·        Coastal Area: The eastern coastal area of North Carolina offers the opportunity to explore southern culture and history, as in historic Edenton, a restored city with its beautiful 18^th-century buildings to the Museum of Albemarle which tells the story of eastern North Carolina from the Indian history to the settlers and the beautiful old town of Bath. Along the central coast are opportunities to visit growing towns, East Coast University, and historic Beaufort as well as New Berne which is rich in colonial history. The southern coast is very diverse. It has amazing beauty coming from Wilmington and the string of islands right off the coast, the Outer Banks.  The southern coast offers ‘everything water’ from ferry boat rides and parasailing to fishing and boating. Golfing along the coast is a big draw as well as the many festivals offered in this water-based area.

·        Piedmont Area: “Piedmont” is a French word meaning “foot of the mountains.” North Carolina’s Piedmont region is often referred to as the “the foothills.” It is also referred to as the “plateau” because it is high in elevation and it is flat. The Piedmont of North Carolina is between the coastal area and the mountainous region. It’s most eastern point is Goldsboro and it stretches to the west to Granite Falls. In the Piedmont you can visit the site of the first gold rush in the United States, fish or canoe in a 32-mile long lake, visit the first habitat zoo of America, or attend sports events from the NFL to a NASCAR race.

·        Mountainous Area: The western North Carolina mountains are serene and beautiful. From breath-taking fall colors to the gorgeous green spring time, the mountainous region of North Carolina has a great blend of adventures and solitude, city and country, old and new all year long! Riding along the Blue Ridge Parkway, visiting the biggest estate in the United States, the Biltmore Estate, enjoying the shops of Ashville, or just hiking, the mountains of North Carolina are pleasing to every type of person.

 

Every region of North Carolina has something to offer. Take a look at the hotels and accommodations offered across the state.

o       Adventure-Bound Campgrounds is located in Kitty Hawk, NC and offers a place for primitive camping.

o       Beachcomber Campground is just 1.2 miles from a life-guarded beach. It has electric and water hook-ups and fully equipped bathrooms.

o       Cape Hatteras KOA in Rodanthe, NC has 280 RV sites, 36 tent sites, and 37 Cabins. It has water, electric and sewer as well as a hot tub, indoor pool and outdoor tub. Charge is between $36.00 and $83.00

o       Carolina Beach State Park covers 712 acres on Carolina Beach. It has 5 miles of hiking, boat docks and launch, and picnic areas. Small fee for camping.

o       Beachside Inn in Carolina Beach is a simple hotel right off the beach. Rooms start at $39.00.

o       Ameri-Stay Inn & Suites is a sixty-five room hotel in Wilmington, NC. Rooms are $74.00/night for double occupancy. It has complimentary breakfasts, heated indoor pool and hot tub.

o       Comfort Inn is located half way between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach. You can access 3 beaches and 3 museums from the hotel. Rates are from $70.00 to $80.00.

o       The Captain’s Landing offers water front accommodations on Ocracoke Island in North Carolina. It has suites, cottages and a penthouse. Rates go from off-season suites for $110.00/night to peak-season penthouse rates for $2250.00 

o       Tranquility Inn is located in Wilmington, NC. It is a big plantation-type bed and breakfast. Rates are from $95.00 for single occupancy to $150.00 for double occupancy with private bath.

o       Brunswick Inn Bed and Breakfast dates back to the 1800’s.  It is a 7,000 square foot Federal-style mansion overlooking the Cape Fear River. $179.00 for double occupancy.

o       Campgrounds and RV Parks: There are campgrounds and RV parks all around the Piedmont. They include:

§        Art’s RV Park in Fayetteville, NC

§        Birchwood RV Park in Durham, NC

§        Badin Lake Recreation Area in the Unwharrie National Forest of Troy, NC offers campsites,  hiking, swimming, boating, and hiking.

§        Camp Dixie is a Christian campsite in Fayetteville, NC, with a dining hall, basketball courts, ball fields, boating, and a playground.

§        Cane Creek Campground and RV Park located in Snow Camp, NC is on 80 acres and is located next to the Bass Mountain Music Camp. There is even a blue grass museum there.

o       AmeriSuites Hotels: AmeriSuites Hotels are dispersed across the Piedmont region, with three in Charlotte, two in Raleigh, one in Morrisville and one in Greensboro. The suites run about $89.00/night. Each suite has a small refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker and offers a complimentary breakfast.

o       Atrium Inn: The Atrium Inn is newly renovated and is located right across the street from the Market in High Point, NC. It offers single rooms ranging from $75.00 to $89.00/night. 

o       Baymont and LaQuinta Inns and Suites: These accommodations, run by the same company, are in all three regions of North Carolina. Only one Baymont Inn and Suites is in the Piedmont Region. It offers single rooms or suites that run from $85.00 to $130.00.

o       Ashford Suites Hotel: Ashford Suites hotels are in Greensboro and High Point North Carolina. These hotels offer luxury amenities such as fireplaces in every suite, microwave, coffee maker and wet bar, in-suite safe, free high speed internet, fitness center, in-door pool, and even 2-person hot tubs in some of the suites.   Suites run between $100.00 and $200.00 a night. They also offer golf packages, honeymoon packages, and shopping packages.

