Sorry, was editing it and it got away from me -- "Emerald Coast" including Emerald Isle, Bogue ShorEs, etc...

And now I see I've duplicated what lifes2short wrote -- okay, it's Monday, may I go back to bed please?

I agree with lifes2short's suggestion. Base yourself either in Atlantic Beach or Emerald Isle and be sure to visit the aquarium. There's also many good seafood restaurants in nearby Morehead City.

I would spend a few days in Chapel Hill and Durham touring the universities and then move on. There's very little else there that's worth your attention. Sorry.

You can take HWY 70 East toward the coast and stop by Wilbur's Barbecue in Goldsboro if you want to sample some of NC's best barbecue. If your lucky, maybe you'll catch some F-15 flyovers while you're there.

I also would consider going up to the outer banks for a few days since you said you were going to be down for a week and a half. After about three days you may start to get bored at Atlantic Beach.

Have Fun.

WOW, thanks everyone for the help. Looks like we will spend a week at Emerald Isle and explore from there. Adjusted the time of our stay to allow for that. Looking at other posts think we'll drive up to the OBX area and explore. Of course we'll hopefully relax as well. Looking into Ocean Glen at E Isle, seems to have what we want. Thanks again for all the suggestions.