This edition focuses on State Parks. There are 41 State Parks in North Carolina and we recommend visiting all of them, you will learn a lot! There is not a State Park you could not visit in one day from Raleigh, but you might be in the car for hours upon hours! For instance, we have taken a day trip for Jockey’s Ridge but we were in the car for about 7 hours that day.

This list focuses on the 10 best State Parks to visit if you are taking a day trip from Raleigh. The farthest you should have to drive is a little over two hours if you use this list – so, very doable. Hope you have a blast going the adventure way on your day trips from Raleigh!

Medoc Mountain State Park

Medoc Mountain is an hour and fifteen minute drive northeast or Raleigh in Hollister. This is one of our favorite parks in all of the Piedmont area of North Carolina. Medoc Mountain is a great place for hikers of all skill levels – some of the trails are even paved so they are accessible to everyone. Pretty much every trail is great here, but we like to do the Summit Loop Trail which takes you to the old ridge line of Medoc Mountain. To get there, you will need to take the Stream Loop to Discovery Loop to Summit Loop. In all it is about 4.5 miles.

Near the visitor’s center you can check out the Air Awareness Trail. This is an awesome kids track trail with a ton of hands on activities. The adult have just as much fun when challenging the kids. When you are in the visitor’s center, stop in and check out the corn snake. If you are in there at the right time, you might even be able to hold it yourself. Medoc Mountain is near the historic town of Halifax, so check it out when you are there.

Hanging Rock State Park

Hanging Rock is one of the most popular parks in the whole state. This park is about two hours and fifteen minutes from Raleigh – so it is one of the longer drives on our list. There is a ton to do in this park so if you want to experience it all you will need to leave early and stay late. Of course, the Hanging Rock Trail is an absolute must do. This is a 2.6 mile trail up to the rock and back. This is a great place to eat lunch and enjoy the views. There are some steep spots and you need to be careful around the cliffs, but there is a ton of room up at the top.

If you took the Hanging Rock out of the State Park there would still be a park here because there are so many other things to do. Hanging Rock has a great set of waterfalls. These are not the biggest falls in the state, but they are some of the closest to Raleigh. Hidden Falls, Window Falls, and Upper Cascade Falls are our favorites. And don’t sleep on Wolf Rock and Cook’s Wall – those are great places to visit. If you are feeling super adventurous, see if you can do the five peak challenge – it is on our list to do soon.

Pilot Mountain State Park

Pilot Mountain is an awesome park to visit if you have a day to explore. Pilot Mountain is about a two hour drive from Raleigh to the west. It is one of the most famous landmarks in the state. Pilot Mountain is a great place to hike especially if you want some mountain landscapes but don’t have the time to go all the way there. The Jomeokee Trail is our favorite trail at the park. It is less than a mile, but it takes you to the base of Pilot Mountain and gives you some killer views. If you have more time and are a little more seasoned, start at the old visitor’s center and head up the Grindstone Trail.

This park has a brand new visitor’s center. We haven’t been yet but are excited to check it out soon. There are two main sections to this park. Most people only go to the mountain section, but there is a river section as well. Plenty of things to do on the water and they have an operating historical farm, a great place for kids and adults. If you are going to Pilot Mountain, check out nearby Mt. Airy.

Cliffs of the Neuse State Park

We love Cliffs of the Neuse. This park is about an hour and fifteen minutes southeast of Raleigh just outside of Goldsboro. This is one of the best parks to hike in the eastern part of the state. Our favorite trails are the Spanish Moss Trail and the Galax Trail. This park also has a really awesome lake to swim in. The water is really clear here. There is a small charge for day use. When you are there, obviously don’t miss the cliffs overlooking the Neuse River. There is not a ton of space here, but there are some pretty cool views.

Carvers Creek State Park

Carvers Creek State Park is a fun little park with some historical significance. This park is about an hour south of Raleigh in Fayetteville. There are two access points to this park – the Sandhills Access and the Long Valley Farm Access. Long Valley is the main access is home to the Rockefeller House, the one time vacation home of James Stillman Rockefeller. The home is being restored and one day will be open to the public. You can walk the grounds and the nearby pond. This is a good spot for an east 1-2 mile hike.

The Sandhills has about 10 miles of hiking in total. This is a great place to explore the Sandhills area of North Carolina. This is one of the few places you can find the federally endangered red cockaded woodpecker. It is so cool to see these birds flying around, they are beautiful!

Morrow Mountain State Park

Morrow Mountain is just under two hours to the east or Raleigh in Albermarle. This park literally has something for everyone. That is why it ranked so high in our State Park rankings. You can rent kayaks and hit the Yadkin River Trail. They have bald eagles towards the dam on the river. Very cool to go searching for them.

This park also has a museum that explains the unique geology and history of this area. There once were American Indian tribes living in this area and you might even be able to find some artifacts while you are there. There are a ton of trails here as well. Fall Mountain and Sugarloaf Mountain Trails are really great. If you don’t have a ton of time, check out the Three Rivers Trail which gives you some good water views. Whether you hike or drive, make sure you get up to Morrow Mountain Overlook. The views from up there are super rad. Definitely check that out, especially now that there is a new deck up there.

Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve

Weymouth Woods is another park about an hour south of Raleigh in Southern Pines. It has many trails for you to check out the long leaf pine forest that cover this part of the state. One thing we enjoyed about this park were the amount of birds we could check out. It is an ideal place for this, especially woodpeckers. If you are a beginning hiker this place is perfect because it offers plenty of flat, easy trails for you to build up your strength on. We recommend heading here in the fall because of all of the colorful ground cover.

Raven Rock State Park

Raven Rock is an awesome park 40 minutes southwest of Raleigh near Lillington. There are a lot of really great places to visit at the park. If you go you have to hike down to Raven Rock. This is a 2.6 mile trail that takes you down to the banks of the Cape Fear River under the Raven Rock. This is an awesome rock formation that is great to climb all over. Once you get back on the trail, you can head to an observation area that gives you a great view of the river below. It is almost like you are in the mountains (almost).

Speaking about the mountains, the best hikes don’t involve the Raven Rock. Campbell Creek Loop Trail and Lanier Falls Trail are both incredible. Some of the best hikes near Raleigh. They have incredible vegetation and wonderful water features along the river and creeks.

There is a great visitors center here with a bunch of hummingbird feeders outside. On our last trip we saw about 20 of them flying around. It was so cool! This park gets super crowded. It is always a good idea to show up to this one early.

Mayo River State Park

Mayo River was one of the parks that made us fall in love the the North Carolina State Park system. This park is an hour and 45 minutes northwest of Raleigh. We visited this park on our way for a VERY LONG day trip to southwest Virginia. We were just going to stop in real quick, check it out, and burn up the road. When we visited the visitor’s center we found out that there was a separate section of the park with a waterfall. We had to check it out and were so glad we did!

This waterfall is called Fall Creek Falls and it is one of the coolest waterfalls we have been to. Not a tall one, but a fun wide one you can climb all over. We went on a day that nobody else was there so it was awesome! This is a great place to enjoy a picnic and play in the river.

Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area

Occoneechee is a State Park site that took time to grow on us. This park is only 45 minutes to the west of Raleigh. The first time we went there all we did was take the short trail to the overlook and we were gone. The overlook was great but we didn’t check the rest of the park out. The next time we went we did the whole Occoneechee Mountain Loop Trail and it was wonderful. There is a great quarry that you can explore, a winding river, and plenty of elevation change. This feels like mountain hiking real close to Raleigh. If you are this way, make sure you check out the nearby Occoneechee Speedway, an old dirt race track from another era.

There you go! 10 great State Park day trips from Raleigh! We hope that this has been helpful. How many of these have you been to? Have you done any of these in a day? Let us know how your trip went in the comments!

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We have lived in North Carolina our whole lives but until the last four years we had never been there either. It is hard to imagine us leaving this perfect place off of our list of favorite North Carolina beaches from now on. We have been multiple times now and will continue to go back as long as we are in the area. With 112 miles of uninhabited shoreline, crystal clear water, wild horses, and a beautiful lighthouse – once you go you will see why it is one of our faves.

Because so many people haven’t been to Cape Lookout, we wanted to put together a little information to help you plan your first (next) trip. Here is all you need to know for Cape Lookout National Seashore.

Where Is Cape Lookout

Cape Lookout National Seashore is located along the coast of North Carolina between Fort Macon and Ocracoke. The seashore makes up the southern part of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Cape Lookout National Seashore is made up of three main islands that separate the Atlantic Ocean from the various sounds along the North Carolina coast. Shackleford Banks is on the southwest area of the seashore, South Core Banks is located in the middle of the seashore (and is where Cape Lookout is), and North Core Banks in the northeast area of the seashore.

