18 Best Weekend Getaways in North Carolina

The Blue Ridge Parkway is well known as "America's Favorite Drive" by motorcyclists and bicyclists because of its endless scenery. It spans 469 miles and offers breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding landscapes. Landscape architect Stanley Abbott designed it. His goal was to build a road that connected the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and included scenic hiking trails. The Blue Ridge Parkway passes through or near the beautiful tiny mountain villages considered attractions themselves. They're great places to get a bite to eat or spend the night. Hundreds of miles of hiking trails branch off from the numerous pull-offs along the way, some leading to breathtaking waterfalls. Do you enjoy camping or picnics? Everything is waiting for you on the Blue Ridge Parkway!

While traveling, you can also pack a picnic lunch and stop at one of the many beautiful areas with tables ideally positioned to soak up the view. Along the journey, there are numerous campgrounds in beautiful locations. The Blue Ridge Parkway is home to various art centers, museums, and beautiful landscapes.

Mabry Mill (Milepost 176) hosts demonstrations such as maize grinding in the ancient mill, sawmill cutting boards, and blacksmithing during the summer and fall. During the winter, however, Mabry Mill is closed. You do, however, have alternative possibilities. The Folk Art Center (Milepost 382) is open all year and features a gallery of folk art and demonstrations by local artisans, while the Museum of North Carolina Minerals (Milepost 331) features detailed exhibits on the region's mineral resources and mining industry.

Just a heads up, make sure you properly plan your journey. Summer tourists enjoy a more quiet period as they admire the colors of burning azaleas and rhododendrons, while fall visitors enjoy a more busy parkway. Between November and March, make careful to check for weather-related road closures before going out.

The North Carolina Zoo, located in Asheboro, has five miles of shady pathways where visitors may see over 1,600 species and 52,000 plants. Exhibits here are made to look like the animals are in their natural environment.

The African species include elephants, rhinoceros, ostriches, lions, chimpanzees, zebras, and giraffes. In contrast, the North American animals included cougars, alligators, bobcats, red wolves, bison, elk, roadrunners, and grizzly and black bears.

The zoo's feeding times are among the most exciting activities. The hours are provided online every day, so plan your visit to watch at least a few. The zoo offers a variety of hiking paths through the neighboring forests and the fauna. For the dog lover, you don't have to leave your fur babies behind since leashed dogs are permitted in the vicinity.

You can take the Endangered Species Carousel ride with the kids if they are getting tired or need a fun energy boost. You can also visit the 5,625-square-foot Garden Friends Playground or take your children to the skies on the Air Hike Ropes Course, both of which are located on the property.

Are you looking for your next beach destination? The answer is here!

The beaches on this 200-mile stretch of barrier islands are legendary. In the summer, extended areas of soft sand surround the coast, bringing enormous crowds; most are families looking to beat the heat and relax.

The towns of Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, and Avon are among the most popular holiday beach destinations. While some communities offer more hotels and resorts than others, many visitors prefer to spend their beach vacation with plenty of activities to do in the vicinity. You can visit lighthouses, camp near the beach, or rent a cottage or beach house. A spectacular beach vacation indeed!

Aside from the beach, you can also visit a museum or two. The Outer Banks History Center and the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum are some of the greatest places to learn about the area's history. You can also spend a day driving around the Outer Banks Scenic Byway and just enjoy the view.

If you want a chill and relaxing day, you can visit Roanoke Island and study the vanished colony, see a farm life exhibit, and learn about the island's role in the Underground Railroad Network. Then you can head to The Frisco Native American Museum and the Elizabethan gardens at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, which are nearby. It sounds like a perfect day!

This is the state's oldest museum, dedicated to North Carolina's natural history. The Nature Exploration Center and the Nature Research Center are the two buildings that house the museum's exhibits, interactive learning possibilities, and educational lectures.

The Nature Exploration Center's permanent exhibits include a wide range of topics, from North Carolina's coastal regions to the state's gemstone history. There are also parts dedicated to tropics and rainforest habitats, where you can interact with the native two-toed sloth. The "Terror of the South," commonly known as Acro, is the only genuine Acrocanthosaurus skeleton on display anywhere in the world and the highlight of the Prehistoric North Carolina exhibit.

The Nature Research Center, right next door, concentrates on the science and investigation that are essential to understanding the natural world. The exhibits here range from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean to deep space exploration and include everything from the study of DNA to the enormous science of weather systems.

