Day Trips from Raleigh, North Carolina

1. Mayberry - Mount Airy

• What was Mayberry RFD?
  • Mayberry RFD was a fictional television show that ran from 1968 through 1971.
• What is Andy Griffith's connection to Mayberry?
  • Andy Griffith, the American actor who played the show’s beloved main character, grew up in Mount Airy, North Carolina, a town not unlike Mayberry.
• How does Mount Airy resemble Mayberry?
  • Strolling along Main Street will remind visitors of the Andy Griffith Show with its small-town charm.
• What attractions can visitors see in Mount Airy?
  • Visitors can explore several iconic locations, including:
  • Old Mayberry Jail
  • Floyd’s City Barber Shop
  • Snappy Lunch
  • Andy Griffith’s childhood home
• What can visitors see at the Andy Griffith Museum?
  • The Andy Griffith Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of Griffith memorabilia.
• What is the Andy Griffith Playhouse?
  • Located next door to the museum, the Andy Griffith Playhouse was once Mount Airy’s first public school in the 1920s.
  • It now hosts art camps, theater productions, live music, and acting classes.

2. New Bern

• Where is New Bern located?
  • Located along the Neuse River, just minutes from the Atlantic coast, New Bern was North Carolina’s first state capital.
• What historical sites can visitors explore in New Bern?
  • New Bern offers over 300 years of history, including:
  • Civil War battlefields
  • Historic cemeteries
  • Historic homes
• What is Tryon Palace and Gardens?
  • The Tryon Palace and Gardens is home to the $65 million North Carolina History Center.
  • Once the Governor’s palace, this living museum is now staffed by costumed guides and features:
  • Historic homes
  • Interpretative displays
  • Stunning manicured gardens
• What is New Bern’s connection to Pepsi?
  • New Bern has the distinction of being the birthplace of Pepsi.
  • The drink was first mixed in 1893 at Bradham’s Drug Store.
• Where can visitors learn about the history of Pepsi?
  • Visit the Birthplace of Pepsi Store in New Bern’s historic downtown.

3. Outer Banks

• What are the Outer Banks?
  • The Outer Banks of North Carolina mark the site where early Europeans first tried to settle on the New World’s shores.
• What can visitors find at the Outer Banks today?
  • Today, they are home to the first stretch of National Seashore, state parks, miles of beaches, and several charming and friendly small towns.
• What historic attractions are in the Outer Banks?
  • Historic attractions include:
  • The Wright Brothers National Memorial
  • Cape Hatteras’ brick lighthouse
  • The Fort Raleigh Historic Site, home to the first English colony in the New World.
• What water activities can visitors enjoy?
  • Enjoy the water with fishing, boating, surfing, and swimming.
• What land-based activities are available?
  • On land, enjoy hiking, off-road driving, and wildlife viewing in the great outdoors.
• Are there shopping and dining options in the Outer Banks?
  • Visit the many art galleries, shops, and restaurants in each town, from Hatteras Island to the south, to Duck towards the north.

4. Asheboro

• Where is Asheboro located?
  • Asheboro is a small town in central North Carolina.
• What can visitors find in downtown Asheboro?
  • Asheboro’s charming downtown Main Street is home to several local shops and restaurants, art galleries, and the historic Sunset Theater.
• What is the history of the Sunset Theater?
  • The theater, which first opened as a movie theater in 1930, is now owned by the city and hosts plays, movies, and musical performances.
• What are some major attractions in Asheboro?
  • Area attractions include the North Carolina Zoo, a natural-habitat zoo featuring animals from Africa and North America.
• What adventure activities are available in Asheboro?
  • Richland Creek Zipline Tours offer 1.5 miles of rides above the Uwharrie Mountains.

5. Bennett Place State Historic Site

• What is Bennett Place State Historic Site?
  • Durham’s Bennett Place State Historic Site is where the American Civil War’s largest surrender took place between General W.T. Sherman and General J.E. Johnston.
• Where was the surrender agreement signed?
  • Negotiations took place and the surrender agreement was signed in the Bennett family home, which is preserved by the historic site, now a living history museum.
• What can visitors see at the Bennett Place visitor center?
  • A visitor center on site shows a 17-minute film about the site’s history and houses the museum’s library, home to over 1,000 volumes of Civil War reference material.
• Are there outdoor facilities at Bennett Place?
  • Picnic tables are located throughout the Bennett family farm.
• Are there trails at Bennett Place?
  • Nature trails weave through forested areas that were once wheat and corn fields.

