This book starts with you in mind—specifically, with the activities you might find fun and relaxing. It then guides you to the best spots in the state for those activities, using an easy, four-step process.
Step 1
Let’s say you really, really like antiquing. No problem! You can discover where the highest concentration of antiquing opportunities is just by looking under the Antiques heading below. Or maybe you enjoy looking for spring wildflowers. Just go to the Wildflowers heading. If you’re a Civil War buff, go to the Civil War History heading to see a list of the best places in the state for your interest. Get the picture?
Step 2
Once you find the chapter that contains the activities you enjoy most, look for the letter in parentheses. That letter tells you whether you’ve chosen a mountain weekend (M), a Piedmont weekend (P), or a coastal weekend (C). It also tells you which section of the book contains the destination you’re considering.
Step 3
Scan the table of contents to find the page where your destination is described. When you turn to that page, you’ll find a description of what that destination has to offer, including suggestions of where to stay and where to eat. (Do be aware that my suggestions are not exhaustive. You may find other items to enjoy, particularly with regard to restaurants.)
Step 4
Pack your bag and go have some fun! Goodness knows you’ve earned it.
Weekend at the Blowing Rock (M)
Weekend Full of Palace Intrigue (C)
Weekend in Albemarle Country (C)
Weekend in Antiques Country (P)
Weekend in Apple Country (M)
Weekend in Azalea Town (C)
Weekend in Greene’s Neighbourhood (P)
Weekend in Neuse River Country (P)
Weekend in Roanoke River Country (P)
Weekend in the Land of the Longleaf Pine (P)
Weekend in the Queen City (P)
Weekend in the Uwharries (P)
Aquariums
Weekend in Cape Fear Country (C)
Weekend on the Crystal Coast (C)
Weekend with Virginia Dare (C)
Architecture
Weekend at the Hills (P)
Weekend Full of Palace Intrigue (C)
Weekend in Albemarle Country (C)
Weekend in Antiques Country (P)
Weekend in Azalea Town (C)
Weekend in Cape Fear Country (C)
Weekend in Cheerwine Country (P)
Weekend in Roanoke River Country (P)
Weekend in the Bull City (P)
Weekend in the Colonial Capital (C)
Weekend in the Paris of the South (M)
Weekend on the Borderline (P)
Weekend with Sir Walter (P)
Art
Weekend in Azalea Town (C)
Weekend in Catamount Country (M)
Weekend in Greene’s Neighbourhood (P)
Weekend in New River Country (M)
Weekend in the Paris of the South (M)
Weekend in the Queen City (P)
Weekend in the Shadow of Mount Pisgah (M)
Beach Time
Weekend in Currituck Country (C)
Weekend at the Blue Marlin Capital of the World (C)
Weekend in Azalea Town (C)
Weekend on Pony Island (C)
Weekend on the Crystal Coast (C)
Weekend with the Wright Brothers (C)
Cemeteries
Weekend at the Hills (P)
Weekend on the Crystal Coast (C)
Civil War History
Weekend Full of Palace Intrigue (C)
Weekend in Cape Fear Country (C)
Weekend in Cheerwine Country (P)
Weekend in Cherohala Country (M)
Weekend in Neuse River Country (P)
Weekend in Roanoke River Country (P)
Weekend in the Bull City (P)
Weekend in the Colonial Capital (C)
Weekend on the Borderline (P)
Weekend on the Crystal Coast (C)
Weekend with the Marquis (P)
Colonial History
Weekend Full of Palace Intrigue (C)
Weekend in Greene’s Neighbourhood (P)
Weekend in Roanoke River Country (P)
Weekend in the Foothills (P)
Weekend in the Land of the Longleaf Pine (P)
Weekend on the Crystal Coast (C)
Crafts
Weekend in Cherohala Country (M)
Weekend in the Gaze of Mount Mitchell (M)
Weekend in the Place of Blue Smoke (M)
