Apex, North Carolina
Apex is a town of 70,630 people in Wake County, North Carolina, founded in 1873.
Why visit Apex
Townapedia lists 11 museums and landmarks, 43 parks and trails, 114 places to eat, 7 places to stay and 2 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Apex Town Hall, Apex Historic District and Bond Park.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 89°F; January lows average 31°F.
Weather in Apex
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Apex
Apex () is a town in Wake and Chatham counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. At its southern border, Apex encompasses the community of Friendship. In 1994, the downtown area was designated a historic district, and the Apex train depot, built in 1867, was designated a Wake County landmark. The depot location marks the highest point on the old Chatham Railroad, hence the town's name.
From the Wikipedia article Apex, North Carolina (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do2
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Cinema and theater · 4.7 mi
Open-air concert venue in Cary, North Carolina, United States of America
Museums and landmarks11
Apex Town Hall
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.7 mi
Town hall in Apex, North Carolina
73 Hunter Street, Apex
Apex Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.6 mi
Historic district in Apex, North Carolina, USA
Apex Union Depot
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.7 mi
United States historic place
Calvin Wray Lawrence House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.4 mi
Apex, North Carolina, listed on the NRHP in Wake County
Goodwin Farm Complex
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.5 mi
Historic house in North Carolina, United States
Green Level
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.1 mi
Human settlement in North Carolina, United States of America
Holly Springs Masonic Lodge
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.6 mi
Masonic temple in Holly Springs, United States of America
Leslie-Alford-Mims House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.6 mi
Holly Springs, Wake County, North Carolina
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New Hill Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.6 mi
Historic district located at New Hill, North Carolina
Parks, trails and playgrounds43
31 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes114
McAlister's Deli
Restaurant · Sandwich · 3.2 mi
Easygoing counter-service chain known for its sandwiches, stuffed baked potatoes & sweet tea.
1061 Pine Plaza Dr, Apex
Su-Sa 10:30-22:30
Baskin-Robbins
Ice cream · Ice Cream · 2.0 mi
800 Perry Road, Apex
Mo-Fr 05:00-20:00; Sa,Su 06:00-20:00
Bee BanhMi
Restaurant · Vietnamese · 3.7 mi
1871 Lake Pine Drive, Cary
Mo,Tu,Th,Fr,Sa 11:30-20:30; We 12:30-20:30
Chili's
Restaurant · Tex-Mex · 1.5 mi
1120 Beaver Creek Commons Drive, Apex
Mo-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 11:00-22:00
China Chef
Restaurant · Chinese · 2.3 mi
1769 West Williams Street
Mo-Th 11:00-15:00,16:30-22:00;Fr-Sa 11:00-15:00,16:30-22:30;Su...
Kylin Asian Cuisine
Restaurant · Asian · 3.5 mi
2143 Ten Ten Road, Apex
Tu-Sa 11:00-21:30; Su 12:00-21:00
La Rancherita Mexican Restaurant
Restaurant · Mexican · 1.6 mi
102 North Salem Street, Apex
Mo-Th 11:00-21:30; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 11:00-21:00
Lime & Lemon
Cafe · Indian · 1.5 mi
2025 Creekside Landing Drive, Apex
Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:30-22:30; Su 11:30-21:30
Mamacita
Restaurant · Mexican · 1.5 mi
2045 Creekside Landing Drive, Apex
Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:30; Su 11:00-21:30
Ruckus Pizza, Pasta, & Spirits
Restaurant · Pizza · 3.2 mi
1055 Pine Plaza Dr, Apex
Mo-We,Su 11:00-23:00; Th-Sa 11:00-24:00
Salvio’s Pizzeria
Restaurant · Pizza · 4.3 mi
2428 Southwest Cary Parkway
Mo-Sa 11:00-21:00;Su 12:00-20:30
102 more on the map.
