Buffy9297

I'm in the beginning stages of planning my first trip to North Carolina. My husband and I would be coming the beginning of May. Can anyone help me out with what we absolutely can't miss while we're there and what type of weather we can expect to have that time of year? We'll be there about a week and really want to see the coast but will be flying into Charlotte. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

chezdarcy

We love North Carolina and recommend the Outerbanks to anyone who has the time to go there. Don't know much about Charlotte but if you want to know more about Kitty Hawk, Duck, Corolla, or Nags Head - let me know.

cmcfong

Early May is a beautiful time to visit North Carolina. We can get a really hot spell that early, but it is more common for the temperatures to be moderate and the humidity to be low. If you fly into Charlotte you can easily drive to the Wilmington area. It is a great city with much of historical interest and very near some lovely beaches. In the alternative go to Beaufort, an old whaling town, and hit the beaches of Salter Path, Atlantic, Emerald Isle.
If you are history buffs visit Winston Salem, Old Salem area.
Better tell us more about your interests so we can make some suggestions.

jent103

The weather will probably be great - springtime in the South! Temps will probably be in high 70s or low 80s. The ocean will probably be too cold to swim in, but otherwise you're probably fine except for the possibility of rain.

As far as must-sees, it depends on what you're into. The Outer Banks is a good drive from Charlotte - Google Maps says 6.5 hours from Charlotte to Kitty Hawk. Wilmington is another option for coast. I never actually made it to the Outer Banks when I lived in Chapel Hill, but know many people prefer that area to Wilmington.

Charlotte is growing fast - has some art museums, great shopping, growing downtown. If getting to the coast is your main object, I'd probably start with a day and a half or so in Charlotte, depending on your flight, and take another day and a half to drive to the Outer Banks, staying one night in Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill. Depending on your interests, there can be a lot to see there - Duke's campus and Duke Gardens are beautiful, and you might be able to catch a Bulls game (minor league baseball). Chapel Hill is the quintessential college town and has a great little downtown. Raleigh has the NC Museum of Art, among other things. Spend a few days in the Outer Banks and head back to Charlotte.

That has you skipping Asheville, which many people love, but if your main goal is the coast that'd be my plan.

alise007

I would say depending upon what part of the country you are coming from...would determine what I would recommend. NC offers a lot of geographical diversity from Mtns to the Coast. IF you live somewhere without beaches and that is your thing...then I say head that way. IF you don't have tickets yet then fly into Raleigh or Greensboro because Charlotte is just that much farther away from your goal!! Also a good option for the Outer Banks is flying in and out of Norfolk.

I would just hate to drive the 6+ hrs from Charlotte...going to the coast wouldn't be bad but heading home you will dread that drive and lose 2 full days of your vacation depending upon flight times.

I am a mountain girl so I recommend Asheville.

Gretchen

The Outer Banks are well, out there. If you want to see the coast, I recommend a circle trip that includes the SC beaches, a very much visited part of the coast for NCarolinians. The weather will be scrumptious in the mountains and on the coast. And all in between
For a fun day if you like pottery, spend it in the Seagrove area, near Asheboro in the center of the state. Almost 100 potteries of all kinds of clay work.

stevesmoker

NC is a lovely destination, but you will have to decide whether to go east to coast or west to mtns. Asheville is scenically surrounded by mtns and the Biltmore house is a wonderful destination, then spend a day driving the Blue Ridge parkway. Wonderful B&B's around Ashville. In my opinion the area is every bit as scenic as the Smokey Mtns. Someone mentioned the coastal area of Beaufort/Atlantic Beach. In Beaufort (pronounced ''Bo-furt'' by natives) you'll find a boardwalk with beautiful boats and turn of the century storefronts, victorian homes that were built by wealthy ship captains, and great seafood. Take the bridge across the sound to Atlantic Beach and visit a nice aquarium and Fort Macon State park (a restored fort) with miles of uncluttered beaches. You will be a little early for beach bathing, so having these activities makes the area perfect. Plus this part of the coast is not too touristy - not the miles of T-shirt shops you find in some areas. Sea Grove pottery is wonderful as you head for the coast. And be sure to pull in when you see a restaurant advertizing NC barbecue (BBQ is inland, not at the coast) and don't worry, you won't need to get dressed up for the occasion.

