North Hills (Raleigh) Travel Guide - Free

Explore North Hills in Raleigh with Evendo's free guide. Find the best shops, historic streets, restaurants, and gems on web or mobile.

All photos

North Hills Raleigh blends open-air shopping, Midtown dining, hotels, public events and easy Beltline access in one walkable North Carolina district.

A Planned District with a New Urban Rhythm

North Hills occupies a prominent position in north-central Raleigh, clustered around Six Forks Road and the Beltline, or Interstate 440. It is commonly described as part of Midtown rather than treated as a formally bounded historic neighbourhood. The area grew from a suburban shopping centre into a mixed-use district of offices, apartments, hotels, restaurants, fitness studios and public spaces, giving it a more concentrated urban feel than much of Raleigh’s surrounding residential landscape.

Shopping, Dining and Open-Air Streets

The district’s centre is North Hills, a walkable complex where landscaped paths connect shops, cafés, restaurants, residential buildings and event spaces. Midtown Park provides a small but useful outdoor focus for concerts, seasonal programming and relaxed people-watching, while broad pavements and pocket plazas make the area easy to explore on foot. Retail ranges from national brands to specialist services, and the restaurant scene spans casual dining, contemporary American menus, sushi, burgers, coffee and evening drinks.

Raleigh’s Contemporary Midtown

North Hills is less a preserved historic quarter than an evolving piece of modern Raleigh. Its architecture reflects successive phases of redevelopment: low-rise commercial buildings sit beside taller offices and residential towers, with new construction continuing to reshape the skyline. On weekdays, the district serves office workers and residents; at weekends, it becomes a convenient meeting place for shopping, brunch, fitness and outdoor events. Visitors should expect a polished, active mixed-use environment rather than old streets, museums or colonial landmarks, with the strongest sense of place found in its pedestrian core and public programming.

Explore North Hills on the map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots in North Hills, mapped for you.

Best restaurants in North Hills

Dining in North Hills reflects the district’s role as a polished mixed-use gathering place rather than a traditional food quarter. Restaurants, cafés and bars are concentrated around the pedestrianised and landscaped sections of the development, making it easy to combine a meal with shopping, office appointments or an event at Midtown Park. Options include casual American dining, contemporary menus, sushi, burgers, coffee, desserts and drinks, with both familiar brands and locally rooted establishments represented. Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar is a recognisable North Hills name, pairing two popular formats in a playful setting, while the wider centre provides enough variety for brunch, business lunches, relaxed dinners and informal meet-ups. The dining scene is strongest within the central development; Six Forks Road itself is a busy traffic corridor rather than an especially atmospheric restaurant street.

Italian 4.5 (913 reviews)

Vivace

Experience authentic Italian cuisine at Vivace in Raleigh's North Hills—where every dish tells a story of tradition and flavor.

10 min walk · 0.8 km from neighbourhood centre

Show more restaurants

Best shops in North Hills

Shopping is North Hills’ most established visitor activity, spread through a curated mixed-use centre rather than a single traditional high street. Visitors will find fashion, beauty, home, fitness, speciality services and gift-oriented retail alongside cafés and restaurants, with a combination of national names and smaller businesses. The setting is more polished and planned than Raleigh’s independent market districts, and its landscaped paths and internal plazas make browsing easy between appointments or meals. North Hills is not primarily a farmers’ market or craft-shopping destination, so visitors seeking local produce, antiques or a broad artisan selection should look elsewhere in the city. Retail activity is concentrated inside the development, while Six Forks Road functions mainly as an access corridor. Seasonal events and temporary programmes can add a changing local dimension to the shopping environment.

Gift shop 4.8 (89 reviews)

Uniquities

Explore Uniquesties in North Hills, Raleigh for unique gifts, stylish women's fashion, and a delightful boutique shopping experience.

11 min walk · 0.9 km from neighbourhood centre
Boutique 4.7 (40 reviews)

Voda Boutique

Explore Voda Boutique in Raleigh, NC - the ultimate destination for trendy women's clothing and local fashion finds.

