Raleigh, North Carolina is a great place to live! A weekend trip to the North Carolina Mountains, or the North Carolina Beach is easy in the heart of North Carolina.
There are plenty of fun things to do this weekend in Raleigh — and throughout the week.
The Raleigh, NC, food scene is excellent, thanks to the visionary chef Ashley Christensen and her restaurants. Her support for new chefs and restaurants has helped Raleigh to become a destination for foodies.
The central NC region has so much to offer.
Raleigh Day Trips: The Best Options
We took day trips from Raleigh to Carowinds and Carolina Beach. Both were between two and three-hour drives away.
Raleigh, NC has some of the best day trips. They are closer to home so you don’t have to drive far.
Here are the top day trips you can take from Raleigh, NC. This list will continue to grow!
1. Fayetteville, NC
Fayetteville is best known for being a military city. Fort Bragg is located in this city, which has a lot of character and history.
Fayetteville, NC is a great day trip from Raleigh.
- Fayetteville is only an hour away via I-95, or you can take the parallel route 301.
- Carver’s Creek State Park was the playground of James Stillman Rockefeller’s Long Valley Farm. It offers hiking trails, fishing and picnic areas, all in a historical setting.
- Zipquest Waterfall Adventure Park offers a lot of fun. Beginners and adventurers can both enjoy guided zipline tours. The zipline tour takes you through the trees and offers views of the river, waterfalls and more. It is open all year round, but in the summer heat, I suggest a morning or night visit.
- Cape Fear Botanical Garden Located on the Cape Fear River, just two miles away from downtown Fayetteville, is an 80-acre botanical garden that’s open all year. It features a wide variety of North Carolina native plants, as well as historical farm houses that highlight the region’s early agricultural history.
- Lunch at Fowler’s Southern Gourmet 723 West Rowan Street. Since moving to North Carolina, I’ve eaten lots of BBQ and brisket. Fowler’s is only open from 11am to 2pm on Tuesdays through Saturdays. Plan your Fayetteville trip from Raleigh to start with lunch!
2. New Bern, NC
New Bern is a great day trip destination from Raleigh, NC. It’s only two hours away via US 70. New Bern, the second-oldest town in North Carolina, was the capital of the state from 1770-1792. The planned City of Raleigh then became the capital.
New Bern, NC is a great day trip from Raleigh if you enjoy history, small waterfront towns, or outdoor adventures.
New Bern is home to many activities that you can’t miss.
- The New Bern Trolley offers 90-minute historical tours of the town.
- When shopping in downtown, stop by Bradham’s Pharmacy to see the birthplace of Pepsi.
- The tour includes Tryon Palace which is a replica of the home of North Carolina’s original governors.
- New Bern’s African American Heritage Tours and History is a 16-stop self-guided tour that honors the rich African American history of this area.
3. Durham, NC
Hey, world! Durham is not a part Raleigh. Although the airport is called Raleigh Durham, that’s all there is to it.
Raleigh and Durham may be neighbors, but they are very different cities. Durham is well worth a trip. Most likely more than one.
Plan your family trip with our article on 21 things to Do in Durham!
At the edge of Downtown Durham, the American Tobacco Entertainment District is Durham’s premier destination. The former tobacco factory has been transformed into housing, retail, entertainment, and business. The Durham Bulls AAA Minor League Baseball team, restaurants and large open spaces are all located in this district. The “campus” hosts many special events during the year. This is a great place to spend the day, especially when you come for a baseball game or special event.
Durham is one of the most popular day trips from Raleigh.
- Sarah P. Duke Gardens is located at 420 Anderson St. in Duke University. It is a beautiful botanical garden that has four distinct areas. Native plants, an Asian Garden, and a Historic/Memorial Garden area are all featured. There are also special programming throughout the year. Enjoy a romantic walk or picnic in this serene setting, located right in the middle of Durham.
- The Duke Lemur Center, located at 3705 Erwin Road on the Duke Campus, is home to the largest population of lemurs in the world outside of Madagascar. The Duke Lemur Center’s research and care are vital to the survival of lemurs, which are the most threatened mammals. All visits to the Duke Lemur Center are required to be pre-arranged because this is a research and care facility. Click Here to Learn More About How to Plan a Visit.
- Nasher Museum of Art is located at 2001 Campus Drive at Duke University. It’s a small art museum that has a spectacular collection. Visit the museum for at least 2-3 hours, and more if your goal is to learn about each artist. There’s always new things to see here, thanks to the rotating exhibitions. Admission is free to the museum from Tuesday through Sunday thanks to generous donations.
- Durham also has some amazing restaurants. Try The Dame’s Waffles, for the best waffles and chicken. Or try Ally Twenty-Six to enjoy a memorable night with a unique cocktail (or mocktail) and seasonal menu.
4. Greensboro, NC
Before my son went to college in Greensboro I didn’t know how cool the city is. We drove past it on the I-40 as we returned to Ohio to visit family and friends.
Greensboro, NC is a great day trip destination from Raleigh. It has a walkable downtown with many restaurants, shops, and outdoor art. There are also many outdoor activities available in the city.
Consider these attractions and activities when planning a trip from Raleigh to Greensboro:
- The Weatherspoon Art Museum is located on the UNC Greensboro campus. The Weatherspoon Museum is home to one of the largest collections in the Southeast of US of contemporary and modern art, along with student exhibitions. The museum is closed Sundays and on Mondays.
- The Greensboro Science Center is a zoo and aquarium mixed with a museum. The Greensboro Science Center is a family-oriented center that focuses on educating and inspiring curiosity in visitors. The center is packed with things to do, many of them indoors. Allow 3 hours minimum.
- Greensboro Gardens… The city is a garden lover’s paradise. There are several gardens that you can visit, including the Tanger Family Bicentennial Gardens, a 7.5-acre garden with bronze sculptures. Also, there is the Greensboro Arboretum, which covers 17 acres, with both local and exotic plants in many gardens. Greensboro has more than you think. This might be the perfect day trip for you if you enjoy exploring gardens!
- Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. This park commemorates one of the key battles of the Revolutionary War. You can learn about the Revolutionary War battles at your own pace with cell phone tours. One is a walking tour and the other a driving one. Cell phone tours of Hoskins Farm provide insight into what life was like during the war for colonial families.
Here are a few day trips that you can take from Raleigh, NC in 2023. As the year progresses, I plan to add to this list! Please leave a comment if you have a favourite day trip destination!