History
In 1869, the Chatham Railroad, connecting Chatham County with Raleigh, was completed. At the highest point of the line, which railroad workers dubbed the "apex of the grade", existed a pond. Trains leaving out of Chatham would stop at the pond to replenish their water. A community began to grow around the stop. At the time, this community was known as "log pond". The name "log pond" almost certainly derives from the fact that the pond, which much resembled a small swamp, was covered in trees and vegetation, just like much of the surrounding area. People later called this area Apex, due to its position on the Chatham Railroad. The town of Apex was officially incorporated in 1873. As for the pond, it was eventually drained by culverts and ceased to exist by 1900.
Apex grew slowly through the succeeding decades, despite several devastating fires, including a June 12, 1911, conflagration that destroyed most of the downtown business district. The town center was rebuilt and stands to this day, now one of the most intact railroad towns in the state. At the heart of town stands the Apex Union Depot, originally a passenger station for the Seaboard Air Line Railroad and later home to the locally supported Apex Community Library. The depot now houses the Apex Chamber of Commerce.
From the History section of Apex, North Carolina on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay7
Candlewood Suites Apex Raleigh Area
Motel and hotel · 2.2 mi
1005 Marco Drive, Apex
Churches and places of worship29
Apex United Methodist Church
Church · Methodist · 1.7 mi
East Chatham Street, Apex
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church · Mormon · 1.1 mi
590 Bryan Drive, Apex
Shopping24
Gas and EV charging21
Schools, colleges and libraries48
Healthcare13
Action Behavior Centers - ABA Therapy for Autism
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.5 mi
2068 Energy Drive, Apex
Dollinger and Tove Family Medicine Associates P.A.
Clinic and pharmacy · 3.3 mi
2021 Shepherds Vineyard Drive, Apex
UNC REX Healthcare
Clinic and pharmacy · 4.3 mi
1505 Southwest Cary Parkway, Cary
Map of Apex
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 51°F | 31°F | 3.6 in | 2.9 in |
| Feb | 54°F | 33°F | 3.0 in | 1.0 in |
| Mar | 62°F | 39°F | 4.1 in | 0.4 in |
| Apr | 72°F | 48°F | 3.6 in | 0.0 in |
| May | 79°F | 57°F | 3.8 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 86°F | 65°F | 4.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 89°F | 69°F | 5.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 87°F | 68°F | 4.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 82°F | 62°F | 5.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 72°F | 50°F | 3.7 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 62°F | 40°F | 3.5 in | 0.3 in |
| Dec | 54°F | 34°F | 3.7 in | 0.2 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Apex (3 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Wake County has had 16 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.
- 2026-01-24: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2024-09-26: Hurricane Helene (Tropical Storm)
- 2024-08-06: Tropical Storm Debby (Tropical Storm)
- 2022-10-01: Hurricane Ian (Hurricane)
- 2020-08-02: Hurricane Isaias (Hurricane)
- 2020-03-25: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 12 miles away.
- Cary 5 mi northeast, about 8 min by car
- Holly Springs 5 mi south, about 9 min by car
- Morrisville 8 mi north, about 13 min by car
- Fuquay-Varina 10 mi southeast, about 16 min by car
- Governors Village 12 mi northwest, about 19 min by car
- Fearrington Village 12 mi northwest, about 20 min by car
- Governors Club 12 mi northwest, about 20 min by car
- Raleigh 15 mi northeast, about 25 min by car
- Durham 17 mi north, about 28 min by car
- Fayetteville 45 mi south, about 1 h 15 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- SI-ApexNCDowntown, Seth Ilys at English Wikipedia, Public domain
- Apex NC Town Hall (historic), Ke4roh, Public domain
- Front elevation Leslie-Alford-Mims House, KimWrenn, CC BY-SA 3.0
- ApexUnionDepotSmall, Seth Ilys at English Wikipedia, Public domain
- W T Roundy Motor Court and house New Hill NC, KimWrenn, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Masonic Lodge, Holly Springs, NC, Jon Harrison, CC BY-SA 3.0
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