Travel

WEEKENDER: Black Mountain

As Asheville’s population and tourism industry continue to grow, so does the cost of a weekend visit. You can access many of the same things you go to Asheville for—the Blue Ridge Mountains, outdoor activities, good food and drink, art—without…

WEEKENDER: North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands

North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands encompass five barrier islands—Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, Oak Island, and Bald Head Island—along the southernmost stretch of North Carolina’s coast. It’s roughly three-and-a-half hours from Charlotte; from Ocean Isle Beach, you’re about halfway…

WEEKENDER: The Crystal Coast

  The Crystal Coast is an 85-mile stretch of beaches that encompasses Beaufort, Atlantic Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, Emerald Isle, Morehead City, and Cape Lookout. It’s roughly five and a half hours from Charlotte by car depending on which town…

WEEKENDER: Primland

Primland Resort is a two and a half hour drive from Charlotte and puts you in the heart of southern Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. The last 20 minutes take you through some winding mountain roads (pack dramamine if the kiddos…

WEEKENDER: Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach, also known as the Grand Strand, stretches 60 miles along the South Carolina coast and encompasses 14 different communities, each with their own identity and attractions. Kids can enjoy mini golf, pirate shows, and the beach boardwalk, while…

THE PINT-SIZED FOODIE: An introduction to Milkbread

Each month, our 8-year-old resident foodie visits a different Charlotte-area restaurant that’s kid-friendly—but not a kid-topia. He orders something he’s never tried before and reports back with his recommendations for kids and their parents. Here is his review of Milkbread…

WEEKENDER: Atlanta

A-Town, Hotlanta, Hollywood of the South, the Big Peach. Atlanta has countless nicknames, and in North Carolina we often refer to it as “Charlotte’s big sister.” It has more people, traffic, shopping, and restaurants—like a bigger, flashier version of Charlotte.…

A Charlottean's Guide to Winter Outings

Whether you want to head outdoors into the crisp temperatures or prefer to stay cozy indoors, there are plenty of winter activities around Charlotte that will make both camps happy. Read on for our favorites. Ice Skate at the U.S.…

WEEKENDER: Huntsville, Alabama

Nicknamed “The Rocket City,” Huntsville, Alabama is synonymous with U.S. space missions. It’s home to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and the US Space & Rocket Center museum, which includes the US Space Camp and Aviation Challenge programs. It’s also…

WEEKENDER: Mount Airy

It’s easy to zoom past Mount Airy, North Carolina as you drive up I-77 on your way to hit the ski slopes in West Virginia or view the autumn leaves along the Blue Ridge Parkway. But consider pumping the brakes…

HOLIDAY WEEKENDER: Chetola Resort

There’s nothing quite like cozying up in a mountain lodge at the height of the holiday season. At just over two hours from Charlotte, Chetola Resort is a magical weekend getaway in Blowing Rock, a Rockwell-esque town off the Blue…

WEEKENDER: Elizabeth City

  Elizabeth City is a popular stop on the way to the Outer Banks in the summer months, but the waterfront town is also a great place for a family-friendly weekend trip in the fall. You’ll find cozy accommodations, a…

TRAVEL: Destination Dollywood

If you dread the endless lines, overpriced food, and stimulation overload at an amusement park, Dollywood might just change your mind. It’s a 3 hour and 40 minute drive from Charlotte and drops you in the foothills of the Great…

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