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My fiancee and I just moved to Charlotte a couple weeks ago. We are looking for some fun day trips around the area. Does anyone have any suggestions? We heard that there are some nice parks and hiking, but not sure where to go or what else is around. Any ideas would be appreciated! We're interested in all kinds of activities, out door stuff, shopping, museums, etc.
My fiancee and I just moved to Charlotte a couple weeks ago. We are looking for some fun day trips around the area. Does anyone have any suggestions? We heard that there are some nice parks and hiking, but not sure where to go or what else is around. Any ideas would be appreciated! We're interested in all kinds of activities, out door stuff, shopping, museums, etc.
Thanks!
There is tons to do!
Take a ride out on I85 south just beyond Gastonia to Crowders Mountain for a nice day hike (exit 13) - or visit nearby Kings Mt National Park and Battleground to hike the woods where the locals fought the British in the American Revolution.
Do some whitewater rafting at the Whitewater Rafting Center just west of uptown Charlotte.
Head south into Fort Mill to visit the Anne Springs Close Greenway - another nice place for a walk in the woods.
The Mint Museum in located on Randolph Rd near uptown and has some wonderful pieces of art - definitely check it out sometime.
The Nature Museum is right next door to Freedom Park and for how small it is is very interesting.
Head up to Latta Plantation in northwest Charlotte to see a pre-revolutionary home and its way of life preserved. There are also great trails there around Mountain Island Lake.
And in that area check out the Raptor Center to see some interesting birds of prey.
Well if you don't have a dog, I would recommend a trip to Charleston, SC. There is soooo much to do there. Three hour easy drive each way. You can easily make it long weekend or just stop by for the day and make plans to go back. Leave 1st thing in the morning, get there by 10am, see the sights, have early dinner and be home by 9pm. It is a long day but you will love it.
Another good day trip is a drive to Biltmore Estate in Asheville. Two hour drive each way.
The zoo in Asheboro, NC is a good one if you like large outdoor zoos. 90+ minutes each way. You can easily spend the day here. There is also a zoo in Columbia, Sc. Same distance, just a more compact zoo and takes much less time.
Grandfather Mountain is great on a warm summer day. 2 hours each way. Lot of hiking and sightseeing.
These are GREAT ideas! THANKS! That is exactly the type of information i was hoping for. Not going to lie... I'm probably going to check a bunch of these places out this long memorial day weekend! I travel so much for work, I just want to enjoy this area!! I love exploring new places! and since i just moved here..they are all new!...keep the ideas coming!
Do you have kids? If so, you can take a ride to Columbia, SC (about 1 1/2 hours) and go to the EdVenture Children's Museum. EdVenture Children's Museum (broken link)
Edit - Oops - just saw you said you are engaged - probably no kids yet. But you never know! Anyway, if the kid stuff doesn't apply to you, Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain are great!
For a day trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway, watch the weather, because it rains a ton.
Get up early and if the weather report is clear, do a day trip to the Parkway:
- Blowing Rock is 1.5 hr one way. Fun/quaint little mountain town.
- Go past Blowing Rock another 10-30 min for hiking trails all along Blue Ridge parkway. Grandfather Mt is diverse and has a zoo.
- For a longer day trip, Asheville is 2hr one-way. Great artsy town with diverse restaurants. Pick either east or west another 20-40min on the Blue Ridge Parkway for great short or long hikes/vistas.
- West of Asheville 45min are several awesome waterfall hikes. Do you want more details?
- Charleston is 3hr 1-way, and is definitely awesome and extremely diverse (something for everyone). If it rains, no problem go to world class restaurants, aquarium, art galleries, museums, aircraft carrier, etc. Definitely spend the nite - there are lots of great places/deals.
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mountain day trips from Charlotte
