Raleigh-Durham International Airport Observation Park — Attraction in Morrisville

Very nice spot to watch the planes take off or land depending on which way they're running. Parking is Free, but limited. There are two main runways at RDU, and this has visibility to the longer northern one (5L-23R) and not the shorter Sothern one (5R-23L) (north or south of the viewing platform). Another review stated Atlantic Aviation is good for 5R-23L. I'm not sure if they have a public viewing spot for the shortest 14-32 runway.

The viewing area is elevated and shaded, with plenty of seating. On the ground level you'll find drink vending machines and bathrooms. I honestly didn't go into the bathroom so IDK. There are several picnic tables around, and a small sand spot with a bar thing for kids to climb on. There's also a replica paved runway for them to run up and down. There's also lots of well kept grass if you'd rather be on that, and other nice landscaping.

All in all it's a really nice little picnic spot.

I was there on Memorial Day, so it was a bit busy. Even with the limited parking though I was still able to find a spot, but it was getting full.

I had to drop one star because while there's a great view of the runway to the NW, and a small window to the NNE end of the runway, a big chunk of runway directly north is blocked by the NC DOT building. Depending on which way the planes are running, it can utterly block the landing. The viewing platform needs to be at least twice as high for the angles to work out to see over that to the far runway bits. It's already elevated, so it's just a matter of making it more so. Or adding an upper deck.

If you have the time and are waiting on someone, I do recommend stopping in to watch the planes.

If your GPS balks at just W Business St. with no street number, you can use the US FAA building's address that is right next to it: 1705 E International Dr, Morrisville, NC 27560

That will get you to a spot right before the intersection of E. International and Business. Then all you have to do is turn left at Business a few meters up and you're effectively there. Just try not to get trapped by the paid parking entrance right before the Business St....

Need better signage. For terminals in parking garage as it starts its spirals each level and from the road leading in. It was so confusing for the first time coming in for a flight. Is way got 3 stars. I was a hour early but no parking spot but the very top 5th level and had to run through to elevator hoping i would miss my flight and I went through the wrong terminal not knowing till after going through security and looking at boarding sign. We'll that was wrong. Had to turn around me and my son and I had to run out that terminal back through parking garage to terminal 1 and go back through security, which they were great from both side they get 5 stars. Once through terminal 1, I was late, and the ane was already boarding, which I barely got in my group spots to board for a 4-hour flight. So I had no time to get snacks nor drink or the time to relax b4 getting on a plane. The ones for my flight were super nice and would give 5 stars. I would have to say anyone that is heading to This Airport do better homework and study where the terminals are located for which plane you're going to be flying. Don't make the mistake I made. Be better prepared. I was going off what my wife booked and told me where to...

If you're looking for a place to watch planes take off and land, you might want to check out the Raleigh-Durham International Airport Observation Park. But don't expect any fancy equipment to help you get a closer look. This park is so low-budget that they don't even have telescopes for the visitors. They just hope that you'll bring your own or squint really hard. The parking is free, but good luck finding a spot on weekends. This place is so popular that people flock here like birds to a feeder. And not just any birds, but old and bored ones who have nothing better to do than watch metal tubes fly in the sky. They've seen it all before, but they keep coming back for more. Maybe they're hoping for a miracle, like a plane landing on its nose or a UFO sighting. The only ones who might enjoy this park are the new-born babies who have never seen a plane before. They can marvel at the wonders of aviation and tell their future kids about this amazing attraction. That is, if it still exists by then and hasn't been replaced by something more exciting, like a parking lot...