Cary · Wake County, NC

Family things to do in Cary

Scout analyzed 68 Cary places and surfaced the ones that actually fit family.

Places analyzed

68

Matches

24

Typical spend

$25

Typical visit

1.3 hr

Scout-verified spots

TrYSeafood Grill Cary

Food & Drink

TrYSeafood Grill Cary

TrYSeafood Grill is a good spot for a sit-down dinner featuring seafood, suitable for dates or family meals. Plan for about 90 minutes and a cost of $30-60 per person.

FoodRelaxedSocial
$30–$60 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking
Thousand Hills Coffee

Food & Drink

Thousand Hills Coffee

This coffee shop is ideal for a quick solo stop or a casual meet-up, serving coffee and light bites. Expect to spend $5-15 per person for a visit of about 30 minutes.

FoodShoppingRelaxed
$5–$15 typical45 min visiteasy parking
Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

Food & Drink

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery

Chanticleer Cafe & Bakery is ideal for a casual breakfast or lunch, offering a quick bite or coffee for under $15 per person. It works well as a solo stop or a family outing, typically lasting 30 minutes to an hour.

FoodShoppingRelaxed
$5–$15 typical45 min visiteasy parking
Common Grounds Coffee House & Desserts

Food & Drink

Common Grounds Coffee House & Desserts

This coffee shop is a good spot for a casual morning or afternoon stop, costing around $5-15 per person for a drink and snack. It can be paired with a stroll through downtown Apex. Expect to spend about an hour here.

FoodShoppingViews
$5–$15 typical45 min visiteasy parking
Cha House Cary

Food & Drink

Cha House Cary

Cha House is a casual spot for bubble tea and light snacks. It's suitable for a quick stop during errands or a relaxed afternoon break, typically costing under $15 per person for an hour-long visit.

FoodShoppingRelaxed
$5–$15 typical45 min visiteasy parking
Pineapple Sol

Food & Drink

Pineapple Sol

This is a good spot for a casual breakfast or brunch, fitting into a morning outing or as a starting point for a day of errands. Expect to spend about an hour and $15-25 per person.

FoodShoppingRelaxed
$15–$25 typical45 min visiteasy parking
Happy Feet Planet Apex

Family

Happy Feet Planet Apex

This indoor playground is good for a family outing with young children, especially on a rainy day or when you need to burn off energy. Expect to spend a couple of hours and around $10-20 per child for entry.

OutdoorsPlayfulSocial
$10–$20 typical2 hr visiteasy parking
Academy Street Bistro

Food & Drink

Academy Street Bistro

Academy Street Bistro is suitable for a dinner outing, offering New American dishes and cocktails. Expect to spend 1.5 hours and around $35-75 per person for food and drinks.

FoodCocktailsOutdoors
$35–$75 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking
Old Reedy Creek Road Trailhead

Outdoors

Old Reedy Creek Road Trailhead

This trailhead offers a free outdoor activity, ideal for a 1-2 hour hike or walk. It's a good standalone activity for families or solo adventurers, best enjoyed on a clear day.

OutdoorsSportsViews
$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
SAAP

S Walker St Apartments

SAAP

SAAP is a restaurant suitable for a meal as a primary outing or paired with a local activity. Expect a visit of about an hour, costing roughly $15-35 per person for food.

FoodRelaxedSocial
$15–$35 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking
Mac's Tavern

Nightlife

Mac's Tavern

Mac's Tavern is a casual pub with games and live music, good for a relaxed evening with friends. Expect to spend $10-30 per person for drinks and some food over a couple of hours.

FoodCocktailsLive music
$10–$30 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Shoppes of Kildaire

Shopping

Shoppes of Kildaire

This is a typical shopping center suitable for errands, grocery shopping, or a casual meal. Expect to spend an hour or two and possibly $10-50 per person depending on purchases.

