skszy

Mom and I need to drive from NJ to Atlanta in early November, and we're planning a mini road trip through North Carolina. Planning to stay in OBX for a few days, then we have time for just one more night in North Carolina before arriving in Atlanta. The question is - where?? I'm excited to see North Carolina for the 1st time. We'd leave OBX around 10am, and want to arrive in Atlanta around 4pm the next day. The maps show a good mid point would be Charlotte, but I'm open to any and all suggestions. I'd be appreciative of recommendations for city destination, hotel/restaurant, sights, routes, tips... I realize this is a very open question - Likes: beautiful scenery, good food, seeing something new and unique(not difficult as this is first time in NC). Rather not drive more than 6 hours at a time. thanks much!

Gretchen

Why the OBX? It is a long way to get there. It is probably a 10 hour drive from OBX to Charlotte. There are other really nice fun beaches.
It is only a 4 hour drive to Atlanta from Charlotte.

Gretchen

I am wrong. Google says it is only 7 hours drive to Corolla. Long drive.
It is about a 4 hour drive to the NC beaches around Wilmington, and the same to the beaches around Myrtle Beach. Just a suggestion for spending more time ON the beach and less in the car getting to the beach.

skszy

Thanks Gretchen. I've wanted to see the OBX for a while now, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity(long drive from NJ). OBX and Atlanta are musts. I'm trying to find a pleasant route and place to stay and visit for the drive between the 2. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

Brian_in_Charlotte

I'm not sure there are a lot of good options here. To make the drive in two 5-6 hour trips, you're going to have to take interstates most of the way which, while efficient, wouldn't be considered a "pleasant route".

I think trying to make it all the way to Charlotte day one is going to take more than your 6 hour max, and can't think of any particularly charming places to stay nearby the mid-point between OBX and Atlanta.

Maybe Winston-Salem would be a good option - a nice dinner and/or visit to Old Salem?

Brian_in_Charlotte

And if you're willing to drive a little bit out of the way, you could get up early on day 2, drive to and have lunch in Asheville and still get to ATL by 4 PM. That would at least give you some pretty views of Western NC.

starrs

I'd try to fit a night in Asheville in your plans. It's really worth it and that way you'd get the oceans and the mountains of NC.

starrs

Yep, I just checked the time. Going through Asheville will only add 40 miles at the most (compared to the southern route). According to google maps, it's 7 hours from Nags Head to Asheville.

DEFINITELY make Asheville your stop for the night.

starrs

Another option that would fit with the "seeing something new and unique".

I like wandering the country roads seeing the Seagrove area potteries.

Here's a glance at some of the choices -
http://www.discoverseagrove.com/nc-potters.asp

Here's a bit of history of the area -
http://www.discoverseagrove.com/pottery-history.asp

Some B&B options -
http://www.discoverseagrove.com/pottery-links-faq.asp

And a map of the potteries -
http://www.seagrovepotteryheritage.com/se_map_p2.html

It's scenic (small backcountry roads), interesting (plenty of potteries to choose from) and different (I don't know of anything like this other than wandering the roads of Napa and Sonoma and picking wineries to stop at). It's a favorite way to spend part of a day.

If you go, you may want to do a little bit of reading - especially about face jugs.

http://www.broadstreetantiquemall.co...s/history.html

The most famous of all was from Georgia, not NC -
http://www.folkpottery.com/lanier/lanier.htm

I'm not a fan of face jugs but have found really nice pottery that I love. I am amazed at the resell at auctions that some of these pieces (especially the face jugs) garner.

skszy

Thanks guys! Seagrove sounds very interesting (thanks for the links!), but I love the idea of seeing mountains! If we decide on Asheville, when does the drive become scenic? Does it make more sense to drive straight there, or spend the night in Winston-Salem as Brian suggests? I'm ok with driving 7 1/2 hours in a day, especially if part of the drive is beautiful. Mom doesn't drive, which is why I wanted to limit it to 6, but another hour or so is fine. Any specifics/recommendations for Asheville? Off to do some research.

starrs

Well, you need to see the Biltmore House. You say "early November". If it's Nov 5th or after, it will be decorated for Christmas.

http://www.biltmore.com/visit/calendar/christmas.asp

You'll want to wander the shops in downtown Asheville a bit.
Here's my favorite place -
http://www.malaprops.com/
If you are there on Nov 12th, go see Amy Sedaris (see link)

My favorite wine shop is in Asheville. Feel free to bring me a case of the manager's recommendation
http://www.ashevillewine.com/

You have to stop in the Mast General Store -
http://www.mastgeneralstore.com/

Lots of great restaurants in town

Be sure to stop by the Grove Park Inn too -
http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/Happenings/
Go in the afternoon, pull up a chair in front of the massive fireplace and order a drink or appetizer from the lobby bar.

Visit the little shops behind the Grove Park too. Lots of neat handmade items. The little restaurant there is VERY good -
http://www.grovewoodcafe.com/about.html

Drive back to Atlanta via Sylva/Bryson City to Dillard GA and drive down on 441 to Atlanta. Plenty places to stop on that route too, but you won't really have time.

Here's a scenic railroad option -
http://www.gsmr.com/

If you want a large southern lunch, stop at the Dillard House on the way down from the mountains -
http://www.dillardhouse.com/

Enjoy! You'll love that area. I'd probably "borrow" a day from the beach part of the trip to spend more time in the mountains.

Brian_in_Charlotte

If you're willing to do the 7.5 hours in one day, then it makes sense to push on to Asheville. You'll hit some traffic in the Raleigh/Durham area, but other than that, it should be fairly smooth sailing. Unfortunately it won't get scenic though until you pass Hickory on 1-40 (last hour of the trip).

Definitely stay downtown Asheville and enjoy a leisurely walk to dinner. Lots of options.

Given your limited time (you'll have to leave around 12:30 or so to make it to Atlanta by 4:00), not sure you have enough time to make a full (paying) visit to the Biltmore worth it.

skszy

Really appreciate your help, destination is Asheville! Started doing some research, and it sure looks looks like a wonderful place. Think I will need to come back one day, and see it properly. Meanwhile, I hope the colors stay till first week of November!