10 min walk · 0.8 km from neighbourhood centre
Gift shop 4.0 (10 reviews)

Quintessentials

Discover unique gifts and exquisite chinaware at Quintessentials, Raleigh's charming gift shop in North Hills.

11 min walk · 0.8 km from neighbourhood centre

Show more shops

North Hills essentials

Getting There

North Hills is easiest to reach by car via Interstate 440, with connections to Six Forks Road and nearby major Raleigh corridors. The district is designed around substantial parking facilities and is also served by GoRaleigh buses, although routes and stop locations should be checked before travelling. Ride-hailing and taxis can use the main entrances and hotel access points within the complex. Visitors arriving from central Raleigh or other districts should allow for busy traffic around the Beltline and Six Forks Road, particularly during weekday commuting and popular events.

Getting Around

The North Hills core is straightforward to explore on foot, with internal paths, landscaped spaces, shops, restaurants, offices and residences grouped close together. Crossing the surrounding arterial roads is less comfortable, so walking itineraries are best kept within the mixed-use centre rather than extended casually along Six Forks Road. There is no historic street grid to follow, and the district remains strongly car-oriented at its edges. Pavements and building approaches are generally designed for everyday accessibility, though visitors should watch for driveways, parking movements and uneven transitions between different parts of the development.

Safety

North Hills is a busy commercial and residential district, so ordinary urban precautions are appropriate. Keep valuables secure in parked cars, remain alert around vehicle entrances and use marked crossings when moving between the complex and surrounding streets. Event crowds can make paths and parking areas more congested, while evening visitors should arrange a clear route back to their car, hotel or transport pick-up point. The Beltline and Six Forks Road carry fast-moving traffic, making them unsuitable for informal roadside walking. Follow venue guidance and respect residents in apartment and hotel areas.

Emergency Situations

In the United States, call 911 for police, fire or urgent medical assistance, giving the dispatcher the North Hills or Midtown location and the nearest building or entrance. For a non-urgent medical issue, ask hotel or venue staff for current local advice rather than relying on an assumed facility within the district. Visitors with prescriptions, allergies or medical conditions should carry relevant information and identification. In an emergency, follow instructions from security, event staff or first responders, particularly when large public gatherings are taking place.

Do's and Don'ts

Do use marked pedestrian crossings, respect queues and give priority to people entering shops, restaurants and residential buildings. Do ask before photographing private events, staff or other visitors, and keep noise moderate near apartments and hotels after evening activities. Do not treat landscaped plazas, private terraces or hotel facilities as unrestricted public space. At restaurants and bars, tipping is customary for table service in the United States, with the amount guided by the quality of service and the bill’s stated charges. Follow individual venue policies on dogs, smoking and outdoor seating.

Local Tips

North Hills makes most sense when approached as a compact mixed-use centre rather than a conventional street neighbourhood. Pair shopping or a meal with time in Midtown Park, and check the district’s event calendar for public performances or seasonal activities. The area is particularly convenient for visitors staying nearby, since hotels, restaurants, fitness businesses and retail are close together. Those seeking older architecture or Raleigh’s major museums should plan a separate trip elsewhere in the city; North Hills is principally about contemporary urban development, convenience and programmed public space.

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics

English	Local	Say it
Hello	Howdy	[haw-dee]
Goodbye	See ya	[see yuh]
Yes	Yup	[yuhp]
No	Nah	[nuh]
Please/You're welcome	Please	[pleez]
Thank you	Thanks	[thanks]
Excuse me/Sorry	Pardon me	[pahr-dn me]
How are you?	How y'all doin'?	[haw y'all doin']
Fine. And you?	I'm good. How 'bout you?	[ahm good. How 'bout yuh?]
Do you speak English?	Ya speak English?	[yuh speak ing-glish?]
I don't understand	I ain't catchin' on	[ah aint ketch-in on]

Eating & Drinking

English	Local	Say it
I'd like to see the menu, please	Can I check out the menu?	[can ah chek out the menu?]
I don't eat meat	I don't do meat	[ah don't do meat]
Cheers!	Cheers!	[cheers!]
I would like to pay, please	I'm ready to settle up	[ahm ready to set-l up]