o       Ballantyne Resort: This resort is among the finest of all Charlotte hotels and resorts. It won the AAA Four Diamond Award and its spa was rated in the Top 5 Spas of America. There is a 71-hole golf course, a spa with head-to-toe body care services, professional tennis and golf lessons, and elegant rooms. It is located on 2,000 acres of Ballantyne property which has a business park, shopping and dining, and the resort on it. The cost ranges from $179.00 to $219.00.

o       The Abbey Inn is located in Maggie Valley. You can look from your window and see five miles of mountainous peaks. It is convenient, just two miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway and not far from the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. You can stay any night, during any season for under $100.00. Rooms start at $39.00.

o       Apple Valley Travel Park in Henderson, NC is a campground offering bath houses with dining/recreation hall.

o       Brendle Branch Cabins are cabins located in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Murphy, NC. The cabins are located on 50 acres of beautiful mountainous landscape. They rent for around $450.00 per week and about $90.00 per night. They can be rented for single nights only during the months from November to May.

o       Quality Hotel in the Cherokee area is more like a chain hotel. Rooms go for $59.00 to $200.00.

o       1891 Cedar Crest Inn is a Victorian Bed and Breakfast located in beautiful Asheville. It is one of the most opulent residences surviving from the 1890’s boom period of Asheville. It is just 3 blocks from Biltmore Estates. Room rates range from $150.00 to $275.00.

o       Grove Park Inn Resort and Inn is one of the south’s most famous grand resorts. It was built in 1913 from granite stones mined from Sunset Mountain. It provides majestic views of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Rates are around $160.00 per night.

 

Sources:

www.visitnc.com

 

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-191501982-north_carolina_vacations-i

Wherever you stay, you are sure to find that Charlotte has become a major city in her own rights, offering as much as any large city does to her tourists.

 

Day One: Arrive early the first day and spend the day at Charlotte’s Paramount Carowinds, a 105-acre amusement and water park. After a long day at the park, head to the hotel for a rest and a change of clothes. Then go out for a laid-back dinner at Light Bites, on Trade Street, for small tastes of a great variety. Light Bites offers tapas type servings of things like dumplings, skewers, pastas, rice and spring rolls. Main courses range from $13.00-$20.00 for dinner. 

Day Two: Discovery Place is rated the #2 place to visit in Charlotte, after Carowinds. It is an amazing hands-on science center. Have lunch at the North Harbor Club Restaurant and Bar. It is rated one of Charlotte’s best lunch spots. It is located on North Tyrone Street. Then hit Victory Lane Karting on Tipton Dr. for some great go-carting experiences.  All of  these sites are north of town. Head back to the hotel for a rest before you head out for a night on the town. Have drinks at Shaken, not Stirred, a night spot located in Transamerica Square. Take in live alternative music at Tremont Music Hall or, if you’d rather have some laughs, try out Looking for Laughs for a great comedy show. You may want to call the comedy club ahead in case the show sells out.

Day Three: Day three will be spent downtown shopping and visiting museums. First take a walking tour of Charlotte, beginning at 330 South Tyrone Street. You’ll tour through a gorgeous Victorian neighborhood, Charlotte’s historic fourth ward district, and Charlotte’s Centre City area. This will give you a great handle on some of the history of the city. Then tackle some of the many museums and galleries downtown: The Levine Museum of the New South, Mint Museum of Craft Design, the Hayes George Gallery, and Brem House Artisians Gallery. Have lunch at Bistro 100 in the Bank of America Corporate Center or at Johnny Burrito’s on South Tyrone Street. Both are known for their excellent fare, French and Mexican, respectively. There’s Universal Shopping and Coliseum Shopping Center nearby and antique shops all around. Make sure you don’t leave Charlotte without a sit down meal at top-rated Portofino’s Italian Restaurant. You can choose one of two locations: 3124 Eastway Dr. and 2127 Ayrsley Town Boulevard. 

Whatever you end up actually doing on your trip to Charlotte, you are sure to have a fun, fulfilling time!

 

Sources: 

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-5251617-charlotte_convention_center_raleigh-i;_ylt=AgCwgs6oUm2KGw5QgKch1d.fFmoL?action=describe  

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/cityguides/charlotte/outonthetown.htm 

http://search.travel.yahoo.com/bin/search/map?nomaptip=1&yid=&ylat=&ylong=&yname=&yphone=&yaddress=&ycity=&ystate=&yurl=&clat=35.253953954954&clong=-80.852086513514&zoom=8&sid=2970059&pop=0&id=&pan_x=300&pan_y=400&.done=&.title=&cat=none&lodging_price=-1&dining_price=-1&cat=sightseeing&yp_search=&num_result=20 

·        Roanoke, VAis the largest metropolitan location on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  It is known as the “Capital of the Blue Ridge.” Even though this is not a North Carolina address, this is a good starting point because there is an airport in this city, so you can fly in or drive in. You’ll want to start your fabulous vacation in this historical, cultural and recreational center. It has the largest number of restaurants per capita in Virginia! You must visit the Historic Farmers’ Market district, Center in the Square, the Transportation Museum, the Zoo, Explore Park, and Caverns. Well, this might be a little too much to accomplish in a 36-hour period, so you might have to choose your favorite options!

