Travel Guide: Road-Trip Gems of North Carolina

A few weeks ago, I had a slow and relatively free weekend ahead of me, so I decided to repeat something I had done a couple months earlier – a mini North Carolina road trip. I’m a sucker for adventure, so I rented a car for the day (easy with Elon’s Enterprise CarShare program if you don’t have a car on campus) and drove around pretty aimlessly, hoping to discover some cute small towns – which I did. Here, I’ve compiled a little list of some of my favorite places from around the Old North State.

Blowing Rock – 2-hour 20-minute drive

With a population of just over 1,000 people and spectacular mountain views, Blowing Rock is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a quiet break. You can head over to the Village of Blowing Rock to find some cute shops and restaurants, or take another route and visit the waterfalls at the end of the Glen Burney trail – a perfect photo-op for any aspiring photographer – or go rock climbing on the windy cliffs.

New Bern – 3-hour drive

If you’re a Nicholas Sparks fan like me, New Bern has to be on your list of places to visit before graduation. It plays a role in three movies, including The Notebook. I didn’t do this, but I read that there is a Walk to Remember walking tour that takes you through places the movie was filmed as well as providing a way to see some of the city’s best sights. Their quaint main street is incredibly calming to walk down and takes you back to simpler times.

Asheville – 3-hour drive

Asheville is the biggest and most developed of the cities I’ve listed here, and it’s certainly worth the ride. You can visit downtown Asheville and go shopping, see street performances and visit the Biltmore mansion. With regards to nature, Asheville has endless options. You can hike a plethora of trails (easy to expert-level) and bike (or drive) the Blue Ridge Parkway – a 469-mile-long road lined with stunning scenery. One of my favorite things to do is going waterfall hunting, and Asheville has over 100 waterfalls spread throughout its boundaries.

Lake Lure – 3-hour drive (right next to Asheville)

Lake Lure is a town containing unsurpassed beauty, the most memorable thing being their 720-acre lake into which all rivers, streams, and waterfalls converge. Lake Lure has quite a few nice parks for hiking, including the Chimney Rock State Park, as well as a beach and a water park. It’s the perfect place to visit with a few friends over a warm weekend.

Hot Springs – 3-hour 30-minute drive (also right near Asheville)

Hot Springs is truly the place for relaxation – it contains the only hot springs in North Carolina. I decided just to drive through, which was beautiful, but if you visit be sure to take some time to relax in the hot springs or take a leisurely walk down the Appalachian trail. Hot Springs also offers kayaking and rafting opportunities if you’re looking for something exhilarating.

Saluda – 3-hour drive (also near Asheville)

If you’re really looking for peace and quiet, this is the place for you. Saluda is a quaint little town with a population of only 500 people. Its main street has only a few cute shops and mom n pop restaurants, which I loved. I find small towns fascinating and almost more exciting than big cities, mostly due to the hidden gems you can find there. Plus, it’s nice taking a break and enjoying life at a slower pace than usual.

Southport – 3-hour 20-minute drive

Southport brims with southern charm. One of the films shot here is Safe Haven, which is one of my favorite Nicholas Sparks movies. Experiencing the setting of scenes of the movie while in Southport was certainly worth the 3-hour drive. While you’re here, be sure to visit the town and see the variety of small shops and cute restaurants. They also have quite a few historical sites and landmarks, if you’re interested in learning about the town’s history.