Roanoke Island, Pine Knoll Shores, Fort Fisher, and Jennette's Pier make the North Carolina Aquarium. Roanoke Island features the most extensive collection of sharks in the state.

While Jennette's Pier is not an aquarium, it does provide views of marine species in their natural habitat, such as humpback whales.

At Pine Knoll Shores, visitors can learn about the state's varied marine life, while Fort Fisher introduces the freshwater streams, swamps, and open ocean of Cape Fear.

It is best to confirm with the aquarium what aquatic creatures will be passing through during your visit. If you enjoy aquatic activities and views, then this is for you!

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore was the country's first coastal protection area, and it encompasses the Outer Banks region of North Carolina's coast. The beaches draw most visitors, but the area is also known for its breathtaking natural wildlife and rich history.

Birdwatchers can see endangered piping plovers and the American Oystercatcher, gull-billed tern, and black skimmer, which nest on the beach.

The beaches here are also a nesting ground for several types of sea turtles, including the one facing extinction, the loggerhead sea turtle. You may see seals resting on the beach during the winter months. An additional popular pastime is climbing historic lighthouses, such as the 1872 Bodie Island Light Station, which has undergone three incarnations. The first was declared unsafe, and the second was obliterated during the Civil War.

The Cape Hatteras Light Station was built in 1803 and rebuilt in 1870, and it served as a vital beacon on one of the most destructive stretches of the Atlantic coast, where the Gulf Stream meets the Virginia Drift, and hundreds of ships have sunk.

The Ocracoke Light, which is not open to the public, has been operating since 1823 on an island famous for its distinctive breed of Ocracoke Ponies.

Chimney Rock State Park is located nearby Asheville. The park features a 315-foot granite spire that rises to more than 2,280 feet. You don't have to worry about the exhaustion and strain of climbing the mountain because there is a 26-story lift built inside the mountain.

The Hickory Nut Falls Trail, located within the park, is a moderate, mostly level trail leading to the 404-foot Hickory Nut Falls base. This magnificent waterfall cascades down a sheer red-rock face and disappears into the trees below.

To get to the top of the Chimney, visitors can either take the 26-story elevator or walk 500 steps, about 31 flights of stairs. The North Carolina General Assembly approved this park in 2005, making it a relatively recent addition to its parks system.

Linville's Grandfather Mountain has a wide range of hiking options, from easy trails with beautiful views to challenging treks involving ladders that reward expansive, mountainous views. Visitors can also learn about the flora and fauna of the area, as well as catch a glimpse of wildlife.

Plan a walk across the park's famous Mile High Swinging Bridge, which has been in place since 1952 and provides a 360-degree panoramic view.

The small towns of Banner Elk and Blowing Rock are also within easy driving distance from Grandfather Mountain. Stop by either one for lunch or dinner and enjoy a meal on the patio in the sunshine.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the country's most visited national park and one of North Carolina's best places. It is known worldwide for its diverse animal and plants life, stunning ancient mountains, and visible remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain heritage. Without a doubt, this is one of North Carolina's must-see national attractions.

Tourists to Cades Cove will be able to see wildlife, enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery, and tour old houses and churches. Wildflowers range from early hepaticas in late winter to asters in late autumn. The Smokies are known for their varied wildlife and plant life, including several black bears and wildflowers that bloom in North Carolina during spring.

Camping and hiking are among the most popular pastimes for visitors to North Carolina's Smoky Mountains. At any time of year, hikers and nature lovers can take in the park's breathtaking scenery along the historic Appalachian Trail.

Raleigh, North Carolina's capital, is a fantastic city you must visit during your stay in the state! There are enough fantastic things to do in Raleigh to keep you busy for weeks!

If you're looking for something to do, Raleigh has many attractions, green spaces, and activities to keep you entertained. A day at the 164-acre park and 40-gallery North Carolina Museum of Art is sure to be an enjoyable experience.

There are many exciting museums in North Carolina, including the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, which houses dinosaur skeletons, and the North Carolina Museum of Art, founded in 1956. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is Southeast's largest natural history museum, with an impressive array of educational and entertaining exhibits to choose from.

Additionally, NC State University's JC Raulston Arboretum, the North Carolina Museum of History, and the Joel Lane Museum House are all must-sees when in Asheville.

The city is well-known for its beautiful North Carolina State University and for being part of the 'Research Triangle,' which also includes Chapel Hill and Durham (and their respective universities, Duke and the University of North Carolina).

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is located close to Raleigh and is part of the Research Triangle, a cluster of research institutions. It is well-known for being the home of the University of North Carolina. And, of course, Michael Jordan and coach Dean Smith made it famous decades ago.

