Exploring Carolinas - University City Partners

Exploring
the
Carolinas
Talk to anyone who has moved to Charlotte, and they will tell you the same thing: “I love being
so close to the beaches and the mountains!” In just two hours from the heart of University
City’s business district (travel times are from the intersection of W. WT Harris Blvd. and I-85)
you can be strolling downtown Asheville or cruising the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visit Magical
Charleston and the Grand Strand in under four hours.
And that’s just the start. We have assembled this short list of our favorite destinations. Enjoy!
Blue Ridge Parkway
Sunset Beach, NC
Beaches/Coast
Mountains
Southern Charm – Charleston (3.5 hours) Everything Mountain Mecca
you’ve heard about the historic heart of Charleston is
wrong. This place is even better! The history is palpable.
The inns and B&B’s delightful. Ocean breezes on the
Battery will seduce you. The food’s to die for, y’all! And
everything is a pleasant stroll away. Start planning your
visit here! http://www.charlestoncvb.com/
Outer Banks
– Manteo /Nag’s Head (5.5 hours)
There’s nothing like it: 200 miles of narrow sandbars,
up to 30 miles from shore, and steeped in history from
the Lost Colony to pirates (Black Beard) and the Wright
Brothers (Kitty Hawk). Vacationers flock here to rent beach
cottages in eclectic villages from Duck to Ocracoke, play
in the surf and sand, fish, kayak or just find escape in the
hypnotic ocean vistas. The main access road is U.S. 64 to
Manteo and Nags Head. If you can, leave time to ride a
ferry across the broad Pamlico or Albemarle sounds. Four
routes operate daily, including the memorable 2.5-hour
ride to Ocracoke.
http://www.outerbanks.com/
http://www.ncdot.gov/ferry/default.html
The Grand Strand
(3.5 hours) This is, simply,
Charlotte’s beach. We go there to tan, swim, body surf, golf,
shop, indulge, party, people watch, graduate high school,
get married and, well … you get the picture. The mother
destination is one and only Myrtle Beach – amusement
parks, bars, all-you-can-eat buffets, high-rise condos and
low-rent off-the-water hotels. But The Strand is way bigger,
with dozens of towns, hundreds of golf courses, tons of
great resorts, rental homes and even campgrounds, plus
a gazillion restaurants and towel shops. Not sure where to
start? Ask anyone you meet in Charlotte. If they don’t have
a favorite, well, they just aren’t from around here!
http://www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/
http://www.myrtlebeachgolf.com/
– Asheville, Biltmore and more!
(2 hours) The free spirit of the southern Appalachians
starts here. Spend a night in the ultimate mountain inn,
Grove Park. Dine and shop till you drop in downtown
Asheville. Visit grand Biltmore Estate and America’s most
visited winery. Then escape into mile-high mountains on
the majestic Blue Ridge Parkway. Hiking, trout fishing and
cool breezes abound!
http://www.romanticasheville.com/
http://www.exploreasheville.com/
http://www.biltmore.com/
Boone, Blowing Rock and Blue Ridge
(Under 2 hours) Easy hikes with stunning vistas. Enjoyably
walkable (and dinable) Blowing Rock. One of America’s
great regional summer-long arts festivals. And even the
Ski Capital of the South nearby. Yeah, we do love our
mountains!
http://www.blowingrock.com/
http://www.exploreboone.com/
Smoky Mountains (2.5-5 hours) When you truly
want to escape, head west to the Smokies. You’ll find
charming villages along the Great Smoky Mountains
Expressway, dozens of waterfalls, whitewater adventure
on the Nantahala River and casinos and Native American
culture in Cherokee. Cherokee leads right into Great
Smoky Mountains National Park. Millions of visitors enjoy
the short hikes, waterfalls and vistas near the main roads.
You can also spend days hiking the Appalachian Trail or
camping in remote corners of this vast wilderness.
http://visitcherokeenc.com/#home
http://www.visitnc.com/smoky-mountains-cherokee
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm
Cities with History
The history of the Carolinas dates backs 11,000 years
or more with the coming of the first human settlers.
