I have 8 hrs to experience NC! (Raleigh, Greensboro: appointed, amusement parks, chapel)

[Husker88]

Hi, I will be in Greensboro next month, spending the morning on business, then have the afternoon off. I'm an Iowa corn farmer, first time ever to NC, so I want to spend the afternoon "experiencing" North Carolina scenery/culture/etc and would appreciate any great suggestions.

I've scanned some on-line (Trip Advisor) suggestions, and frankly I was disappointed because for the most part they are things I can experience in Omaha or Kansas City or almost any city (dinner theater, golf, gardens, amusement parks, etc).

I'm looking for something unique to NC! So, what is it? Is the Civil Rights Museum better than the one in Alabama? Any great, unique, non-chain restaurants that I have to try? Any great parks? What about the UNC campus, is that "spectator" worthy? Yes, I'll have a car so anywhere from Winston-Salem to Raleigh to where is fine.

Thanks for reading & thanks if you have any suggestions.

[arbyunc]

A few suggestions off the top of my head (google for more info):

In Winston-Salem, there's Old Salem (of you're a history buff) or Tanglewood Park for outdoor activities like fishing, horseback riding, golf, etc.

You might seek out some genuine NC barbecue--the best in the area you've described is Allen & Son near Chapel Hill, but there are a few other options closer to Greensboro.

You could visit Pilot Mountain State Park just north of Winston-Salem for spectacular views. From there it's a short drive to Mt. Airy, the small town that inspired Andy Griffith's Mayberry. It has a nice downtown area that will give you a taste of small-town NC living.

The UNC campus is very nice (I'm a grad, so of course I'm biased), but I'm not sure it alone is worth driving from Greensboro. If you're a basketball fan, it might be worth it to you to tour the basketball museum. But if you're not a UNC fan it might make you sick.

Hope this helps a bit!

[Dusty Rhodes]

Well, in one way I'd say you were lucky, the problem is you may not consider it luck at all, well,not luck of a good variety. You should be able to catch an ACC Basketball game, there are a couple of sports bars in Greensboro. Hoops is kinda a big deal in these parts. Go Heels! Or, there is a really nice Beef and Dairy farm just out side of Mebane, it you're into touring other farms. That area also has arguably the best Mexican restaurant in this section of the state. Hablas Espanol?

[Husker88]

Great, thanks for the suggestions! Basketball is tempting, especially because we only get to watch JV-quality hoops with our Hawkeyes.

Mayberry and finding some good barbecue sound perfect. Thanks again.

[WFW&P]

Want to see something? Currently the Natural Science Center in Greensboro has the "Bodies Revealed" Tour, a self guided tour that covers the human anatomy as you have never seen it (unless you've seen it).
BODIES REVEALED

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by Husker88

Hi, I will be in Greensboro next month, spending the morning on business, then have the afternoon off. I'm an Iowa corn farmer, first time ever to NC, so I want to spend the afternoon "experiencing" North Carolina scenery/culture/etc and would appreciate any great suggestions.

I've scanned some on-line (Trip Advisor) suggestions, and frankly I was disappointed because for the most part they are things I can experience in Omaha or Kansas City or almost any city (dinner theater, golf, gardens, amusement parks, etc).

I'm looking for something unique to NC! So, what is it? Is the Civil Rights Museum better than the one in Alabama? Any great, unique, non-chain restaurants that I have to try? Any great parks? What about the UNC campus, is that "spectator" worthy? Yes, I'll have a car so anywhere from Winston-Salem to Raleigh to where is fine.

Thanks for reading & thanks if you have any suggestions.

Here's the thing, you won't be "experiencing NC", you'll only have time to experience the Greensboro area.

And while Greensboro is a fine place, it's not in the exquisitely lush NC mountains or close enough to the wonderful serene Outer Banks or other beaches . So when you leave Greensboro you really won't have seen the best parts of NC.

I'd suggest you head over toward Winston Salem to take in Old Salem, but do come back sometime when you really can see our lovely state! http://www.oldsalem.org/

[SunnyKayak]

Loves suggestion above sounds good but there is beauty in the Piedmont.

This is my suggestion go walk historic downtown Greensboro on Elms Street from at least railroad tracks up to beautiful water fountain galore park. I highly recommend having lunch or dinner at Cafe Pasta off Elm Street on the right before you reach Cornwallis rd.
The Civil Rights Museum is on the history of the Greensboro four of the first sit in at Woolworth Lunch Counter. The city preserved the building.

March is to early for amusements parks they only open during the summer.

Share with us recommendations trip advisor is giving you and those of us familiar can tell you if it worth your time.

[Francois]

Unfortunately the real beauty of NC is in the spring and fall, not February, and 8 hours including driving time won't give you much of a taste. I agree with keeping your destinations close to each other so you don't spend your whole time on the way from one to another.

That said, one attraction many love of NC is our local pottery, and among the best places to see that is Seagrove, about an hour south of GSO. One weekend in Feb, they actually are having a festival (http://www.seagrovepotteryheritage.com/se_events_001.html - broken link).

There are a lot of wonderful local wineries both east of GSO and west of Winston-Salem, but you'd use up a lot of time driving to either. Google "NC wineries" if interested, though.

[SunnyKayak]

I like this idea too. You can stop at NC zoo along the way.

[EpicEast]

If you want BBQ you best make your way down to Davidson county and get you some Lexington BBQ