Day Trips in North Carolina

1. Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is renowned for its arts and cultural scene as well as for its historic buildings. It’s a beautiful city with a thriving culture, and there’s no shortage of things to do in Asheville. Visitors can tour the elaborate house and gardens at the Biltmore Estate, visit the Asheville Pinball Museum, or sit back and enjoy a tasty beer at the New Belgium Brewery and Tasting Room.

Those looking to get out into the great outdoors will find a plethora of opportunity within a short driving distance for hiking, biking, kayaking, and mountain views.

2. Carolina Beach

The boardwalk at Carolina Beach is famous nationwide for its shops, restaurants, rides, and entertainment for visitors of all ages. During the summer, weekly firework shows and regular concerts and events add even more to the experience.

On the beach itself, there is ample opportunity for sunbathing and watersports, and at nearby Carolina Beach State Park, visitors can wander a sandy trail that leads to an awe inspiring view of Cape Fear River.

Whether they are looking for a relaxing weekend away, or a day trip full of excitement, families, friends, and solo travelers will all find something to love about Carolina Beach.

3. Blowing Rock

With its quaint shops and stunning location (it is one of the only towns directly along the Blue Ridge Parkway), Blowing Rock claims the title of “Crown of the Blue Ridge.” In Blowing Rock, which is located near the impressive Grandfather Mountain, visitors can hike, bike, or boulder, but they can also relax and enjoy this charming town and all it has to offer.

The Tweetsie Railroad, a Wild West themed park, is a great destination for families, and Blowing Rock Art and History Museum offers some cultural education for history buffs. And with over a hundred unique shops in its downtown area, Blowing Rock is a fantastic place to treat yourself to something new.

4. Burnsville, Yancey County

Burnsville and Yancey County in North Carolina offer a host of interesting indoor and outdoor attractions for visitors of all ages. Burnsville is located about an hour from Asheville which makes it an easy day trip from the city. You can start your visit by driving along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and admiring Mount Mitchell, the highest peak of the Appalachian Mountains.

The surrounding mountains offer many hiking trails, as well as several beautiful waterfalls to photograph. Another stunning natural area to visit is the Pisgah National Forest. The Burnsville Tour Co. offers guided historic walking tours.

Art lovers can visit the One of a Kind Art Gallery (OOAK) which is located in the Old Micaville County Store Building.

5. Brevard

In Brevard, visitors can find all the outdoor activities they’d expect to find in a North Carolina mountain town, including hiking, cycling, and rock climbing, as well as a vibrant cultural scene with music, food, and festivals.

Brevard hosts six festivals every year, and countless events on top of that, but it still manages to maintain the charm of a small town community, with locally owned shops and restaurants and friendly inhabitants.

Visitors to Brevard will adore the atmosphere in the town, which is cultured yet quiet, and boasts a thriving music scene with everything from symphonic orchestras, live bar performances, and bustling music festivals.

6. Bryson City, North Carolina

North Carolina has lots of options for outdoor enthusiasts, from hiking mountains to swimming in the ocean, and a day trip or weekend excursion to Bryson City should definitely be added to that list. Situated just an hour’s drive from Asheville, Bryson City invites visitors to kayak or navigate the rapids in a raft on the Nantahala River, head to the famous Tsali trails for some mountain biking, hike or horseback ride through forests and past waterfalls, or spend a peaceful day fishing on Fontana Lake.

The town is tucked away in the Smokies surrounded by steep slopes, rushing creeks, and stunning nature that is sure to leave visitors breathless.

7. Atlantic Beach

Atlantic Beach is one of only five communities located on the barrier island of Bogue Banks in North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

With a beach that is nationally recognized as one of the best in the country and an array of state parks and attractions that offer a combination of history, nature, and fun, Atlantic Beach has something for everyone.

A boat ride to Cape Lookout National Seashore allows visitors to explore a lighthouse watch wild horses on the beaches, and tour a historic town, while Fort Macon State Park is a great place to walk, explore, visit the beach, and learn about its history as a Civil War fort.

8. Pisgah National Forest

Nature lovers will delight in the thickly wooded slopes of Pisgah National Forest , whose 500,000 acres are home to hiking trails that extend for more than 1600 miles over rivers, past cascading waterfalls, and through the beautiful North Carolina wilderness.

There are several tall peaks within the forest, including Black Balsam Knob, Cold Mountain, and Tennant Mountain. Trails to the summits of these peaks vary in length and difficulty for hikers of all ability levels, and camping in Pisgah National Forest is permitted at both established campsites and in backcountry locations.

9. Cherokee, North Carolina

Cherokee is a town inside the Eastern Cherokee Reservation, and it offers visitors an amazing look into Native American culture and history through museums, shops, and shows. Live demonstrations at Oconaluftee Indian Village will show visitors what life was like in an 18th century Cherokee village, and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian will teach about the history of the Cherokee Nation in the region.

Cherokee is located at the doorstep of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so it’s situated in some beautiful natural settings and also serves as a great jumping point for exploring the park.

10. Chimney Rock

Located in Hickory Nut Gorge just beneath the towering hulk of Chimney Rock Mountain is Chimney Rock Village, a charmingly quirky town with plenty of shops, hotels, restaurants, bars, and services.

Chimney Rock State Park is a huge draw for visitors, and the entrance to this beautiful park is laughably easy to find, as it’s located right on Main Street in town.

The park features some amazing rock formations, including the one that gives it its name, as well as some great opportunities for rock climbing or hiking to the top of Chimney Rock, where some spectacular views can be found of nearby Lake Lure and the surrounding area.

Not much of a hiker? No problem, because an elevator inside the mountain can lift visitors up to the top of Chimney Rock, so no one has to miss out on the view.