Living in North Carolina means having endless weekend adventures right at your doorstep. From the misty peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the sandy shores of the Outer Banks, this state packs so much variety into its borders that you could spend years exploring and still find new hidden gems. As someone who’s crisscrossed the state countless times, I’ve discovered that each region offers its own unique flavor of Southern charm – whether it’s a cozy mountain town, a bustling city, or a quiet coastal escape.
I’ve rounded up 15 of the best weekend getaways across North Carolina, perfect for when you need a quick escape from the daily grind. These spots are all within driving distance of major cities like Charlotte, Raleigh, and Asheville, making them ideal for those precious two-day breaks. From budget-friendly outdoor adventures to laid-back cultural experiences, there’s something here for every type of traveler.
Think of this list as your weekend road trip cheat sheet – tested, approved, and ready to help you make the most of your precious time off. Whether you’re a longtime local or new to the Tar Heel State, these destinations might just become your new favorite escapes.
- Best mountain escape: Asheville
- Underrated coastal town: Southport
- Best for families: Grandfather Mountain
- Best for couples: Beaufort
- Best for outdoor lovers: Cherokee
- Best small-town charm: New Bern
Asheville, North Carolina
Experience the artsy mountain vibe of Asheville, where the Blue Ridge Mountains meet creative culture. The downtown area is packed with local art galleries, craft breweries, and indie music venues that give this small city its unique personality. Take a tour of the grand Biltmore Estate, America’s largest private residence, where you can explore 250 rooms and sprawling gardens. For outdoor adventures, drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway or hike the nearby trails. When you’re hungry, stop by one of the many farm-to-table restaurants or food trucks that make Asheville a favorite spot for foodies. The River Arts District, with its converted warehouse studios, lets you watch artists at work and maybe pick up an original piece to take home.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
The Outer Banks stretches along 200 miles of North Carolina’s coast, where barrier islands create a natural boundary between the Atlantic Ocean and the mainland. Unlike many beach destinations in the Southeast, these islands maintain their wild, untamed character. You’ll find lighthouses dotting the coastline, wild horses roaming the beaches, and colorful beach houses perched on stilts above the sand. Thanks to its unique position jutting out into the Atlantic, the Outer Banks played a crucial role in early American history – it’s where the Wright brothers first took flight, and where countless shipwrecks earned the area the nickname “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” Between the fishing villages, sand dunes, and quiet beaches, you’ll understand why generations of families have made this their go-to summer escape.
Wilmington, North Carolina
Visitors head to Wilmington for its historic riverfront downtown along the Cape Fear River, but this coastal gem offers much more than just waterfront charm. The area features three nearby beach towns – Wrightsville, Carolina, and Kure Beach – making it perfect for those who want to mix city exploring with beach time. While the filming locations from “One Tree Hill” and “Dawson’s Creek” draw TV fans year-round, you’ll find plenty to do beyond Hollywood tours. From touring the World War II battleship USS North Carolina to strolling through Airlie Gardens’ 67 acres of coastal gardens, Wilmington keeps visitors busy in every season.
Bald Head Island, North Carolina
I first discovered Bald Head Island during a spontaneous weekend escape in 2019. Nestled off the coast of North Carolina, this car-free paradise sits at the confluence of the Cape Fear River and Atlantic Ocean. The island’s 14 miles of beaches wrap around maritime forests and salt marshes, while its charming collection of beach homes dots the landscape. Old Baldy, North Carolina’s oldest standing lighthouse, rises above the tree line on the island’s western edge, offering visitors a glimpse into the island’s maritime history. Golf carts and bicycles rule the roads here, creating a laid-back atmosphere that makes you forget about the mainland’s hustle just a 20-minute ferry ride away.
Boone, North Carolina
Have you ever watched snow fall on the Blue Ridge Mountains while sipping hot apple cider? That’s just another Monday in Boone, a charming mountain town tucked away in North Carolina’s High Country. Named after American pioneer Daniel Boone, this college town sits at 3,333 feet above sea level, making it a perfect escape from summer heat and a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. You can hit the slopes at nearby Appalachian Ski Mountain, trek along the famous Appalachian Trail, or browse the local shops and cafes that line King Street. The town is also home to Grandfather Mountain State Park, where you can walk across the Mile High Swinging Bridge and spot black bears in their natural habitat.
Cherokee, North Carolina
Cherokee sits at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, serving as both a gateway to outdoor adventure and a center of Native American heritage. The town is home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, who have lived in these mountains for generations, and visitors can explore this rich culture at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and Oconaluftee Indian Village. While many come to Cherokee to try their luck at Harrah’s Casino, the area offers much more – from tubing down the Oconaluftee River to hiking the nearby mountain trails. Year-round events like the Cherokee Indian Fair and seasonal pow wows give travelers a chance to experience authentic Native American traditions, while the Unto These Hills outdoor drama shares the compelling story of the Cherokee people.
Lake Lure, North Carolina
Ever wondered where they filmed “Dirty Dancing”? The iconic lake lift scene happened right here at Lake Lure, a charming mountain retreat nestled in western North Carolina’s Hickory Nut Gorge. Just 27 miles from Asheville, this laid-back lake town offers the perfect mix of water activities and mountain adventures. You can spend your mornings paddling across the clear waters, take afternoon hikes through the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, or simply unwind at the beach where Baby and Johnny practiced their famous dance moves. The Lake Lure Inn, which housed the film’s cast during shooting, still welcomes guests who want a taste of Hollywood history mixed with small-town mountain charm.
Cool Fact:
Movie buffs might recognize Lake Lure as the filming location for the iconic dance scenes in “Dirty Dancing,” where Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze practiced their lifts in the water back in 1987. The lake itself was actually man-made in 1927 when a dam was built across the Broad River, creating what would become one of North Carolina’s most beloved summer getaway spots.
