Things to Do in Apex, NC

Brick storefronts along a historic small-town main street like Salem Street in downtown Apex, NC
Photo by Land O’Lakes, Inc. on Unsplash

Apex calls itself the Peak of Good Living, and for once the slogan is literal: the town sits on the highest point of the old Chatham Railroad, and rain falling on one side of Salem Street drains to the Neuse while the other side runs to the Cape Fear. It is about 15 miles southwest of downtown Raleigh, has roughly 72,000 people, and has the most intact turn-of-the-century railroad downtown in the state. Here is what I would actually do there.

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The best things to do in Apex

Historic Downtown and Salem Street

The whole business district burned on June 12, 1911, and the merchants rebuilt in brick, which is why downtown looks the way it does. It has been on the National Register since 1994. Shops, restaurants and the Depot line North and South Salem. Note that the Salem Streetscape construction runs through about December 2026, so expect some detours and check parade routes before you go.

Apex Union Depot and the Farmers Market

The Depot (220 N Salem St) was rebuilt in 1914 and houses the Chamber. Every Saturday it hosts the Apex Farmers Market, year-round: 8am to noon April through October, 9am to noon November through March.

The Halle Cultural Arts Center

A restored landmark at 237 N Salem St with performances, exhibits, classes, and free Wednesday morning movies that are a lifesaver on a rainy day with kids.

Apex Community Park

160 acres around Lake Pine at 2200 Laura Duncan Rd, with a two-mile paved loop, fishing dock, kayak launch, playground and a fitness course. The loop is my favorite easy walk in western Wake.

Pleasant Park

The newest big park at 3400 Pleasant Plains Rd: fields opened in 2023, the Splashlantis splash pad in 2024, and the 1.5-acre inclusive Enchanted Forest playground that is worth the drive from anywhere in the Triangle.

Apex Nature Park

160-plus acres at 2600 Evans Rd with an amphitheatre for free summer concerts and movies, disc golf, a dog park, nature trails, pickleball and tennis.

American Tobacco Trail

Wake County’s 6.5-mile stretch of the 22-mile rail trail starts in Apex. Trailheads at New Hill-Olive Chapel Rd, Wimberly Rd and White Oak Church Rd. Flat, shaded, and stroller-friendly.

Beaver Creek Commons

The practical shopping hub off US 64. The Regal cinema there has closed, so do not plan a movie night around it.

Events to plan around

  • Apex PeakFest, first Saturday in May on Salem Street, 9am to 5pm, with 20,000-plus people. The town’s biggest day.
  • EarthFest, last Saturday in April.
  • Olde Fashioned Fourth of July downtown, with Fireworks Frenzy on July 3.
  • Apex Latino Arts Festival, last Saturday in September at the Town Hall campus.
  • Halloween on Salem Street in October: Trick or Treat on Salem, Tour of Frights, Witches Night Out.
  • Apex Rotary Christmas Parade, traditionally the first Saturday in December and the only nighttime holiday parade in Wake County, running since 1957. Tree lighting is the first Friday.

Neighborhoods to know

Historic Downtown is the walkable brick core. Beaver Creek is the retail corridor off 64. West Apex toward New Hill has the newer subdivisions, Pleasant Park and the ATT trailheads on the way to Jordan Lake. The Lake Pine and Laura Duncan corridor has the established neighborhoods near Apex Community Park and the Cary line. Money magazine named Apex the number one place to live in America in 2015, and a decade later the reasons still hold.

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