OT - Trip to North Carolina

[NYC_HUSKY22]

Hi All,

So, my folks bought a second home in the Raleigh / Durham area and myself and the girlfriend booked a week long trip in early September. Really just looking for a chance to get out of the hustle and bustle for a little while.

I have been to NC a handful of times before but I was really hoping to get some advice on places to go / see / eat / etc.

Right now we're planning on flying into Raleigh - spending the first two nights there, then go visit my sister in Asheville (likely go to some breweries (wicked weed, new Belgium and the like) and go hiking - not necessarily in that order.) I did an internship training at UNC Chapel Hill back in 2009 and would like to go visit again. But, we have a lot of days to fill with activities and i'm drawing a blank.


Anyone from the area or have any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Northbound]

We just did the Blue Ridge - we just needed to bail out of NYC for a bit in May and took 2 weeks to do that road. It was great and I'll go and do a ton of side trips.

Asheville's a good town - my wife being born and raised in Manhattan thought that people there we're trying a bit too hard to be unique, but we had a good time there - but regardless - good food, music and drink there.

If you have a decent rental and in the western part of the state - NC 209 (The Rattler) or the Tail of the Dragon are big destinations for many car folks.

 

[NightDog]

Check out the Biltmore estate in Asheville. Pretty much akin to going to Newport. They have a great tour of the mansion and winery. There is a wine tasting area...if memory serves me...no, it doesn't, we got loaded. Glad my in-laws were with us.

 

[pj]

North Carolina beaches are nice.

 

[intlzncster]

Taking the requisite dumps at Cameron and the Dean Smith Center go without saying. Preferably on center court.

 

[methodology]

Be sure to pack plenty of UConn gear for your trip

 

[NYC_HUSKY22]

@intlzncster I'll make sure to take a trip to BOTH Bojangles and Cook out before I head over there.

 

[RM99]

I live in NC, sure do miss Connecticut, but there are beautiful areas to explore. You will not be leaving any hustle or bustle if you stay in the Raleigh/Drham area. Asheville is beautiful. Take the trolley to learn the history. Well worth it. The Biltmore Estate is a must. The NC beaches are beautiful. Especially in the fall when the crowds are gone. We live very close to Oak Island and prefer that to the Outer Banks but both are beautiful. Visiting Duke and UNC make you realize how short sighted UCONN was in building the football stadium away from campus. I suggest you don't even go there because it will make you jealous of their facilities...but only of the facilities. Eating fresh fish around the beaches and Bar BQ in the mountains. Try the Daniel Boone Inn for good food served family style. Boone is is a nice area if you are near there. Enjoy!

 

[huskiesNhoos]

How old are you guys that are recommending the Biltmore? I lived in Chapel Hill for 6 years, visited Ashville a handle full of times and that was the most boring thing ever. We went during xmas so they had all the lights up which was cool, but the second we stepped inside I fell asleep standing up. There are way more interesting things to do around asheville...hell just visit all the breweries. There's a company called brews cruise that buses you around to like 3 or 4 breweries and tours Highland, and gives you more than enough samples to get you drunk.

Don't miss all the breakfast spots. Tupelo honey cafe is a popular one, but my favorite is this small place called sunshine or Sunnyside cafe or something like that.

Edit: it's sunny point cafe

 

[huskiesNhoos]

O and going in another direction...if you're outdoorsy, consider checking out the white water center by Charlotte. Hiking, mountain biking, ropes course, rafting, kayaking etc. Makes for a fun exhausting day. Could then hang out around the epicenter at night for real good food and cool bars

 

[HuskyFich]

I live in Wilmington. Beaches, beers, college broads.

 

[White Dwarf]

I live in Wilmington. Beaches, beers, college broads.

I'm in Monkey Junction. High five.

NC beaches are the best on the east coast imo. Hit the Outer Banks if time permits.

 

[UConn94]

I live in Charlotte and was just up at the relatively new Sierra Nevada East Coast Brewery. Highly recommend a visit there since you will be up that way.

Taproom | www.sierranevada.com

 

[mauconnfan]

If you're going there to get a degree just go to the pubs and have someone do your work for you!

 

[Baltic]

Hi All,

So, my folks bought a second home in the Raleigh / Durham area and myself and the girlfriend booked a week long trip in early September. Really just looking for a chance to get out of the hustle and bustle for a little while.

I have been to NC a handful of times before but I was really hoping to get some advice on places to go / see / eat / etc.

Right now we're planning on flying into Raleigh - spending the first two nights there, then go visit my sister in Asheville (likely go to some breweries (wicked weed, new Belgium and the like) and go hiking - not necessarily in that order.) I did an internship training at UNC Chapel Hill back in 2009 and would like to go visit again. But, we have a lot of days to fill with activities and i'm drawing a blank.


Anyone from the area or have any suggestions?

Thanks!

I live on the coast, south of Wilmington in Southport. One fact to keep in mind is that NC is quite a bit larger than CT, 550 miles long and almost 200 miles wide. No way you can do justice to the mountains and beaches in a week.