Our modern settlement begins in the earliest years of
European exploration with Sir Walter Raleigh’s failed “Lost
Colony” on Roanoke Island. Here are a few memorable
places to visit, plus a terrific web resource put together
by the state that includes many videos of key attractions
plus an interactive guide to more than 700 historic places
you can visit.
http://www.visitnc.com/history-heritage
Museum of the Cherokee Indian – Cherokee
(3.5 hours) The Cherokee nation keeps alive its 11,000year heritage in numerous venues around the tribe’s
home in the NC mountains. The Museum of the Cherokee
Indian and the Oconoluftee Indian Village are essential
first stopping points on your visit to the heart of the
Cherokee nation.
http://visitcherokeenc.com/ play/attractions/museumof-the-cherokee-indian/
New Bern and Tryon Palace (4 hours) The first
capital of colonial North Carolina oozes with history, from
the restored Tryon Palace – at one time the largest public
building in North America – to the “Birthplace of Pepsi.”
Numerous walking and riding tours via carriage and even
Segway will help you experience the history of North
Carolina’s second oldest city.
Websites
• Search “Things to Do” for New Bern at http”visitnc.com
• Explore Tryon Palace by video: http://www.visitnc.com/
video/tryon-palace-4
Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence Day in Charlotte, NC
Where History Lives – Charleston, SC (3.5 hours)
The history of South Carolina flows through this port city.
Indeed, half of all slaves entered America here. Antebellum
Southern enterprise and trade created fortunes here. The
Civil War started here. And America’s Civil Rights movement
continues to play out in historic Charleston. Great
restaurants, lively streets made for walking, wonderful
restored homes and so many historical stops. Learn more:
• Historic Charleston Foundation - https://www.
historiccharleston.org/Home.aspx
• The Official Charleston visitors website - http://www.
charlestoncvb.com/visitors/tripplanner/?location=1
Moravian life at Old Salem – Winston-Salem (1.25
hours) Imagine finding a slice of Williamsburg just 70
miles from University City – that’s the restored village
of Old Salem. The Moravian religious sect from Europe
established Salem in the NC backcountry in 1766.
Restoration and reconstruction began in 1950. Today
visitors can stroll the shaded streets, tour the 1771
Home Moravian Church on the village
square, visit dozens of exhibits, dine
at The Tavern and stroll through 11
gardens. Stop first at the Visitors Center
to buy passes to the many exhibits and
gardens. And be sure to hit Winkler
Bakery for a slice of heavenly Moravian
sugar cake! Learn about daily activities
and special events on the website.
http://oldsalem.org
Revolutionary War
Tryon Palace in New Bern, NC
The Revolutionary War’s final year
was fought and won throughout the
“Back Country” of upstate North and
South Carolina, as hundreds of patriots
known as the Overmountain Men
overwhelmed British forces under Lord
Cornwallis at battlefields along modernday I-85. Local settlers even skirmished
with British troops on The Square in
Golf guide website to numerous NC regions
http://www.northcarolinagolf.com/destination/
Similar site for SC golf
http://discoversouthcarolina.com/golf
High Country (NC mountains)
http://highcountryhost.com/recreation/golf-courses/
Asheville area
http://www.romanticasheville.com/golf.htm
http://www.golfnow.com/asheville
Pinehurst – the Cradle of Golf
http://www.pinehurst.com/
http://www.golfnow.com/village-of-pinehurst
Golf is the Carolinas’ middle name
The great golf course designer Donald Ross made his
mark at Pinehurst, which modestly calls itself the Cradle
of Golf. Today the Carolinas boast of hundreds of fine golf
courses from the mountains to the sea – and especially
the sea. You could spend a lifetime just working your
way from course to course along the NC and SC coastal
communities.
We are not even going to attempt to give you suggestions.
Rather, we have found several regional golfing guides, in
case you need them. Good luck. Tee it high. And let it fly!
NC and SC statewide guides
NC – http://www.northcarolinagolf.com/destination/
SC – http://discoversouthcarolina.com/golf
NC Coast
http://www.golfnow.com/coastal-north-carolina
http://www.northcarolinagolf.com/courses/wilmington/
Myrtle Beach
http://www.myrtlebeachgolf.com/
http://www.golfnow.com/myrtle-beach
Hilton Head Island
http:/www.hiltonheadgolf.com/
http://www.golfnow.com/hilton-head
Charlotte Area
https://www.charlestongolfguide.com/courses/
http://www.golfnow.com/charleston
Pinehurst No. 3
downtown Charlotte. Some fleeing locals died within a mile of modern-day University Research Park.
