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5 Quick North Carolina Weekend Getaways To Close Out Your Summer

By Don Chase
Oceanana Pier in Atlantic Beach on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina at sunset. (Getty Images)

Let’s have a little fun and talk about five quick North Carolina weekend getaways that can help you end your summer on a high note.

Okay, class with a show of hands, have you recently asked yourself, where in the world did summer 2024 go? Isn’t it time for a little me time?

Here we are wrapping up the Dog Days of Summer, traditionally, the hottest days of the calendar year, and at the same time trying to get our back-to-school shopping done. Before you know it, the holiday season will be knocking at our door.

Prior to the hustle and bustle of Fall, here’s an idea. Why not pack the family up for a quick weekend getaway?

For the nearly 11 million of us that call North Carolina home, when we get the urge to get away, we have so many fantastic options. We have the beach, the mountains, the Sandhills, the Southern Coastal Plain, and the Piedmont. So many choices of things to do and places to see.

Of course, every state here in the U.S. can boast about its various points of interest. But here in North Carolina, you can ski in the morning and before the sun goes down, you can walk along one of our many beaches along our fantastic North Carolina coastline.

Quick North Carolina Weekend Getaways

When it comes to the idea of a quick weekend getaway, let’s take a look at five great options. We begin with a trip to the Port City of Wilmington. Then it’s on to the Outer Banks followed by the mountain town of Asheville. From Ashville, let’s spend a few hours along America’s most scenic highway the Blue Ridge Parkway where our journey will take us to the Boone area and then finally, we end up in the Capital City of Raleigh, North Carolina.

The list below captures only a few of the many things to enjoy in each of these wonderful communities.

Save travels, my friend. Go and make those memories.

  • Wilmington, North Carolina

    For my wife Debbie and I, when we need a quick getaway, there’s no easier choice than Wilmington, North Carolina. While in the Port City, have a picnic at the Battleship, North Carolina. Then, treat yourself to a tour of the BB-55, one of history’s most famous U.S. Navy battleships, the Battleship North Carolina. Also, consider a relaxing one-mile long River Walk along the Cape Fear River. There are also a number of options for dining in the area. One of the best ways to see Wilmington Is to book a Wilmington Trolley Company tour. And of course, while on the coast, you must visit the beaches, whether it be Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Southport or Oak Island. While in Wilmington, one of the prettiest walks you can take is at Airlie Gardens. Airlie Gardens covers 67 acres along with over 100,000 azaleas and a beautiful nature walk. While touring Airlie Gardens, keep an eye out for the famous Airlie Oak tree which is nearly 500 years old.

  • The Outer Banks

    Our next weekend getaway idea takes us to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Here you will enjoy the Wright Brother’s National Memorial where Wilbur and Orville Wright taught the world to fly. Another must-see is the Cape Hatteras lighthouse, the tallest brick lighthouse in the nation. Make sure to stop off at the original Duck Donuts for a quick snack and enjoy the tallest sand dune on the Atlantic coast at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. During one evening, take in The Lost Colony, a production that’s been going on for 87 years.

  • Asheville, North Carolina

    For those heading to Asheville, North Carolina, a word of caution. You might not want to leave. The downtown area of Asheville is awesome with so much shopping, arts and crafts, culture and so much more. Just South of Asheville is the famous Biltmore Estate, the largest private home in America featuring over 250 rooms and 8,000 acres. A few other points of interest that come to mind are Pisgah National Forest which is home to the famous 60 foot sliding rock natural water slide, Chimney Rock, Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell, the highest peak East of Mississippi River. If you and your family enjoy waterfalls, make sure to find time to visit Looking Glass Falls, the upper Whitewater Falls and Dry Falls. If you would rather stay in your car, there are also a number of waterfalls that don’t require a hike. For a nice peaceful walk with your family, visit the Asheville Botanical Garden.

  • Boone, North Carolina

    Our next stop takes us to Boone North Carolina, the home of the Mountaineers, Appalachian State University. While in Boone, enjoy Tweetsie Railroad along with the communities of Blowing Rock and Valle Crucis. While in Valle Crucis, make sure to visit the original Mast General Store. It opened in 1883 and is still in operation today. If time permits, travel the 22 miles South of Boone and enjoy Grandfather Mountain, the highest peak in the Eastern Blue Ridge mountains.

  • Raleigh, North Carolina

    Our final destination takes us to the Capital City of Raleigh, North Carolina. If there’s one must-do while in Raleigh, it is the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences on West Jones Street. This is a free museum that you and your family will absolutely love. If you have kids, take them to the museums 3-D movies like T. Rex, Dinosaurs of Antarctica and more. Over a million people visit this museum every year. By the way, the museum is 4 floors, so give yourself at least 2 hours please. Another destination you and the kids will enjoy is Pullen Park, a great outdoor space that has train rides. For shoppers, enjoy Crabtree Valley Mall. Also, visit the North Carolina State Farmers Market. Two of the best kept secrets about the Farmers Market is the State Farmers Market Restaurant that specializes in fresh-grown North Carolina-based products. Also, before your meal, enjoy the best complimentary biscuits your mouth has ever tasted. For those with a hankering for fresh seafood, enjoy the North Carolina Seafood Restaurant specializing in Calabash style seafood. Go hungry. The portions are huge.

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