Everybody would like to go on week-long vacations all the time, but one might not get that many vacation days all the time. Sometimes, a quick getaway for some rest and recreation is a fantastic idea. And no matter what kind of traveler you are, there’s a perfect weekend destination waiting for you in the lovely state of North Carolina. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway in a charming cabin rental, a hiking and trekking trip, mountain biking adventures, or a culture-rich sojourn with museums and quaint towns, there’s something in North Carolina for everyone. Here are the 10 best weekend trips in North Carolina, USA.
1. Charlotte
One of North Carolina’s largest and most exciting cities, ‘Queen City’ Charlotte is a great weekend sojourn for the whole family. Some of the best attractions in the city include the Carolinas Aviation Museum, the Levine Museum of the New South, Discovery Place, and Freedom Park. If you’re travelling with kids, the Carowinds theme park is home to some of the region’s best roller coasters. Sports fans will enjoy watching the NASCAR races if they’re travelling around that time. One can maybe even catch NBA’s Charlotte Hornets or NFL’s Carolina Panthers play. Also, the charming Fairfield Inn oozing oodles of Southern charm makes for a great place to stay.
2. Waynesville
The small town of Waynesville is Western North Carolina’s biggest town, located in the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This iconic town is home to a bunch of places listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including its main street with Classical Revival style architecture. The town is also known for being the place of one of the last skirmishes in the eastern arena of the American Civil War. If you’re looking for a place to stay, there’s no better place than the 1926-built, historic Waynesville Inn Golf Resort and Spa. Apart from fantastic views of the golf course or the mountains, it even has a great spa which will soak all your stress right away.
3. Robbinsville
Situated in the gorgeously verdant Nantahala National Forest, the lively rural mountain town of Robbinsville is perfect for those who love the great outdoors. The country’s most famous and oldest long-distance trail, the Appalachian Trail can be accessed from Robbinsville - at least the shorter, easier parts of it. The Appalachian mountains are also great for honey tastings. Culture buffs will love the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center and the timeless Graham County Courthouse, while the intrepid ones can raft on the Cheoah River and explore the wonderful underground world of the Tuckaleechee Caverns.
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4. Winston-Salem
Located right in the centre of North Carolina, the historic gem of a town that is Winston-Salem is affectionately nicknamed ‘Twin City’ for its dual heritage. The city is also monikered “Camel City” for its historic involvement in the tobacco industry, which was brought about by the Camel cigarettes produced by the local R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Some of the best places to see in Winston-Salem are Bethabara Historic District, the Old Salem Moravian settlement, Reynolda Gardens, the New Winston Museum, Salem Lake, and the Reynolda House Museum of American Art. If you’re a couple looking for a romantic hideaway, the Historic Brookstown Inn is perfect for staying over.
5. Asheville
Asheville lies south of the Cherokee National Forest in western North Carolina and has gained fame as a hipster destination for everything natural and organic. The charming town boasts of a quirky, Bohemian vibe which is evident in its establishments like the Malaprop’s Bookstore & Café or the Pinball Museum. Culture buffs will love Asheville for its most famous attraction, the Biltmore Estate which is the largest private residence in the country and also on the list of National Historic Landmarks. Craft beer and wine fans will particularly love the dairy barn on the estate, which is now a winery. Nicknamed ‘Land of the Sky’, Asheville also has a host of lovely B&Bs which are perfect to live in and soak up the vibe of this North Carolinian town. These include the Chestnut Street Inn and the late 19th-century Wright Inn and Carriage House.
6. Bryson City
One of the state’s oldest communities, the laid back Bryson City is also famous as the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains. Straddling the Tuckasegee River, the tiny hamlet is an outdoor lover’s paradise, right from water sports and fishing to mountain biking and hiking and trekking for all levels of experience. Head to the Nantahala Outdoor Centre, a fantastic recreation company, and book everything from whitewater rafting tours to riding the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. The Smoky Mountain Trains Museum is extremely intriguing and fun, as is the Swain County Heritage Museum. Outdoor enthusiasts will also enjoy the Deep Creek Recreation Area, which is a beautiful spot for picnicking. If you’re looking for an escape from city life, the forested property of Lakeview at Fontana is stunning.
7. Durham
A former working-class Southern City, Durham has since transformed into a ‘cool’ spot for artists, gourmands, and the LGBTQ set. Durham lies near the Falls Lake State Recreation Area, right next to Eno River State Park in north-central North Carolina. The city radiates a youthful vibe, largely due to the presence of Duke University. Places to see in Durham include the historic Stagville plantation, the Bennett Place Museum, the Nasher Museum of Art, and the West Point park on the Eno River which is a fantastic place for camping, hiking, fishing, paddling in the rapids, and picnicking as well. Foodies will love the slew of restaurants in Durham, which was recently also labelled as the 'Tastiest Town in the South’ celebrating its amazing food scene. In fact, Durham is considered to be the epicentre of North Carolina’s farm-to-table movement.
8. Raleigh
History meets the modern era at the southern metropolis of Raleigh in the middle of North Carolina, which is chock-full of culinary, art, heritage, and tech scenes. The hip, cool city features lots of art exhibitions, craft beer events, and bluegrass festivals with many emerging bands playing here regularly. Some of the best attractions in Raleigh are the Marbles Kids Museum which is a hoot to visit if you’re with children, Pullen Park, the North Carolina Museum of Art, as well as the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Outdoor enthusiasts should check out the William B. Umstead State Park for its multi-use trail system set amidst acres of lovely green forests.
9. Greensboro
Right in the centre of North Carolina sits Greensboro, one of the most popular and historic cities in North Carolina. The sleepy city gives off a real small-town vibe and will make you want to stay longer than you’d have originally planned to. Greensboro, or ‘The Boro’ as it is called, is home to a diverse and vibrant arts community. The city is also a historic place to visit - its origins and early years were actually as a settler community which played an important role in the Civil War. Some of Greensboro’s best attractions include the Weatherspoon Art Museum, the International Civil Rights Museum, and the Greensboro Science Center, among others.
10. Wilmington
On the southeastern tip of North Carolina sits the fabulous beach and port city that is Wilmington. No matter the time of the year, Wilmington is always a great choice for a weekend getaway. The lovely, historic riverfront area is perfect for long walks during the day and becomes a buzzing place with a craft beer scene by night. Wilmington is blessed with miles and miles of perfect beaches for beach bums and water babies to enjoy. There’s even a 2.5-mile-long (4 km) ‘Loop Trail’ for outdoor enthusiasts which is great for running, biking, and walking. Plus, it will even interest culture buffs, what with many historic buildings still standing today.
Getting away for the weekend in North Carolina
With its lovely landscapes, historic towns, and an amazing culinary scene, North Carolina’s many towns make for a fantastic weekend getaway. Whether you’re looking for an overnight romantic sojourn or a four-day hiking getaway, there is something in North Carolina for every kind of traveller. Explore this list of 10 best weekend trips in North Carolina, USA to make those weekend leaves count.
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