&D Brewing’s Remix) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2019
• Sliver medal in English Brown Ale category (Sweet Josie at Lonerider Brewing Company) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2019
• Bronze medal in International Style Pale Ale category (Tropikol IPA at Southern Peak Brewery, Apex) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2019
• Among Three Best Day Trips from Charlotte (Raleigh and Cary) – Condé Nast Traveler, June 2019
• #26 Among 30 Best Restaurants in America (Herons at The Umstead Hotel and Spa, Cary) – USA TODAY, April 2019
• Greenest City Award for the State of North Carolina (Morrisville) – Insurify, April 2019
• Best Driving Vacations (Raleigh) – Columbus Monthly, March 2019
• #1 Among 2018 Top N.C. Tourist Attractions (North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences) – Carolina Publishing Associates, March 2019
• #6 Among 2018 Top N.C. Tourist Attractions (Marbles Kids Museum) – Carolina Publishing Associates, March 2019
• #7 Among 2018 Top N.C. Tourist Attractions (North Carolina Museum of Art) – Carolina Publishing Associates, March 2019
• #8 Among 2018 Top N.C. Tourist Attractions (North Carolina Museum of History) – Carolina Publishing Associates, March 2019
• #1 Among the Best Airport Shop for Local Merchandise (RDU International Airport) – USA TODAY 10Best, March 2019
• #3 Among the Top Cities for the Best Quality of Life in the World (Raleigh) – Numbeo.com, February 2019
• #2 Among the Most Family-Friendly Cities of 2019 (Raleigh) – Homes.com, February 2019
• Among the Best Cities for Singles in the United States (Raleigh) – Insurify.com, February 2019
• Best Festival in North Carolina (Artsplosure) – GO Magazine Members’ Choice Awards, January/February 2019
• #3 Among 2019 Best New Food Halls (Morgan Street Food Hall) – USA TODAY 10Best, January 2019
• Among Top 5 North Carolina’s Pet-Friendly Hotels (Aloft Raleigh) – WRAL, January, 2019
• #6 Among World’s Top 10 Beer Destinations for 2019 (Raleigh) – Vinepair, January, 2019
• #3 in 2019 Quality of Life Ranking (Raleigh) – Numbeo, January 2019

2018

• #2 Among The 10 Best Big Cities to Live in Right Now (Raleigh) – Money Magazine, November 2018
• Bronze Winner for Best CVBs/DMOs (Regional) in the Southeast (Visit Raleigh) – The Stella Awards, November 2018
• #2 Among The Best Places for Business and Careers (Raleigh) – Forbes, October 2018
• 2018 Golden BonBon Award (Chocolat GRACE’s Maracaibo and Cranberry Caramel) – Academy of Chocolate, October 2018
• #6 Among 8 Train Stations with Awesome Comeback Stories (Raleigh Union Station) – Livability, October 2018
• Gold medal in American-Belgo-Style-Ale (Whitewall Wheat at Crank Arm Brewing) – 2018 Great American Beer Festival, September 2018
• Bronze medal in Session India Pale Ale (Mosaic Reprise at Little City Brewing) – 2018 Great American Beer Festival, September 2018
• Among Top 10 Must-try Food Tours in North America (Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours) – USA TODAY, August 2018
• Among the 32 Hottest Breweries in America Right Now (Brewery Bhavana) – Thrillist, August 2018
• #3 Among America’s Biggest Boomtowns (Raleigh) – Magnify Money, August 2018
• Among the 4 Southern Food Halls Worth the Drive (Morgan Street Food Hall) – GO Magazine, July 2018
• Among the 10 Must-Try Food Tours in North America (Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours) – July 2018
• Bronze medal in Session IPA category (Mosaic Reprise at Little City Brewing + Provisions Co.) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2018
• Gold medal for Experimental Beer category (Lightworker at Fortnight Brewing Company) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2018
• Gold medal for Rye / Roggen Beer category (Rickshaw Rye at Crank Arm Brewing) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2018
• Silver medal in Dopple / Strong Bock category (Goldie’s Big Bock in Black at Lonerider Brewing Company) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2018
• Silver medal in Bock category (Bike Lock Bock at Crank Arm Brewing) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2018
• Bronze medal in Belgian Pale Ale category (That Boy at Brice’s Brewing Company) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2018
• Bronze medal in Altbier category (Southern Peak Altbier at Southern Peak Brewery) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2018
• Gold medal in American-Style Black Ale category (Cowboy in Black at Lonerider Brewing Company) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2018
• Bronze medal in American Imperial Stout Non-Traditional category (Motivator at Crank Arm Brewing) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2018
• Bronze medal in American Imperial Stout category (The Toll at Raleigh Brewing Company) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2018
• Bronze medal in British Imperial Stout category (Putin Tang at Lynnwood Brewing Concern) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2018
• Gold medal in Classic Irish Dry Stout category (Dry Irish Stout at Little City Brewing + Provisions Co.) – U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 2018
• #1 Among 2017 Top N.C. Tourist Attractions (North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences) – Carolina Publishing Associates, March 2018
• #6 Among 2017 Top N.C. Tourist Attractions (Marbles Kids Museum) – Carolina Publishing Associates, March 2018
• #7 Among 2017 Top N.C. Tourist Attractions (North Carolina Museum of History) – Carolina Publishing Associates, March 2018
• #9 Among 2017 Top N.C. Tourist Attractions (North Carolina Museum of Art) – Carolina Publishing Associates, March 2018
• Among the Best Places to Go in April (Raleigh) – Town & Country Magazine, February 2018
• #6 Among 10 Cities Primed for Economic Growth and Opportunity in 2018 (Raleigh) – CardRates.com, February 2018
• #2 Among Best-Performing Cities (Raleigh MSA) – Milken Institute, January 2018