Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina, is conveniently located just about in the middle of the state. Just a few hours away from the ocean and beaches to the east. Or heading west, just a few hours away from the mountain and ski resorts. Add in all of the towns in between and there are lots of fun and exciting places to visit. So, hop in the car, fill it up with gas, and let’s hit the road. Here is my list of the best day trips from Raleigh, NC.
Day Trips From Raleigh: Hiking & Camping
Pilot Mountain State Park (Pinnacle, NC)
Located northwest of Raleigh, this state park is so popular that it fills up most weekends over the summer and they must start turning people away. At just over 2,000 feet, the mountain stands out amongst the landscape. This park includes 14 miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, horseback riding, fishing, and of course picnicking. There is a visitor center, tent sites, and RV sites for those who want to camp at the park. If you want to get to the summit without the hike, there is a $5 round trip ticket that will take you from the visitor center to the summit.
Great Dismal Swamp (Suffolk, VA)
Crossing the North Carolina and Virginia border, this swamp covers 113,000 acres. At one point in its history, it used to be more than a million acres of swamp. Now the swamp is a habitat for a large number of plants and animals. Some of the animals you’ll find among the 47 species of mammals, and 200 species of birds, include the Black Bear, Woodpecker, and Warbler. With more than 40 miles of trails to explore, you can go for a hike or take a self-guided driving tour. Also in the park is hunting, fishing, camping, and boating at the swamp. It’s also dog-friendly, so take the pups with you. The fee is only $5 per vehicle.
Chimney Rock State Park (Chimney Rock, NC)
One of the few state parks that has an elevator to take you up to the beautiful views near the top. The elevator gets you up to the Sky Lounge, where there is a gift shop and a little restaurant, as well as with some spectacular views. If you wanted to get your steps in, you can climb the 499 stairs to the top of the Outcroppings Trail or the 330 stairs to the top of Exclamation Point Trail. The very top area of the mountain that you can access is the top of the Exclamation Point Trail at 2,480 feet above sea level. Both of these trails boast incredible views with lookouts along the way.
If you ever wanted to brag that you were an expert on climbing stairs, then make sure you get a picture next to the flagpole at the top. Tickets are $17 for adults and $8 for children. If you plan on going often, an adult Annual Pass is only $32 in total. While you’re there, also make it a point to stop by the Animal Discovery Den to learn about the local animals that reside in the park.
Hanging Rock State Park (Danbury, NC)
About 30 miles from Winston-Salem, this 9,000+ acre state park includes hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, or rock climbing. If you want to stay longer, then consider the vacation cabins, tent sites, RV sites, and even showers. In the summer months, there is a bathhouse next to the lake which is open for swimming. There are also boat rentals, a concession stand, and lots of beautiful nature. There are 31 trails and five waterfalls within the park worth a visit. Trails range from a short 0.9-mile loop trail to a 7.4-mile one-way trip. Most trails are hiking only, but some allow for biking or horseback riding as well.
Grandfather Mountain (Sugar Mountain, NC)
In addition to the hiking trails, Grandfather Mountain is home to the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. The nature center is located halfway up the mountain and includes more than a dozen interactive exhibits. There is also a gift shop and a small restaurant inside as well. They also have some incredibly scenic drives if you didn’t want to hike, but still wanted the views. If you make it all of the way to the top of the mountain (you can drive it, and there is a parking lot there), you’ll find the top shop – another gift shop and a photo gallery.
The most talked about thing at Grandfather Mountain though is the Mile-High Bridge. It’s so named as it’s a mile above the ravine below. Using the elevator in the Top Shop, the bridge is handicap accessible as well. Tickets to the park range between $15 to $28 for adults and $9 to $10 for children.
Carvers Creek State Park (Spring Lake, NC)
Although one of the smaller parks with fewer activities, it’s also much less crowded and free. Located next to the Fort Bragg Military Base, this park covers 4,530 acres of Central North Carolina. Pets are allowed on the trails, but not in the buildings. There are essentially two parks in one with hiking, biking, and fishing at both. Trails range from a very easy 0.75-mile loop to a longer 4-mile trail. Every one of their trails is classified as easy, so if you’re not much of a hiker, any trail will likely suit you. Note that even though you’ll get to see the lake, swimming is not permitted.
