If you're going to visit the beach overnight, I suggest going to the Wrightsville Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort on Wrightsville Beach very near the city of Wilmington.
Money-saving tip: Stay over on a
Sunday night (just
one Sunday night) and reserve it through Hotwire; be sure to select the 3-star hotel on Wrightsville Beach. That will get you the Wrightsville Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort. Usually, hotels can't easily fill just one Sunday night, so it's usually much less expensive than other nights or even staying there for two nights including Sunday.
It's right on the beach and nice. Ask for a beachfront view; but the other side (sound side) is very pretty, too. The money-saving tip worked for us last year; I'm assuming it's still a good deal, especially in this economy. Check regular rates first. I like it because it feels like a vacation, even if for only a day. We were told we could check in much earlier than the stated check-in time, too (and this was the middle of summer). Have breakfast there, and enjoying looking at the ocean, and be kind to the servers who sometimes don't get everything right.
Wrightsville Beach is only two hours away, so it's the closest beach to Raleigh. If you want to see other areas, you can drive around the small city of Wilmington which is just a few short miles south of Wrightsville Beach. Check Wilmington websites for stuff to do.
If you like Farmer's Markets, you might like the NC Flea Market as well; it's held at the NC Fairgrounds in on Saturdays and Sundays in west Raleigh. It's large, and there are other events held there, too, this weekend, such as a mineral/gem show, horse show (both free), and Southern Home Show (home improvement, cost $8). It's fun just walking around.
The Farmer's Market is fun and is held every day. Eat a Southern breakfast at the round building. Have a fish fry in another building for lunch. You'll see vegetables in season, plants, and fresh flowers, as well as other little shops. (I'm not comfortable in some of its surrounding neighborhoods.) You can get there through downtown or go via 440. Here is the not-easy-to-find link:
NCDA&CS - Marketing Division - Raleigh Farmers Market
If you're in town on Saturday (4/4/09) and you like bluegrass music, go to The Pit restaurant on West Davie Street in downtown Raleigh, and they'll have free bluegrass music and inexpensive barbecue (traditional NC pork) in the afternoon. We'll be there, and I think others from this board may be there, too. Should be a nice day. Look for NorthRaleighGuy's info he posted today about it.
Have fun!
P.S. What job was that you were no longer interested in? I am a writer. I'll take it.
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