Emergencies

English	Local	Say it
Help!	Help!	[help!]
Go away!	Git!	[git!]
Call the Police!	Ring up the Sheriff!	[ring up the sheriff!]
Call a doctor!	Call the doc!	[call the doc!]
I'm lost	I'm disoriented	[ahm disoriented]
I'm ill	I'm feelin' poorly	[ahm feelin' poorly]

Shopping

English	Local	Say it
I'd like to buy...	I wanna snag...	[ah wanna snag...]
I'm just looking	I'm just scopin' out	[ahm just sko-pin out]
How much is it?	How much does it run?	[how much duz it run?]
That's too expensive	That's a bit steep	[that's uh bit steep]
Can you lower the price?	Can ya bring it down?	[can yuh bring it down?]

Time & Numbers

English	Local	Say it
What time is it?	What's the time?	[whats the time?]
It's one o'clock	It's one	[its one]
Half past (10)	Ten-thirty	[ten-thirty]
Morning	Mornin'	[mornin']
Afternoon	Afternoon	[afternoon]
Evening	Evenin'	[evenin']
Yesterday	Yest'day	[yest'day]
Today	Today	[today]
Tomorrow	Tomorrer	[tomorrer]
1	One	[wun]
2	Two	[too]
3	Three	[three]
4	Four	[four]
5	Five	[five]
6	Six	[six]
7	Seven	[seven]
8	Eight	[eight]
9	Nine	[nine]
10	Ten	[ten]

Transport & Directions

English	Local	Say it
Where's a/the...?	Where's the...?	[wheres the...?]
What's the address?	What's the addy?	[whats the addy?]
Can you show me (on the map)?	Can ya show me (on the map)?	[can yuh show me (on the map)?]
When's the next (bus)?	When's the next (bus)?	[whens the next (bus)?]
A ticket (to ....)	A pass (to ....)	[a pass (to ....)]

History of North Hills

From Suburban Edge to Shopping Centre

North Hills began as a post-war suburban development shaped by Raleigh’s outward growth and the increasing importance of automobile access. The original North Hills shopping centre opened in 1967 near Six Forks Road, at a time when enclosed and open-air retail complexes were becoming important destinations beyond the traditional downtown. Its location beside the Beltline placed it within a rapidly expanding part of the city, linking new residential areas with shops and services while reinforcing Raleigh’s decentralised pattern of growth.

A Changing Retail Landscape

As Raleigh expanded further into North Raleigh and regional shopping patterns changed, the original centre faced the pressures affecting many mid-century retail developments. North Hills was gradually reworked rather than simply abandoned, with new investment bringing updated retail space, offices, residences and hospitality uses. This transition altered the area from a largely single-purpose shopping destination into a more complex district where people could live, work, eat and shop. The redevelopment also established the broader Midtown identity now associated with the area.

The Rise of Midtown

During the 2000s and after, North Hills became a prominent example of Raleigh’s mixed-use redevelopment. Additional buildings, public spaces, restaurants, hotels and residential projects formed an interconnected district around the earlier shopping centre, while Midtown Park created a setting for events and outdoor gatherings. Contemporary North Hills reflects the city’s wider growth in professional employment, apartment living and walkable commercial nodes, although its layout and scale remain closely tied to major roads and car access. Its history is therefore one of suburban retail adaptation into an evolving urban centre rather than that of an old, independently incorporated village.

North Hills in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

Neighbourhoods near North Hills

The closest neighbourhoods to North Hills, if you have time for more than one stop.

Explore more

More of the region

Explore more of Raleigh

Raleigh, North Carolina blends oak-lined streets, museums, craft beer, Southern food and easy access to the wider Research Triangle, culture and events.

Explore Raleigh

North Hills (Raleigh) Travel Guide - Free

A Planned District with a New Urban Rhythm

Shopping, Dining and Open-Air Streets

Raleigh’s Contemporary Midtown

Explore North Hills on the map

Best hotels in North Hills

Best restaurants in North Hills

Vivace

Best shops in North Hills

Uniquities

Voda Boutique

Quintessentials