Solo Getaway: Raleigh, NC
Hey, friends! It’s been a couple of months since I published my last post, and I’m so happy to be back here with you! My recent hiatus was not intentional at all, but life required me to pause, readjust, and reset. It’s all good though! I was recently promoted at work, so my focus over the past couple of months has been on transitioning into my new role, adjusting to the new level of responsibilities, and settling into my new rhythm of life.
In the midst of the transition, I took a 3-day solo trip to Raleigh, NC to getaway, explore a new city, and recharge. Why Raleigh? Well, ever since moving back to Charlotte, it’s been a city that I’ve wanted to visit. I had plans to visit last year but had to cancel those plans due to the pandemic. I was also compelled to go to Raleigh after seeing a fellow blogger’s IG stories about her recent stay at the Height’s House Hotel. (Her name is Kiara @the.bananamoon. Check her out, if you’re looking for more inspirational content). Y’all, after visiting the website, I was sold! I requested a Friday off and booked the room for three days. I didn’t have any specific plans in mind when I booked with the exception of scheduling a massage 😉 I decided to just show up, be spontaneous, and go with the flow; and it was one of the best trips I’ve ever taken!
Day One: Friday
I arrived in Raleigh around noon to have lunch before heading to my massage. Prior to traveling to the city, I reached out to Kiara to request some restaurant recommendations since she lives in Raleigh, and let me tell you, she didn’t disappoint! The first place I tried for lunch that day was Transfer Co. Food Hall. I really enjoyed the food and atmosphere. It reminded me a lot of a local spot here in Charlotte called Optimist Hall. I love these types of places, because they offer a variety of food in a fun, social community setting.
After lunch, I headed to Lorena Luca Skin & Spa for their signature massage, which was a Swedish relaxation style-massage with hot stones and aromatherapy. It was one of the best massages that I’ve experienced, and the service was exceptional! Next, I headed to the hotel to check into my room; and I immediately fell in love with the hotel, the staff, and my room! It is one of the most beautiful, peaceful, and welcoming spaces I’ve had the pleasure of staying in.
After settling in, I started my latest read entitled, “Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts” by Jennie Allen as I’ve been working on taking control of negative thoughts and adopting healthier thought patterns. After a few hours of reading, I headed out to grab a quick bite to eat to bring back in and ended the evening with a Chinese chicken bowl from Chopt Creative Salad Co. and some television. I remember going to bed so happy that night and looking forward to the remainder of the weekend.
Day Two: Saturday
Saturday morning, I headed downstairs to my hotel’s dining room for a European style-breakfast, which was absolutely delicious. Afterwards, I hit the streets to do a little shopping and then headed downtown for a stroll followed by lunch at Whiskey Kitchen. The weather was beautiful so I dined on their patio, soaking up the sun and my surroundings. Next, I headed back to my hotel to enjoy a late afternoon nap before dinner. For dinner, I got dolled up and headed to a beautiful, Mediterranean spot called Vidrio.
As soon as I walked in, I was captivated by the atmosphere and ambiance and everything there after exceeded my expectations. The staff was so friendly, and the food was DELICIOUS! For my meal, I had a hanger steak, haricot vert, glazed carrots and a refreshing cocktail. I can’t remember the name of the drink, but it was a spin on a moscow mule with rose water, rose petals, and other lovely flavors. I thoroughly enjoyed myself that evening and not once did I feel out of place or self-conscious about being alone. The waitress even complimented me for taking myself out on a date and treating myself to a nice meal. This was my first time taking myself out for a nice dinner, but I will definitely be doing it more in the future!
On my way back to the hotel, I stopped by the Cheesecake Factory to pick up a slice of cheesecake, which was my nightcap for the evening 😉
Day Three: Sunday
Sunday morning, I eased into the day and enjoyed another great breakfast at my hotel. After breakfast, I spent time exploring more of the hotel, which is a pre-civil war house that was recently restored and now serves as a boutique hotel and event space. The hotel is filled with such character and charm. If you’re ever in the Raleigh area, I’d highly recommend it as a place to stay!
After strolling through the remainder of the hotel, I settled into the gorgeous library space (pictured below on the right) and continued reading my book until it was time to check out. After checking out of the hotel, I headed to church service at Elevation Church – Raleigh. I love that my church has multiple locations throughout the southeast, so even when I’m not in Charlotte I can attend church at another physical location. I felt very much at home with my extended church family and enjoyed the message from guest Pastor Rich Wilkerson, who preached about “The Frustration of Expectation.” The message was so good and encouraging! After church, I got on the road and headed back to Charlotte. As I drove home, I was overjoyed and reflected on how amazing my weekend was in Raleigh.
Even writing about this experience a month later brings back those same feelings of joy. This trip was perfect and served me on so many levels. The best part of the trip for me, however, was the peace and contentment I felt being alone. Being alone provided the perfect opportunity to reconnect with myself and do the things that energize and bring me joy. I’m so happy I did this for myself and plan to incorporate more solo trips into my lifestyle in the future as this experience was so freeing and nourishing.
If you’ve been contemplating a solo trip, I highly encourage you to do it! You don’t need a reason or an occasion to do so, just do it for you! Not sure what to do? Here are a few questions to help spark some ideas: What do you enjoy doing for fun? What makes you feel alive?What’s something you’ve been wanting to do for yourself but haven’t done yet? What’s something you’ve been putting off because you’ve been waiting on someone else to tag along? What do you need mentally, physically or emotionally in this season of your life and what experiences will help fulfill those needs?
One thing my body needed when I took my trip was rest so I did several relaxing things such as getting a massage, lounging at my hotel, reading, etc. I’m also a big foodie! I absolutely love trying new restaurants and meals so I made that a big part of my experience as well. As you can tell from my trip, you don’t have to do anything over the top to have a great time. You also don’t have to go somewhere exotic, because it’s less about the destination and more about the experience you create for yourself.
One last thing I’d encourage you to do while you’re on your trip is to be fully present and live in the moment. Use this as an opportunity to turn inward and reconnect with yourself. Use it also as an opportunity to unplug for a bit, especially from your phone and social media. It can be tempting to share and post every moment of your experience, but remember this trip is for YOU. Taking time to be intentional and present will ensure you get the most out of your experience and enjoy it to the fullest!
Happy solo tripping,
Imanne 🙂