How To Get To Cape Lookout

Maybe one of the reasons why not too many people list Cape Lookout as one of their favorite beaches is because it is tough to get to. If you don’t own your own boat, you will need to take a ferry to get to Cape Lookout. The National Park Systems has contracted with local ferry operators to get people back and forth from the seashore. There is a charge for each ferry service.

It is important to note that there are different locations you will need to take off from to get to the different parts of Cape Lookout. With most of the ferries, you are allowed a couple of personal items per person. You will need them – much more on that later in the post.

From Harkers Island

The main visitor’s center and point of departure is located on Harkers Island. Harkers Island is a beautiful little fishing community about 25 minutes east of Beaufort. It is out of the way, but it is such a fun drive that takes you through the beginning of the Outer Banks Scenic Byway.

From Harkers Island you can go to the west end of Shackleford Banks or Cape Lookout Lighthouse area on the Island Express Ferry. The ferry stops at Shackleford Banks first and then goes to the lighthouse. If you want to do both in a day, you can purchase the two islands in one day ticket (about $10 more), spend some time on Shackleford Banks, then head to the lighthouse on a later ferry (you will have to make sure there is room). It is about a 15-20 minute ferry ride from Harkers Island to Cape Lookout Lighthouse.

The cost to ride the ferry is $18 for adults 12 and over and $11 for kids 3-11. During peak season the ferry runs every 30 minutes from this location. You can make reservations in advance, but walk-ons are welcome.

From Beaufort

Beaufort is one of our favorite towns on the Inner Banks. It is full of history and fun – a great place to spend the weekend. There are numerous ferry services that operate out of Beaufort, but once again Island Express is the official ferry service from this location. There are two options from Beaufort.

The first option is the ferry to Cape Lookout Lighthouse. This ferry fills up fast so you will need to reserve your spot plenty of time in advance. This is a four-hour narrated roundtrip ferry ride. It is a 45-minute one way and you have between 2-2 and a half hours at the lighthouse area. Along the way you will see the wild horses of Shackleford Banks and maybe even some dolphins. The cost is $35 for adults 12 and up and $25 for kids 3-11.

The second option from Beaufort is the 15-20 minute ride to the west end of Shackleford Banks. This ferry drops you off and will pick you up at your desired pick up time. The cost is $18 for adults and $11 for kids.

From Ocracoke

From Ocracoke you can take Rudy Austin’s Portsmouth Island Boat Tour. You can either be dropped off at historic Portsmouth Village on the northern end of Cape Lookout or simply take the 90-minute boat tour of the surrounding area. Capt. Austin is an Ocracoke native and it is an experience not to be missed. You will need to call for availability and prices.

Vehicle Ferry Locations

You can take your four-wheel drive vehicle out on the beach at Cape Lookout. You will need to get a permit and take one of the vehicle ferries. The vehicle ferries take off from Atlantic and Davis, both small villages on the inner banks. The cost to get your vehicle to the island runs from $35 to $400 depending on the size.

Things To Do At Cape Lookout

There is plenty to do at Cape Lookout National Seashore. It is the perfect place to spend a week or come back over and over again for day trips.

Visit The Lighthouse

The Cape Lookout Lighthouse is one of the seven coastal lighthouses in North Carolina. At 169 feet, this lighthouse is the second tallest in North Carolina and the fifth-tallest in the United States. Visitors to the lighthouse can explore the whole light station area. This includes the lighthouse as well as the surrounding living quarters and storage areas.

To climb the lighthouse, you will need to purchase a ticket at the Light Station Visitor Center. This is the visitor’s center located where the ferry drops you off at on Cape Lookout. Tickets are $10 per person and $5 for kids 12 and under. Your ticket is time stamped and you will need to show up at least 10 minutes before your climb time. The reason for this is only 10 people can be at the upper level of the lighthouse at a time. They do not give refunds to late arrivals.

This is a pretty strenuous journey to the top. There are 207 steps and you will feel them. However, the view from the top is well worth it. Kids must be 44-inches or taller to climb because of the wind at the top, so keep that in mind. If you can’t make it to the top, there is a pretty cool panoramic picture in the nearby Keeper Quarters Museum.

Spend A Day At The Beach

Cape Lookout has something for everyone when it comes to hanging out on the beach. The best way to break it down is sound side or ocean side.

In a lot of ways the sound side reminds us of a Caribbean beach. The water is crystal clear and there are not too many waves. This is where you want to go if you have kids that like to get in the water or if you like to be around people while you are at the beach. There are a ton of boats that come in and out which is pretty cool to watch. It is a perfect spot to spend a beach day.

The ocean side is for people who want the whole beach to themselves. Every time we have gone we have had times where we look both ways and don’t see anyone else for miles. It is crazy. The waves can get really big here, so you will see surfers from time to time. From the sound to the ocean it is about a five minute walk. It is crazy how different it can be.

Hunt For Some Shells

One of our favorite pastimes at the beach is going shelling. We love walking down the beach hunting for sea shells. The best place we have found so far for this is Cape Lookout. Because it juts so far out into the ocean and few people make it out there, you can find shells pretty easily. If you head out there as the tide is going out you will be able to see so many just sitting there.

Shackleford Banks

Shackleford Banks is one of the islands that make up the seashore. This island is ideal for fishing and swimming. The eastern side is protected from the ocean by Cape Lookout. Because of this, the water around it is pretty shallow and you can walk out to the many sand bars surrounding it. This island has the largest maritime forest in the world.

As great as all of that stuff is, the reason why people go to Shackleford Banks is the herd of wild horses that live here. The are over 100 horses in the herd. Nobody knows where these horses came from, but there are some great theories out there. Some say they were shipwrecked and swam to shore, others say they were thrown overboard to lighten the load. No matter where these horses came from, they have been here for centuries and have found a way to survive in some rough conditions. We can’t get over how they get by with all of the hurricanes that come through this area.

If you get a chance to stop by Shackleford Banks, remember to give the horses some room. They are not domesticated, so be careful!

Camping

You can camp on the beach at Cape Lookout National Seashore. You don’t even need a permit to do it. Now, there are no designated camp sites. All of the camping is anywhere you can find along the beach. Also, all of the camping is primitive. No water, no facilities, just you and your loved ones in nature. This might not be the place for people who are new to camping, but if you are seasoned what better way to enjoy camping than out on an island with no light anywhere near you?

Visit A Village

Cape Lookout National Seashore has multiple uninhabited villages that take you back in time. These are fishing, shipping, and lifesaving villages that were once important places in the life of coastal North Carolina. As other towns and ports sprung up, these places lost their status, but they still stand today reminding visitors of a time long gone.

The most famous of these villages is Portsmouth Village. This area is only accessible by the Ocracoke Ferry (or private boat). Once in the village you can visit the general store, post office, some historical homes, and the local church. The village is open seasonally, so check the times and dates on the National Park page.

Make Sure You Know These Things

Come Prepared

You are allowed a couple of personal items each on the ferry to the barrier islands. If you are going to be out there for any amount of time make sure you take advantage of this. We always bring all of our beach equipment like our chairs, coolers, toys, and games. We never know what we will end up doing so it is good to come prepared.

No matter what though make sure you bring plenty of food and water. Once you get to the barrier islands you are pretty much on your own. We typically bring a couple of gallons of water and more than enough snacks. You will not be upset if you do this.

Facilities

There are not a ton of facilities once you get to the barrier islands. Most of the major points of interests have bathroom facilities and water fountains. Besides that, you are on your own. Make sure you come prepared.

At the Cape Lookout Lighthouse area there is a small shop where you can purchase beach equipment, water, souvenirs, and snacks. We would not recommend counting on that being open, it can be hit or miss.

Hiking

There are no hiking trails on the barrier islands (there are two trails through the forest by the Harkers Island Visitor’s Center). However, you can hike for hours and hours along the beach. There are some really cool places that you can get to as well – whether that is an old fishing village or lifesaving station. Make sure you have plenty of water and good hiking shoes.

Shuttle Service

The islands of Cape Lookout are pretty large. There are no roads, so if you are trying to get to one end or another you will have a long walk ahead of you (unless you have your own off-road vehicle).

There is one shuttle service that we know of on the island. The shuttle is at the Cape Lookout Lighthouse area and takes you to the northern end of the island where the shelling is especially good. There is a fee for this service, so bring some cash.