Learn more:
• Mecklenburg Historical Association - http://www.meckdec.org/
• Kings Mountain National Military Park, Blacksburg, SC (45 minutes) 46 miles west on I-85 to the NC-SC border.
http://www.nps.gov/kimo/index.htm
• Cowpens National Battlefield near Gaffney, SC (1 hour) 67 miles west via I-85 and SC 11. http://www.nps.gov/cowp/
index.htm
Civil War sites – Though most of the Civil War was fought elsewhere, some of its biggest moments occurred in the
Carolinas.
• The Civil War’s first battle began April 12, 1861, in Charleston Harbor (3.5 hours) as Confederate forces bombarded
Fort Sumter into surrender. http://www.nps.gov/fosu/index.htm
• The Civil War’s last great coastal battle took place in January 1865 just south of Wilmington, at Fort Fischer (3.75
hours) where Union forces staged the largest land and sea assault of the war to close the Confederacy’s last seaport.
http://www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher/
• The largest surrender of Confederate soldiers took place in April 1865 at Bennett Place in Durham (2 hours). http://
www.visitnc.com/listing/bennett-place-state-historic-site
• Ironically, the South’s final blow came, in Charlotte. Jefferson Davis and his cabinet, fleeing the fall of Richmond ,
made it to Charlotte (15 minutes) on April 19, 1865. The last meeting of the Confederate government took place on
April 26 at the Phifer home at 700 N. Tryon St. just a 10-minute walk from where American patriots had fired on the
British in 1780. Charlotte - http://docsouth.unc.edu/commland/monument/533/
Museums, Zoos & Aquariums
If you love to learn, you will love the Carolinas. Here is a
very brief overview of some our many facilities. Let Google
guide you to the rest!
Aquariums
• Sea Life Aquarium – Concord Mills Mall (10 minutes)
One of the newest attractions at Concord Mills Mall, the
Sea Life Aquarium features 5,000 creatures from sharks
to jellyfish. Stroll through an acrylic tunnel right into the
heart of the exhibit. Reach out and touch hermit crabs
and starfish in the Touchpool.
https://www.visitsealife.com/charlotte-concord/
• NC state aquariums – Outer Banks (Roanoke Island
and Jennette’s Pier), Pine Knoll Shores (Atlantic Beach)
and Fort Fisher (Kure Beach) – When you visit the coast,
drop by one of the four NC aquariums for a lesson about
our ocean, coastal estuaries, rivers and streams.
http://www.ncaquariums.com/
• Greensboro Science Center – Greensboro
(1.5 hours) Part of the much larger science center and
zoo, the aquarium includes a 90,000-gallon Shark Reef.
http://www.greensboroscience.org/
• SC Aquarium – Charleston (3.5 hours) Take a watery
trip from the SC mountains to the coast via 60 unique
habitats including the 385,000-gallon Great Ocean Tank.
Free city buses run to the facility on the Charleston Harbor.
Check the CARTA Website for routes and times.
http://scaquarium.org/
http://www.ridecar ta.com/riding-car ta/
routesmapsschedules/carta-dash-trolley-map-times
museum offers learn-through-play displays in nearby
Huntersville, about 20 minutes north on I-77.
http://www.discoveryplace.org/
• Greesnboro Science Center – Greensboro (1.5 hours)
This facility combines a hands-on science center, zoo with
wolves and crocodiles, an aquarium, and the OmniSphere
theater capable of showing 3D movies. Kids love playing
in the Kelly Davis Fountain of Youth and Discovery, a
water feature choreographed to music. http://www.
greensboroscience.org/
• NC Museum of Natural Sciences – Raleigh
(2.5 hours) This is state’s oldest museum and the largest
of its kind in the Southeast, drawing 1.2 million visitors
each year. Trip Advisor ranks this as the No. 1 “Things To
Do In Raleigh.”
Zoos
• North Carolina Zoo – Asheboro (1.5 hours) A pleasant
drive out NC 49 leads to Asheboro, home of the world’s
largest open-air natural habitat zoo. More than 1,600
animals live in their natural habitats spread across
500 acres of the 2,200-acre facility. Extensive trails run
through the mostly forested compound, along with a tram
(fee required). http://www.nczoo.org/
• Riverbanks Zoo and Garden – Columbia, SC (1.5
hours) More than 1 million people come each year to
Riverbanks Zoo on the banks of the Lower Saluda River
near downtown Columbia. The zoo houses more than
2,000 animals in an environment free of bars and cages.
