North Carolina Home to 2 of America’s Best Free Attractions
You don’t need to have a lot of money to have an enjoyable vacation. Now, it turns out that North Carolina is home to two of America’s best free attractions, according to the experts at USA Today. In North Carolina and beyond, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy some of America’s best free attractions. That’s a great thing, because money is tight for many Americans, and doing vacations can be especially expensive for those with a large family.
North Carolina Home to 2 of America’s Best Free Attractions, USA Today Says
USA Today has a new feature out celebrating the best free attractions in the U.S. In it, they note that, “When you visit one of these 10 free attractions — selected by a panel of travel experts and voted by readers as the best in the U.S. — you can save big travel budget bucks for other things. Even though they come at no cost, in each case, you get way, way more than you pay for.” What’s neat is that this is part of USA Today’s 10 Best series, which means that experts selected a bunch of spots on which to vote, and then actual travelers voted on their favorites. So, this tally is from actual people who have visited some of these attractions and know they’re fantastic. I’m always more impressed with a study such as this one when real people who have traveled to those spots are voting on the results.
Before we get to North Carolina, I found it interesting that the Golden Gate Bridge was No. 5 on the tally. It’s one of the most popular spots in the world, so I thought it would be higher, but that’s still high. The bridge is located between Golden Gate National Recreational Area and Golden Gate Park, which the publication notes are both great for outdoors lovers. It’s really a stunning bridge, to boot. No. 1 on the roster, by the way, was Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, Florida.
So, which two North Carolina spots are the best free attractions in America? Coming in at No. 6 is JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh. “The JC Raulston Arboretum welcomes visitors to come stroll through the grounds, learning about flora on display that’s specifically adapted for use throughout the Southeast,” they state. Also, No. 8 on the tally is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee. It’s the most visited national park in the United States and offers many free things to do, from hiking to a picnic and more. I’m glad North Carolina has these free attractions, so we don’t have to pay a ton to have some fun.
Tips to Maximize Your Vacation
1. Save Money
One great way to maximize your vacation is simply to save money. You’ll feel so much better on vacation knowing that you’re saving cash by doing things the right way. One major way to save money is to travel during an off season. Every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, look at the cheapest time to visit your destination, and go then. Find more tips on saving money on vacation, too.
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2. Don't Plan Every Minute of Your Vacation
Sure, you want to do some planning so that you don’t miss the big tourist stops in your destination. But, don’t book every blasted minute. Maximize your vacay by saving some time to be spontaneous. Take a day to just figure out what to do when you’re there. Maybe some locals will recommend a secret spot for you to visit during your “day off.”
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3. Do Plan Ahead, Though
While you don’t want to overbook your trip so that you’re always running from spot to spot, you do want to plan a bit. It’s not a good idea to do zero planning and just feel things out when you get there. Plan some big activities ahead of time so that you aren’t scrambling last-minute.
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4. Plan Regular Mini-Vacations
If you only have one big vacation every year, you might feel under a lot of pressure to make it the most amazing experience ever. So, take away that stress. Plan mini-vacations throughout the year, so you aren’t under as much pressure to make your big trip the best thing that’s ever happened to you and your family. For example, in the fall, if you live in an area with beautiful colors, make an annual fall color tour trip and just drive around the state.
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5. Stay an Extra Day
If time and money allows, adding just one day to your vacation can open up a world of possibilities. Many people plan too short a trip, not realizing just how much they’ll want to do in their destination. So, add an extra day. You’ll be glad you did at the end of your stay.
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6. Take Time to Sleep
Sure, you’re on vacation. You want to soak up every minute of your trip. But, if you’re up late every night partying in the clubs and then up early to enjoy the sunrise, pretty soon, you’ll be too tired to enjoy your vacation. So, take time to get some sleep and feel rested.
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7. Let the Small Stuff Go
They say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” That’s certainly true on vacation. Nothing is going to go totally as planned. So, expect the unexpected, and roll with it.
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8. Plan Some Recoup Time
When you get back from your vacation, don’t plan to start work the very next day. Take an extra day or two off after your vacation to recuperate, so that you hit the ground running when you’re back at work. The extra time at home will also give you a chance to savor your vacation.
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9. Pick an Experience
People often find experiencing more rewarding that physical things. So, make sure to plan an experience with your trip. Maybe there’s a huge concert you want to see on vacation. Perhaps it’s a sporting event. Whatever it is, plan an awesome experience.
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10. Learn for Next Time
Finally, when you’re home from your trip, decompress and look back on your vacation. What went wrong? What went right? Take notes and learn from your vacation, so you’ll know what to do better next time.
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