Places To Stay

In addition to the primitive camping at Cape Lookout there are a couple of places that you can stay on the islands. Great Island Cabin Camp is located on the South Core Banks and has a little over 20 cabins. These cabins are wired for generators – need to bring your own, and have bathrooms inside. These can house between 4 and 12 people and prices range from $80-$180 per night. Not bad for your own place right on the ocean.

Long Point Cabin Camp is located on North Core Banks and has 10 units. These are duplexes that can hold 6 per half or 12 for the whole building. Much like Great Island Camp, Long Point Cabin Camp is pretty primitive but provides some good place for families to fish or hit the beach.

There it is – all you need to know for your next trip to Cape Lookout National Seashore. Have you ever been? What are your favorite places to go when you are there?

Planning a trip to other North Carolina beaches? Check out our posts on the Outer Banks National Parks, 8 Inner Banks Towns You Must Visit, Fort Fisher and Carolina Beach,

Want to hit up another National Seashore? Check out our Getaway to Canaveral National Seashore.

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Raven Rock State Park is one of the best parks in the Piedmont area of North Carolina and it ranked high in our overall rankings of the North Carolina State Parks. Raven Rock is located about 10 miles down 421 from downtown Lillington. It is situated right on the shore on the Cape Fear River and has a ton to offer. Because of its accessibility and variety of options, this place gets pretty crowded. You need to plan on getting here early morning or late afternoon if you want to avoid the people. However, because there is so much to do, once you find a parking spot and get out in the woods you won’t see too many people (unless you are on Raven Rock).

Raven Rock Trail

The main reason you go to Raven Rock State Park is to visit the Raven Rock. Raven Rock is a large rock outcropping that rises 150-feet above the banks of the Cape Fear River. It is a lot more immense than you would think it is. There are so many great places to explore along this rock formation, plenty of beautiful trees, rock alcoves, and areas to climb on.

The Raven Rock Trail is an easy 2.6 mile loop trail. There are about 100 steps down to the Raven Rock that you will need to climb after you visit that area. Besides that, it is mainly flat terrain. If you go to Raven Rock State Park, you have to put this #1 on your list.

Raven Rock Visitor’s Center

The Raven Rock visitor’s center is a great place to learn. They have a fun interactive 3-D map in the main lobby that gives you a great feel for the park. In addition to the map, they have a really cool museum packed with educational and fun exhibits. You can learn all about the history and geology of the park, it’s pretty sweet. They have a nice shaded picnic area here and the facilities are fantastic.

Camping In Raven Rock

Raven Rock is a great place to camp for a night or a longer period of time. They have campsites for all different types of camping. Whether you are tent camping, or want to kayak or canoe into your site they have a place for you. There are not a ton of spots here, so make sure you get reservations in early. They are currently building a family campsite which will include 30 RV hookups when completed.

The Canoe Trail

The Cape Fear Canoe Trail is a 56 mile trek along the Cape Fear River. This trail goes right through Raven Rock State Park. The access point is nearby at the US 1 bridge over Deep River. You are able to take that to Lanier Falls and the Fish Traps in the park. You can also paddle in to one of the campsites. An awesome adventure.

Campbell Creek Loop Trail

I think our favorite trail at Raven Rock State Park is the Campbell Loop Trail. This trail is 4.5 miles and can be pretty strenuous in some places. The reason is because of the unique geological features on this trail. It is almost like you have been transported to the mountains of North Carolina when you are on it. It is on this trail where you will find mountain laurels and rhododendrons. This trai is unlike any other in the Piedmont. It is pretty crazy.

Another really cool thing about the trail is that it follows along the actual Campbell Creek. This creek is stunning. For about a mile or so you are walking right along the creek. We recommend going a couple of days after a good rain because the creek fills up beautifully. If you are lucky, you will be able to see otters and beavers while you are here. This trail also has some other cool water features like mini waterfalls and cascades, a beautiful bridge, and the entrance to Lanier Falls Trail.

The Hummingbirds

Every time we have been to Raven Rock State Park we have seen a ton of wildlife. Hands down the coolest wildlife we have seen are the hummingbirds that they have swarming around the visitor’s center. We have never seen so many hummingbirds in one place. The park has a bunch of feeders right when you are walking in, and if you go there during the Spring, Summer, or early Fall you will most likely see them.

Visit Lanier Falls

So, this is kind of a misnomer. This is not a waterfall that you would picture in your minds. Instead it is a beautiful rapid area on the Cape Fear River. The trail to the falls is off of the Campbell Creek Trail, so it takes a trek to get there – you could end up doing close to 5.5 miles total – but it is worth it. Once you get down to Lanier Falls there is an awesome area to sit and enjoy a picnic by the falls. It makes for a very relaxing afternoon.

Beautiful Views

For being in the Piedmont of North Carolina this park actually has some pretty cool elevation changes. It is because the park sits on the Fall Zone, where the hard rocks of the foothills meet the soft rocks of the coastal plain. Now, you aren’t going to jump up thousands of feet, but you do have a couple of places where you can climb up and have some great views of the surrounding landscape. Both the Raven Rock Trail and Campbell Creek Loop Trail have some good climbs, and the Raven Rock Trail has an awesome overlook of the Cape Fear River. This is a great place to stop for a break, enjoy a snack, and check out the canoes going down the river.

Bike and Bridle Trails

Another really cool thing about Raven Rock is the amount of trails for mountain biking and horseback riding. Over the last couple of years we have seen a ton more people on the mountain bike trails, and the parks are doing what they can to keep up with demand. The bridle trails are on the other side of the Cape Fear from the main area at the park at the Avents Creek Access Area.

Takeaways

Raven Rock makes a really great day trip for anyone located in the Raleigh/Durham area! Its a quick drive that makes you feel like you have traveled a lot longer to get away from it all. The Rocks are stunning and should be at the top of your list when first visiting. Don’t overlook some of the other hikes like Campbell Creek Loop Trail! We enjoy visiting this park all times of the year, it can often be really crowded during the warmer months so keep that in mind. Pack a picnic and go the adventure way at Raven Rock this year!

PS! If you enjoy visiting state parks you can check out our rankings of every state park in NC! We have lots of guides to other parks like South Mountains, Lakes James or Hanging Rock.

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The Inner Banks are surrounded by sounds, rivers, waterways, and swamps. All of these areas sit on the water and are great places for boating, kayaking, fishing, and any other water activity. All of these towns are full of history and have incredible waterfront areas. Here are our favorite 8 Inner Banks towns to spend a weekend in.

Edenton

Edenton is one of the prettiest towns in North Carolina. Because it is hard to get to, many people miss out on its charm. It is about 30 miles southeast of Elizabeth City on Highway 17. Edenton is a 300 year old town on the Albermarle Sound. The town has done an incredible job preserving its history.

The best way to see this town is to hitch a ride on the trolley. The trolley takes you through the town and shares all of the points of interest. Bonus, it is air-conditioned! It is a little pricey, but we found it was worth it. You can see an Underground Railroad hub, St. Paul’s Church, and the what is believed to be the oldest house in North Carolina dating back to 1718.

Edenton is where we discovered our first River Lighthouse. North Carolina has a handful of them. We have tried to visit all of them but our favorite so far remains the Roanoke River Lighthouse in Edenton. You can tour it for a few dollars which is well worth it.

There are plenty of places to eat on Broad Street in the historic district. We loved the Soda Shoppe and Coffee House there. There are a bunch of higher end restaurants that opened later in the day. We will be back to check those out.

Our Favorite Thing: Trolley Tour! This was a great family activity!

New Bern

New Bern is the second oldest city in North Carolina but is full of North Carolina firsts. The town boast the first state capitol, movie theater, post office, bookstore, bank, Roman Catholic Church, and printing press in the whole state. New Bern is an incredibly historical city on the Neuse River right before it hits the Pamlico Sound.

This town has plenty of shopping, restaurants, night life, museums, and parks to keep you busy for a full weekend. The historic downtown area is pretty large with plenty of places to explore. New Bern is the birthplace of Pepsi, so don’t miss this fun little shop on Middle Street where you can purchase all things Pepsi. We had to get a couple of throwback glass bottles – it is like taking a step back in time, really great experience.

Of course no trip to New Bern is complete without taking a tour of Tryon Palace. This is the first state capitol and the grounds are beautiful. Tickets are available online or at the nearby North Carolina History Center. The best bet is to purchase the $20 day pass ($10 for youth grades 1-12) and be able to tour everything. The gardens are especially beautiful if you go at the right time of the year.

