Are We There Yet?
Don’t make us pull this car over. Save this list for the next time the blessings say they’re BoReD and there’s nothing to do. Pack extra snacks to keep everyone quiet.
A Sweet Escape
If warmer weather gives you cabin fever, plan your escape (with the kids) for the weekend by taking a lil trip.
At sea Level: Embrace that early 2000s nostalgia by taking a Dawson’s Creek walking tour in Wilmington. Make it a full weekend and head to Carolina Beach, where Britt’s Donuts will bless your taste buds on the boardwalk. Drive time: 2.5ish hours.
At high altitude: Take your bikes out to Uwharrie National Forest for a scenic day trip or hike up Morrow Mountain — then pull in for an old-fashioned drive-thru movie at Badin Road. Drive time: About an hour.
With a llama: Drinking with farm animals is no probllama at Divine Llama Vineyards near Pilot Mountain. You can even inquire about llama trekking. Tina, you fat lard, come get some wine. Drive time: Almost 2 hours.
With a lemur: Visit the Greensboro Science Center for a trip that suits all ages with a zoo + zip-lining and adventure courses. Then visit one of the two selfie museums. Yes, really. Your Instagram will thank us later. Drive time: An hour 15.
With pie and kayaks: For a semi-local adventure trip, go kayaking with Cape Fear River Adventures and get high at ZipQuest (pictured above) or Triangle Rock Club. Then snack on savory or savory options at Fayetteville Pie Co. Drive time: 45 minutes.
With some manufactured rapids: Visit the U.S. National Whitewater Center for whitewater kayaking, rock climbing and trails, then grab drinks at The Puttery, an upscale bar / mini golf course. Drive time: Two hours.
These Boots Were Made For Walking
Get in loser, we’re going hiking. Here’s a list of six spots along the famous North Carolina parkway, hand-picked by Sway staffers.
Fyingpan Mountain Lookout Tower: If you’re scared of heights, we don’t suggest climbing to the top of this rusty tower, which sways a bit in the breeze. If you’re not timid, go for it — the views are incredible. Read more here.
Craggy Gardens Trail: Hike a rocky, sun-dappled trail through a wild, ancient and twisted rhododendron-covered forest to reach an outcropping with panoramic views. See it here.
Graveyard Fields: Sounds spooky, but the name comes from the terrain covered in small hills. You’ll need a couple of hours to take in the wildflowers and waterfalls on this hike. The National Forest Service will even allow you to take home up to a gallon of the wild blueberries that grow here, so bring a bucket. More here.
Devil’s Courthouse: Another spookily named site, this time a sinister-looking rock formation that gives visitors a 360-degree panoramic view into South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. It’s a short walk from the parkway.
Tanawha Trail: Take the entire 13-mile trail, or enter at Rough Ridge for a 1.2-mile round trip jaunt on Grandfather Mountain. More here.
Browning Knob: Hike to the wreckage of a Cessna 414, which crashed in the mountains on Nov. 24, 1983. Get directions (and photos) from this blogger here.
Vitamin Sea
Roast in the sun (with SPF 100) while the in-laws watch your children fight over whose sandcastle has the best moat.
Atlantic Beach: A low-key option bursting with open public beach accesses, Atlantic Beach is about 3.5 hours from Moore County. Here’s where to go:
- Atlantic Beach Town Park – Take advantage of the playground or the splash pad is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. There’s also a picnic shelter, a mini golf course and a skate park at AB Town Park.
- Oceanana Pier – Catch a sunset or a fish on Atlantic Beach’s only pier. Eat at the restaurant, or fish and walk.
- Hotels and motels – Stay beachfront and close to pier at The Oceanana Resort. Looking for a more modest option? Try the Island Inn of Atlantic Beach, complete with an outdoor pool and Wifi access.
- Restaurants – Get a dose of nostalgia at On the Rocks — a classic seafood spot, or pick up a burger or fried fish sandwich from The Shark Shack.
Carolina Beach: Offers an old-school “my grandparents met here 50 years ago” vibe that attracts visitors from near and far each year. Public beach accesses are open, and this family beach sits just under three hours from Moore County. Here’s where to go:
- The Carolina Beach Boardwalk – The boardwalk at Carolina Beach is filled with ice cream shops, souvenir stores and more. It’s one of the only old-fashioned boardwalks left in the country.
- Hotels and motels – Live large at the oceanfront Courtyard by Marriott Carolina Beach, or go with a no-frills option at the Golden Sands Motel, which is also beachfront.
