Guests Arriving for 1st Time...What to do? (Charlotte, Raleigh: estate, showing)

[CAKD]

My SIL is coming to visit me this Thursday. Since we have only been here a few months I have no idea what we could do. She has never been anywhere on the East coast. But we are limited on time. She arrives Thurday evening and flies out Sunday afternoon. I don't want to spend the entire time in the car. Many have suggested Biltmore but that would be 3 1/2 or more hours each way. I have yet to go out to Wilmington or surrounding areas. Are there things to do out there? I am not looking for nightlife or anything just points of interest. Quaint towns with good browsing potential. Also curious to know if there are any old plantation homes around here to go to? I would love to take her through some old neighborhoods as well with large estate homes and such. I know they are here just not where All suggestions welcomed! I need a game plan! Thanks!

[GraciAnn]

Hi Cakd,

You could tool around downtown Raleigh & take a tour of the governer's mansion. It is decorated beautifully for the holidays. You might also visit the Monet showing at the Art Museum & have brunch at the restaurant there. There is also Cameron Village for shopping, the State Fairgounds flea market or she might enjoy The Christmas Story play w/ scrooge which is a must see! Hope you enjoy your weekend!

[robin from Oregon]

If you're headed towards the coast you might want to tour the Tryon Palace in New Bern. New Bern was the original colonial capitol, and the palace was the governor's mansion. I'll bet it's beautifully decorated for the holidays. Also the historic downtown area has lots of quaint shops. The area around the palace also has other colonial homes that you can tour. The palace is magnificent! I toured there on my trip to NC in October.

[Niki]

Poplar Grove Plantation (between Wilmington and Hampstead) is an interesting place. As is the Bellamy Mansion in Wilmington. Also in Wilmington are trolley tours, the Henrietta riverboat (river tours & dinner cruises), Cape Fear museum, etc.

[CAKD]

Oh this is so helpful! I have done a search for the places mentioned and they sound great! Thank you so much! I have two days to do more research so if anyone else can think of anything bring it on!

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by CAKD

My SIL is coming to visit me this Thursday. Since we have only been here a few months I have no idea what we could do. She has never been anywhere on the East coast. But we are limited on time. She arrives Thurday evening and flies out Sunday afternoon. I don't want to spend the entire time in the car. Many have suggested Biltmore but that would be 3 1/2 or more hours each way. I have yet to go out to Wilmington or surrounding areas. Are there things to do out there? I am not looking for nightlife or anything just points of interest. Quaint towns with good browsing potential. Also curious to know if there are any old plantation homes around here to go to? I would love to take her through some old neighborhoods as well with large estate homes and such. I know they are here just not where All suggestions welcomed! I need a game plan! Thanks!

You don't have to wander too far from Charlotte to have lots to do

Head up to Huntersville near Mt. Island Lake and visit Latta Plantation - a 19th century cotton plantation, very interesting.

This is a great time of year to head to Winston Salem (a quick trip up the interstate) to visit "Old Salem". It's like a miniture Williamsburg, Virginia. They have special decorations and their famous cookies for sale right now for the holidays - google them for more info.

OH, and don't miss an opportunity to see the great new movie "Happy Feet" at the Discovery Place Omnimax theater - a really cool place.

To see the stately old homes of Charlotte head up Providence Rd and take a right on Colville - to wander the streets of Eastover and see the Duke Mansion. Then get back on Providence Rd and take a left on Queens Road to ride thru Myers Park. From there you can head over to the Nature Museum off of Princeton.

Anything else specific you want to know about?

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by CAKD

My SIL is coming to visit me this Thursday. Since we have only been here a few months I have no idea what we could do. She has never been anywhere on the East coast. But we are limited on time. She arrives Thurday evening and flies out Sunday afternoon. I don't want to spend the entire time in the car. Many have suggested Biltmore but that would be 3 1/2 or more hours each way. I have yet to go out to Wilmington or surrounding areas. Are there things to do out there? I am not looking for nightlife or anything just points of interest. Quaint towns with good browsing potential. Also curious to know if there are any old plantation homes around here to go to? I would love to take her through some old neighborhoods as well with large estate homes and such. I know they are here just not where All suggestions welcomed! I need a game plan! Thanks!

Oops, just saw on another post you aren't in Charlotte! Hopefully someone in the Raleigh area will offer you a few more suggestions for closer to where you are However, you could still do Old Salem very easily from your location. Hope you have a great visit