“The Peak of Good Living” Attracts Seniors

Apex, North Carolina was selected as one of America’s Best Small Towns. Senior readers, the town is called Apex because it was the highest point on the Chatham Railroad between Richmond, Virginia and Jacksonville, Florida.

Apex, first settled in the 1860s and incorporated in 1873, was one of the earliest new towns to develop around the state capital of Raleigh, as railroads traversed the county after the Civil War.

That Peak not only captures the name’s historical significance, but refers to the fact that in places along the town’s main street, Salem Street, water which falls on one side of the street flows to the Neuse River, and on the other side it flows to the Cape Fear River.

Take an Apex City Tour and view many of the reasons folks enjoy living there.  And senior golfers, Knight’s Play has been recognized by the Golf Range Association of America as one of the top 100 practice facilities in the country.

 Historic Downtown A Senior Favorite

The historic downtown area is a favorite among the the surrounding towns. The buildings are connected by walls and the streets are lined with sidewalks, blue and green awnings, restaurants, soda shoppes, and antique stores.

The award-winning Anna’s Pizzeria is a busy, family-friendly restaurant serving up authentic New York style pizzas and Italian dishes. Visit the circa-1914 Apex Union Depot, dine at Daniel’s and experience First Fridays downtown or the Peak Fest in early May.

Downtown Apex, considered one of the most intact turn-of-the-century railroad towns in the area, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an Historic District in 1994, and includes about 60 structures built between 1870 and 1940.  The Old Union Depot, built in 1914, is designated as a Wake County Historic Landmark. The Apex Historical Society is located nearby in an old caboose.

American Tobacco Trail and Rail Trail

 In Apex, senior tourists are drawn to both the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area and American Tobacco Trail. The Wake County portion of the Trail is a recreational rail-trail open to walkers, runners, dog walkers, bicyclists and horseback riders. Upon completion, this rail-trail project will span 23 miles, from rural New Hill in western Wake County.

Today, Apex is one of the most vibrant, progressive, and fastest-growing communities in The Research Triangle area, and the thriving Downtown Historic District is at the Town’s heart. The unique mixture of historic homes, restaurants, and specialty shops gives special meaning to the motto: “Apex, The Peak of Good Living.”

In Apex there is a seasonal open air market with an indoor winter market where local farmers and vendors offer fresh produce, meat, chicken, eggs, honey, baked goods and crafts. Every year senior visitors can enjoy a jazz festival and their Peak CIty Pig Fest. So bring your appetite, your walking shoes and your enthusiasm for visiting one great city called Apex. jeb