Sounds like your family ties will take you towards the mountains. Smokey Mountain National Park has hiking, including the Appalachian Trail. Cherokee is the town at the entrance to the Park (free). Has an Indian Casino and quite a few tourist type activities including rafting.

The Pisgah National Forest also has some great hiking. A little more remote and night life is non existent.

 

[John]

I heard they give out degrees in Chapel Hill if you have a sweet J. Might want to check it out if you're in the neighborhood and have some skillz.

 

[kbdiggity]

North Carolina beaches are nice.

And early September is a great time to hit the beaches, as the big crowds have all left after Labor Day.

 

[kbdiggity]

Hi All,

So, my folks bought a second home in the Raleigh / Durham area and myself and the girlfriend booked a week long trip in early September. Really just looking for a chance to get out of the hustle and bustle for a little while.

I have been to NC a handful of times before but I was really hoping to get some advice on places to go / see / eat / etc.

Right now we're planning on flying into Raleigh - spending the first two nights there, then go visit my sister in Asheville (likely go to some breweries (wicked weed, new Belgium and the like) and go hiking - not necessarily in that order.) I did an internship training at UNC Chapel Hill back in 2009 and would like to go visit again. But, we have a lot of days to fill with activities and i'm drawing a blank.


Anyone from the area or have any suggestions?

Thanks!

-if you do go back to Chapel Hill, the basketball museum is a must visit. It is pretty amazing. If you are lucky, you might catch sight of one of the legendary pick-up games featuring the pros and retired Tar Heels.

-in Charlotte you might be able to catch Cam and the Panthers play. There is also a new bar that opened that has classic arcade/NES/Sega games. The Whitewater Center should be reopened by then. There is also always races going on at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the dirt track. Just south of Charlotte is Carowinds, a big amusement park with a water park and some record breaking new roller coaster (I think it's called Fury.)

-there are great golf courses all over the state

-in the mountains, I'm a big fan of Grandfather Mountain for hiking and scenic views. There are also some good places for guided cave tours. Boone, NC is also where you will find your best weed.

-the beaches are great. It just really depends on how much you want to drive. If you are willing to put in a couple extra hours, the Outer Banks are great. They aren't going to be around forever, so enjoy them while you can. Surfing, kite boarding, and wind sailing are all better at OBX beaches compared to places like Wilmington. However the surf also may be too rough for some who just want to casually float around in the ocean. There is a big WW2 battleship you can tour in Wilmington, and it is supposedly haunted.

 

[kbdiggity]

Oooh, and check with the Hornets website to see if they have anything planned. It's probably too early for preseason stuff, but maybe they have some community outreach stuff planned and you can go meet Kemba.

 

[UconnFanNVa]

If you go to the outer Banks hit up ducks donuts!

 

[HuskyFich]

Oooh, and check with the Hornets website to see if they have anything planned. It's probably too early for preseason stuff, but maybe they have some community outreach stuff planned and you can go meet Kemba.

I'll tell you something you can't do...but all star game tickets

 

[NYC_HUSKY22]

Wow! Didn't expect such a great response - thank you all for the input thus far!

We're both in our late 20's - and my folks will be back in CT. We plan on spending the first night in Raleigh, then head out west (Asheville). Does anyone have any good places to go out to eat in Raleigh? I'd really love to get some local BBQ while we're down there.

 

[kbdiggity]

I'll tell you something you can't do...but all star game tickets

Oh I'm fully aware. We are doing everything we can to get our jackass Governor and his cronies tossed out in the election this November. If we're lucky, maybe we'll get the 2019 All Star game once our voters elect a new Governor and he immediately vetoes HB2.

 

[Baltic]

Wow! Didn't expect such a great response - thank you all for the input thus far!

We're both in our late 20's - and my folks will be back in CT. We plan on spending the first night in Raleigh, then head out west (Asheville). Does anyone have any good places to go out to eat in Raleigh? I'd really love to get some local BBQ while we're down there.

Be warned the local BBQ is pulled pork prepared with vinegar and white sauce. Although good, it's not quite like Memphis, St. Louis or Texas. There are good pits throughout the State just make sure you're getting what you want.

 

[huskiesNhoos]

Wow! Didn't expect such a great response - thank you all for the input thus far!

We're both in our late 20's - and my folks will be back in CT. We plan on spending the first night in Raleigh, then head out west (Asheville). Does anyone have any good places to go out to eat in Raleigh? I'd really love to get some local BBQ while we're down there.

Downtown go to the pit. Awesome BBQ and it's family style so starve yourself for a day or so and eat as much as possible

Lucky 32 was another one of my favorites. Real good for brunch too.

Hit up Glenwood Ave for all kinds of bars, and if you want a chill spot with a crap ton of beers on tap hit up flying saucer (get some pretzels there too). Raleigh times, busy bee, Oxford, landmarke are just a couple spots we used to hit up