Day Trips
Charlotte is ideally positioned between the coast and the mountains. Several popular destinations in the mountains can be reached within a two or three-hour drive, and the beaches near Charleston, S.C., can be reached in a little more than three hours. Below are some resources to help you plan a delightful day trip.
Cool Off in the Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains offer much to see and do – hiking, camping, biking, sightseeing, shopping and more.
Biltmore Estate, Asheville, N.C. – America’s largest home is just a short drive away. While visiting the Biltmore Estate be sure to see the gardens, winery, restaurants and shops.
Blue Ridge Parkway, N.C. – This scenic stretch of highway makes for a perfect Sunday drive.
Chimney Rock Park, Chimney Rock, N.C. – Pack a picnic and head to this park which offers hiking trails for all ages, a 404-foot waterfall, a variety of special events and much more.
Grandfather Mountain, Linville, N.C. – This is the highest peak in the Blue Ridge mountain range, a subrange of the Appalachians.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, N.C. and Tenn. – “America’s most visited national park”
Pisgah National Forest, N.C. – Pisgah is the home of Cold Mountain, the setting for the eponymous best-selling novel by Charles Frazier. Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the Appalachian chain, lies just outside Pisgah’s boundary.
Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock, N.C. –
“A place for old-fashioned fun”
Educational Days
Spice up learning with expeditions to historic locations. These trips will expand your knowledge while a great time is had by all.
Linville Caverns, Linville, N.C.
– Explore the inside of a mountain. The caverns present naturally-formed underground art and carvings made by flowing water.
Reed Gold Mine, Midland, N.C.
– This is the site of the first documented gold find in the United States.
Old Salem, Winston-Salem, N.C. – America’s most comprehensive history attraction.
Historic Brattonsville, McConnells, S.C. – This attraction offers a step back into the 18th and 19th century lifestyles of our early settlers and the workings of a southern plantation.
Lost Colony, Roanoke Island, N.C. –
America’s longest running outdoor drama chronicles the mysterious fate of the first colonists of Roanoke Island.
Wildlife
A day at the zoo will open your eyes to new creatures and the ways of the wild.
North Carolina Zoological Park, Asheboro, N.C. –
Take a stroll through this zoo with 500 acres of animals in their natural habitats. The N.C. Zoological Park features everything from polar bears to local endangered species.
Riverbanks Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens, Columbia, S.C. –
If animals aren’t your thing, how about 70 acres of beautiful vegetation? They have it all.
Must-See Cities
Offering more than a full day of fun, these cities are sure to provide all you are looking for when it comes to shopping, exploring, learning or simply relaxing.
Charleston, S.C. – Downtown Charleston offers numerous tours of the historic homes and cemetaries, as well as dining, shopping and entertainment. Nearby are numerous beaches and resorts for playing in the sand and surf.
Myrtle Beach, S.C. – The Myrtle Beach area offers dozens of beaches and hundreds of entertainment options.
The Village of Pinehurst, N.C. –
Of course, golfers will think Pinehurst is heaven on earth. But even non-golfers can enjoy a day relaxing at the resort.
For more resources to plan an excursion, visit the N.C. Division of Tourism and the S.C. Division of Tourism.