Virginia Creeper Trail (Damascus, VA)
If you wanted to get out of the state, the Virginia Creeper Trail is within 4 hours but requires crossing two state lines. Now part of a conservatory, this state park has a 34.3-mile well-maintained trail. Often seen as a biking trail, plenty of hikers use it as well. Bike rentals are common in shops along the trail so you can bike the trail even without bringing your own bike. A shuttle will take you and your bike to a drop-off point along the trail then off you go. Parking is a breeze. With restrooms along the trail, it can make for a comfortable bike through the beautiful woods. They suggest that the average biker can complete the entire trail in about 5 hours. With only slight inclines/declines, the trail is not like a mountain biking trail, so it should be accessible to most.
Day Trips From Raleigh: Waves & Water
Outer Banks, NC
The Outer Banks is a collection of islands and shorelines off the coast of North Carolina. There are over 100 miles of it. When you think about the North Carolina coast, it’s hard not to think of the Outer Banks. Entire shows are based on it. Every one of the 25 towns and villages along the Outer Banks is a small town with locally-owned shops, restaurants, and services. You won’t find your big chain stores here.
Things to do on the Outer Banks include bird-watching, hiking, museums, boating, shopping, horseback riding, air tours, and more. If you like lighthouses, then check out the 6 located within the Outer Banks region. If you like parks, there are 12, including 4 wildlife refuges. There are also locations where herds of wild horses still run free.
Interested in more of North Carolina’s beaches? Check out 25+ best beaches in North Carolina!
Wrightsville Beach, NC
Touted as “North Carolina’s Most Accessible Beach,” it’s actually faster to get there than many of the closer beaches. Because Highway 40 runs just south of Raleigh and ends in Wrightsville Beach, it’s essentially just one road for most of the trip. With all of the typical water activities, it is reportedly one of the top surfing and paddle-boarding locations in the world. There are also shopping villages, museums and of course, cruises. Of course, there is lots of fresh seafood at nearly every restaurant, and a vibrant nightlight with plenty of bars and evening activities.
Lake Norman (Mooresville, NC)
The largest man-made body of fresh water in North Carolina, measuring 50 square miles of water and 520 miles of shoreline. Lake Norman was created to assist in electricity production, supporting three different power plants. Since it was built to cool down the electric plant, the lake is a lot warmer than most other lakes. The Lake Norman State Park has hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, and camping. There are plenty of places on the lake that will rent boats, jet skis, canoes, and other watercraft. During our trip to Lake Norman, we found a pet-friendly boat rental, and 6 of us, with 3 dogs took to the lake for the day. The lake is largest enough that you never feel crowded.
You can learn even more about our trip to Lake Norman and how to plan a lake weekend with your dog.
Day Trips From Raleigh: Shopping & Eating
Durham, NC
The home of Duke University, North Carolina Central University, and Duke University Hospital, and is part of the Research Triangle Park. So, this little town has a very diverse population and it shows. With the Durham Performing Arts Center hosting regular, nationally touring shows, it’s worth seeing what’s playing. There are dozens of restaurants, bars, and bakeries, you won’t go hungry exploring Durham. For those who want to go shopping, the Brightleaf District is two restored tobacco warehouses turned into a shopping area. Another shopping favorite is the Ninth Street District or the Rockwood District. Just hit up the two local malls; Streets at Southpoint or Northgate Mall. There is of course so much more to Durham; sports, museums, parks, and history, but I can’t fit all Durham has to offer in just one paragraph.
Chapel Hill, NC
Chapel Hill marks the third corner of the Research Triangle Park (with Durham and Raleigh being the other two.) The University of North Carolina @ Chapel Hill, along with the primary UNC Health Care Hospitals are located here. UNC Sports are obviously popular here with the two largest sports venues both being for UNC Teams. To get some shopping done, there are numerous malls and shopping centers, including Eastgate, Village Plaza, Plaza Mall, and Meadowmont Village. Additionally there are many food options, the official Chapel Hill Visitors Center lists 149 choices in this little town. With parks, historical sites, and a self-guided mural tour with 27 stops, there is plenty to keep you entertained here all day.
Traveling to NC and unsure which city to visit? Check out Raleigh vs Durham here!