New Bern, North Carolina
Ever heard of America’s first capital of North Carolina? That’s New Bern, a charming coastal town where two rivers meet, creating one of the prettiest waterfronts in the state. The birthplace of Pepsi-Cola still serves up fizzy drinks at the original pharmacy where the beverage was invented in 1898. Walking through the historic downtown feels like stepping into a living museum, complete with colonial-era homes and the grand Tryon Palace, which tells the tale of the city’s days as the colonial capital. You can paddle along the Neuse and Trent rivers, spot black bears at the nearby Croatan National Forest, or simply relax at one of the waterfront restaurants where fresh seafood and Southern hospitality come together naturally.
Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Among North Carolina’s mountain towns, Blowing Rock stands out as a charming escape that feels pulled straight from a storybook. This small town, perched at 4,000 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains, draws visitors with its mix of outdoor adventure and small-town comfort. The downtown streets are lined with local shops and cozy restaurants, while the surrounding wilderness offers hiking trails that wind through dense forests and past rocky overlooks. The town’s namesake, The Blowing Rock, is a cliff where the winds blow so strong that light objects tossed over the edge sometimes float back up. It’s not a destination that tries to be flashy or modern – instead, it leans into its natural charm and mountain heritage, making it perfect for travelers who want to slow down and soak in the fresh mountain air.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Many travelers come to Chapel Hill for the University of North Carolina, but this charming college town offers much more than just academia. The historic Franklin Street corridor serves as the heart of the community, lined with local shops, cafes, and restaurants that showcase the area’s food scene. While college basketball games at the Dean Smith Center draw crowds during season, visitors can also explore the North Carolina Botanical Garden or catch performances at Memorial Hall throughout the year. The surrounding area offers scenic walking trails and quiet parks, perfect for those looking to escape the bustle of campus life, while the town’s mix of Southern hospitality and collegiate energy creates an atmosphere that appeals to both students and weekenders alike.
Highlands, North Carolina
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains at 4,118 feet, Highlands is one of those special places that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a different world. This small mountain town sits in a forest-covered plateau where waterfalls seem to appear around every bend, and hiking trails lead to views that make you forget you’re just a few hours from major cities. The downtown area is lined with local shops and restaurants housed in historic buildings, where you can spend hours browsing antique stores or sipping coffee at cozy cafes. It’s not your typical mountain getaway – the town manages to blend outdoor adventure with an unexpectedly sophisticated arts and dining scene. Whether you’re exploring the nearby Nantahala National Forest or attending one of the regular performances at the Highlands Playhouse, you’ll quickly understand why people have been retreating to this mountain haven for over a century.
Did you know?
At 4,118 feet above sea level, the mountain town of Highlands sits perched higher than any other incorporated town east of the Mississippi River. This small North Carolina gem earns its name honestly – the elevation creates a cool microclimate where you can escape summer heat waves and find snow in winter when nearby lowland areas stay completely dry.
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Just under 90 minutes west of Raleigh lies Winston-Salem, a city where old-world charm meets modern Southern living. Like other North Carolina cities, Winston-Salem has its collection of restaurants, shops, and cultural venues. But what sets it apart is how seamlessly it weaves together its tobacco-trading past with its artistic present. Walk through the restored 18th-century buildings of Old Salem, where costumed interpreters still practice traditional Moravian crafts, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Thanks to the city’s deep roots in both industry and education, Winston-Salem developed a unique blend of working-class grit and academic refinement, visible in everything from its craft breweries housed in former tobacco warehouses to its prestigious School of the Arts.
Brevard, North Carolina
Tucked away in western North Carolina, about 45 minutes south of Asheville, lies the small town of Brevard. Like other mountain towns in the region, Brevard offers hiking trails, waterfalls, and scenic views. But what sets this place apart is its unusual population of white squirrels, which you’ll spot scampering around the historic downtown streets and throughout the Brevard College campus. Thanks to its location near Pisgah National Forest, Brevard has become a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, with locals and visitors pedaling along mountain bike trails and climbing up granite faces. The town’s deep roots in music shine through during the Brevard Music Festival, where classical tunes have filled the summer air since 1936.
Durham, North Carolina
Many travelers come to Durham for Duke University’s beautiful Gothic architecture, but this North Carolina city offers much more than just college charm. The former tobacco town has evolved into a foodie destination, with its historic warehouses now housing craft breweries, coffee roasters, and some of the South’s most talked-about restaurants. Between meals, visitors can explore the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, catch a Durham Bulls baseball game, or dive into the local arts scene at the 21c Museum Hotel. While the American Tobacco Historic District draws crowds for its shops and entertainment, you’ll find plenty of quiet spots along the Eno River State Park’s hiking trails just outside the city center.
Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
Ever watched surfers catch perfect waves while pelicans dive for their dinner? That’s just another day at Wrightsville Beach, a laid-back coastal haven just east of Wilmington. This family-friendly beach town offers some of the clearest waters along North Carolina’s coast, where you can try your hand at paddleboarding through quiet marshlands or join the locals for some world-class surfing. The historic Crystal Pier stretches into the Atlantic, giving you front-row seats to spectacular sunrise views, while the nearby Loop – a 2.45-mile fitness trail – lets you take in the coastal scenery at your own pace. You’ll find locally-owned seafood spots serving up fresh catches, and beach bars where you can sip cocktails with your toes in the sand.
Did You Know This Fact?
Did you know that Wrightsville Beach was where surfing first took off on the East Coast back in 1909, when a local beach lover brought the sport over from Hawaii? Today, this laid-back beach town still draws surfers from all over to catch waves at spots like Crystal Pier, making it a key part of North Carolina’s surf culture.
