Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I just spent the weekend at a friend's place up outside Mount Airy, actually up right on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Beautiful area and more like 2.5 hours away. Air BnB are aplenty.
We need to check out the Mount Airy area. The cycling should be great.
We need to check out the Mount Airy area. The cycling should be great.
I was there to ride. If you are into gravel backroads, it's great, BUT:
1. I highly recommend having carefully planned routes, downloaded maps, and if you have a Garmin, having a preloaded route, and
2. Be ready for a tough ride. 35 miles up there was soul-crushing, whereas 70+ miles here is a lot easier.
^In 35 miles we had 8 climbs adding up to 4500'. It was 80% dirt and gravel, and on two of the climbs the gravel was laid within the last day or two, and one of of the climbs happened in a deforestation zone, which had 4" deep dusty silt. Both were worse than riding on the beach!
I would not ride much on paved roads, too many narrow and blind corners. (The backroads were empty, save for about a half dozen unleashed dogs with attitudes. I was not faster than the dogs, but I was faster than my buddy.)
DM me if you want more information. I used to be a regular up in Pisgah, this was my first mountain rides in a few years. It was great! Soul-crushing, but great.
Anyone know of any weekend getaways within 3-4 hours from Raleigh? Something kids will enjoy too.
Not too crowded. Water falls, caves, gem mining etc.
I suggest the Sylvan Heights Bird Park in the Eastern NC town Of Scotland Neck. The kids should be old enough to walk some distance to see the rare and exotic birds. Mybe you could combine the trip with something in Smithfield or Wilson, such as the Wild Bills Western Town- Shadowhawk .
Google “Virginia creeper trailâ€. Rails to trail conversion in SW Virginia, 17 miles, all down hill. Plenty of bike rental shops to take you to the top are in Damascus Va. Also in the area is Grayson Highlands state (Va.) park. Outstanding hiking and views.
I was there to ride. If you are into gravel backroads, it's great, BUT:
1. I highly recommend having carefully planned routes, downloaded maps, and if you have a Garmin, having a preloaded route, and
2. Be ready for a tough ride. 35 miles up there was soul-crushing, whereas 70+ miles here is a lot easier.
^In 35 miles we had 8 climbs adding up to 4500'. It was 80% dirt and gravel, and on two of the climbs the gravel was laid within the last day or two, and one of of the climbs happened in a deforestation zone, which had 4" deep dusty silt. Both were worse than riding on the beach!
I would not ride much on paved roads, too many narrow and blind corners. (The backroads were empty, save for about a half dozen unleashed dogs with attitudes. I was not faster than the dogs, but I was faster than my buddy.)
DM me if you want more information. I used to be a regular up in Pisgah, this was my first mountain rides in a few years. It was great! Soul-crushing, but great.
I did a ride up that way called the Handy Mountain Breakdown a couple years ago. Lots of gravel, and climbing. started at Jessup Mill (NC) and then heads up into Virginia for a big loop. I did it solo, but there’s a big gravel race that does it.
Just don't count on cellular service. Mount Airy is a nostalgic place at the top of our list for getaways but trying to place or receive calls was almost impossible for us. Anyone else have these problems?
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC/TN border)
2. Battleship North Carolina (Wilmington)
3. Jockey's Ridge State Park (Nags Head)
4a. (If you're a Christian - The Billy Graham Library in Charlotte)
4b. LaZoom Tours (Asheville)
5. Airborne & Special Operations Museum (Fayetteville)
6. Nantahala Outdoor Center (Bryson City)
7. Asheville Pinball Museum (Asheville)
8. Mount Mitchell State Park (Burnsville)
9. Greensboro Science Center (Greensboro)
10. Crowders Mountain State Park (Charlotte)
11. International Civil Rights Center & Museum (Greensboro)
12. Hanging Rock State Park (Danbury)
13. Navitat Canopy Adventures (Barnardsville)
14. Currituck Beach Lighthouse (Corolla)
15. ZipQuest (Fayetteville)
16. North Carolina Aquarium (Pine Knoll Shores)
17. Levine Museum of the New South (Charlotte)
18. Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards (Hendersonville)
19. Thalian Hall (Wilmington)
20. Sierra Nevada Taproom (Mills River)
(Honorable Mention: Asheville Bee Charmer shop in Asheville)
Places to eat at:
1. Britt's Donuts (Carolina Beach)
2. Hops Burger Bar (Greensboro)
3. Curate (Asheville)
4. Cheesecakes by Alex (Greensboro)
5. Afternoon Tea - O Henry Hotel (Greensboro)
6. The Table Farmhouse Bakery (Asheboro)
7. Proximity Hotel/Print Works Bistro (Greensboro)
8. Bitty & Beau's Coffee (Wilmington)
9. Webb Custom Kitchen (Gastonia)
10. Red Rocker Inn (Black Mountain)
(Honorable Mention: Artisinal Restaurant in Banner Elk and Jerusalem Market in Greensboro)
I didn't realize I'd eaten at so many places in Greensboro haha
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC/TN border)
2. Battleship North Carolina (Wilmington)
3. Jockey's Ridge State Park (Nags Head)
4a. (If you're a Christian - The Billy Graham Library in Charlotte)
4b. LaZoom Tours (Asheville)
5. Airborne & Special Operations Museum (Fayetteville)
6. Nantahala Outdoor Center (Bryson City)
7. Asheville Pinball Museum (Asheville)
8. Mount Mitchell State Park (Burnsville)
9. Greensboro Science Center (Greensboro)
10. Crowders Mountain State Park (Charlotte)
11. International Civil Rights Center & Museum (Greensboro)
12. Hanging Rock State Park (Danbury)
13. Navitat Canopy Adventures (Barnardsville)
14. Currituck Beach Lighthouse (Corolla)
15. ZipQuest (Fayetteville)
16. North Carolina Aquarium (Pine Knoll Shores)
17. Levine Museum of the New South (Charlotte)
18. Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards (Hendersonville)
19. Thalian Hall (Wilmington)
20. Sierra Nevada Taproom (Mills River)
(Honorable Mention: Asheville Bee Charmer shop in Asheville)
Places to eat at:
1. Britt's Donuts (Carolina Beach)
2. Hops Burger Bar (Greensboro)
3. Curate (Asheville)
4. Cheesecakes by Alex (Greensboro)
5. Afternoon Tea - O Henry Hotel (Greensboro)
6. The Table Farmhouse Bakery (Asheboro)
7. Proximity Hotel/Print Works Bistro (Greensboro)
8. Bitty & Beau's Coffee (Wilmington)
9. Webb Custom Kitchen (Gastonia)
10. Red Rocker Inn (Black Mountain)
(Honorable Mention: Artisinal Restaurant in Banner Elk and Jerusalem Market in Greensboro)
I didn't realize I'd eaten at so many places in Greensboro haha
Great list but I am shocked that there was no mention of Boone. My wife and I were there last weekend and the small quaint little downtown was a nice walk!
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
) 