- Restaurants – Dine in for a casual beachfront meal at Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar, or stop by Nauti Dog and see how they put a creative spin on hot dogs and nachos. Don’t forget to check out the famous Britt’s Donuts, but be prepared to wait in a line.
Fort Fisher: At the end of Kure Beach, you’ll find Fort Fisher. The home to the historic Fort Fisher site features a gnarly wind-swept live oak forest and the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area (4-wheel drive welcome). Here’s where to go:
- The Aquarium – North Carolina’s Aquarium is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. See it all from fish to sharks to otters.
- The Rocks – You can’t climb ’em but they make for cool photos. You’ll know when you see them.
- History Museum – If you want to nerd out even on vacay, check out the North Carolina Military History Museum at Kure Beach.
Oak Island: Just under three hours from town, spans 11 miles and offers the classic family experience. Lots of low-key public beach accesses and houses for rent makes it a fun spot for a group. Here’s where to go:
- The splash pad – Located at 133 SE 48th St. at Middleton Park, you can get your splash on from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily. The playground at Middleton Park remains closed.
- The light house – See the lighthouse and take a tour to the top.
- Hotels and motels – Beachfront motels like the Ocean Crest Motel in Oak Island are welcoming visitors. They’re taking precautions to ensure rooms are clean and sanitary and guests are comfortable. Check out their Facebook page for updates.
- Restaurants – Oak Island and Southport favorites like Provision Company (t-shirt or it didn’t happen) and Old Bridge Diner are worth checking out.
Bald Head Island: You’d need a trust fund to own a home here, but you can live like a local by renting a golf cart (no cars are allowed here. Yes, really) and cruising alongside miles of big, wide, sandy beaches. Climb the steps of Old Baldy, the state’s oldest standing lighthouse, and enjoy the view from the top. Here’s where else to go:
- Activities – Rent a bike or a kayak to explore the island and lighthouse.
- The Spa – Check out different wellness packages at The Island Retreat Spa and Salon for the ultimate pampering.
- Restaurants – Visit the Sandpiper Coffee and Ice Cream for a pick me up plus cinnamon rolls, bagels and more. For a main meal, check out Jules’ Salty Grub and Island Pub.
Topsail/ Surf City: Skip the crowd that clogs the sand with iPhone speakers and Bob Marley towels. Spend a day at the pristine Topsail Beach instead, which stretches the length of one of the state’s barrier islands. Here’s where else to go:
- Activities – Try renting a boat or a stand-up paddleboard for some quality time in the inlet. Don’t expect any flashy attractions.
- The Pier – Get ice cream, go fishing, shop or just take a walk. We recommend the sunset views. See fishing rates here.
- The Turtles – Plan a visit to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle and Rehabilitation Center.
The Outer Bank: You’ve binge-watched the Netflix show, so you might as well see what the real Outer Banks is all about. Hint: there’s less drama and plenty of public beach accesses. It’s at least four hours from home, but it’s worth the drive. Here are a few things to do:
- Jockey’s Ridge State Park – Check out the largest natural living sand dune (as in you can hang glide off of it) on the east coast at Jockey’s Ridge in Nags Head. It’s all outdoors, so it’s open to the public during COVID.
- Avon Fishing Pier – A sign at the entrance reads “Welcome to America’s Pier,” so the fishing at this OBX staple must be pretty legit. We do know that it’s open for fishing right now.
- Restaurants – Tortugas’ Lie Shellfish Bar & Grill is a Nags Head staple. Although their dining room isn’t open yet, you can enjoy takeout at the picnic tables behind the restaurant. If you’re in Hatteras, check out Kat’s Deli by the beach. We trolled the OBX Dine-In and Takeout Options Facebook page and it’s a big recommendation by locals. If you’re bringing along a pet, check out Duck, but if you’re looking for plenty of public access, shopping and dining, check out Nags Head or Hatteras.
- Hotels and motels – Surf Side Hotel is a modest option in Nags Head. If you want a solid spot for your IG photos, check out the Inn at Rodanthe — AKA the house in the film adaption of Nicholas Sparks’ Nights in Rodanthe.
- The Outer Banks consists of multiple towns and beaches, but you can get a more in-depth and take a virtual tour here. Don’t forget about the wild horses, found in Corolla and nearby nature preserves.
*Honorable Mention
Wrightsville: Everyone will tell you to go here. It’s nice, don’t get us wrong but due to its popularity and close proximity to Wilmington good luck with finding parking.
Restaurants – Ceviches is a Latin American seafood cuisine aesthetically pleasing featuring things like margs and ceviche.
The Gardens – For an afternoon stroll check out Harbor Way gardens.
