Weekend Getaways and Staycations Near the Triangle

There are quite a few fun places within a 2 hour drive from the Triangle, great for a day trip, a staycation or even a weekend getaway.

Located on the Cape Fear River, Wilmington is one of the oldest cities on the east coast. Full of breweries, restaurants and places to see like galleries and museums like the WWII Battleship North Carolina, you will be transported to a mini version of a Victorian-era place city like Savannah or Charleston. Wilmington is very walkable. Don’t miss the Cape Fear Riverboats that tour from March - October. 

Wrightsville Beach is right nextdoor to Wilmington and is a sandy barrier island only 4 miles long, and has everything there is to love about beach life - beautiful shoreline, laid back vibe and of course, delicious seafood. 

A city with lots of history, Winston-Salem is full of charm including cobblestone streets, eclectic shops, and outdoor adventures plus more than 40 wineries in the neighboring Yadkin Valley. Also home to Wake Forest University, the town is built on tobacco and named after the world famous cigarette brand and comes with the history of that as well. 

Johnston County is home to Clayton, Benson and Smithfield, three small towns that could easily be incorporated into one trip but it’s worth the stop. Clayton is a small community brimming with transplants where you’ll find boutique stores, charming southern homes and hipster cafes and bars. Smithfield is situated along the Neuse River and is home to the Carolina Premium Outlets among other great and historic sites. Benson is most well known for its Mule Days Festival in September that attracts 60,000 visitors each year. 

The 4,200 acres of Eno River State Park is comprised of nearly 30 miles of trails offering plenty of outdoor activities; hiking, paddling, bouldering, fording the river, swimming and general exploration. You can even fly fish and camp after a hike on one of the 17 trails. 

Kinston is one of the oldest towns in the state with its formation in 1791 offering 300 years of history, impressive food, art and music scenes. Dating back to the tobacco days, Kinston was a hotbed of music since the musicians traveled there to play in the tobacco warehouses and you can learn about it on the African American Music Trail. 

The small southern town of Southern Pines is in Moore County among the sandhills. Originally founded in 1884 as a winter health resort for northerners, it has a rich history with a lot of recent growth. It’s currently known as the home of American golf with Pinehurst just 10 minutes away, but also as ‘horse country’ due to the abundance of horse farms in the area. 

The first state capital of North Carolina, New Bern is a picturesque town set along the Trent and Neuse rivers. The birthplace of Pepsi Cola, as well as the setting of The Notebook written by one of New Bern’s own residents Nicholas Sparks, is a quaint little town full of galleries, cafes, riverfront attractions and outdoor activities so there’s really something for everyone.  

The slogan of Fayetteville is “Welcome to America’s Hometown: History, Heroes, and a Hometown feeling” so you know it is going to give you that old school feel. Fort Bragg is the country’s most populated base so the community around it wears that distinction proudly. The ongoing revitalization provides visitors with a modern city mixed with the historic charm and natural beauty.   

Greenville is known for being a thriving cultural, educational, economical and medical hub in eastern North Carolina. Whether partaking in the outdoor adventures around the Greenville Greenway or eating and drinking your way through the walkable Uptown or Dickinson Avenue Districts, you’ll have a good time.  

Serving as a major focal point for historic events since 1784 (Revolutionary and Civil Wars), Hillsborough’s downtown district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Now home to artists and writers and BBQ lovers that join in the Hog Day festival each year. Its scenic appeal and graceful architecture make it a great stop along the Eno River.  

About 20 miles outside of Winston-Salem, you’ll come to Pilot Mountain State Park which formerly served as a navigational landmark for the Saura tribe. You can enjoy hiking, biking, horse riding, paddling and even rock climbing. 

Cary has some of the best places to eat and drink in the Triangle, there’s some great nature trails and parks too. And don’t overlook the growing downtown area, Cary has gone through some major changes in recent years so don’t skip this local gem.