Here’s what’s in today’s issue:

• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 😋🍴 Discover Cary (Eat & Drink): Serendipity Gourmet Deli
• ✈️ Airline Travel: Hello, San Juan, Puerto Rico!
• 🚗 Drivable Destinations: Explore Downtown Cary's Public Art Installations
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Just for laughs
• ❤️ Shout-out: Thank You, Kathleen Camera!
• 🎁 Adventure starts close to home: Show your support
• 📅 Events: Planning your week in Cary?

👉 Browse the highlights. Skip to your favorites.

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Question: What island is home to the city of Honolulu?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

The Featured Event Birthday Special

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Serendipity Gourmet Deli

Serendipity Gourmet Deli is one of the local food places nominated by Cary Spotlight’s readers for our Discover Cary project. If you had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below.

Serendipity Gourmet Deli in downtown Cary is a charming neighborhood deli that has been serving up fresh sandwiches, homemade salads, and classic deli fare since 1975, featuring signature dishes like their Albacore Hot Croissant and famous Reuben sandwich in a cozy setting with friendly service.

Check out their online menu: Serendipity Gourmet Deli

Address: 118 S Academy St, Cary, NC 27511 | Get Directions

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

Hello, San Juan, Puerto Rico!
Gateway to Caribbean History and Island Adventure

Welcome to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where cobblestone streets meet turquoise waters, centuries-old forts stand guard over modern beaches, and the rhythm of salsa spills out from every corner.

Thanks to direct flights from RDU (Raleigh-Durham) to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), this Caribbean gem is just a few hours away—and since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, you won't even need a passport if you're a U.S. citizen. San Juan offers an irresistible blend of Spanish colonial history, world-class beaches, and an unforgettable food scene that will keep you coming back for more.

Three airlines currently operate nonstop service: JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.

Why Visit San Juan?

• Old San Juan: This 500-year-old neighborhood is one of the oldest European settlements in the Americas and feels like stepping into a living postcard. Wander through rainbow-colored streets, explore historic plazas, and stop for fresh mofongo or a piragua (shaved ice) from a street vendor.

• El Morro and Castillo de San Cristóbal: These massive Spanish fortresses protected San Juan from invaders for centuries and now stand as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Walk the ramparts, explore dark tunnels and dungeons, and take in sweeping ocean views that make for perfect photo opportunities.

• Beaches and Bioluminescent Bays: Just minutes from downtown, beaches like Condado and Isla Verde offer soft sand and calm waves perfect for swimming or paddleboarding. For something truly magical, take a short trip to nearby Fajardo or Vieques to kayak through glowing bioluminescent waters—one of nature's most stunning nighttime shows.

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

Lonely Planet's San Juan Guide This guide covers everything from the best local restaurants to hidden beaches and day trip ideas around the island.

Discover Puerto Rico's Official San Juan Page The official tourism site offers up-to-date event listings, cultural festivals, and insider tips straight from locals.

Learn about more family trips built for adventurers of all ages.

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 Downtown Cary's Public Art Installations

Downtown Cary Park is more than just a beautiful green space—it's a seven-acre outdoor art gallery where creativity meets nature right in the heart of town. The park brings together stunning sculptures, light displays, and seasonal art installations that change throughout the year. Light Passage is the showstopper—four giant illuminated rings that wrap around an elevated walkway.

During the day, prisms catch the sunlight and sparkle, while at night the rings glow with changing colors. You'll also spot I'île Folie, a nearly 25-foot-tall aluminum structure sitting on an island in the lower pond, plus Green Light's beautiful steel panels inspired by native plants.

If you visit between January and March, you might catch GLOW—a temporary outdoor exhibition featuring light and technology art installations that pop up across downtown. Past displays have included glowing botanical sculptures, shimmer fields made of thousands of reflectors, and light murals on building walls, tucked in unexpected places like rooftops and open lawns.

Beyond the art, the park offers plenty of ways to relax and play. You'll find playgrounds with two giant cardinal sculptures kids can climb, a splash pad, a dog park with its own Bark Bar, table tennis, volleyball courts, and putting greens. More than 650 trees and 66,000 plants create a lush backdrop for picnics, concerts, yoga classes, outdoor movies, and farmers markets.

Good to Know:

Location: 327 S. Academy St., Cary, NC 27511 | Directions

Hours: Open daily, 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Amenities: Permanent and rotating public art installations, Light Passage sculpture, I'île Folie structure, elevated Skywalk, splash pad, dog park (Barkyard), playgrounds, restrooms, Market 317 café, Bark Bar, table tennis, volleyball, putting green, botanical gardens, performance pavilion, free parking

Entry: Free! (Some special events or dog park access may require registration)

Tip: The art really comes alive after dark—Light Passage glows with changing colors, and if you visit during GLOW season (January-March), you'll see temporary light installations throughout downtown. Parking is available at the deck behind Cary Regional Library, on Charlie Gaddy Lane, and at street parking spots.

Official Website: https://downtowncarypark.com

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, Kathleen Camera!

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📅 Planning your week in Cary?

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