Steve

stevesmoker

PS If you want miles of T-shirt shops, lots of glitz and tinsil, round the clock entertainment, plus the beach, head for Myrtle Beach.

Steve

tovarich

We visited NC during our S.east tour last Sept/Oct.Were in Kill devil hills(outer banks) and Wilmington.It was still very hot.We very much prefered the west-with Asheville-Blue ridge parkway(beautiful).Paul

Buffy9297

Wow - thanks everyone for your great responses! We definitely want to see the coast so from what I read, the Outer Banks should be our destination and I didn't realize it was such a long drive from Charlotte -- so would most of you recommend flying into Raleigh? And is it possible to drive the coast in a couple days?

cd

We love the Outer Banks. I would suggest that you stay in Nags Head or Kitty Hawk, It's more built up. But for sure drive the entire Outer Banks. You can drive Nags Head to Ocracoke and back in a day. Ocracoke is an island and you will take a ferry over. Have lunch and a beer (Howards Pub just to your right as you enter the Island from the ferry is good) visit the lighthouse, drive around the town and head back. The Outer Banks is a great place to explore.

jent103

I would definitely fly into Raleigh if you mainly want to see the coast - no reason at all to fly into Charlotte, unless you like long drives and would stop on the way. RDU is a decent size airport, so hopefully you'll be able to get reasonable fares.

Buffy9297

Only reason I'm thinking of flying into Charlotte is because of all the race-related stuff - my husband is a HUGE Earnhardt fan and no way could we get away with coming to NC and not checking out DEI. And actually the fares are much much cheaper flying into Charlotte. Does anyone have any info on the race related stuff around Charlotte?

ncgrrl

Cheaper to fly into Charlotte? Charlotte is usually ranked as one of the most expensive airports. but that could be for fly out of that location.

North of Charlotte is the Lowe's Motor Speedway. You can take a tour and they will drive you on a lap around the track. The best seat is the front passenger's spot, so have you're hubby get that location.

Many NASCAR shops are located near LMS. I don't know if they are open to tours but it doens't hurt to ask.

Dale Earnhardt (Sr.) had ownership in the Kannapolis Intimidators minor-league baseball team. Take a look into that.

If you're flying into Charlotte, Wilmington area beaches would be easier to get to than the outer banks. You might want to consider Charleston, SC area beaches too.

KathyK

I don't have a map out, but I believe the closest airport to the Outer Banks is in Norfolk Virginia. It's less than 2 hours away.

Buffy9297

ncgrrl -- regarding the flights...I checked into flying into Raleigh and it is almost twice as much but I'm only going with United (as I have vouchers to use)...I really need to hit Charlotte for the racing aspect, but really want to see the coast too....

Gretchen

ncgirl, Charlotte has finally gotten some low cost carriers!! Woohoo!!
Lots to do for the racing lovers. YOu can spend days up there.

Buffy9297

I have another question regarding weather.....will there be a big difference in weather if we come in the early part of April rather than early May? Thanks!

GeorgeW

Yes, there can be a big difference between early April and early May in North Carolina.

As for airposts in Eastern North Carolina, I know that Jacksonville and Wilmington would have them. I would guess that Greenville (home of East Carolina University), Kinston and Elizabeth City would have some sort of airport.

Gretchen

Depends on what you mean by "difference". The weather in early April is also gorgeous--and it is what I call the fairyland time--azaleas, dogwood in bloom, flowering fruit trees in bloom, weather warm and sunny (or rainy). May, HOT, probably!!