Tasty Tours and History Hotspots to Explore on Your Summer Road Trip
With summer on the horizon, it’s time to start planning some epic road trips throughout the Tar Heel State. From Chapel Hill you’re just a few minutes or hours away from legendary historical sites and incredible food towns. To get your planning started, check out our roundup of must-see places and food tours.
History Hotspots
Pile the family into the car and head to Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, a heritage site with a Wild West adventure theme. The park features an action-packed train ride behind a historic narrow-gauge steam locomotive, live interactive shows, kid-friendly amusement rides, Deer Park Zoo and more.
Just South of Asheboro, you can cruise along “Pottery Highway,” a North Carolina Scenic Byway named for its large number of potters in and surrounding Seagrove. The region is renowned for its abundant and diverse natural clay deposits, and Native Americans were first to discover the resource and use it for functional and ceremonial objects. Today, the area is home to the largest concentration of working potters in the nation. Explore more than 50 shops offering a range of pottery, from functional everyday use, contemporary, sculptural, folk art, to historical forms from the past.
Follow I-74 North to Greensboro, and you can tour The International Civil Rights Center and Museum located in the former Woolworth’s building where historic sit-ins captured national attention and helped fuel the Civil Rights Movement. The nonprofit museum seeks to preserve important moments in history to advance civil and human rights for all. Both guided and self-guided tours are available.
Head towards the coast and stop in the Edenton Historic District. Edenton played a key role in in our state’s early years, serving as the North Carolina’s first colonial capital until 1743, and later being the setting of numerous Civil War battles. Today it is home to a historic district that includes 342 buildings with period architecture, several of which are on the National Register.
Explore more than 250 years of history at the Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens, located along the water’s edge in New Bern. The main house served as the official residence and administrative headquarters of the British governors of North Carolina from 1770 to 1775, and it was often the center of state occasions and hospitality. Surrounding the house are many well-manicured gardens each with unique features and flora. Tours of both the house and gardens are available, as well as rotating exhibits.
Another important historic location is Fort Macon State Park, known for its American history and beach access. This impeccably restored pre-Civil War fort offers daily guided tours and frequent cannon and musket demonstrations, with swimming and beachcombing on the sands below. For a more active adventure, explore four miles of trails by foot or bike through the salt marsh and dune fields where you could spot more than 300 different bird species in the park.
Home to one of modern history’s most important breakthrough’s, Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills pays homage to the first successful, sustained, powered flights in an airplane. The newly remodeled visitor center offers interactive exhibits on aviation, historic preservation; and science, technology, engineering, arts and math-based activities.
For a glimpse of more recent history, hop down to the USS North Carolina Battleship in Wilmington. Moored in the Cape Fear River, this authentically restored World War II battleship is also a National Historic Landmark, museum and memorial honoring the 11,000 North Carolinians of all branches of service who gave their lives in WWII. Surrounding the Battleship, you can also take advantage of a public park and environmentally sensitive trails and walkways.
Tasty Tours
Rich in farmland, coastlines, rivers, and culinary traditions rooted in southern hospitality, it’s no surprise North Carolina is home to some of the nation’s best cities for foodies. Luckily each of these tasty towns offers tours so you can try more places during your visit.
Asheville is equally as well-known for its food scene as it is for craft beer. Asheville Food Tours offers a wide array of themed trips, including downtown hot spots, brunch and fast-paced bites, stopping at anywhere from four to 11 establishments. With roughly 40 breweries in and around town, the best way to experience their brews is to let someone else do the driving. Check out the tour schedules of Asheville Brewery Tours, Amazing Pubcycle Tours and Asheville Brews Cruise.
If you’re already in the western part of the state, you can hop on the NC Historic Barbecue Trail spanning from Murphy all the way to Ayden. Created by the North Carolina Barbecue Society, the route spotlights more than 15 stops specializing in roasting pigs the old-fashioned way – slowly, over pits of wood or charcoal. Both Eastern and Lexington styles of barbecue are represented, but it’s up to you to pick your favorite.
As North Carolina’s largest city, Charlotte offers some of the widest array of cuisines from some big-name chefs. Find the tour that suits your taste, from gourmet food to neighborhood strolls. Be sure to keep an eye out for special food experiences, like the pop-up Soul Food Sessions, Adventure Dining at the U.S. National Whitewater Center and cooking classes with Chef Alyssa.
Winston-Salem also has a burgeoning reputation for its restaurant scene, but just to the west, you can explore North Carolina’s wine country. The Yadkin Valley is home to more than 40 wineries and vineyards where grapes thrive in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can tour individual wineries or sign up for guided excursions with multiple stops.
For a food tour with water views, Taste Wilmington lets you explore five to six downtown restaurants and bars. Guests will sample savory and sweet tastings, most of which are paired with a small alcoholic drink.
We hope you enjoy exploring all North Carolina has to offer this summer, and stay tuned for our next blog with our recommendations for the best beach and outdoor adventure road trips.