The 70-acre botanical garden features woodlands, plant
collections and historic ruins. http://www.riverbanks.org/
Hands-on Science Centers
• Discovery Place – Uptown Charlotte (15 minutes)
One of the best hands-on science centers in the Southeast
is just down Tryon Street from us, with many visiting
exhibits and the Imax Theater. The Discovery Place Kids
Sea Life Aquarium
Museum Heaven – Start at our state capitals
Like most states, our NC and SC capital cities feature
major universities and dozens of museums dedicated to
arts, science, history and more. Truthfully, the NC capital
really encompasses what we call the Triangle – Raleigh,
Durham and Chapel Hill (Can we really exclude the homes
of Duke University and the University of North Carolina?)
Here are some quick links to help your visit.
Columbia, SC (1.5 hours)
• University of South Carolina, founded in 1801
http://sc.edu/
Sampling of Columbia-area museums
• Columbia Museum of Art
http://www.columbiamuseum.org/
• EdVenture – The largest children’s museum in the
South, with numerous hands-on activities - http://www.
edventure.org/
• SC State Museum – The largest museum in the
Southeast features art, history, natural history, science
and technology - http://scmuseum.org/
• Find all SC museums
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_museums_in_South_
Carolina
NC Triangle (2.5 hours)
• Duke University – Durham (2.25 hours) www.duke.edu
• N.C. State University – Raleigh (2.5 hours) www.ncsu.edu
• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill –
Chapel Hill (2.25 hours) America’s oldest public university.
www.unc.edu
Sampling of Triangle museums
• Morehead Planetarium and Science Center –
Chapel Hill – One of the oldest and largest planetariums
in the U.S. - http://moreheadplanetarium.org/
• NC Museum of Art – Raleigh – Trip Advisor’s No. 2 on
list of “Top 30 Things To Do In Raleigh.”
www.ncartmuseum.org
• NC Museum of History – Covers 14,000 years of
human habitation in North Carolina
www.ncmuseumofhistory.org
• Find all NC museums
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_museums_in_North_
Carolina
Antiques are us!
You can find a broad range of antiques on your travels
across the Carolinas, from fine colonial pieces in the
Low Country to rustic mountain crafts along the Blue
Ridge. We have collected several websites for popular
destinations. But don’t stop there. Wherever you visit, just
add “antiques” to your Google search and you’ll turn up
plenty of places to shop!
The NC mother website – This statewide reference
website
arranged
by
regions
http://www.
northcarolinaantiquetrail.com/
Charlotte’s antiques center
– Waxhaw (45 min)
Charlotte’s antiques center features two dozen antique
stores. Waxhaw is an easy trip south of town via the I-485
Outer Belt and NC 16. http://www.yelp.com/search?find_
desc=antiques&find_ loc=waxhaw%2C+nc&ns=1
On the way to Raleigh – Cameron (2 hours) Home
to a dozen antique shops, Cameron has been voted “Best
Antique Area in North Carolina” by Our State Magazine
readers. You can take the scenic way to Raleigh by way
of Cameron. Head east on NC 24 (Albemarle Road) to
Cameron. The outskirts of Raleigh are 45 minutes north
via US 1. http://www.antiquesofcameron.com/
On the way to the Outer Banks –Wilson (3 hours)
If you are heading to Wilmington or the Outer Banks, spend
time in Wilson, NC, about an hour east of Raleigh along
I-95. Once known as the World’s Greatest Tobacco Market,
Wilson thrives with 21st century industry and entertains
with its two dozen antique shops and its extensive historic
district covering 280 homes and businesses (with walking
tour).
http://www.wilson-nc.com/antiques.cfm
http://www.wilson-nc.com/walkingtour.cfm
Asheville antiques (2 hours) So many shops, so many
mountain crafts and antiques to see. Good luck! Here’s a
good website to guide your day.
http://www.exploreasheville.com/things-to-do/
shopping/antique-shops/
Charleston!
(3.25 hours) OK, this truly is antiques
heaven. This link covers just the shops on King Street in
the historic district.
http://www.charlestonsfinest.com/lists/Kantiques.htm
Crafts
The Carolinas have amazing local arts, from pottery and
baskets to mountain crafts, gemstones and even gold.
Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, NC
Pottery
– Seagrove, NC (1.5 hours) This is pottery
heaven ¬ a small town with 60-plus potters and nearly 40
studios AND the NC Pottery Center – the Internet resource
for all things clay in North Carolina.
Learn about the potters Discoverseagrove.com/potters
Learn about the NC Pottery Center
http://Discoverseargrove.com/potters
http://www.cncpotterycenter.org
Cherokee baskets
– Cherokee, NC (3 hours)
Thousands of years of crafts endure in the home
of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee. http://www.
quallaartsandcrafts.com/basketry.php
Low Country “sweetgrass” baskets – Charleston,
SC – 3.25 hours – 217 miles – The great art form of
the Low Country got its start thousands of miles away
in Sierra Leone, Africa. People forced into slavery kept
their native craft alive in their new home. You can find
modern artists and their wares throughout the coastal
region, including the Charleston City Market. http://www.
africanamericancharleston.com/sweetgrass.html
Folk arts – Folk Art Center at Asheville (2 hours)
One of
the great stops along the magnificent Blue Ridge Parkway
is just 10 minutes east of downtown Asheville, at Mile
Marker 382. The Folk Art Center showcases the finest
of traditional and contemporary crafts of the Southern
Appalachian, including many pieces for sale. http://
www.southernhighlandguild.org/pages/folk-art-center/
general-info.php
NC gems and gold – Multiple locations – Gold and
gems are there for the finding and taking throughout
the Carolinas including Charlotte! Just ask the U.S. Mint,
Tiffany’s and many other fortune-seekers. America’s first
gold rush started here 50 years before that other one in
Street Performer in Asheville, NC
California. You still might find gold in our local streams.
Dig for rubies, emeralds and other gems in the Carolina
mountains.
Learn about Carolina gold - http://goldfever.unctv.org/
history
Learn about Carolina gems - http://www.blueridgeheritage.
com/attractions-destinations/gems-minerals
Shelby County Fair - Photographed by Lisa Crates Photography
America’s first wines
Decades before the Pilgrims found Cape Cod, English explorers discovered the MotherVine on Roanoke Island. The
vine still thrives (see the video!) and so does wine from its grapes. In fact, scores of wineries await your visit within a
short drive of Charlotte, including America’s most visited winery at Asheville’s Biltmore Estate Asheville.
• Overview of NC wineries - http://www.ncwine.org/about/about-north-carolina-wine
• Interactive map of all NC wineries - http://www.ncwine.org/wineries
• NC Wine trails – http://www.carolinawinetrail.com
• Video of the MotherVine on Roanoke Island - https://vimeo.com/27067161
Biltmore Winery (2 hours) Asheville – America’s most visited winery at Asheville’s Biltmore Estate sits on the
8,000 acres and just a short distance from the grand house. Begun in the 1970s, the winery now produces more than
20 handcrafted wines. The wine bar offers reserve and sparkling wines by the glass, along cheeses and locally made
truffles.
http://www.biltmore.com/wine
NC Viticulture Areas
North Carolina has three American Viticulture Areas, each packed with offering tasty wines and memorable visits.
Yadkin Valley (1.25-2.25 hours via I-77 north) North Carolina’s first and biggest American Viticulture Area begins
just 60 miles north of University City along I-77. Dozens of wineries flourish in the picturesque Yadkin River Valley.
Many have special programs, tours and food, too! NCWine.org has tons of information including an interactive map
and winery events calendar!
http://www.yadkinvalleywinecountry.com/
Swan Creek (1.25-2 hours via I-77 north) A compact subsection of the original Yadkin Valley AVA, Swan Creek
features five distinctive wineries like Raffaldini, whose mountain vistas at the Italian villa-styled visitor center are
almost as memorable as its wines.
http://swancreekvineyards.com/
Haw River Valley (1.5-2.5 hours) The state’s newest AVA was created in 2009 in the region between Greensboro
and Durham. Short side trips off of I-85 will take you to places like Benjamin Vineyards and Wolfe Wines.
http://www.hawrivervalley.com/
Muscadine Grapes
8335 IBM Drive, Suite 110 ~ Charlotte, NC 28269 ~ [email protected] ~ www.universitycitypartners.org