day trips from Charlotte, North Carolina
 

We're (73 yr. old seniors) thinking of spending 10 days at Lake Wylie, outside of Charlotte.
We'd like recommendations for day trips. Some of our ideas; walk around Charlotte,
driving to Asheville, driving to Charleston, SC. We're interested to see parks, lakes, and nature.
What we're interested to know: what to see in these areas, what highway to take, and where to park. Do you think it's doable to drive to Charleston, SC and drive back in 1 day. How easy is it to find parking there, especially close to the park where we can walk and see the dolphins.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. (We don't want ideas where to eat since we
do not eat in restaurants)
Thanks in advance.

Charleston is 3 hours. I'll let you decide if that is a doable trip for you. Parking is difficult in Charleston. I'll let someone who knows about the dolphins answer.
Winston Salem would be a lovely day trip--1.5 hours. Go visit Old Salem. Take I77 north to I40 west.
Asheville is about 2 hours. Take Route 74 to I26.
I would guess if you are going away from your rental home you may be eating in some restaurants.

Oh, in spite of not eating in restaurants, one of the best BBQ restaurants in the South is on your way to or from Asheville in Shelby. I'll get the name.

Thanks for your recommendation. Where to park in Winston Salem, and old Salem and then could we just walk from there to get a feel of the city?
Also, the same question regarding Asheville--where to park etc
and what to see?
(Because of dietery restrictions, we do not eat in restaurants, but rather take food with us and picnic along the way).

Re. Charleston, SC, we'd be interested in spending some time
at the waterfront Park near the Pineapple Fountain, and walking thereabouts. Coud someone suggest where to park there. I think if we start our day early, we could do 3 hrs.
there and back in one day--is it easy highway driving and what route to take? Alternately, we could possibly stay overnight there.
Any suggestions??

Driving and parking is challenging in Charleston and the last 20 miles or so into Charleston on the interstate is often traffic packed as well.

My stepdaughter and her husband moved to Charleston in 2013 and one thing that has struck me is the traffic and parking. There is no easy point A to point B unless you are on foot.

A relaxing day would be driving easy country roads and visiting the potteries in the Seagrove area -
http://www.discoverseagrove.com/

You could visit the famous ones - like Ben Owens - or just drive around using the map and stopping along the way. Take a picnic for the day. One of my favorite things to do in NC.

Is there a train from Charlotte to Charleston, SC that may
be easy to take?

Asheville parking can be a problem, especially on weekends when many of the parking structures are full. During the week finding a spot in a parking garage is usually not a problem. On street parking is always difficult unless you are familiar with some of the lesser known back streets. I'd recommend parking in the the garage at the Aloft Hotel(GPS - 51 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801. Usually spots are available and right in the center of downtown. Asheville restaurants are very good about food allergies and dietary restrictions, if your interested. Charleston is a great city, but it's a long, boring drive from CLT. Try Asheville with Blueridge Pkway, Pisgah National Forest, Biltmore House, Thomas Wolfe Memorial, NC Arboretum etc. - much more than you can possible do in one day trip.

No there isn't a train.

Charleston is worth visiting, but not as a day trip from Charlotte. Think about driving down and spending a night. You would take 77 to 26. It can be busy especially during rush hours.

When I lived there, I saw dolphin often on the Breach Inlet bridge between Sullivans Island and Isle of Palms. Early in the morning and dusk are good times to look.

There are 2 public parking buildings near Waterfront Park.
Here's a map for the closest one:
http://www.charlestonparksconservanc...terfront_park/

Gretchen, do you mean Bridges in Shelby? There are 2 (brothers) and both are great.

Here's a link to visiting Old Salem:
http://www.oldsalem.org/visit/directions/

Actually you can get to Charleston from Charlotte by train, but it takes all day and requires a change. Carolinian to Wilson, wait three hours (if the train is on time...), Palmetto to Charleston. I wouldn't do it by car either, I find SC incredibly boring to drive across, at least on 95.

And another possible day trip - the zoo at Asheboro - http://www.nczoo.org But if you're there in summer the mountains will be cooler.

Thanks for all the recommendations for day trips. Could we
stop at Asheville and then the Biltmore all in the same day?

Dolphins can also be seen from the Folly Beach pier outside of Charleston but I would not recommend a one day round trip either. Columbia would be doable though. I attended a confam there for military reunions once but too long ago to remember much.

The Biltmore is in Asheville and Asheville is a 2 hour drive, so yes.
Why are you staying in the Charlotte area for 10 days? Why not stay elsewhere or split your time?

You are staying in Lake Wylie, SC?
It's 2 hours and 19 minutes from Asheville.
It's 3 hours to Charleston, with interstate virtually all the way.

IMO you can do a day trip to Charleston. I think you would enjoy it more if you spent the night in Charleston or nearby, but you can do it as a day trip.

Parking in Old Salem shouldn't be a problem. the rest of the city is interesting but no, you can't walk to it.
there are a number of wineries along I40 just before Winston if you want to walk around their grounds.
Parking really can't be totally predicted. Are there ambulatory issues you are concerned about since this seems to be a real question each place.
In Charleston you could park in the vistor's center and take the free trolley around the historic district. Is that correct, Sue.
Seagrove is a very cool little tour--100 potteries scattered around the area. And the zoo.
You could drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway for a day. Go to Boone/Blowing Rock and tour the town and then amble up the Parkway a while.
I suggest a good NC map for your routings.

Now it seems that we won't be staying at Lake Wylie, but rather in Charlotte since we have the use of a friend's apartment there. We'll probably just take a day at a lake--so what lake to go to just to relax and not to swim? Is there a boat trip around a lake in the area?
After seeing from the suggestions how far Charlestown is, we think we should stay there for a couple of days in the middle of our holiday. Do you think that's a good idea, or should we not do Charlestown during this trip?
We do not have ambulatory issues. We always find it easier to park the car someplace where it's recommended to park easily and just walk around to see the sights in a particular area.
Thanks again for all the good suggestions.

Why not just go where you want to go and pay for a hotel?

When are you going? If it's in the summer you'd do better to stay in Asheville. And if you want to go to Charleston why don't you start or finish there?

Charleston is MORE than worth a trip and to spend maybe 3 days there.
Yes, I agree about parking but it became sort of all encompassing.
Old Salem would still be nice.
Asheville would still be nice.
The lakes around Charlotte are power lakes with extensive (and expensive) home development. there are public parks. I don't know of any regular boat trip--you can rent boats.
I would do "a day at the lake" maybe--these are not natural wonders!! LOL
On the way to Asheville is Lake James, which might be worth "a day at the lake".
Where are you coming from and how did you choose this destination? Just curious.

I would spend several days in Charleston rather than stay in the Charlotte area for over a week.