Weekend in the Shadow of the Roan (M)
Weekend in the Thermal Belt (M)
Weekend in the Uwharries (P)
Weekend near Linville Gorge (M)
Weekend with the Wright Brothers (C)
Environmental
Weekend in Furniture Country (P)
Weekend in Pamlico Country (C)
Weekend in the Queen City (P)
Weekend on the Crystal Coast (C)
Freshwater Fishing
Weekend in Cherohala Country (M)
Weekend in Gemstone Country (M)
Weekend in New River Country (M)
Weekend in the Outdoors Capital (M)
Weekend in the Place of Blue Smoke (M)
Weekend in the Unspoiled Province (M)
Weekend in Waterfall Country (M)
Weekend near Linville Gorge (M)
Furniture
Weekend in Furniture Country (P)
Weekend in Wachovia (P)
Gaming
Weekend in the Place of Blue Smoke (M)
Gardens
Weekend at the Hills (P)
Weekend Full of Palace Intrigue (C)
Weekend in Azalea Town (C)
Weekend in Cape Fear Country (C)
Weekend in Greene’s Neighbourhood (P)
Weekend in the Bull City (P)
Weekend in the Foothills (P)
Weekend in the Land of the Longleaf Pine (P)
Weekend in the Paris of the South (M)
Weekend in the Queen City (P)
Weekend in the Shadow of the Roan (M)
Weekend in Wachovia (P)
Weekend on the Borderline (P)
Weekend with Sir Walter (P)
Weekend with the Marquis (P)
Weekend with Virginia Dare (C)
Weekend with Yosef (M)
Gem Mining
Weekend in Gemstone Country (M)
Weekend in the Foothills (P)
Weekend in the Shadow of the Roan (M)
Golf
Weekend in Cape Fear Country (C)
Weekend in Currituck Country (C)
Weekend in Greene’s Neighbourhood (P)
Weekend in Hickory Nut Gorge (M)
Weekend in Neuse River Country (P)
Weekend in the Land of the Longleaf Pine (P)
Weekend in the Shadow of Mount Pisgah (M)
Weekend in the Unspoiled Province (M)
Weekend in Wachovia (P)
Weekend on the Crystal Coast (C)
Weekend with the Marquis (P)
Weekend with Your Grandfather (M)
Hang Gliding
Weekend with the Wright Brothers (C)
Heritage
Weekend Full of Palace Intrigue (C)
Weekend in Apple Country (M)
Weekend in Cape Fear Country (C)
Weekend in Furniture Country (P)
Weekend in Greene’s Neighbourhood (P)
Weekend in Neuse River Country (P)
Weekend in Pamlico Country (C)
Weekend in Roanoke River Country (P)
Weekend in the Blue Marlin Capital of the World (C)
Weekend in the Bull City (P)
Weekend in the Colonial Capital (C)
Weekend in the Place of Blue Smoke (M)
Weekend in the Shadow of the Roan (M)
Weekend in the Thermal Belt (M)
Weekend in Wachovia (P)
Weekend on the Borderline (P)
Weekend with the Wright Brothers (C)
Weekend with Virginia Dare (C)
Horses
Weekend in the Land of the Longleaf Pine (P)
Weekend in the Thermal Belt (M)
Kid Stuff
Weekend at the Blowing Rock (M)
Weekend in the Land of the Longleaf Pine (P)
Weekend in the Queen City (P)
Weekend in the Shadow of Mount Pisgah (M)
Weekend in Waterfall Country (M)
Weekend with Virginia Dare (C)
Lighthouses
Weekend in Currituck Country (C)
Weekend in the Blue Marlin Capital of the World (C)
Weekend on Pony Island (C)
Mountain Biking
Weekend Full of Palace Intrigue (C)
Weekend in America’s Hometown (M)
Weekend in the Outdoors Capital (M)
Weekend in the Unspoiled Province (M)
Weekend in the Uwharries (P)
Weekend in Waterfall Country (M)
Museums—General
Weekend in Azalea Town (C)
Weekend in Cape Fear Country (C)
Weekend in the Queen City (P)
Weekend in Wachovia (P)
Weekend on the Crystal Coast (C)
Weekend with Sir Walter (P)
Museums—Military History
Weekend with the Marquis (P)
Museums—Transportation
Weekend in Apple Country (M)
Weekend in Cheerwine Country (P)
Weekend in the Blue Marlin Capital of the World (C)
Weekend in the Shadow of Mount Pisgah (M)
Weekend in the Uwharries (P)
Weekend with the Wright Brothers (C)
Music