New Bern is known as Bear Town (there are a surprising number of bears along the NC coast). We love walking around finding all of the different bear statues the town has spread out. All of them are decorated differently and tell a different story. It is a really cool touch and fun for kids!

New Bern also has incredible waterfront parks. From the marinas to the river it is stunning. Plenty of room to get out and walk or enjoy a picnic. This town should be on the top of your list.

Our Favorite Thing: Birthplace of Pepsi..grab a bottle Pepsi or a get a Pepsi float!

Oriental

Oriental is a sleepy little fishing community on the banks of the Neuse River. It is known as the sailing capitol of North Carolina. If you are coming in from the west it is about 20 miles down 55 from New Bern. We like to come in from the coast because then we get to take the Cherry Branch – Minnesott Beach Ferry (which is free!). This town has plenty of historical homes, welcoming restaurants, and docks full of trawling boats.

The waterfront here is incredible and there is plenty of room for you to stretch your legs with a walk or bike ride. There are a couple of docks where you can go fishing and watch the sunset. Oriental has a ton of events throughout the year – highlighted by the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival. If you have a chance to check this out, do it. They have a ton of local musicians and you spend the whole day walking around the town listening to them perform from the porches of historic homes. A really cool weekend!

Oriental offers plenty of bed and breakfast locations, a couple of inns, and some rental houses, but because it is so small it can be hard to get a reservation. We loved our time at the River Neuse Suites. They have some great rooms right on the water and within walking distance to everything you will want to visit.

For food, check out M & M’s Cafe, the Toucan Grill, Oriental Deli and Subs, or the Silos – which is a little outside of the town center. For coffee, malts, or ice cream – check out the Bean which is right on the water and a great place to watch the boats come in. Oh, and keep an eye out for the town Dragon!

Our Favorite Thing: Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival, one of our favorite festivals in NC!

Washington

Little Washington is located on the northern bank of the Pamlico River. This town has been under a revitalization over the last decade and it is doing awesome. Little Washington is the perfect place for a weekend getaway along the water. This town might actually have the best waterfront of all of the towns on this post (or at least tied for first with Beaufort and New Bern).

The downtown area has a ton of places to eat and shop in historic buildings. We enjoyed walking around there and the waterfront shopping, eating, and looking at the boats. We especially love the Meeting Place for a quick lunch, Rachel K’s bakery for all things yummy, The Bank for dinner, and Main Street Scoops for ice cream (the Dairy Palace is legit too). Next time we are in town we are going to go to King Chicken for some down home soul food, haven’t been, but have heard great things.

For nature lovers you can check out the North Carolina Estuarium, the country’s first. It is an aquarium for the sound. We had a blast there as a family and especially loved the water cycle sculpture in the main lobby – super cool. The estuarium gives FREE boat tours along the river, but you need to make a reservation in advance.

Right down the road is Goose Creek State Park. This park is beautiful and has a ton to offer in terms of camping, fishing, and boating. Make sure you check this out while you are there.

Our Favorite Thing: The Estuarium (we had never been to one before)!

Beaufort

Beaufort is probably the most accessible of the Inner Banks towns on this list. It is located right by Morehead City near the Crystal Coast of North Carolina. Beaufort might be our favorite town on this list (really five of these could be). Beaufort has an amazing waterfront where you can watch the boats go by, take a ferry to one of the many islands around the town, explore houses that are 250 years old all over the place, visit a National Park office, and plenty of options for food and drink.

When you go to Beaufort you need to go to Cape Lookout National Seashore. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in North Carolina and is also one of the most secluded. We have gone a couple of times and both of these times we counted no more than 30 people on the beach.

Most people stay on the sound side of the island. The sound side is a little different – but in a good way. The water is crystal clear and it feels like you are on a tropical beach thousands of miles of way. There is a great lighthouse and you can find all sorts of shells there. Check the National Park website for ferry times – sometimes (depending on the weather) they only leave from nearby Harker’s Island (about 30-minutes away).

On the way you can get off the ferry at nearby Shackleford Banks. Here you can spend the day swimming, walking on sand bars, or watching the wild horses running around. It is a true North Carolina experience.

Last time we were in Beaufort we stayed at the Beaufort Hotel. It was a really great resort that made you feel like you were away from it all. We highly recommend staying there.

Our Favorite Thing: The ferry rides…Cape Lookout being our very favorite!

Bath

Bath is the smallest of the Inner Banks towns on this list and maybe one of the smallest in all of North Carolina. As of the writing of this post the town has a population of 242. Bath is located on the mouth of the Pamlico River and has some stunning water views from the community park.

Bath is the oldest town in North Carolina (and has the oldest church). It was incorporated in 1705 – that is crazy old for the United States. You can go into the Van Der Meer House, built in 1790, to learn all about the history. There are not a ton of options for lodging in Bath, so you will have to make a reservation far in advance. However, it is close to Washington and if you can’t make a weekend out of it, you can at least make an afternoon.

Besides being North Carolina’s first town, Bath’s other claim to fame is one of it’s earliest residents. Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard the pirate. Teach is rumored to have had a house in Bath. He stayed here during a short retirement from piracy before he was drawn back into the pirate life and ultimately captured and beheaded. The things you learn visiting these small towns.

This town is also close to Goose Creek State Park and has some excellent boating options.

Our Favorite Thing: The Blackbeard history!

Elizabeth City

Elizabeth City is the “Harbor of Hospitality” and it was easy for us to see why. Everyone we talked to on our visit here was extremely kind, helpful, and proud of their town. Elizabeth City is on the Pasquotank River right before it flows into the Albermarle Sound in northeast North Carolina. This town has a huge harbor that is fun to walk along and a pretty large downtown with plenty of shops and dining.

The town is right near both Dismal Swamp and Merchants Millpond State Parks. These parks are pretty unique in our state and are enchantingly beautiful. Both are great places to go kayaking or hiking. Just watch out for the bears and alligators!

There is a lot of history in Elizabeth City and the town offers a variety of tours. You can learn about the Underground Railroad, Civil War, Albermarle Sound history and so much more. The city also has a growing number of wineries and breweries (including the oldest in the state) if that is your thing.

Another cool thing you can do is to charter a boat or rent your own on Pelican Marina. The marina is located just across the drawbridge across from downtown Elizabeth City. This would make for a fun adventure!

Elizabeth City is the perfect gateway town to the Outer Banks.

Our Favorite Thing: Walking the waterfront, it was so quiet and calming on a Sunday evening.

Swansboro

Swansboro is one of the cutest Inner Banks towns on the southern end of North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. This town is quiet and peaceful, a perfect place to go and relax. The historic waterfront along the White Oak River and the Intracoastal Waterway has a bunch of really cute antique stores, a good variety of restaurants, and plenty of public areas to sit and watch the water.

Like most of these towns on this list, this is a great place to play on the water. Kayaking is really cool here because you can paddle out to the sandbars in the river and then head straight to town to eat or relax. Swansboro has multiple chain hotels as well as some great Airbnbs and bed and breakfast locations and you can usually find a place to stay.

Hammock’s Beach State Park is in Swansboro and it is one of our favorite State Parks. This park is unique because the majority of it is accessible by boat only. You can take a ferry from the visitor’s center (for a small fee) to nearby Bear Island. This island has an amazing beach and is pretty secluded. If you take the ferry you will have to walk for a bit to get to the beach, but it is worth it. If you have your own boat or kayak you can just head there on your own.

Our Favorite Thing: Hammocks Beach State Park, its a unique state park experience – don’t miss the Ferry to Bear Island!

That’s our list! In the comments below let us know how many of these Inner Banks towns you have been to and which one is your favorite. We think each of these towns deserves a visit! This part of NC is so special and different. Thanks for checking this out and have fun going the adventure way at these awesome Inner Banks towns!

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Where is Grandfather Mountain?

There is a little bit of confusion about Grandfather Mountain…at least it was to us! Grandfather Mountain is a mountain, attraction and a state park. The State Park, which is run by the NC State park system is in a completely different location. The state park portion of Grandfather Mountain is free to visit. It includes several long hiking trails and it’s where you need to go to get your passport stamp. If you want to check out what to do at Grandfather Mountain state park visit our Boone Hiking Guide for details! For this post, we are focusing on the Grandfather Mountain attraction that includes an entrance fee and is located at 2050 Blowing Rock Hwy in Linville, NC. We think most people think of this location when they hear Grandfather Mountain- since it includes the iconic mile high swinging bridge!

