Raleigh Hotels

• Raleigh's downtown has a vibrant nightlife. Denis Tangney Jr/Photodisc/Getty Images

  Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina. Located in central North Carolina, it contains a variety of cultural activities, historic sites, sports venues and family activity options. Raleigh became the capital of North Carolina in 1792, and remains its second-largest city, behind Charlotte. Accommodations of all price ranges abound in the city.

Clarion Hotel

• The Clarion State Capital is in downtown Raleigh. This hotel features a business center, fitness room and free weekday newspaper. Rooms are nonsmoking and include cable TVs, free high-speed Internet, air-conditioners and coffee makers. The hotel's restaurant, Top of the Tower, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and contains a lounge. Other dining options within a mile from the hotel include Second Empire, 42nd St. Oyster Bar, Hibernian Pub and The duck and dumpling. This hotel is less than a mile from several of Raleigh's most popular attractions including the Museum of Natural Sciences, Artspace and North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Pets are not allowed at this hotel.

Red Roof Inn

• Two miles south of downtown, the Red Roof Inn Raleigh NCSU Convention Center offers reasonably-priced no-frills accommodations. Rooms include free Wi-Fi. Some rooms contain mini-refrigerators and microwaves. Nearby dining options include Volume Eleven, the Pour House, the Farmers Market, Tripps and Kick Back Jacks. The hotel is a mile from the Raleigh Convention Center, and two miles from the Raleigh City Market and Pullen Amusement Park. One well-behaved pet may stay in your room at no additional charge.

Holiday Inn

• The Holiday Inn Raleigh North-Capital Boulevard features an outdoor pool, whirlpool, business center, fitness center and a florist and gift shop. Rooms are nonsmoking. The hotel's restaurant, Cafe Sage Restaurant, serves breakfast and dinner, and kid's eat free. Nearby restaurants include the Big Boss Brewing Company, Snoopy's Hot Dogs, Biscuitville, El Rodeo Mexican and Bali Hai. The hotel is only two miles from the Triangle Town Center Mall and three miles from the Marbles Museum and IMAX theater. Pets are allowed at this hotel for an added fee.

Four Points

• The Four Points by Sheraton features an indoor pool, fitness center and room service. Rooms are nonsmoking and include free high-speed Internet and private patios. The hotel's restaurant, the Park Bar and Grill, serves breakfast and dinner and contains a full-service bar. Other nearby dining options include the Remington Grill and the Carolina Ale House. From this hotel, guests are only four miles from the Koka Booth Amphitheater and eight miles from the USA Baseball National Training Complex.