Weekend in America’s Hometown (M)
Weekend in Neuse River Country (P)
Weekend in the Foothills (P)
Weekend in the Unspoiled Province (M)
Weekend in Waterfall Country (M)
Weekend with Yosef (M)
NASCAR/Racing
Weekend in the Foothills (P)
Weekend in the Queen City (P)
Weekend on the Borderline (P)
Outdoor Dramas
Weekend in the Place of Blue Smoke (M)
Weekend near Linville Gorge (M)
Weekend on the Borderline (P)
Weekend with Virginia Dare (C)
Weekend with Yosef (M)
Outdoors—General
Weekend in Hickory Nut Gorge (M)
Weekend in the Shadow of the Roan (M)
Paddling/Rafting
Weekend Full of Palace Intrigue (C)
Weekend in Albemarle Country (C)
Weekend in Cape Fear Country (C)
Weekend in Catamount Country (M)
Weekend in Cherohala Country (M)
Weekend in New River Country (M)
Weekend in Pamlico Country (C)
Weekend in the Blue Marlin Capital of the World (C)
Weekend in the Colonial Capital (C)
Weekend in the Gaze of Mount Mitchell (M)
Weekend in the Outdoors Capital (M)
Weekend in the Unspoiled Province (M)
Weekend on the Crystal Coast (C)
Performing Arts
Weekend at the Hills (P)
Weekend in Apple Country (M)
Weekend in Azalea Town (C)
Weekend in Furniture Country (P)
Weekend in Greene’s Neighbourhood (P)
Weekend in the Bull City (P)
Weekend in the Gaze of Mount Mitchell (M)
Weekend in the Queen City (P)
Weekend in Wachovia (P)
Weekend with Sir Walter (P)
Weekend with Yosef (M)
Picnicking
Weekend at the Blowing Rock (M)
Weekend in Wachovia (P)
Weekend in the Shadow of Mount Pisgah (M)
Sailing
Weekend Full of Palace Intrigue (C)
Weekend in Azalea Town (C)
Saltwater Fishing
Weekend in Azalea Town (C)
Weekend in Cape Fear Country (C)
Weekend in the Blue Marlin Capital of the World (C)
Weekend on Pony Island (C)
Weekend on the Crystal Coast (C)
Weekend with the Wright Brothers (C)
Salutes to Chefs
Weekend with Yosef (M)
Scenic Drives
Weekend in Cherohala Country (M)
Weekend in Pamlico Country (C)
Weekend in the Colonial Capital (C)
Weekend in the Foothills (P)
Weekend in the Gaze of Mount Mitchell (M)
Weekend in the Place of Blue Smoke (M)
Weekend in the Shadow of Mount Pisgah (M)
Weekend with Yosef (M)
Shopping
Weekend at the Blowing Rock (M)
Weekend in Apple Country (M)
Weekend in Catamount Country (M)
Weekend in Cullasaja Country (M)
Weekend in Neuse River Country (P)
Weekend in the Bull City (P)
Weekend in the Paris of the South (M)
Weekend in the Queen City (P)
Weekend with Sir Walter (P)
Skiing
Weekend in the Shadow of Mount Pisgah (M)
Weekend with Your Grandfather (M)
Sports
Weekend at the Hills (P)
Weekend in Cheerwine Country (P)
Weekend in Greene’s Neighbourhood (P)
Weekend in the Queen City (P)
Weekend in Wachovia (P)
Weekend with Sir Walter (P)
Sunsets
Weekend in Apple Country (M)
Weekend in Hickory Nut Gorge (M)
Weekend with the Wright Brothers (C)
Walking/Hiking
Weekend at the Blowing Rock (M)
Weekend in America’s Hometown (M)
Weekend in Catamount Country (M)
Weekend in Cullasaja Country (M)
Weekend in Gemstone Country (M)
Weekend in the Gaze of Mount Mitchell (M)
Weekend in the Outdoors Capital (M)
Weekend in the Place of Blue Smoke (M)
Weekend in the Shadow of Mount Pisgah (M)
Weekend in the Shadow of the Roan (M)
Weekend in the Unspoiled Province (M)
Weekend in the Uwharries (P)
Weekend in Waterfall Country (M)
Weekend near Linville Gorge (M)
Weekend with Your Grandfather (M)
Waterfalls
Weekend in Cullasaja Country (M)
Weekend in Gemstone Country (M)
Weekend in the Shadow of the Roan (M)
Weekend in the Thermal Belt (M)
Weekend in Waterfall Country (M)
Wildflowers
Weekend Full of Palace Intrigue (C)
Weekend in the Place of Blue Smoke (M)
Weekend in Cherohala Country (M)