Know Before You Go

Cost

First thing to note is the cost for admission! It is not cheap to visit. To visit Grandfather Mountain it cost $22 per adult, (60+) $20 and $9 per child (4-12). There is also a bridge membership you can join that is $70 per adult, $30 per child or $215 for groups up to 5. Membership will give you free admission during a one year period. Grandfather Mountain is a non-profit organization and all ticket sales go towards protecting and preserving this beautiful landmark. They do a wonderful job in keeping it clean, maintained and protected! For us, it was worth a trip…not something we would visit over and over but worth it to visit at least once.

Reservations

Second thing to know is that you must purchase and reserve a spot online. You cannot show up and buy tickets at the gate! We purchased tickets the morning of and had no issues in the spring…during busier times that might be a little more difficult. So plan ahead! We would not suggest just showing up during a summer peak season day without already reserving a ticket spot.

Food

Next, let’s talk food. There is one cafe type restaurant located onsite and a little shop that sells snacks. The restaurant is small and tends to get crowded fast. You are allowed to bring picnics and there are tons of spots to stop and enjoy a meal on the Mountain. Definitely take advantage of that!

Weather

Finally, the weather is always important when visiting the NC Mountains. Grandfather Mountain is the highest peak on the eastern portion of the Blueridge Mountains. Because of this, the weather can be iffy. You have fog, wind, temps going up and down and rain that can surprise you. Just be sure to be prepared and check the weather before heading there! We went on a spring day and it was extremely windy on the swinging bridge, pretty chilly and scattered showers. It felt like we experienced several seasons in one day.

What to do at Grandfather Mountain

Mile High Swinging Bridge

This is probably the most iconic portion of the park! The bridge is a mile above sea level and America’s highest suspension footbridge. It gives you amazing views everywhere you turn. There is an elevator making it accessible for all and a gift shop at the top. It can get extremely crowded in normal times so make sure to plan for that. We went during a pandemic and practically had the place to ourselves. In our minds we thought the bridge would be a lot scarier to cross than it was. We felt really safe and had zero issues…and we even have a person who doesn’t enjoy heights. I witnessed a group who had people refuse to go up and that made me sad. At least make it to the bridge crossing before you decide!

Once you cross over the bridge you can spend some time walking and climbing along the rock edges. It’s a great place for a snack or to sit back and take a few long deep breaths. The views you get here are outstanding! Take some time to enjoy the scenery from the top.

Hiking Trails

There are some really amazing trails to check out when in Grandfather Mountain. You can access several from the parking lot of the swinging bridge and also the hiker’s parking area. The trails from the swinging bridge are marked as extremely strenuous. They include ladders and ropes and some steep climbing! Our 9 year old was able to manage them just fine, matter of fact he loved it. It’s definitely a challenge but not overwhelming. We hiked the Grandfather trail up to Macrae Peak and looped back to the Underwood trail on our way back down. Honestly, one of our favorite trails in all of NC. It’s so fun! If you enjoy hiking, don’t miss this!

Nature Museum and Wildlife Habitat

We loved this part of our trip! The wildlife habitat is a sweet little exhibit of a few NC animals. You can see black bears, otters, bald eagles and elk! The otters were our favorite. They were so playful the day we visited. We also enjoyed talking with the keepers of the animals. They really took time to answer all of Silas’ questions, which were a lot! There is also a little museum to check out here and this is where the cafe is located.

Fun Spots to Check Out

Split Rock – this is a fun rock formation to stop and check out! It’s pretty cool how it has formed.

Forrest Gump’s Famous Run – One day he just started running. Did you know that a part of the Forrest Gump running scene was filmed in Grandfather Mountain? We actually had no idea. You can check out this fun location in the park and it’s marked as Forrest Gump’s curve!

Wood’s Walk & Picnic Area – we spent some time here walking this easy trail and relaxing after a day spent exploring. There are several great picnic tables and shelters here too!

Takeaways

Grandfather Mountain is a great place to go the adventure way! We were kind of surprised by how much we enjoyed our visit. The hiking trail to Macrae Peak was probably our favorite part because it was so unexpected. We really thought the swinging bridge was the only thing you did here. Between the bridge, hiking and animals – we were sold. The park reminded us a lot of Chimney Rock because there is a portion ran by the state and also a portion that is a paid attraction. We have now visited both the Grandfather Mountain state park and attraction and both were a fun and enjoyable experience! If you haven’t made it to Grandfather Mountain yet and crossed the swinging bridge – put it on your NC Bucket list!

PS! Looking for other awesome NC locations to visit? Check out our guides to Mt. Mitchell, South Mountains or Mayo River!

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Have you visited Grandfather Mountain? What was your favorite part about your trip? Share with us in the comments!

The post Grandfather Mountain – Tips for a Great Visit! first appeared on Go The Adventure Way.

There is a lot of diversity in the ten different Wake County Parks. If you like to hike, play on the water, play on a field, or anything else outdoors you can probably find it at one of the Wake County Parks. We wanted to put together a quick list of the County Parks so you can see what they have to offer and which ones might be a good spot for you to check out on your next local adventure! We’ve included our favorites parts and what to do with kids. Let’s dive in!

Historic Yates Mill County Park

Yates Mill is located off of Lake Wheeler Road in south Raleigh. It sits on the site of the last operating gristmill in Wake County. Yates Mill is a beautiful historic structure and they have done a great job with restoring it to its former glory. The mill is open for guided tours from March to November at a cost. You can walk around the grounds for free, but to go in for the tour you have to pay. Right around the mill there is a beautiful man-made waterfall with plenty of places to walk around and explore. There are also some beautiful boardwalks and overlooks of the pond.

Yates Mill offers three miles of hiking trails in and around the pond. These are great for any level of hiker. They are short, shady, and scenic (for the area). There is fishing from the main bridge spanning the park.

Yates Mill has an incredible visitor’s center that is fun and interactive. You can learn all about how mills work in a hands on way. They have done a great job putting together the different exhibits and make it fun. There are beautiful educational gardens throughout with plenty of walkways and places to sit and enjoy the beauty.

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Hanging out around the rocks by the waterfall near the mill.

Green Hills County Park

This park was easily the most surprising for us out of all of them. It is located off of Durant Road in Raleigh. When we pulled into the park we thought that our GPS was messed up because we saw signs for a dump. We quickly realized that is what we were going to, a closed landfill. This park sits on an at capacity landfill and it is beautiful.

Green Hills is the highest elevation in all of Wake County – they might have cheated a little, but they have that distinction. It is cool to see the area repurposed into something useful for the whole community.

The best thing to do there is to take the short hike up to the top of the hill. It is a nice, wide trail and it doesn’t take you too long. You are rewarded with 360 degree views for miles and miles. It is a pretty great place to sit and relax on one of the many benches or tables. Quick note, there isn’t any shade on this trail or up top…so a hot day would be pretty tough at this part of the park.

In addition to the main hill, there are play areas, hiking trails (you can walk all the way around the hill), a mountain bike skills course (something that we hadn’t seen before), and other normal park amenities.

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Enjoying the views from the top of the old landfill.

Robertson Millpond Preserve

Robertson Millpond is located in Wendell off of Robertson Park Road. This is a special park because it is the only Bald Cypress black water swamp in Central North Carolina. We have been to both Dismal Swamp and Merchants Millpond State Parks in Northeast North Carolina and this park makes you feel like you are transported there.

The main thing to do is to kayak or canoe at this park. They have an incredible 1.15 mile kayak trail through the swamp. There is a great little boat launch ramp at the main parking area, but it can get crowded on busy days.

In addition to being on the water, there is a short hiking trail that allows you to take in this unique landscape. Another great thing to do is fish at Robertson Millpond. They have an incredible fishing pier right by the boat launch area. A perfect place to relax in the shade.

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Fishing off of the pier in the black water (though we just got kayaks so this will change we think).

Harris Lake County Park

Harris Lake might be the best all-around Wake County Park because of all it has to offer. There is boating, hiking, play areas, fishing, mountain bike trails, educational gardens, frisbee golf, and so much more. This park is located in New Hill in Southwest Wake County. It is right next to the Shearon Harris power plant, you can see it from some of the hiking trails. It is massive, over 680-acres.

This is one of our favorite places to go frisbee golfing. There are some really great holes and many are right by the water. We have made plenty of splashes through the years in that lake. This is also one of our favorite places to go hiking if we need to stay local but still want to get into the woods.

There are plenty of fishing locations here as well. You can fish on the lake or in one of the ponds in the park. Every time we go to this park we see plenty of wildlife. We even saw an all-white deer here one time, it was awesome!

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Frisbee Golf!

