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New Bern sits in a very lucky spot. Not only does it have the Neuse River, but the city is also a short drive to oceanfront property. So, when you want to take a weekend away, you don't really need to go all that far. Today, we're going to show you some great spots for beautiful beaches and fun.
You could drive all the way down to Carolina Beach, but why do that when there's an island nearby? Welcome to the OBX. Get up close and personal to the Atlantic while partaking in an assortment of activities. From historic places to tasty eats, we've got the goods.
To start with, the whole reason you're having a weekend is to get away from normalcy. So, let's put away screens and get entertained like in the old days. The Lost Colony is a live performance depicting what happened to the colonists that disappeared after landing here in 1587. You can catch a show from May through the end of August. Prices start at $25.
Another way to step back into time, minus the dramatics, is to visit Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. This was England's first home away from home in the new world. There's a lot of history here, but a lot more to explore. This is a free place so take your time soaking up the past.
Let's not forget to eat before we continue on!
Just across the highway from Roanoke Island off Highway 64, you pass through Nags Head. This is one great place to really get a good feel for what the ocean has to offer. First stop, the 150-year-old Bodie Island Lighthouse. They have full moon tours and for $10 you can climb to the top and really take in that ocean view.
Next, there are two piers from which to fish. Jenette's Pier and Nags Head Fishing Pier. Jeanette's is newer and built to withstand hurricanes. Nags Head Pier is open 24 hours, so you can fish at whatever time suits you best.
If your family has a lot of energy to get out, make a day of it at First Flight Adventure Park. With 48 obstacles in the air, ziplines, and rope courses, the kids will surely sleep soundly that night. Tickets are $50 for adults and $40 for ages 6 to 9.
Continuing on down the highway, Kitty Hawk has some delightful options as part of your weekend. Have you ever wanted to learn how to surf? Kitty Hawk Kayak & Surf School will give you personalized lessons for an hour and a half at $79. You can also kayak through the forest for $39.
Rated the number one activity, reserve your ticket for Ghost Crabbing. This is a great option for when your group is exhausted from daytime activities. They offer astronomy night scavenger hunts! Tickets range from $15 to $150 depending on the type of tour.
Want to meet new people while you're here? Try Outer Banks Yoga! Bring out your inner Denise Austin by stretching with a yoga mat right on the beach.
Okay, you already live by the ocean, perhaps you'd like to get away from the coast for a little while. Instead, head inland toward the home of NC State University, Raleigh.
Got a couple of hours to spare? See the state capital from a different perspective while participating in the Radical Raleigh Adventure Scavenger Hunt! Tickets are $30 for adults and leave you with a learning experience about the town through the eyes of a local.
If you want to go indoors, stop by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. It takes about three hours to tour the whole place and there are both interesting and interactive exhibits. It's kid-friendly and will leave everyone wanting to know more. This amazing stop is free!
You can't really say no to a place where fun is in the name. Frankie's Fun Park has mini-golf, go-karts, bumper boats, rides, laser tag, batting cages, and much more. The group won't even need to leave to eat, there's plenty of food for everyone inside! Depending on what you want to do, you can pick an activity for as low as $3 a ticket.
If you wanted to avoid the seaside, but also the hustle and bustle of a big city, head straight west for about two and a half hours to Southern Pines.
100 years ago, author James Boyd and his wife built the Weymouth estate as a thinking pot for creatives. The idea was to have a safe place for expression and exploration that would allow people to come and get involved. Are you a writer? You're invited to apply to a program where you can stay there for two weeks. Whether it be music, poetry, painting, and more, there's always something going on.
Looking for a calm, quiet place to relax? Get out into the woods at Weymouth Woods Sandhill Nature Preserve. Across 900 acres, there are 500 plant species, 150 bird species, and longleaf pine from 1548. There are eight trails to choose from, but what else can you do?
Now that's what we call the great escape.
After getting accepted to ECU, I started looking for things to do in and around Greenville, NC. However, my searches kept taking me to places in South Carolina! There must be things to do around ECU, so I started asking other students. They kept telling me to graduate and move away! This inspired me to begin exploring eastern North Carolina and build this website as a showcase of the places to go, sights to see, and things to do all over eastern NC. I have fallen in love with this region and started taking up roots here. After graduating, I didn't move away - I bought a house here and continue to explore eastern North Carolina.
