10 Incredible Vacation Spots In North Carolina
North Carolina, a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, is a top vacation destination whether you're planning a weekend getaway or an extended stay with family or friends. With diverse towns and its Southern hospitality, the state guarantees a comfortable and memorable visit. From its nature to its delicious cuisine, a trip to The Old North State is just the place to go to have an incredible vacation experience.
Raleigh
Being the state’s capital comes with having a jam-packed number of activities for all ages and interests, making Raleigh a must-visit when in North Carolina.
Raleigh has a lot of hiking trails to immerse yourself in the town’s nature, and they come in different difficulties to accommodate all hiking levels. One of the more beginner-friendly trails is the Neuse River Trail, a 27.5-mile paved greenway that follows the Neuse River and is perfect for walking, running, or biking. With beautiful river views, picnic areas, and plenty of shade, it’s ideal for children and pets. For hikers looking for a bit more of a challenge, the Company Mill Trail at Umstead State Park is a 5.8-mile loop that takes you through shaded woods, across creeks, and past the historic remains of an old mill. The trail has some elevation changes and uneven terrain, making it great for intermediate hikers or those wanting to break a sweat while staying close to Raleigh.
The capital also has a lot of museums discussing different topics, most of them with no entry fee. If you’re interested in discovering captivating art, the North Carolina Museum of Art and the Contemporary Art Museum are excellent picks. For a more historical and educational visit, the North Carolina Museum of History, the Sports Hall of Fame, and the City of Raleigh Museum have it all. Raleigh also has North Carolina’s most visited museum, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
Raleigh has delectable restaurants all around town representing different cuisines. Some of the top-rated ones are the Barcelona Wine Bar, Beasley's Chicken & Honey, Brewery Bhavana, and Longleaf Swine. When it comes down to where to stay, a lot of options provide a comfortable and pleasant stay like The Umstead Hotel and Spa, the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley, and the Heights House Hotel.
Garner
Located in Wake County, North Carolina, Garner brings a cozy and relaxing feel to your vacation. Garner immediately embraces you into its community and has a lot of different attractions around town.
Take a trip down Lake Benson on a Jon Boat, kayak, or canoe at Lake Benson Boathouse near Lake Benson Park. You can try your luck at fishing at the docks, and the park is the perfect place to lay out a blanket for a picnic or soak up the sun. The park also leads to numerous walking trails, and it is known to have different species of birds all around.
One of the best ways to experience local culture is to support local businesses and farmers, and farmers' markets are the perfect place to do just that. There are multiple options around Garner to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, handmade crafts, grab a bite of tasty food, and more, like Holl & Stone Farm Market and Garner Farmers Market & Flock Swap. Another place to help local craftsmen and sellers is in Historic Downtown Garner, a lively group of streets lined with cozy cafes, antique stores, restaurants, and boutiques.
For history enthusiasts, the Garner Depot and Museum takes you back in time to witness the growth of Garner and its prosperity. The depot, built in the 19th century, talks about Garner’s connection to the railroad, and was later restored into a museum to exhibit photographs, artifacts, and stories from the town’s past. This site teaches visitors about how different things were in the past.
Garner has a lot of places to stay during your visit including Wingate by Wyndham, Best Western Plus Edison Inn, and SpringHill Suites.
Salisbury
Salisbury is a city in the Piedmont region, and it is the county seat of Rowan County. Salisbury knows how to bring excitement to its attractions, and has a set of unique activities to do during your stay.
For adrenaline fanatics over 18, Piedmont Skydiving takes you flying through the sky in a tandem freefall with expert skydivers. Experience a new adventure like no other with an instructor who prioritizes your safety and comfort above all else, and catch a view of Salisbury from a literal bird’s-eye view.
Salisbury takes you back to the past with its music and performances, bringing back old musicals and adding their own charm and touch to them. The Meroney Theater, one of the two theaters under the local community theater Piedmont Players Theatre, has been a big name for entertainment in the town. With ten shows each season, actors perform famous musicals and plays like Peter Pan, Oklahoma!, James and the Giant Peach, and more.
Another way Salisbury showcases its history is aboard the historic trolley, a one-hour ride that takes you to popular film locations, restaurants, historic sites, and more.