American Tobacco Trail

The American Tobacco Trail is an old railway line that was converted to a recreational trail in 2001. This trail is one of the most popular trails in the triangle area of North Carolina. The trail has sections in Wake (6.5 miles), Chatham (4.7 miles), and Durham (11.4 miles) counties. It goes from New Hill to downtown Durham, over 22 miles. You can hike, bike, or ride horses down this trail there are some exhibits and gardens along the way, but bathrooms and water are few and far between, so plan accordingly. There are also a ton of trails that connect to the ATT. A lot of local towns have access that you wouldn’t normally think.

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Hiking from New Hill to Bond Park on the ATT and the White Oak Creek Trail – about 10 miles, that’s a lot for us!

Historic Oak View County Park

Oak View is located in Raleigh off of Poole Road. This is just a fantastic park that is incredibly unique. The park is on a 19th century farmstead that tells the story of North Carolina agriculture. They have plenty of programs and events that are immersive and hands on along with a great visitors center. You can go into most of the historic buildings on property to tour them.

This park has a couple of very short walking trails but you really come here to take your time walking around the grounds. There are two ponds on site where you can go fishing. This is a mini-working farm, so they still grow some crops and have some animals. It is a beautiful place to relax on a nice day.

This is a great park for families with little kids because of the animals and room to run…but also a great place for a couple to go on a quiet picnic or walk together. It’s just really beautiful here and one we will continue coming back to.

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Hanging out with the goats, they were great!

Blue Jay Point County Park

Blue Jay Point is a park within a park. It is located on Falls Lake which is a State Park. Blue Jay Point is part of the shoreline that is run by the county. Blue Jay Point has a ton of trails (part of the Mountains-To-Sea Trail goes through this park), a lot of the regular park features like ballfields and playgrounds, and a great visitors center and surrounding gardens. They even have a zip-line course you can tackle. This is not run by the county and is an additional fee.

Our favorite part of our visit was hiking out to Blue Jay Point. You can get there directly by taking the Blue Jay Point Trail from one of the many parking lots. We decided though to take part of the Mountains-To-Sea Trail and connect to the Blue Jay Point Trail from it. Blue Jay Point is a pretty relaxing peninsula sticking out in Falls Lake. This place can get pretty crowded though, so you might need some patience on busy days finding a good spot.

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Hiking on the Mountains-To-Sea Trail.

Lake Crabtree County Park

Lake Crabtree is in Morrisville by RDU Airport. It is a nice little lake park with a lot of the typical lake park amenities. Crabtree has a fantastic fishing pier. It is pretty large and spacious. Boating is big here as well and you can usually spot a couple of sailboats.

There are plenty of trails at this park, both for mountain biking and foot traffic. The mountain bike trails get pretty packed on nice days. This park has a mountain bike skills course as well. The Lake Trail is one of the larger ones you will find at a Wake County Park at 6 miles. Crabtree has a good educational hiking trail with a bunch of really great info on the local plant life.

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Walking the Old Beech Nature Trail.

Turnipseed Nature Preserve

Turnipseed is the newest Wake County Park. It is in Wendell right near the Johnston County line. The main feature of this park is the rock outcrops that are scattered around the trail. They are in the woods along the trails and are pretty cool. There is about 3 miles of hiking trails here.

The centerpiece of the trail though is the bridge on the Boulder Trail. It is a pretty cool structure. Take a couple of minutes and walk the little path that goes near the base of the trail near the Gin Branch Creek. You can see some great rock formations and a really peaceful stream.

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Walking the path along Gin Branch Creek.

Crowder County Park

Of all of the parks Crowder County Park is the most like a local town park. It is one of the smaller parks but it still has plenty to offer. The highlight of the park is the trail that goes throughout the park. There is an inner and outer loop of the trail, one around the pond and the other around the perimeter of the park. Both are fun and offer different views. If you take the longer route you will go through educational gardens and a bird feeder park. This park is about to triple in size of the next couple of years so we are excited to see what the expansion will bring.

Favorite Thing We Did Here: Hiked on the Cooper’s Hawk Trail and hanging out around the bridge.

As you can see, the Wake County Parks are pretty diverse and have something for everyone. We really enjoyed being able to adventure to them during our time when we couldn’t get too far away from home. Have you been to any of these parks? Which ones are your favorites? What are some places that you live near that you go to for a dose of adventure?

PS! If you are looking for more parks in explore in the Wake County/Raleigh area check out our guide to Jordan Lake State Recreation Area or our rankings of every NC State Park! We also have some fun ideas to “travel” when you can’t leave the house – a great way to keep the kids engaged when traveling isn’t happening!

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Dan Nicholas Park

Our absolute favorite thing to do around Salisbury is visit Dan Nicholas Park. This park is one of the most unique county parks in all of North Carolina. The reason? All that it has to offer!

Rowan County runs Dan Nicholas Park, and they do a great job with it. The park is located on Bringle Ferry Rd., about a 10 minute drive from downtown Salisbury. This park has your typical ballfields, playgrounds, and picnic areas that you would come to expect at any other park. However, Dan Nicholas has a couple of extra fun activities for you to enjoy. This park has a great lake for water activities, a sweet miniature train, an awesome indoor nature center and aquarium showcasing snakes and lizards from the area, a cool petting zoo (watch out for the donkey, he bites), gem mining, and an actual zoo showcasing animals from all around North Carolina. Not your typical county park offerings.

We have done all of these offerings because all of them are so cheap or free. You can do gem mining for as little as $8. A ticket to the zoo is $1 for adults and $.50 for kids. The petting zoo is $.50 for every age. It could be the best bang for your buck in the whole state.

Though all of these attractions are great, the zoo featuring the North Carolina animals stands out. This zoo has a couple of beautiful bald eagles, two awesome black bears, deer, owls, a bobcat, the endangered red wolf, and so many more. It is an awesome experience and for a dollar or less per person it is an awesome deal.

Eat Some BBQ

We are BBQ fans. We grew up and still live in North Carolina where the best BBQ in the world is located. Now we love Texas BBQ, St. Louis BBQ, and Memphis BBQ – really any kind of sweet, smoked, meat is good in our book. They are all different and all are tasty. What makes North Carolina different is the pulled (or chopped) pork. Other areas have brisket or ribs – they definitely rule in those areas. But North Carolina is the king of chopped or pulled pork.

North Carolina has a BBQ Trail. We are trying to hit up all of these epic eateries as we travel through the state. A day in Salisbury has to include some BBQ. The Salisbury area has 6 stops within a 30 minute drive, including maybe the most historic BBQ town of all, Lexington.

In Salisbury, there are two places that will battle for your BBQ loving attention – Wink’s and Richard’s. We have yet to go to Richard’s but we absolutely love Wink’s. The BBQ and sauce is sweet and delicious. The cue is smokey and always good. What makes Wink’s stand out compared to other BBQ places are the amount and quality of sides. Sides make or break a BBQ joint, and Wink’s excels at them. They have some of the best hushpuppies we have tried on the trail so far. The service was also amazing, so many sweet, smiling faces!

Visit Spanky’s

Not that Wink’s doesn’t have great desserts, but no trip to Salisbury is complete until you hit up Spanky’s for some homemade ice cream. We love this place so much! Spanky’s is on N. Main Street right in the heart of downtown Salisbury. This is an old-fashioned ice cream parlor that also serves deli sandwiches. Spanky’s has that really great retro feel with the black and white tile and fun sitting areas. They usually have a pretty good variety of ice cream. The perfect place to grab a cone and walk through downtown.

Boone’s Cave Park

Boone’s Cave Park is an incredible little park we found on our last trip to this area. It is a great place to stop when you are heading in for a day in Salisbury. It isn’t in Salisbury, about 15 minutes north on I-85. Legend has it that a 16-year old Daniel Boone lived here with his family for a year while they were moving out towards the mountain. The legend says that the Boone family lived in a home on one side of the park, where the footings of the house still remain, and would hide in the cave on the other side when Native Americans came to visit.

Boone’s Cave Park has 7.5 miles of trails. Most of them are pretty short but put together they make for a good day out in the woods. The trails take you by the cave, cabin, a boardwalk over the wetlands, and along the Yadkin River. The river is actually pretty wide at this park and if has been raining it offers a great view. There are picnic shelters throughout, bathroom facilities, campgrounds, vending machines, and a nice little monument to Daniel Boone explaining the history.

A really cool place to visit is the cave. This cave is not huge, but it is big enough to get in and crawl around a little in. To get there, you have to drive all the way to the end of the parking area and take the stairs to the right. There are a bunch of stairs, so be prepared for the walk back up. The cave is right at the end of the stairs to the left. There are some great benches on the stairs with some really sweet views of the river.