Wildlife Refuges
Weekend in Albemarle Country (C)
Weekend in Currituck Country (C)
Weekend in Pamlico Country (C)
Weekend in the Uwharries (P)
Weekend on the Borderline (P)
Weekend on the Crystal Coast (C)
Windsurfing
Weekend in the Blue Marlin Capital of the World (C)
Wineries/Vineyards
Weekend in America’s Hometown (M)
Weekend in the Thermal Belt (M)
Weekend in the Unspoiled Province (M)
Weekend in Wachovia (P)
Zoos
Weekend in the Uwharries (P)
Uniquities (unusual sites and activities)
Aberdeen Sardine Festival—Weekend in the Land of the Longleaf Pine (P)
Andy Griffith Museum—Weekend in America’s Hometown (M)
Angela Peterson’s Doll Museum—Weekend in Furniture Country (P)
Any and All Dog Show—Weekend in the Thermal Belt (M)
Bald Is Beautiful Convention—Weekend on the Crystal Coast (C)
Belhaven Memorial Museum—Weekend in Pamlico Country (C)
Biltmore Estate—Weekend in the Paris of the South (M)
Brown Mountain Lights—Weekend near Linville Gorge (M)
Fairy Crosses—Weekend in Cherohala Country (M)
Hot Springs Hot Tubs—Weekend in the Gaze of Mount Mitchell (M)
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest—Weekend in Cherohala Country (M)
Judaculla Rock—Weekend in Catamount Country (M)
Korner’s Folly—Weekend in Greene’s Neighbourhood (P)
Linville Caverns—Weekend near Linville Gorge (M)
MESDA—Weekend in Wachovia (P)
Mile-High Swinging Bridge—Weekend with Your Grandfather (M)
Morehead Planetarium—Weekend at the Hills (P)
Pisgah Covered Bridge—Weekend in the Uwharries (P)
Portsmouth Island—Weekend on Pony Island (C)
Roanoke Valley Canal Trail—Weekend in Roanoke River Country (P)
Smokey Bear Posters—Weekend in Waterfall Country (M)
Sunset at Jockey’s Ridge—Weekend with the Wright Brothers (C)
Swan and Canada Goose Migration—Weekend in Pamlico Country (C)
Thomas Wolfe’s Angel—Weekend in Apple Country (M)
Tryon Palace—Weekend Full of Palace Intrigue (C)
USS North Carolina—Weekend in Azalea Town (C)
Vollis Simpson’s Whirligigs—Weekend in Antiques Country (P)
Wolf Howling—Weekend with Virginia Dare (C)
Woolly Worm Festival—Weekend with Your Grandfather (M)
And While You’re Thinking About It
As you use this book to plan your weekend trips, you’ll find the following information helpful.
Admission Fees
Activities that require an admission fee are noted. Otherwise, the activities were free at the time of publication.
State Historic Site Hours
Until recently, all state historic sites—battlefields, historic homes, and the like—observed the same hours. However, due to budget constraints, the sites have modified their hours. Moreover, each site now sets its hours as it thinks appropriate, meaning that hours are changeable and difficult to predict. At the time of publication, most sites were open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. and Sunday from 1 P.M. to 4 P.M. However, if you don’t want to risk arriving at a closed gate, call before you visit. Phone numbers for the sites are included in the descriptions.
State Park Hours
North Carolina’s state parks observe seasonal hours. Most parks are open daily from 8 A.M. to 6 P.M. November through February; from 8 A.M. to 7 P.M. during March and October; from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. during April and September; and from 8 A.M. to 9 P.M. May through August. The parks close on Christmas.
Fishing Licenses
Contact the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for information about acquiring a state fishing license and a trout permit. You can even purchase a license online. For more information, call 888-248-6834 or visit http://216.27.49.98/fs_index_03_fishing.htm.