High Point, NC
Located just southwest of Greensboro, High Point is the only city in North Carolina that is located within 4 different counties. But that’s not what makes it truly special. High Point is commonly known as the Furniture Capital of the world. At one time, 60% of all living room furniture in the world was made within 100 miles of High Point. They still host the High Point Market, the world’s largest furniture and furnishing industry event. Held twice a year, in April and October, the trade show fills 188 separate buildings with 2,300 exhibitors coming from over 100 different countries. If you don’t happen to stop by during the show, they have over 100 furniture stores open year-round within the High Point area. Including FurnitureLand South, the largest furniture store in the world, with over a million square feet of showroom space.
Day Trips From Raleigh: History & Culture
Bennett Place Historic Site (Durham, NC)
With free admission, this is a great find for people who love history. Open Tuesday – Saturday, this is an opportunity to see a point of history in the civil war. This was the site where General Johnson and General Sherman met to sign surrender papers. It’s now a museum focusing on the civil war and the historical life of the southern farmer who lived there.
The Original Mayberry (Mount Airy, NC )
If you’re a fan of the Andy Griffith Show from the 1960s, you’ll need to make your way down to Mount Airy, the original Mayberry. The actor, Andy Griffith, grew up in Mount Airy and they hold on to that history. With an Andy Griffith Museum, Courthouse, Old Mayberry Jail, and the Andy Griffith Playhouse there is so much to see. Of course, his childhood home is also located there. If you want a really fun way to explore this historical town, then take a tour in an authentic Mayberry Squad Car. The tour starts at Wally’s Service Station and includes all of the popular Andy Griffith stops. Of course, even outside of the Andy Griffith stories, the town lives in his history with several other museums, antique stores, restaurants, and bars.
Kitty Hawk, NC
Commonly known as the home of the Wright Brother’s first powered flight. But currently is home to a number of parks, trails, and lots of beaches. Kitty Hawk also has one of the first lifeguard stations built on the outer banks, built in 1874. The Kitty Hawk Life-Saving Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Less than 3,000 people live in this town year-round, but they get a lot of tourists. Surprisingly, there is almost no mention of the Wright Brothers here, but you can go to the Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center about 7 minutes down the beach in Kill Devil Hills. At this site, the Wright Brothers conducted test flights and had a workshop and residence. This was also the ending location of their historical first flight.
Day Trips From Raleigh: Activities & Adventures
Carolina Tiger Rescue (Pittsboro, NC)
We spent a day at the Carolina Tiger Rescue as a birthday gift and were pleasantly surprised. A sanctuary (not a zoo) for a variety of animals including tigers, cougars, lions, bobcats, and more big cats. These are rescues from a variety of sources and are expected to spend the remainder of their lives at the rescue. The staff does everything possible to make the habitats as comfortable as possible for them. Of course, unlike zoos, this means that some of the animals may be hiding during your visit because the enclosures are designed for their comfort, not for our visibility.
Public tours run year-round Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, along with twilight tours during the summer. The tours are well done and run by volunteers who are passionate about these animals. You cannot tour the rescue alone, you must go on a tour. Public Tours are $18 for adults, $12.50 for children, and take about 2 hours. Tours run rain or shine, and so sell out, so plan on getting tickets well in advance.
Biltmore Estates (Asheville, NC)
Built in 1895, Biltmore Estates is the largest privately owned house in the United States, at just over 178,000 square feet (about four aces). In addition, there are 8,000 acres of grounds surrounding the house, including 75 acres of formal gardens. Additionally, on the grounds themselves are 10 restaurants, 3 dessert shops, 4 gift shops, 3 hotels, and a winery. Of course, don’t forget about the world-class spa onsite. With tours, tea tastings, bike rides, and live music, there is something for everyone at the Estate. They also have a number of seasonal events every year, but be warned, they often sell out quickly. Ticket prices for the Biltmore House vary throughout the year between $79 and $109 per person.
If you want to spend more time in Asheville, check out our 48 hour itinerary.
Charlotte Motor Speedway (Concord, NC)
A 1.5-mile NASCAR track that is considered the home track for many local NASCAR teams. Hosting a number of world-class events, such as the Coca-Cola 600, Circle K Monster Truck Mash, and the World of Outlaws World Finals. When they aren’t racing, they offer tours and behind-the-scenes experiences. They also often have a number of racing schools on-site if you really want to get into the racing experience. With on-site camping options, you could make this a multi-day trip if you love racing events.