This park does have a gate that closes every night. If you are going, you might need to show up about 45 minutes before closing time. Sometimes they will start to close down early – don’t get stuck!

Walk Historic Downtown

If you are looking for a downtown with that old-time charm Salisbury is the place for you. This is an actual historic downtown that covers multiple city blocks. Each block has its own unique architecture. Downtown Salisbury is an excellent place to take an afternoon walk. As with most downtown areas in North Carolina towns, most places close at 5 pm.

When you are walking around, there are a bunch of antique shops and other places to shop. Salisbury also has plenty of restaurant offerings. You can step into the Rowan County Museum or check out one of the awesome murals they have around town. This really is a walk back in time. Another really cool feature to check out while walking downtown are the various tile entrances to most of the buildings. Don’t forget to look down while you are walking in. You must do this when you spend a day in Salisbury.

Take A Trolley Ride

If you aren’t feeling up for a walk downtown, you can always catch the Trolley! Tours are only offered on Saturday starting at 11 am from April – October. (Also, always check openings and times for everything we suggest…you never know when a pandemic will change it all). The Historic Trolley tour takes you through prominent locations throughout the town like the original Cheerwine building and filming locations of movies/tv shows. The cost is $8 for adults and children 3-12 are $5 and under 3 is free.

Salisbury is the quintessential North Carolina town to spend a day in. It is a great place to spend time shopping, eating, or enjoying nature. Definitely make a stop on your next time through, or plan a day just to go there!

PS! If you want some other ideas for visiting North Carolina towns, check out our posts on Little Washington, Edenton, Mt. Airy, Apex, Carolina Beach, Pinehurst, or Historic Halifax.

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Lake James State Park is located in Nebo, North Carolina. Nebo is about 15 miles north off Highway 40 just east of Marion. There are so many sweet towns all around it, like Black Mountain. It is where the Appalachian Mountains begin and the elevation starts to gain. Because of that, there are mini mountain peaks all around Lake James and it makes you feel like you are higher than you actually are. It is awesome how it is like a visual trick that your mind plays on you.

There are two main access points to Lake James State Park. The Paddy’s Creek Area is the main area with the visitor’s center and swimming. The Catawba River Area is a beautiful access point with hiking and camping.

On The Water

Like most of the other lake parks in the State Parks System, Lake James is all about the water. When we were driving in, we were mesmerized by the sparkling clear water. The sun hits off of it beautifully at the higher elevation and the mountains all around it give the light plenty of shade and shadows to jump in and out of. It is just beautiful.

When it comes to the water, there is plenty of swimming, boating, and fishing. You can only swim in one area of the whole lake, the Paddy’s Creek Area. In order to swim here, you will need to pay for admission. The cost is $5 for adults and $4 for kids 3-12. This area is not big, but it is a nice little spot with a beach, concession stand, and bathroom/locker areas. The sand is pretty coarse here too. Not the most comfortable to walk around on, but the lake bottom is really nice. There are also a couple of spots for grilling and picnics around the beach area. The swimming area is only open from May 1 to September 30.

If you don’t own a boat, you can rent canoes and kayaks at the Paddy’s Creek Area at the concession stand. The cost for either of these is $7 per hour. We love renting canoes or kayaks at our State Parks. It is a really good deal and a great way to exercise. If you own a boat, there are a couple of boat ramps that you can use – Hidden Cove and Canal Bridge. The Canal Bridge ramp is open 24-hours a day. Hidden Cove follows the park hours. Both of these ramps are along Highway 126.

For fishing, largemouth bass and catfish are what you can catch here. We had someone tell us that the catfish here are the best tasting ones they had ever had.

Hiking At Lake James

Our favorite thing to do at any State Park is to get on a trail and get lost in the woods. Lake James State Park has a ton of really great trails. All together, they have close to 20 miles of hiking trails, with 15 of them accessible to biking trails.

These are at both Paddy’s Creek and Catawba River access points. We have done trails at both of these access points. We really enjoyed the Fox Den Loop Trail at the Catawba River Area and the Mills Creek Trail at Paddy’s Creek. Most of the trails have some really great views of the water.

One thing that was really awesome was the Holly Discovery Trail. This is a Kid’s Track Trail and is one of the best in the whole State Park system. If you have kids, we highly recommend going on this trail. This trail is three-quarters of a mile and has about 15 interactive stops along the way where kids can learn about nature. It really is a great place to go and learn and be introduced to hiking. Definitely check it out!

Camping At Lake James State Park

Another really big part of Lake James State Park is the camping. There are a ton of camping areas here at this park with some really unique options. There are a little over 50 tent camping sites. About 30 of them are hike in campsites, meaning you will have to carry your gear anywhere from 100 to 300 yards into the woods. If you have a lot of gear (like most families) you have the option to grab one of the drive up sites.

What Lake James has that is different than most parks is the boat-in camping. You can only access these campsites by boat. There is no running water (they have primitive bathroom facilities) and some fire pits. You are on your own out there. It isn’t too far from the mainland, but you are disconnected. It is unique for sure.

We have been to Lake James State Park a couple of times and have loved it every time. It is great for a day or a weekend camping trip. It is a special place with a unique landscape. This park is worth a visit so go and check it out!

Want to check out some of our other North Carolina State Park guides? Check out our posts in and around Fort Fisher, Weymouth Woods and Carvers Creek, Pettigrew State Park, Eno River, or Mount Mitchell.

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One day we will come out with our rankings of the different beach towns, but today we will just focus on one of our favorites. Fort Fisher and Carolina Beach have a ton to offer. It is a lot more than a beach area. It has that, but also a couple of state parks, and awesome aquarium, a state historic site and so much more. What are the things to do? Check them out below.

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

Fort Fisher is one of our favorite sites run by the North Carolina State Parks. This is a wonderful place to spend the day at the beach. The park is located near the end of Hwy. 421. This is not the same as the historic site. This is an actual beach park.

There is a pretty large parking lot but it will fill up quickly during peak times. You can park at some of the other lots that are in the area. There is a nice boardwalk by the parking lot that has a nice little visitor center (get your State Park stamp there), some great picnic areas with grills, and a really nice changing area and bathrooms. If you are going to the beach for a day this is a great place to do it because you have all of the amenities that you need.

Obviously the highlight of this place is the beach. It is a really nice beach that doesn’t have any houses around it. They have lifeguards on duty during the summer. We love places like this. This is also a really great place to go fishing. There are always a bunch of people fishing here. This park has four miles of 4 x 4 access on the beach as well. It is $20 for weekdays and $30 on the weekend. Finally, if you want to go on a short hike they have a nice trail that takes you through the marsh and to the sound.

Ride The Ferry

One of the coolest things about the North Carolina coast is the amount of ferries that they have that take you from place to place. At the end of Hwy. 421 you can take the Southport – Fort Fisher ferry. This ferry takes you to the awesome little town of Southport. We love visiting Southport, but sometimes we just get on the ferry to get on the ferry. It is a relaxing 25-minute boat ride over to the other side. It is a great place to watch for dolphins and birds. You can stay in your car, walk around the ferry, or sit in the top viewing room. The ferry runs throughout the day and cost $7 per car.

Eat Some Donuts

We don’t know why, but there are some seriously good donut places in this area. I guess everyone craves a donut when they are at the beach. Now they have a couple of chains (Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’) but when you are here you need to try the local places. There are two main options – Britts Donuts and Wake N’ Bake.

Britts is located on the Boardwalk in Carolina Beach. This place has been around since 1939, and for good reason. They sell classic glazed donuts and they are phenomenal. People come from all over the taste these beauties that melt in your mouth. This place is only open in season from Memorial Day to Labor Day, so plan accordingly. The line gets long here too, so make sure you get there early.

Wake N’ Bake is a lot newer and a lot different. This place is located right off of Hwy. 421. These donuts are more cakey and thick. This donut shop also has a ton more options – peanut butter, bacon, candy bars and just about everything else. This place is loud and fun. For the record, Justin likes Wake N Bake while Megan prefers Britts. You will have to try them both to judge for yourself.

Fort Fisher State Historic Site

Fort Fisher State Historic Site is located towards the end of Hwy. 421 near the aquarium and the State Park. This site is an old Civil War fort. This fort was the last fort standing that allowed for supplies to reach Robert E. Lee. Once this fort fell, the supply chain crumbled and the war came to an end. It actually played a pretty significant role in the Civil War.

