Critical Intel
Late-May 2026 research turned up items that change the math on this trip. Color-coded by type: red = risk, green = opportunity, blue = info.
The 8 Weeks at a Glance Calendar
Color-coded by what's happening, with today highlighted. Tap any event to add it to Google or Apple Calendar.
Arrival Day Sun May 31
~652 mi / ~10 hr 11 min of pure driving — ~11.5 hr door-to-door. Single-day drive. Target arrival 4:00–5:00 PM.
Day 1 — Monday, June 1 Hour-by-hour
The single highest-stakes day of the residency. You like arriving early; drive yourself so you get the prime pre-kickoff hour.
Day 1 bag
Laptop + charger · notebook + 2 pens · water bottle · RIT ID, license, NCSU Unity ID info · light layer (offices over-AC) · phone fully charged + battery pack.
Venue Logistics
Trip Anchors
Two multi-night trips bookend the local exploration. Everything else stays within ~1 hr of Raleigh.
Week-by-Week
Weeknights are intentionally light — one sandwich lunch, one dinner, one easy activity. Food + outdoor sections below are a menu; swap freely. The current week auto-expands.
Food Directory Locals' picks
No seafood. Sort by category or type to filter; tap a chip to narrow the list.
Outdoor & Cultural Parks · Hikes · Beaches · Museums
Filter by category, search by name or trail.
Pre-Trip Setup & Checklist
Packing Checklist 8 weeks
Hyatt House has in-suite kitchen + on-site laundry. Pack 2 weeks of clothes, wash weekly. Each section is collapsible; tap any checkbox and it persists.