Places to stay in Salisbury include Turn of the Century Victorian Bed and Breakfast, Hampton Inn Salisbury, and Courtyard by Marriott Salisbury.
Hickory
Hickory is a city in Catawba County in western North Carolina. The town goes by the motto “Life Well Created”, and that’s exactly what Hickory has done: create a calm and welcoming life for locals and visitors alike.
An exciting and fairly popular attraction is the Catawba Science Center, a 35,000 square foot museum that teaches people of all ages about animals, space, and sea creatures through games and exhibits. Go on a family trip with young ones and spend a full day exploring the different exhibits, and end the visit with a trip to the gift shop. Keep an eye out for activities and events that the museum sometimes hosts.
Hickory has multiple parks with breathtaking scenery, like Geitner Park, a beautiful family park by the Catawba River, a perfect opportunity to bond with nature. Other parks include Glenn C Hilton Jr. Memorial Park and Henry Fork River Park, both well-maintained and equally stunning.
A special event in Hickory that takes place annually is the Hickory Music Factory's "Swingin' Under the Stars", a project to spread creativity and talent throughout the community with music. Get ready to experience the power of music through different genres like jazz and rock, not only while watching performances, but also participating in workshops as well. A lot of local musicians attend the event to showcase their talents, which is a perfect way to support local talent.
Top rated hotels and inns to stay in at Hickory are Best Western Hickory, Hilton Garden Inn Hickory, and Crowne Plaza Hickory By IHG.
Fuquay-Varina
One of North Carolina’s towns with a laid-back and relaxing atmosphere is Fuquay-Varina, a town in southern Wake County.
Fuquay-Varina is known for its craft beers, and local breweries take pride in their drinks. Aviator Brewery has become a big name in the town, attracting many visitors from around the country. With a wide selection of beers, a great food menu, and live performances, the brewery quickly became a top-rated place to relax and unwind. Fainting Goat Brewing Company, The Mason Jar Lager Company, and Oaklyn Springs Taproom have also built reputations across town.
Varina is rich with history, and it’s all shown in the Fuquay-Varina Museums Complex, which consists of six unique museums: the First Fuquay Post Office, “Squire” Ballentine Schoolhouse, the Tobacco Barn, Johnson Playhouse, the Norfolk Southern Caboose #375, and the Centennial Museum. All six museums have free admission, and their opening times vary. There are group tours available for an in-depth explanation of the different exhibits by reservation.
From May through September, the town has a fun area for little ones in the summer heat. The Splash Pad, located in South Park, is a large area of water fun. With giant water buckets, water guns, and jets shooting out water, the Splash Pad is a full day of excitement. Make sure to bring snacks, towels, and bathing suits, and get ready to splash away.
Places to stay include Comfort Inn and Suites and Quality Inn Fuquay Varina.
Wilson
Wilson is the county seat of Wilson County, North Carolina, and it has a lovely set of activities to enjoy both indoors and outdoors.
Alongside its famous beers and barbeques, Wilson also has a gorgeous botanical garden. The Wilson Botanical Garden (WBG), which opened in 2003, shows a wide variety of plant species and offers educational programs for all ages. Children have a section of the garden made just for them with bright flowers and rain walls, transporting them to a magical field. WBG hosts online and in-person courses for all things gardening like seed collecting and flower arranging. A visit to WBG is educational, therapeutic, and calming, making it a perfect vacation destination.
A fun indoor activity in Wilson is the Imagination Station Science & History Museum in Downtown Wilson. True to its name, the museum teaches people of all ages about science and history through imaginative and innovative ways, offering an interactive experience to visitors. The museum has many exhibits like Science on a Sphere, Body-ology, The Journey to Wilson, and the Observation Hive.
Wilson has big-name restaurants and must-try inns like Parker’s Barbeque, Flo’s Kitchen, and Jack’s Restaurant. The best places to stay in Wilson are Hampton Inn Wilson Downtown, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Wilson-downtown by IHG, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Wilson, and Hampton Inn & Suites Wilson I-95.
