Spend Spring the Right Way in North Carolina
The first day of Spring is March 20th and to celebrate, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the best things to do in North Carolina in the spring.
Take a weekend to walk the wildflower trails and enjoy the color that unfolds throughout North Carolina every spring. Road trip to the mountains for a weekend and walk through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or Grandfather Mountain. If you’re looking for something a little closer to campus, Raven Rock State Park is only an hour and a half away and boasts some of the most beautiful flower-lined trails. You could also check out the Flower Hill Nature Preserve in Johnson County, a preserve whose name alone suggests that it’s the perfect spring location.
Head to the fields for a minor-league baseball game. Take a trip to Charlotte once April rolls around to see the Charlotte Knights play at BB&T stadium. Not only can you see the players, but the view of the Charlotte skyline from the stadium is unbeatable! If you don’t want to travel all the way to Charlotte for a game, there are ballparks a little closer to campus too. Head to Greensboro for the Greensboro Grasshoppers or Winston-Salem to see the Winston-Salem Dash.
Pack a bag and drive out to a field to see the stars. Being from Chicago, one of my favorite things about studying in North Carolina is the fact that you can actually see stars. Even just driving 10 minutes away from campus can bring you to an empty field where you can park, relax and let nature amaze you.
Check out one of the many spring festivals going on throughout North Carolina. I’ve compiled a list of a few of my favorites below, but you can find an extensive list of all the festivals here:
2018 Southport Spring Festival (March 30-31, Southport)
160 vendors selling home decor, jewelry, baked goods and more. There’s also a 5K run/walk and live entertainment! While you’re there, shop the quaint stores of Southport or dine at one of the many waterfront restaurants.
2018 Paws in the Park (April 7, Pineville)
How could you not love one of the largest dog events in NC? There will be over 150 vendors as well as more than 25 rescue groups with dogs up for adoption!
Merlefest (April 26-29, Wilkesboro)
A huge 4-day music festival with a variety of artists, a songwriting contest and a plethora of food and craft vendors.
Cary Wine and Music Festival (May 5, Cary)
Enjoy 200+ wines from 22+ wineries and great live music.
Carolina Strawberry Festival (May 11, Wallace)
Enjoy the sweet taste of strawberries at this fun festival with food, music, entertainment, vendors and the Miss Strawberry Pageant!
North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival (May 11-12, Huntersville)
An amazing festival with local craft beer and live music. The cool thing about this festival is that it happens on a non-profit historical site.
April is North Carolina Beer Month. For those of you who are 21 and fans of beer, April is the best month of the year to be in North Carolina. There are festivals and events throughout the entire state. Click here to find the entire North Carolina Beer Month list of events. Click here for North Carolina Beer Month’s 2018 venues — these venues are participating locations that will be hosting tours, tastings, pairing dinners and more throughout the month.
Go to the beach for a weekend! The beach is always a little warmer than central North Carolina in the spring, so before you head home for the summer, be sure to head to the coast for a little relaxation. If you’re not a huge fan of sand, check out one of the many lakes throughout North Carolina! Jordan Lake is a personal favorite of mine.