For popular local places to eat, check out local hotspots and childhood favorites of Elizabeth’s: Sports Page, Midtown, Japan Restaurant, and Casa Garcia. Recent additions to the area also include Tex-A-Lina Barbecue Co, Lake Norman and Royal Bliss Breweries. For brunch, Citrus Diner is incredible, but you’ll get a classic southern home-cooked meal at Lowesville Cafe. If you head out of the immediate area and into Charlotte or LKN- Tupelo Honey is a NC favorite. Midnight Diner and Amelie’s French Bakery are CLT staples. The Harp & Crown and Boardwalk Billy’s are also fantastic places. Almost anything in South End will likely hit the spot (tons of breweries!). If you decide on barbecue, make sure to test out both Lexington and Eastern NC ‘cue to decide which side of the rivalry you’re on! And remember, barbecue is a noun, not a verb!! Taylor highly recommends Bojangles if you need something quick. Cookout is also a must-visit NC spot for fast food. Don’t forget to try Cheerwine!
For fun activities around the Charlotte area, check out the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Lowe’s Motor Speedway, The Mint Museum, and The Discovery Place are all fantastic. If the outdoors is more on your mind, you can’t get better than the US National Whitewater Center, which has plenty to do and rental options should you need. Lake Norman has plenty of water sports and beach options along its shores. Crowders Mountain and Kings Mountain State Parks will give you plenty of hikes and the great outdoors, and are only a quick drive away. If you want a little thrill, then head to Carowinds, a theme and water park, for the day. Fun fact, Elizabeth was a lifeguard one summer here!
You can’t go wrong with a visit to the mountains. Home of the first Gold Rush, an area with its own unique culture and heritage, and its own rainforest, you’ll find something new at every turn. Just remember, it’s pronounced Apple-at-chan! Blowing Rock, Boone, Bryson City, Brevard, Linville Gorge, Little Switzerland, and Hendersonville are all fantastic little towns to pop into. The Blue Ridge Parkway is an absolute must if you decide to hit the mountains with plenty of hikes along the way. There are gem mines, bat caves, the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi, and much more. You also can’t beat any of the State Forests and Parks, with Stone Mountain being a childhood favorite of Elizabeth's. Asheville, the biggest city, is known for its breweries, with a fan favorite of Sierra Nevada. For those renting a motorcycle, a must stop is the Tail of the Dragon.
If you're in the Asheville area this is a must-see, honestly I’d even go as far as to say it’s a NC must-see. This giant estate is the closest North America can get to a castle. You’ll learn about the beginning of the US Forestry and Conservation program and even a little Tesla vs Edison history if you take the Upstairs/Downstairs tour. You can spend a full day here and each of the additional tours are well worth it. There's also a free wine tasting at the winery on the property included with your admission! Don’t worry guys, there’s a brewery as well.
There are many islands and beaches along the Outer Banks, or OBX. We recommend doing your research, but a personal favorite of Elizabeth's is Ocracoke Island, Corolla Beach for the wild horses, or Manteo. On your drive into the Outer Banks, don’t forget to stop in the beautiful small towns of Washington, Edenton, Plymouth, Bath, Halifax, and Tarboro to see the picturesque southern architecture and fun things like Blackbeard's home or an iron-clad confederate submarine. Once at the beach, check out the Lost Colony of Roanoke, Kitty Hawk, where the Wright Brothers flew the first plane, and see how many lighthouses you can visit; there are 7 total! If you can get a 4-wheel drive, take a drive in the sand and light a bonfire (check for permits) until the Milky Way shows up, you won’t forget it.
Just like the Appalachians, you can’t really go wrong with the options the coast has to offer. Local favorites outside of the Outer Banks would be: Topsail (pronounced top-suhl) Island, the Crystal Coast/Emerald Island, Oak Island, Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach. Most of these are only an hour or two drive from Wilmington, which is a fantastic city to visit. New Bern, Beaufort, and Southport are also favorites, each with its own uniqueness. If you do visit Wilmington, Taylor highly recommends checking out the USS North Carolina.
These are only about 4 hours away for those who want a few days to see a little more of the area and are interested in more of a city vibe. Charleston, SC, is consistently ranked the #1 city to travel to in the USA. It's Elizabeth's favorite city to visit, and you seriously cannot beat the food and history it offers. There are plenty of beaches to hit for a day if you are still looking for a beach vibe along with the city. Savannah, GA, is another highly ranked city to visit. A very similar vibe to Charleston, it's a well-known food spot with gorgeous architecture and a thriving nightlife along River Street. It's also known to be incredibly haunted! Tybee Island is a quick jaunt away. Charlottesville, VA, is a beautiful mountain college town nestled in the Shenandoah Valley. Well known for its wineries and as Thomas Jefferson's home, it's a fantastic city with plenty to see and do.