Blue Ridge Parkway (Northwest, NC)
Designated as a National Parkway, it is officially America’s longest linear park, running for 469 miles through two states. Although you may think of this as just a road, much of the land on both sides of the parkway is maintained by the National Park Service or the United State Forest Service. There are also numerous areas where you can pull over at a turnout and enjoy the vast expanse of the mountain views. A number of little towns dot the parkway, but you won’t find any cities or interstates for the entire route. You’ll always be near lots of options for food, lodging, or exploring. The parkway is free to drive, and because there are so many places to hop on and hop off, you can devote as much, or as little time as you’d like to this beautiful road trip.
FAQs
How far are the mountains from Raleigh?
The Blue Ridge Mountains run right through western North Carolina. There are several beautiful towns, tourist destinations and state and national parks within the Blue Ridge Mountains. From Raleigh, it’s approximately a 3-hour drive to get to the Mountains. But plan to spend a few hours driving through the mountains and exploring all that they have to offer.
Want to go explore some mountain towns? Asheville has plenty to do in both the winter and the summer months.
How far are the Appalachian Mountains from Raleigh, NC?
The Blue Ridge Mountains, which are a part of the Appalachian Mountains Range, are about 3 hours from Raleigh, NC. About 96 miles of the Appalachian Trail pass through the most western side of North Carolina. So to get to the Appalachian Trail from Raleigh, head to Hot Springs, NC, about 4.5 hours away.
How far is the beach from Raleigh?
Nearly all of the Eastern Coast of North Carolina is beaches, ranging from the northern beaches of Nags Head to the southern beaches of Wilmington. Although you wouldn’t assume it looking at a map, Wilmington, NC is actually the closest beach to Raleigh, NC. Because it is easily the most direct beach via highway, it’s a quick trip at only about 2 hours. Nags Head, almost directly horizontally across the state is closer to 3.5 hours away.
What is the closest beach to Raleigh, NC?
The closest beach to Raleigh, NC is Wilmington, NC. Although it’s deceiving when you look at a map because it looks less direct, because it doesn’t look like it would be. Highway 40 goes from just outside Raleigh to just Wilmington. Making it both one of the easiest drives and the fastest way to get to the beach.
How far is Raleigh from the Outer Banks?
The outer banks, often considered one of the nicest beach areas in North Carolina, is a little shy of 4 hours away from Raleigh, NC. Although it is a collection of beaches, with nearly 100 miles of coastline, it is a popular tourist destination. Because of this, it has a tendency to feel fuller than some of the less common beaches in North Carolina.
Is Raleigh or Durham nicer?
Depends on what you are looking for. Both have distinct personalities, but in so many ways, they are very similar. Both have a major university, a major hospital system, major sporting teams, and dozens of restaurants, bars, and activities. You’ll often find that when one of the cities does something that works, then the other quickly follows suit. So, my only recommendation would be to visit both and decide for yourself. I regularly visit both, each when I am looking for a specific vibe.
How far is Raleigh to the Virginia Line?
For the most direct route to Virginia, head straight North from Raleigh, NC. You’ll hit Clarksville, Virginia in a little under 1.5 hours.
How far is Raleigh to the South Carolina Line?
Because of the weird slant at the bottom of North Carolina, it’s a little less straightforward to find the most direct way to get to South Carolina. But, if you head mostly south, and take the right onto I-95, you can get to Hamer, South Carolina in just over 1.5 hours.
If you’re heading to South Carolina, you’ll likely want to know, is Myrtle Beach or North Myrtle Beach better?
Is Raleigh the capital of North Carolina?
Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina, housing the state capital buildings, along with the Governor’s residence. Many state agencies are also based in Raleigh. But Raleigh is actually not the largest city in North Carolina, as that honor belongs to Charlotte, NC. Raleigh does come in second place though. The Raleigh area continues to grow though, and as of last year, Wake County (which houses Raleigh) passed Mecklenburg County (which houses Charlotte) as the most populated county in North Carolina.
Since you’re already in Raleigh might as well check out why Raleigh is worth visiting!
Wrapping It All Up: Day Trips From Raleigh, NC
I hope that you found one, or several, of these day trips that are perfect for your day trip from Raleigh, North Carolina. Because Raleigh is so perfectly located right in the middle of the state, there are so many options. Head north to skiing or hiking in Virginia, south to the beaches or cities of South Carolina. Then head east to the beautiful sandy beaches or west to the majestic mountain ranges. In every direction, you’ll find cities both big and small to meet your shopping, exploring, and eating needs.
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