Indian Trail
Indian Trail is a suburban town in Union County, North Carolina. Its name goes back to the Native American trading path that connected the Waxhaw and Catawba tribes, and the path’s name was the Indian Trading Path, now known as the Indian Trail.
The Wise Acres Organic Strawberry Farm is one of Indian Trail’s top destinations for berry and flower picking. Visits are by reservation, and there are fruits and flowers to pick all year long. The farm also offers dining options like pizza (reservation required) and Thai food. Make sure to check the farm’s website for precise dates for fruit picking and reservation information.
Some of the best and most comfortable hotels and inns to stay at are Quality Inn & Suites Matthews, Comfort Inn Matthews, and Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Matthews.
Holly Springs
Holly Springs is a city in Wake County known for its lush forests and welcoming community, nicknamed “The Town with a Heart”. Holly Springs’s nature is nothing short of jaw-dropping, and one of its most popular destinations is Bass Lake Park.
Bass Lake Park is a popular destination for both locals and visitors with its beautiful trails and water activities. Whether you’re looking for a casual stroll or a more serious hike, the park has many trails and paths to explore, and there are numerous picnic spots to relax and have a nice meal with friends or family, including right on the eponymous lake itself.
The Holly Springs Farmers' Market is another favorite for locals and tourists. Open every Saturday at 8 AM till noon, the market sells local honey, natural beauty products, fruits and vegetables, baked goods, and delicious home-cooked recipes for different months.
The Holly Springs Cultural Center is very much worth putting on the itinerary for a visit. The center is a place to appreciate different art forms and performances, and it attracts local and national artists with different performances. Depending on your visiting dates, you are more than likely going to catch a performance while staying at Holly Springs. From Jazz performances to stand up comedy, the center highlights the importance of art for its community.
The top two places to stay while in Holly Springs are Hampton Inn & Suites Holly Springs, Holiday Inn Express Holly Springs.
Monroe
Monroe, named after the fifth US president James Monroe, is a city in Union County. The town is known for its architecture, technological advancements, and that southern hospitality.
Monroe is a cozy and homey small town, and a walk down any of its streets is an experience of its own. One of its most scenic and beautiful areas is the Monroe Residential Historic Destination, a neighborhood with over 300 houses in different unique styles. From Victorian to Craftsman, this place is the perfect example of an early 20th century neighborhood, and it shows off the beautiful architecture and design of Monroe houses.
Despite its small-town feel, Monroe is quite advanced in technology and science, and it is showcased at the Monroe Science Center. The center has a lot of exhibits for different topics on everything science, including the Micro Eye Station, Water Table, Sand Table, and a Sensory Room for if things get too overwhelming in the main exhibit. The Center is more for children, but even adults will have a blast learning more about how things around us work.
Monroe has a few options on where to stay like Hampton Inn Charlotte/Monroe, Days Inn by Wyndham, Relax Inn Monroe, and Best Western Inn & Suites Monroe.
Goldsboro
Goldsboro, originally called Goldsborough, is the county seat of Wayne County with a lot of history and civil war significance. The Battle of Goldsborough Bridge took place in 1862 as part of the Union expedition to Goldsborough during the American Civil War, and the area is now open to the public as a museum and park. The trail takes you to eight historical markers and a monument highlighting key events in the battle. The Wilmington & Weldon Railroad Bridge, which was the Union army’s objective, is still well-preserved and open to visitors as well.
Be sure to check out Old Waynesborough Park, a historic village located on the site of Waynesborough, the town that Goldsboro was, before it became Goldsboro! The village has a school, doctor’s office, law office, and more, and although none of the buildings are original to the town, they still show the charm and beauty Waynesborough had in its heyday. In addition to the village, the park has a gorgeous river and a lot of walking trails, making this trip a full-day event of education and exercise.
The top-rated places to stay in Goldsboro are Holiday Inn Express & Suites Goldsboro - Base Area By IHG, Homewood Suites by Hilton Goldsboro, and Best Western Plus Goldsboro.
Visit North Carolina Today
North Carolina has the perfect balance of fun activities, historical monuments, educational museums, and breathtaking nature, making it a prime vacation destination. Whether you’re going on a trip with family, friends, or alone, there is an activity for everyone and for all ages in North Carolina’s towns.