4409 Bennett Memorial Rd, Durham, NC 27705, Phone: 919-383-4345

6. Blue Ridge Parkway

• What is the Blue Ridge Parkway?
  • North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic drive that rolls through the state’s cultural history for over 450 miles between Virginia and North Carolina.
• What regions does the Blue Ridge Parkway pass through?
  • The scenic road spans the South and Central Appalachians and is known for its diverse and rare habitat that supports local wildlife and flora.
• What natural landmarks can be seen along the Blue Ridge Parkway?
  • Visitors can pass by:
  • Mount Mitchell, the tallest peak in the eastern United States.
  • Linville Gorge, the deepest gorge east of the Grand Canyon.
  • The Plateau Region’s New River, North America’s oldest river.
• What attractions are located along the Blue Ridge Parkway?
  • In addition to its natural beauty, visitors can explore:
  • Bristol, Virginia.
  • Virginia’s Birthplace of Country Music Museum.
  • Asheville’s Biltmore Estate.
  • New Market and Virginia’s Museum of the Civil War.

7. Cape Hatteras

• What is Cape Hatteras?
  • Cape Hatteras is a federally protected National Seashore on North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
• What makes Cape Hatteras special?
  • The barrier islands offer a rich history, a wealth of wildlife habitat, and numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation.
• What activities can visitors enjoy at Cape Hatteras?
  • Visitors can:
  • Experience nature
  • Visit historic lighthouses
  • Swim, fish, surf, or beach comb
• Where should visitors start their trip?
  • Begin the day at one of four Visitor Centers.
• What can visitors see at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center?
  • The Hatteras Island Visitor Center includes the Museum of the Sea, located within the historic Hatteras lighthouse keeper’s quarters.
• What historic lighthouses are at Cape Hatteras?
  • Other historic structures include:
  • Ocracoke Light Station
  • Bodie Island Light Station
• What other activities are available?
  • Visitors can enjoy:
  • Lighthouse climbs
  • Hiking
  • Water activities
• Are there guided tours available?
  • Yes! Surf instruction and guided horseback tours are provided by third-party vendors.

1401 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC 27954, Phone: 252-473-2111

8. Carolina Tiger Rescue

• What is Carolina Tiger Rescue?
  • Carolina Tiger Rescue is a sanctuary that protects and saves wild cats.
• What types of animals does Carolina Tiger Rescue care for?
  • Animals in their care include:
  • Tigers, lions, cougars, and leopards
  • Smaller cats such as servals, ocelots, and bobcats
• When is Carolina Tiger Rescue open to visitors?
  • Open by appointment only, the rescue offers public tours on Fridays and weekends.
• What can visitors expect during a tour?
  • Trained volunteers walk visitors through the sanctuary as they describe the hardships animals face both in the wild and in captivity.
• Are there special tours available?
  • Yes! Special tours include:
  • Private experiences
  • Twilight tours, where visitors spend after-hours with the animals in a more relaxed and quiet setting.
• Can visitors take photos or interact with the animals?
  • While photographs are welcome, no tour offers physical contact with the cats.

1940 Hanks Chapel Rd., Pittsboro, NC 27312, Phone: 919-542-4684

9. Chapel Hill

• What is Chapel Hill?
  • Chapel Hill is a small town surrounding the University of North Carolina, and was built around the university’s founding in 1793.
• What is the main street in downtown Chapel Hill?
  • The charming downtown is anchored by the historic Franklin Street, which is home to over 200 restaurants and bars and is fast becoming known as a destination for foodies.
• Where can visitors enjoy events in Chapel Hill?
  • Enjoy an event at Carolina Square or 140 West.
• What is Chapel Hill’s Southern Village?
  • Chapel Hill’s Southern Village was founded in 1994. The neighborhood’s Market Street is a walkable stretch of entertainment, dining, and shopping.
• What cultural attractions can visitors explore?
  • In addition to UNC, visitors can explore:
  • The Ackland Art Museum
  • The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
  • The North Carolina Botanical Garden

10. Chimney Rock State Park

• What is Chimney Rock State Park?
  • Chimney Rock State Park surrounds the 315-foot tall Chimney Rock, a geological spire overlooking Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge.
• What trails are available at Chimney Rock State Park?
  • Trails within the park range from easy family-friendly walks to strenuous hikes, including:
  • The trail to the top of Chimney Rock Mountain
  • The overlook at Hickory Nut Falls
• What facilities are available at Chimney Rock State Park?
  • Facilities at the 5,700-acre park include:
  • Picnic areas
  • Restrooms
  • A concessions area
  • An interpretative center
• What activities can visitors enjoy at the park?
  • Trout fishing is popular along the Rocky Broad River.
  • Rock climbing is popular in the boulder fields within the park’s Rumbling Bald Access area.
• Where is the visitor center located?
  • A visitor center is located at Lake Lure’s Morse Park.

743 Chimney Rock Park Rd., Chimney Rock, NC 28720, Phone: 800-277-9611