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vampirefan
vampirefan
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5 out of 5
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2 Wheeling Fun in Raleigh..The Triangle Segway

  • October 6, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by vampirefan from Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina
2 Wheeling Fun in Raleigh..The Triangle Segway



When traveling it is very hard from me to find a tour that John really enjoys. So John mentioned riding a Segway when he saw a police officer on one at the Greek Festival, I remembered I had seen something about one in the triangle area. When I got home and checked, I discover they had one in Raleigh, I promptly booked a tour for us.

Now I have to admit I was a wee bit worried about these things. I was afraid these things were run by the handles, sort of like a motorcycle. Once I tried to drive a motorcycle and well it didn’t work out so well.

John and I arrived promptly at Triangle Segway Tour’s office located in the beautiful and historical City Market area. We signed some waivers agreeing not to sue the place if we fell and hurt out tushies. We are given our own fashionable headgear that we plop on and adjust. Making us as hip and trendy as any fashionista around! Aaron and Todd started to work with us. I hoped up on my Segway and intently listed as Aaron told me the first thing you would naturally do is wobble. Yep, you guess it. I was wobbling like a weeble and just like a weeble…I didn’t fall down! Then I discovered the secret of the Segway. You plant your feet on the base and lean forward and off you go! Just that easy. I leaned forward and inched my way to Aaron. Then I made a little turn and took back across the floor, this time all by myself. Up and down a few more times and felt quite confident. Of course I was still inside with quite a few people around and I still had to get out the door…on a Segway!

One by one myself and my other 9 Segway tour mates (including my life mate) cautiously made our way out the door, hung a right, then a left down past the market, and into a parking lot. We wheeled up and down a few more times and then we moved on a bit further and crossed the road…again still on the Segway. Then we mastered ramps and soon as I was wheeling around, flying up and down, and going in circles around John.

By now we had mastered the Segway and of we took down Fayetteville Street, once one of the cities most fashionable streets, towards the state capitol. The street is undergoing a major revitalization by bringing businesses into these incredibly beautiful historical buildings. We even passed by a restaurant where dinner for 2 and a bottle of wine will set you back about $300! When whipping down the street we were attracting lots of attention with people waving at us and taking our pictures.

Then we crossed the street and tooled around the gorgeous grounds of our State Capitol building. On this day, Raleigh was celebrating Bug Feast (why anyone would celebrate bugs is beyond me). So it was running over with people over the place who apparently had no idea where were new to this Segway thing and we can’t exactly stop on a dime. People tended to dart right and front of us step in front of us to take pictures or ask about the Segway tour.

We zip around the grounds stopped for a history lesson and photo opts including our tour guides who kindly took a picture of us in front of one of the statues. After making our way through the throngs of insane bug loving festival goers, we made our way across to the plaza where several federal buildings are and up a historical street with stunning 19th century mansion. We pull up to the most famous mansion, the governors home. Now you can read my previous journal, getting my Josh Groban Fix, for information on the mansion and how to tour it. Then we scoot on over to Moore Square which is one of the original 4 park squares of the city and easy identified by the big acorn, which is used to ring in the New Year each year. Finally we make our way back to the city market. Here we get a chance to see many chalk artists who are taking part in the festival. This was Raleigh’s first market started in 1914. Today you can still walk down the historical cobble stone streets which is now a shopping and entertainment area.

When we arrive back at the shop and I am regretting the fact that I didn’t take one of the longer tours. Until I step off the Segway and my knees and feet scream at me. If your taking a Segway tour make sure you wear comfortable shoes and I think next time I’ll try gel insoles.

John and I took their 1 hour Segway Tour. They also have 1.5 hour Raleigh West tour which includes Hillsboro St. and Glenwood Ave as well as the Joel Lane House and St. Mary’s School as well as other stops. The 2 hour Capital City East includes our stop as well as the Historic Oakwood area and cemetery as well as the Mordecai Park (where the Ghost Hunters were). All tours include a fully narrated tour and photo ops. Riders get their own headset where you can hear your guide as he brings this city to life for you. You also have a little small pack on your Segway which they have water for you. The other side can hold small purses or cameras.

You do have to have advanced tickets. You do have to be over 16 to ride your own Segway and the weight limit is 270 lbs. They do not rent these things. You have to be on one of their wonderfully guided tours (and why wouldn’t you want to?) There is limited street parking outside the office or in the city market area. But if you turn left at the first road there is a paid parking space across the road. There are also plenty of places in the market to shop and eat before or afterwards.

For more information on the tours and to order your tickets, just simply go to www.trianglesegway.com.

For absolutely one of the best ways to see Raleigh, you have to try these tours. You will be amazed how much fun it is and how simple it is to learn to drive around.


From journal 2 Days in Durham

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