·        Virginia/North Carolina State Line: You’ll cross into North Carolina after a beautiful drive of about 90 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

·        Sparta, North Carolinawill be thirteen miles past the state line. Stop at the Alleghany county Visitor Center in downtown Sparta.  You can visit Cumberland Knob where the construction of the Parkway first began. It is a favorite recreation area to visitors. You’ll love the lazy feel of this old town—a sure change from the fast pace you usually experience. Meander along the world’s second oldest river, The New River. For a rare experience, stay at a renovated farm house, Bald Knob Farm House in Sparta. Its setting is absolutely breathtaking while the interior is full of antiques and brings you back in time. The reasonable cost, $75.00/night for double occupancy makes it an especially fun experience!

 

·        Hickory, North Carolinawill be your next stop along the magnificent Parkway. After a good home-cooked meal at Bald Knob Farm House, head out on your spectacular path.  Make sure you leisurely drive the Parkway and stop at some of the pull-off spots for the views. You’ll drive around 50 miles and arrive at the foot of the Smokey Mountains. Hickory is known for some of the finest furniture crafting in America, so you’ll want to window shop a little.  If you find something you really like, you can always have it shipped home! Hickory is also surrounded by a 20 mile lake, so there are beautiful views.

·        Boone, North Carolinawill be a short drive away and a great stop for lunch. Boone is one of the highest points on the Appalachian Trail. Have lunch at Pepper’s Restaurant which offers a wide menu of American fare. As you head out, make sure you stop at Blowing Rock, an immense cliff 4,400 feet above sea level overhanging John’s River Gorge, 3,000 feet below. It is one of North Carolina’s oldest travel attractions. Linville Caverns are also in the area if this is of interest to you. The caverns are North Carolina’s only caverns and lie deep within Humpback Mountain. Linville Caverns remain active as mineral deposits and still form stalactites and stalagmites. An amazing site to behold.

·        Chimney Rock, North Carolina will be another 90 or so miles south on Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a must-see site! If you really want to see North Carolina in all her beauty, stop at Chimney Rock for an unbelievable 75 mile view and trails to 404 feet! A waterfall, Hickory Nut Falls, awaits your viewing and you can take a 26-story elevator inside a mountain. Plan to stay at the Chimney Rock Inn. It is definitely an inn with country flair and few amenities, but the large front porch with sunset views makes it worth the stay. There are Jacuzzis too! While in the area, you may want to visit nearby Lake Lure. The National Geographic magazine called Lake Lure “one of the most beautiful man-made lakes in the world.” Eat dinner in Lake Lure’s Lakeview Restaurant. It offers upscale casual dining in a fine dining atmosphere. While you eat, enjoy the view of Lake Lure and majestic Bald Mountain. Thursday morning before you depart, take a long hike on one of the many trails through the mountains around you.

·        Ashevilleis your final destination on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  You will spend the rest of your vacation in Asheville. After all that driving you will be happy to stay put for a while! End your vacation a “step up” from the rest by staying in Asheville’s Grove Park Inn and Spa, one of the South’s most famous grand resorts. It was built in 1913 from granite stone mined from Sunset Mountain and it overlooks Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The old world charm and southern hospitality of the Inn will make you feel like nobility, but when you partake of their 40,000 foot spa nestled under the Inn, you won’t know what to do with yourself! You won’t want to leave! But don’t stay indoors the whole time, because you have a lot of activities and sites to do and see.

o       The Biltmore Inn is one of the highlights of Asheville. America’s largest home, the 19^th-century mansion lies on 8,000 acres of beautifully landscaped acreage with a winery. The home boasts 250 rooms, 65 fireplaces, an indoor pool and bowling alley! They offer various events like the Festival of Flowers in the spring and Candlelight Christmas Evenings.

o       The North Carolina Arboretum has gardens which reflect the Appalachian culture, trails and bonsai trees.

o       The Folk Art Center will give you a taste of the area as you view the handicrafts of the locals. It is the home of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. You may even enjoy some of the daily craft demonstrations!

o       The Great Smokey Mountains Railway will give you scenic train rides over valleys, through tunnels, and across rivers.

o       Asheville’s Urban Trail is a historic walking tour through Asheville that will highlight some of the city’s heritage through story and art.

o       Dining options are vast and varied. Here are just a few of the great choices: 

Westville Pub is a smoke-free pub and restaurant with great beer and wine lists and homemade regional and international fare.

Earth Fare Café is a great all-natural option. Besides salads and sandwiches, it has a great juice bar for freshly made juices.

Boathouse Restaurant is Asheville’s only water-front dining experience. It offers fresh seafood.

Grove Park Inn’s Horizons matches the grandeur and elegance of the Inn itself and offers and incredible view.

Café on the Square is in the heart of historic Asheville. The menu changes seasonally.

Sorrento d’Italia is a charming European style restaurant known for its romantic ambiance.