With fall around the corner, now is the perfect time to start thinking about a trip to the museum. Not just any museum, but the North Carolina Museum of Art which moved into its stunning new home four months ago. Located 30 miles east of Fearrington and located just off I-40 on the near side of Raleigh, it makes for a perfect day trip. Admission is free.
Just inspecting the structure itself is worth the trip. This 127,000 square foot one story structure is a modernist marvel. Outside, it is confident, forward looking and surprisingly subdued. Inside, thanks to an open floor plan and an innovative design incorporating hundreds of evenly spaced ‘oculi’ or natural light filters in the roof, beautiful, even natural light floods the interior, complementing and connecting the wide-ranging art collection.
While there, don’t miss: 1) the amazing collection both indoors and out of 30 sculptures made by Auguste Rodin recently donated to the museum, and 2) lunch at Iris, the attractive, full-service restaurant, which uses many locally sourced ingredients in its menu. The new museum makes for a fun day trip on its own or combined with another nearby activity - like a visit to the incomparable JC Raulston Arboretum just down the road.
The new setting have made one of the best regional museums in the country even better, so don't miss an opportunity to visit!