Today, you can walk around what is remaining of the fort on a really nice nature trail. There are a bunch of bunkers you can enter and hills you can climb. There are also plenty of great seating areas throughout the site that give you great views of the fort and the sound. You can always find some cool wildlife out here. There is a pretty large parking area and a really great museum and visitor center.

Fort Fisher Aquarium

A lot of states have one large aquarium that people go to. North Carolina is slightly different. We have a bunch of smaller ones spread out along the coast. Though these aquariums are smaller, they all have their own identities and are awesome. One of these is found in Fort Fisher right beside the State Park.

The Fort Fisher aquarium is great inside and out. On the inside you can check out loggerhead turtles, sharks, and all sorts of fish. They have a great touch tank for kids and adults as well. This aquarium also has a great freshwater display that talks about the different habitats through the Cape Fear River. You can see alligators, turtles, frogs, and even a bald eagle. On the outside there is a great playground for the kids, plenty of seating area to rest and enjoy a meal, and a nice little boardwalk to walk on.

The aquarium is open everyday except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is open from 9 am to 5 pm. Tickets are $9.95 for adults 13-61, $8.95 for seniors, and $7.95 for kids.

Stroll The Boardwalk

Carolina Beach has an awesome boardwalk. You don’t see boardwalks like this too often in North Carolina. It reminds us of one of the boardwalks in the north with plenty of places to eat and play. This boardwalk is consistently ranked as one of the best boardwalks on the east coast. There always seems to be something going on. They have a ton of festivals down there and it is always a good time. There is an awesome beach to visit, plenty of room to walk, tons of great food, and plenty of shopping. It is an ideal place to spend a day at the beach because you have all that you need right there.

Carolina Beach State Park

Another great State Park in the area is Carolina Beach State Park. The first time we went here we thought that it was located where Fort Fisher was. It is not. This park is right after you cross over the bridge coming into Carolina Beach. This park is located on the sound side of the island. This is a nice park to spend an afternoon or take a break from the beach.

There are a surprising amount of trails here. These trails take you through ancient sand dunes, past rare Venus flytraps, and over boardwalks. This is also a good place for boating a kayaking. Finally, there are a ton of camp sites here with plenty of amenities.

We love all the fun things to do at Fort Fisher and Carolina Beach. It is the perfect place to go for a beach vacation week, a weekend getaway, or just a day at the beach. There is plenty to do here, rain or shine. We are blessed to live in a state with so many awesome beach communities. What is your go to North Carolina beach? What are some of your favorite beaches where you live?

Psst! Looking for more travel ideas for the North Carolina coast? Check out our Guide to the National Parks of the Outer Banks or Guides to visiting Dismal Swamp and Merchants Millpond!

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Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve

Weymouth Woods was one of the first State Parks that we went to so it has to be first on our Sandhills must dos. The first time we went we were kind of underwhelmed. We didn’t think there was much to it. However, every time we return there we have more and more fun. This is one of those parks that grows on you and you learn to appreciate the more time you spend there. This park has some really great hiking trails for beginners and a ton of wildlife. We would definitely recommend checking this place out in the fall because the ground cover turns some phenomenal shades of orange, yellow, and red. It is stunning to look at. Weymouth Woods is located right in the middle of Southern Pines, which is next on our list.

Town of Southern Pines

When you go to Southern Pines it is as if you are stepping back in time. The downtown area is really great with plenty of places to eat, shop, and relax. We love walking around and doing some window shopping after getting a cup of coffee from Swank. The stores here can get pretty pricey, but you can find some deals from time to time.

They have an awesome train station right in the middle of downtown with a really cool platform. And the renovated movie theater is super cool. For lunch, Nosh is a good place to grab a bite to eat. It is a nice little deli with plenty of options. They also serve breakfast all day and specialize in waffles. Silas is a fan. Southern Pines really is a great place to spend an afternoon.

Aloha Safari Zoo

The Aloha Safari Zoo had to be one of our Sandhills must dos! It is truly a jewel in North Carolina. Their mission is to create a loving home for unwanted, mistreated, and injured animals. Aloha Safari is located in Cameron, North Carolina and is truly unique. This 60-acre facility has been open to the public since 2010 and has done an awesome job of educating people and helping animals. There are over 450 animals on the property, including many you wouldn’t expect to see in North Carolina. They have gone out of their way to provide for these animals in building their habitats, it truly is a labor of love.

There is a fee to enter the zoo, but it is very much worth it. It is $12 per person to enter and kids under 2 are free. You can also buy bags of feed for $3 and special food for “Stretch” the giraffe for $1 (you have to do this, it is quite the experience). We took Silas and some of his friends here for his birthday and it was a huge hit!

Everywhere you look there are crazy animals. Some of them you can get really close to. The owner put a monkey on Justin while we were walking around, so that was pretty cool. They have tigers, wolves, tons of crazy reptiles, a grizzly bear, bison, peacocks galore, snakes, iguanas, porcupines, and so much more.

As mentioned above, get the feed so you have something to give to the animals, especially the giraffe. We would also recommend asking when the tigers are fed because you want to see that. Let’s just say it has to do with whole chickens (non-living) being tossed into the cage. They also have a really great tractor ride that takes you through a makeshift savannah. You will have a blast throwing tortillas. Sounds weird, but you will see. Aloha Safari Zoo is amazing – go to it if you have the chance.

Pinehurst Resort Clubhouse

Ok, so the Sandhills are definitely known for the crazy amount of golf courses in the area. You can’t drive too far without finding one. These are some of the best golf courses in the state and some are known worldwide. The most famous of them all is Pinehurst No. 2. This course has hosted some of the biggest golf tournaments in the world and is simply stunning. Of course, to play this track you need to have $305 in the winter and $485 in the spring and fall (not counting the $130 caddie fee). However, the Pinehurst Resort has 8 more courses all of which are awesome (and way cheaper) plus a little par-3 course. Justin has played every course on the property (except No. 2) and loves the place.

Even if you don’t golf, you should still try and visit the clubhouse. This is an iconic building in golf and a great place to buy a gift for anyone in your family who loves to play. There is a ton of great memorabilia in there and a couple of good places to eat. It really is a beautiful place. If you make it there, make sure you check out the Payne Stewart statue around back or sit on one of the many rocking chairs while watching people tee off.

Carvers Creek State Park

Carvers Creek State Park is located in Spring Lake just outside of Fayetteville. This park has two different access areas. The Long Valley Farm Access is the main area. This area has the visitor center where you can get your passport stamp and maps.

This is also where you can find the Rockefeller vacation home, gristmill, and other historic buildings. There is about three miles of trails here that are flat and easy. It is a great way to see the natural beauty of the area. Last time we were there we saw the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. It is beautiful. You don’t want to miss this park.

Dunrovin Country Store

So, last time we went to Weymouth Woods we saw a billboard for the Dunrovin Country Store. It really stood out so we did a quick Google search. What we saw online fascinated us. It seemed like an awesome place to visit and every review we read was fabulous. We weren’t able to visit that trip but we stopped by the next time we were in the area. Boy was it worth the wait.

Dunrovin is located in Vass right on Highway 1. This place is an eclectic general store, roadside attraction, rescue aviary, and fudge factory all rolled into one. The general store is full of unique items, locally made crafts and foods, Amish wares, weird sodas, any sweet you could think of, and just plain weird (in a good way) stuff. They have homemade fudge and ice cream too. One of the best things about the place is the decor. You could spend all day just looking at everything hanging from the rafters or checking out the yard art around the building. It is nuts.

The highlight though is the rescue aviary around back. This was one of the reasons we wanted to go there, to check out the exotic birds. We thought there might be a couple of birds there, but there were probably close to 50. They were everywhere. These birds would talk to you, screech at you, play peek-a-boo with you, and have you crying with laughter. They have macaws, parrots, peacocks, toucans, and so many other types. It is something to see and totally free! You have to make a stop at Dunrovin Country Store if you are in the area.

Village of Pinehurst

Pinehurst is such a sweet little village and it is perfect for an afternoon stroll. The village is picturesque and so much fun to explore. There are some great little shops and alleys to duck into and there always seems to be something going on. There are plenty of options for food in the area with a wide range of menus and pricing. We love the Villager Deli. It is really great food and the prices aren’t too high. It gets cramped in there, but they have some great seating outside. Right next door is the Roast Office coffee shop. They do have lunch food options there too, but the coffee and pastries are the thing to get there.

Have you been to any of these Sandhills must dos? Which one of these Sandhills must dos do you want to check out? What are some other Sandhills must dos we should visit in the Sandhills? We will be back soon and are always looking for new things to do to Go The Adventure Way!

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