Small town to explore (Durham, Cary: motels, live, shops)

[LilWorld]

Hello all,

We are looking for small towns around here to explore. The idea is to just go down their main street (and other streets if they have them), enjoy the local eats and just look around. 1-2 hour drive would be perfect. If they are close to some kind of natural/state park even better. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

[frogandtoad]

1-2 hour drive from where???

[cary_nc]

Not sure of your idea of small, but Pittsboro, Fuquay Varina, Apex, Wake Forest, Carrboro, and Hillsborough all come to mind.

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Not sure where you are starting from, but here are some downtowns I have checked out in the area and would recommend:

Wake Forest
http://www.city-data.com/forum/ralei...-downtown.html

Apex
http://www.city-data.com/forum/ralei...town-apex.html

Pittsboro
http://www.city-data.com/forum/ralei...tsboro-nc.html

Have Fun!

[Fuquay Caniac]

Fuquay-Varina has two downtowns - Historic Fuquay and Historic Varina. Depending where you are from, it should be pretty close

There is a small park (Mineral Springs Park) in Historic Fuquay, along with some antique shops. There is an excellent chocolatier in Historic Varina - the Chocolate Bean - with great coffee too!

[mkal]

A little over 2 hours from Cary is Mount Airy. Nice hiking opportunities at Pilot Mountain State Park and canoeing on the Yadkin river if you are intersted.
http://www.visitmayberry.com/

[Bartman]

• Pittsboro (as mentioned previously) is great with some quirky art galleries and Jordan Lake recreation area is nearby.

• Selma is making itself known for antique strolling and shopping (see http://www.antiquesselma.com/index.htm

• Elizabeth City - this will be stretching your time limit out, though. See Elizabeth City, NC - History, Events, Attractions - The Albemarle Region Of North Carolina: Pasquotank River and Albemarle Sound - Bed and Breakfast Inns Motels........CoastalGuide

• Smithfield has outlet shopping and the Ava Gardner museum

• Hillsborough has lots of history (it was the first nc capital, I believe) and is close enough to Eno River State Park. See Hillsborough, North Carolina

[ntchanga]

I like to go down to Seagrove and visit the local pottery shops. There's a museum downtown and some shops, but I especially like to visit some of the shops of the 5 and 6 generation potters along the "pottery highway." Sometimes they have kiln openings with live backporch music. It's great fun! On the way back to Durham, we like to drive through Pittsboro and have dessert at the Country Store Cafe.

[Claire_F]

Originally Posted by mkal

A little over 2 hours from Cary is Mount Airy. Nice hiking opportunities at Pilot Mountain State Park and canoeing on the Yadkin river if you are intersted.

mayberry days rfd in mount airy, north carolina - the andy griffith show nc

This is exactly what I was going to recommend.

[LilWorld]

Thank you all so much for the fantastic ideas. I can see us being "busy" for quite a few weekends now with all the exploring to do Can't wait for the weekend now. Do keep the suggestions coming.
To a couple of posters who asked where we live, we live currently in Brier Creek.