FoodShoppingRelaxed
$10–$50 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking
Apex Community Park (Lake Trail Entrance)

Outdoors

Apex Community Park (Lake Trail Entrance)

Apex Community Park is suitable for a 2-3 hour family or solo outing, offering activities like walking, playing, or boating. Expect free entry, with potential costs for rentals or fishing licenses, typically under $10 per person.

OutdoorsSportsAnimals
$0–$10 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
BREW Coffee Bar

Food & Drink

BREW Coffee Bar

BREW Coffee Bar is suitable for a casual solo stop or a brief family outing, typically costing $5-15 per person for an hour or so, and could be combined with local downtown Cary shopping.

FoodShoppingRelaxed
$5–$15 typical45 min visitmoderate parking
Fount Coffee + Kitchen

Food & Drink

Fount Coffee + Kitchen

Fount Coffee + Kitchen is a good spot for a casual coffee, light meal, or brunch, especially for those seeking organic or gluten-free options. Expect to spend $10-$30 per person for an hour-long visit, ideal as a standalone outing or pre/post-activity stop.

FoodShoppingWellness
$10–$30 typical45 min visiteasy parking
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom

Food & Drink

Scratch Kitchen & Taproom

This is a casual spot for a meal that could fit into an evening out or a family lunch. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and around $20-30 per person for food and a drink.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed
$15–$35 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking
Tazza Kitchen Stone Creek Village

Stone Creek Village

Tazza Kitchen Stone Creek Village

Tazza Kitchen is a good spot for a casual weeknight dinner or a relaxed weekend meal with friends or family. Expect to spend 1-1.5 hours and around $15-35 per person for food and a drink.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed
$15–$35 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Craft Public House

Nightlife

Craft Public House

Craft Public House is a good spot for a casual meal with family or friends, especially for sports fans. Expect to spend 1-2 hours for food and drinks, costing around $15-35 per person.

FoodCocktailsShopping
$15–$35 typical45 min visiteasy parking
Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen

Food & Drink

Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen

Lucky 32 offers Southern farm-to-table dining for a relaxed meal. Expect to spend 1.5-2 hours and $30-60 per person, making it suitable for a casual dinner or lunch.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed
$30–$60 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Brecotea

Food & Drink

Brecotea

Brecotea is good for a casual stop for pastries and drinks, either solo or with family. Expect to spend 45-90 minutes and around $8-$20 per person.

FoodShoppingViews
$8–$20 typical45 min visiteasy parking
Dampf Good BBQ

Food & Drink

Dampf Good BBQ

Dampf Good BBQ is a straightforward spot for casual barbecue, suitable for a relaxed lunch or dinner. Expect to spend about an hour and $15-35 per person for a meal.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed
$15–$35 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking
Bosphorus Restaurant

Food & Drink

Bosphorus Restaurant

Bosphorus is a relaxed spot for Turkish and Mediterranean food, good for a casual meal with family or friends. Expect to spend $20-$40 per person for an hour-long visit, and parking should be easy in the strip mall.

FoodRelaxedSocial
$20–$40 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking
Crema Coffee Roaster & Bakery

Food & Drink

Crema Coffee Roaster & Bakery

Crema is a solid spot for a casual coffee break or a quick bite, perfect for solo work, a quiet chat, or a family snack. Expect to spend $5-$15 per person for coffee and a pastry, with visits typically lasting an hour.

FoodShoppingRelaxed
$5–$15 typical45 min visiteasy parking
Doc B's Restaurant

Food & Drink

Doc B's Restaurant

Doc B's is a solid restaurant for a casual meal, whether for a family outing or a relaxed date. Expect to spend 1.5 hours and around $25-50 per person on a meal with drinks.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed
$25–$50 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking

Worth the splurge

When the night needs to land.

What Scout found

  • 49 of the 68 analyzed Cary places fit family.
  • 37% of matches are outdoor or partly outdoor.
  • 86% have easy parking.
  • Dominant moods: Relaxed, Social, Playful, Quiet, Scenic, Adventurous.

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