Chapel Hill, however, is known for much more than basketball and UNC; it is home to some of the state's most famous artworks, including the Ackland Art Museum, which houses many Asian and European works.

There are numerous nature trails and greenways within a short distance of Chapel Hill that visitors can explore. If you visit the North Carolina Botanical Garden, you can see extraordinary and colorful plants. Initially constructed in the early 1900s, the gardens are now a national historic site.

Chapel Hill is also home to the Morehead Planetarium & Science Center, one of the largest and oldest planetariums in the United States.

This 9,011-acre state park in North Carolina is a must-see for any visitor to the state. The park is open to the public. It's free. Hanging Rock State Park is located approximately 30 miles north of Winston-Salem in the Sauratown Mountain Range, which is one of North Carolina's easternmost mountain ranges.

There are over 18 miles of hiking trails in the North Carolina state park and a few waterfalls and peaks. In addition, there is a large campground on the premises, and rock climbing is permitted on Cook's Wall and Moore's Wall.

Hanging Rock State Park has ten cabins and a tent and trailer campground. It's perfect for visitors who want to stay in the park. The Devil's Chimney and the eponymous Hanging Rock are two of Hanging Rock State Park's most famous quartzite formations and ridges.

The town of Emerald Isle, located on the Crystal Coast, is one of my favorite places to visit. It is located in Carteret County and has a permanent population of around 3,700 people, but this number rises dramatically during the summer months. Sea turtles lay their eggs on the beaches, which are protected by federal law.

It is a family-friendly destination in North Carolina. The town offers waterparks, safe beaches, and a variety of other activities for visitors to enjoy, including delicious restaurants and more.

The Pisgah National Forest is located in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and is known for its beauty and diversity. It is surrounded by three local ranger districts: Nebo, Pisgah Forest, and Mars Hill.

The forest, which was established in 1916, was among the first in the eastern United States to be designated. The North Carolina forest covers 512,758 acres and reaches heights of over 6,000 feet in places. It's known for hiking, mountain towns like Brevard, mountain biking, and a whole host of other outdoor activities.

Bald Head Island, located in the eastern part of North Carolina, offers breathtaking scenic beauty all year. To get to the island, you can take the ferry from Deep Point Marina to the harbor, which takes about 20 minutes.

The Old Baldy Lighthouse, which was built in 1817 and still stands on the island, is the state's oldest standing lighthouse.

There are many things to do on the island, from spending the day at one of the best North Carolina beaches to exploring the protected creeks and maritime forests, shopping, dining, and relaxing at the spa.

There are a lot of activities on the island for those who want to get away from it all, but be close to some of North Carolina's most beautiful beaches.

There are plenty of activities for children on the island as well!

Linville Gorge & Falls is a famous waterfall in Linville Falls, North Carolina, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The three-tiered waterfall, accessible via numerous hiking trails, provides stunning views for visitors.

Hikers will appreciate the variety of trails in the area, which lead to falls at varying levels of difficulty.

The Linville Gorge and Falls can be seen from either of the trails at any time of year. Fall is particularly the best time to visit due to the stunning foliage.

Asheville, located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Foothills, has a reputation for being a thriving community. The center is home to several boutiques showcasing local creations and bars and excellent dining options.

Ashville's creative energy is further bolstered by the presence of strolling musicians and street performers. This beautiful and unique town has received numerous awards over the years, including "America's Quirkiest Town" from "Travel & Leisure" and "Good Morning America's" "Most Beautiful Places in America" in September 2014.

In addition, Ashville is close to the world-famous Biltmore Estate. The largest privately-owned house in the United States, this Châteauesque-styled mansion was built between 1889 and 1895 and received nearly 1 million visitors each year.

The Western North Carolina Nature Center, the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, and the beautiful 434-acre North Carolina Arboretum are must-see attractions in Asheville. For the active traveler, the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains offer a variety of outdoor adventures.

The Cape Lookout National Seashore can be reached by boat just off the coast. Consult the ferry schedule, which can be found on the website, and get ready for activities such as horse watching, fishing, shelling, birding, lighthouse climbing, camping, and touring historic villages, among others.

The Cape Lookout Lighthouse is the first stop for visitors. Visitors should bring flashlights to the Cape Lookout Lighthouse and its beaches at night to experience it as the lighthouse keepers once did.

Visitors may wish to join a Park Ranger for a glimpse into the world of Shackleford Banks' wild horses. Beach cabins can even be rented.