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  • Cary Spotlight (Travel + Discover Edition): Issue #657

Cary Spotlight (Travel + Discover Edition): Issue #657

Hello, Chicago! Explore Jack Smith Park, Yuri Japanese Restaurant


 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:

• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 😋🍴 Discover Cary (Eat & Drink): Yuri Japanese Restaurant
• ✈️ Airline Travel: Hello, Chicago!
• 🚗 Drivable Destinations: Explore Jack Smith Park
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Just for laughs
• ❤️ Shout-out: Thank You, Kathy Knezevic!
• 📅 Events: Planning your week in Cary?

👉 Browse the highlights. Skip to your favorites.

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Question: What is the small, central part of the retina responsible for sharp vision?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

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Yuri Japanese Restaurant

Yuri Japanese Restaurant is one of the local food places nominated by Cary Spotlight's readers for our Discover Cary project. If you've had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below.

Yuri Japanese Restaurant offers a sophisticated dining experience with creative sushi presentations, traditional Japanese dishes, and modern fusion cuisine served in an elegant setting with attentive service.

Check out their menu on their website: Yuri Japanese Restaurant

Address: 1361 Kildaire Farm Rd #5525, Cary, NC 27511 | Get Directions

Yuri Japanese Restaurant

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Do you have a favorite place to eat in Cary, NC? Click to share your pick.

Hello, Chicago!
Architecture and Deep-Dish Dreams

Welcome to Chicago, Illinois, a place where towering skyscrapers reflect off Lake Michigan's waves, where world-class museums sit alongside legendary pizza joints, and where music flows from blues clubs to symphony halls. With direct flights from RDU (Raleigh-Durham) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), reaching the Windy City is just a quick hop away. This Midwestern metropolis offers an incredible mix of architectural wonders, cultural treasures, and that famous Chicago spirit that makes every visitor feel at home.

Why Visit Chicago?

  • The Architecture: Chicago is the birthplace of the modern skyscraper and home to some of America's most stunning buildings. Take an architecture boat tour along the Chicago River to see Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpieces and the iconic Willis Tower up close.

  • Millennium Park and The Bean: This downtown cultural hub showcases Chicago's artistic soul with its famous Cloud Gate sculpture (locals call it "The Bean"). Catch free concerts at the outdoor pavilion or simply enjoy people-watching in this beautiful urban oasis.

  • Deep-Dish Pizza and Food Scene: Just 20 minutes from downtown, you can find the original deep-dish pizza at legendary spots like Lou Malnati's or Giordano's. Beyond pizza, Chicago's food scene ranges from James Beard Award-winning restaurants to authentic ethnic neighborhoods serving everything from Polish pierogi to Mexican tacos.

Travel Guides – Here are two comprehensive travel guides to help you plan your trip.

Lonely Planet Chicago This trusted guide offers insider tips on navigating the city's neighborhoods, finding the best local eats, and discovering hidden gems beyond the typical tourist spots.

Choose Chicago Official Visitors Guide This is the city's official tourism guide that provides insider access to the best hotels, dining spots, attractions, and events happening right now in Chicago.

G Adventures is the leader in small group and solo travel for 30 years, they know how to do it right. Check out the Online Deals: Shop Travel Deals

Explore Jack Smith Park

Jack Smith Park is a fantastic place to spend the day with your family without traveling far from home. This 50-acre park sits on what was once the historic Bartley family farm and offers something fun for everyone. Whether you want to cool off in the splash pad, climb a rock wall, or just enjoy a peaceful walk, this southeastern Cary gem combines modern play features with beautiful natural spaces. You'll find a half-mile walking loop that winds through shaded wooded paths with a charming pond, plus a unique playground for ages 2-12 and a 10-foot climbing boulder for older kids and beginners alike.

The park's crown jewel is Cary's first sprayground - a seasonal splash pad with seven different water features including dumping buckets, gentle fountains, and maneuverable water guns that kids 12 and under absolutely love. Keep your eyes open for the park's special residents: nine Suffolk sheep sculptures by artist William Moore that "graze" in the open field, and three whimsical whirligigs by folk artist Vollis Simpson made from old farm equipment that spin in the breeze.

Need a break from all the action? The park offers shaded picnic tables, a large pavilion, clean restrooms, and a fenced dog park where your four-legged family members can run free. The dog park is separated by size and includes water bowls, cleanup stations, and even evening lights for after-work visits.

Good to Know:

Location: 9725 Penny Road, Cary, NC 27606 | Directions 
Hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily (sprayground operates 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM mid-May through mid-September)
Amenities: Sprayground, playground, climbing boulder, dog park, picnic shelter, restrooms, walking trails, public art
Entry: Free! (Dog park requires annual pass available at community centers)
Tip: The sprayground closes one day each month for maintenance, and the dog park closes the second Wednesday of each month from 7 AM to noon. Bring swimsuits for the splash pad and consider visiting on overcast days to avoid crowds.

Tuesday

Meme of the Day.
Brought to you by Cary's Daily Newsletter.

What’s faster than word of mouth? Cary Spotlight! Keeps you updated on what is going on locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.

Thank You, Kathy Knezevic!

Trust and Local Awareness

Discover how Cary Spotlight Connect, a free podcast, helps local businesses in Cary share their story with an engaged audience. Get your business in Cary Spotlight.

📅 Planning your week in Cary?


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The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇
The fovea is a small, central pit located in the retina that is responsible for our sharpest vision and the ability to see fine details. Packed densely with cone cells, which detect color, the fovea is crucial for activities requiring precision, such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces. It works best in bright light and plays a vital role in central vision, allowing us to focus clearly on whatever we are directly looking at.