Thinking about moving to Raleigh, North Carolina? You are not alone; this is one of the fastest growing and vibrant cities in the south. Great schools, a thriving job market and a healthy dose of arts and culture make Raleigh a great place to call home. There are plenty of things to do in and around the city, but Raleigh is also an excellent jumping off point for a plethora of interesting day trips. The following are just some of the adventures that are just a car ride away from the capital city.
Source: wikimedia.org
Home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, this thriving college town has a laid-back feel with plenty of opportunities to learn something new. A visit to the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is a treat for all ages. Programs are offered throughout the year, and the schedule changes seasonally. This Spring, Morehead is featuring a presentation on astronauts and what it takes to train for this stellar career choice. Elementary and middle school students will especially love the Grossology and You presentation, which invites viewers to take a closer look at the galaxies and systems within their own bodies.
Looking for a little relaxation while in town? Chapel Hill is home to one of the nation's best cosmetology schools, the Aveda Institute. Visitors can take advantage of student training requirements to get a new haircut, have a facial or try a new haircolor. All services are performed by students but use genuine Aveda products. This keeps the cost well below that of a traditional salon, and most hair services are carried out on the school's bright and open training floor, which is a vibrant and fun way to spend an afternoon.
Within an hour's drive from Raleigh, Durham offers a wide variety of activities, from history and culture to fine dining and sporting events. Civil War buffs will not want to miss the Bennett Place State Historic Site. Historic structures and reenactment events bring history to life, allowing visitors to gain a glimpse into the single largest surrender (and the effective end) of the Civil War. Best of all: This little slice of history is free to the public.
Art lovers will want to schedule a stop at Duke University's Nasher Museum. More than 10,000 works make up the museum's permanent collection, and there are spacious galleries that host a rotation of traveling exhibits. The Nasher Museum is known for housing one of the most expansive collections of Medieval art among American university museums. The museum's website includes an online database of its permanent collection, so visitors can get a feel for which pieces they would most like to view in person.
Source: wikimedia.org
Just a short drive west of Raleigh lies the city Asheboro. This is the home of the North Carolina Zoo, where more than 700,000 visitors each year get the chance to view more than 1,600 animals. The zoo has created permanent habitats featuring animals from Africa and North America. Staff present special events throughout each day that take a closer look at certain animal species, and where lucky volunteers might get a chance to feed some of the zoo residents! An impressive display of art is also integrated into the zoo, including sculpture, mosaics, paintings and murals.
If hearing a lion roar is not enough to get your heart rate up, more adventurous day-trippers should visit the Richland Creek Zip Line Canopy Tour. More than a mile and a half of cable connect 14 stations situated high up in the trees. Staff are trained in the highest of safety standards to make sure that you and your family are safe during this skyline experience. Tours take adventurers of all ages for a 90 minute adventure that is sure to get your adrenaline flowing, including a stop along Mendenhall Falls.
Under an hour to the west of Raleigh, Pittsboro offers outstanding antique shopping, with shops that specialize in everything from Depression glassware to ashtrays from the 1950's. A great stop is Paynes Antique Stained Glass, which claims to be the largest importer of antique English stained glass in the world with more than 5,000 pieces available at any given time.
Mountain bikers will find plenty of options in or near Pittsboro. Harris Lake Park offers trails for beginners and intermediate riders, as well as two loops for more advanced riders, featuring multiple elevation changes and long jumps. Nearby Briar Chapel, a large mixed-use development, offers six miles of single-track trail, and will eventually expand to 14 miles. Much of this trail is geared toward beginners, but there are some intermediate areas, as well as a section of rocks that offer more of a challenge.
Source: wikimedia.org
Just a couple of hours east of Raleigh lies Wilmington, North Carolina. Plenty of family-friendly beaches await day-trippers. Leave home early enough and you will have time for a few hours in the sun, a refreshing ice cream or smoothie and a walk along the historic district. End your day with dinner at one of the fantastic restaurants that line the Riverwalk before heading home.
Many fans of The Andy Griffith Show are drawn to the slow pace and friendly faces that define the fictional town of Mayberry. Mount Airy, Griffith's longtime home and the inspiration for Mayberry, offers a glimpse into that southern ideal. Visitors love to take a stroll down the picturesque Main Street before heading to the Andy Griffith Museum and Playhouse to look at memorabilia from the show or take in a performance. Sweet tea and southern hospitality define this relaxing day trip.
Ready to get out of town and take in a show? Greensboro, North Carolina's third largest city, offers a number of venues for live theater performances. The Triad Stage is a nationally acclaimed regional theater that attracts serious talent, and offers a full calendar of performances. Looking for something a little more casual? Try an evening of "Dinnertainment" at The Barn Dinner Theater, where a rotation of different theater presentations alternate with a concert series that focuses on a theme, such as hits of Elvis Presley.
Just a little more than an hour's drive southeast of Raleigh lies a stretch of road connecting two of the state's most lauded barbeque towns. This is the place to get acquainted with Eastern North Carolina-style barbeque, which is notably different from the variety that is sold to the west of Raleigh. Here the whole hog is used, leading to the local saying that Eastern NC barbeque makes use of "everything but the squeal". Just don't ask for a ketchup-based sauce; this region feels strongly about its vinegar and pepper concoctions. Smithfield and Selma both offer numerous BBQ restaurants and a heavy dose of small-town charm.
There are dozens of wineries in the Yadkin Valley, which sits just west of Winston-Salem. North Carolina has a rich wine history, beginning with scuppernong wine crafted in the colony of Sir Walter Raleigh. Currently, the unique microclimate found along the Yadkin River and in the shade of the Blue Ridge Mountains produces a variety of grapes that are turned into some of North Carolina's 500,000 of annual wine production. From tastings to tours and a plethora of events and musical performances, the Yadkin Valley offers a getaway for every type of wine lover.
