North Carolina Museum of Art

The NCMA on Blue Ridge Road is one of the best reasons to visit Raleigh. Admission to the permanent collection is free, and the light-filled West Building holds European masters, American art, African and ancient works, and one of the largest collections of Rodin sculpture in the country. Special exhibitions are ticketed.

Outside, the Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park covers 164 acres of meadows, woods and art, with walking and biking trails that connect to the Reedy Creek greenway toward Umstead State Park.

Parking is free on site. The galleries are closed some weekdays, so check ncartmuseum.org for current hours. Summer brings an outdoor concert and movie series at the museum’s amphitheater. Give yourself time for both indoors and out — the park trails are lovely in the late afternoon.