Memorial Day family gathering......need suggestions!!
 

Need quick suggestions for a long weekend get away in NC. Needs to be no more than 3 hours from Raleigh area. Looking for nice town with good spots to eat, things to do like fishing or hiking. Two families meeting for weekend to be together, have some fun and relax.

How about Mt. Airy? There are several good wineries in the area (three with excellent restaurants), hiking on the Blue Ridge Parkway and Pilot Mountain, plus fishing. Let me know if that interests you and I will be glad to give you some specific suggestions. www.visitmayberry.com

Asheville is 4 hours away, but it sounds perfect for what you may be looking for. The town is really beautiful with a lot of nice restaurants, art galleries and shopping. Asheville is situated at the base of mountains, so, besides the wonderful scenery, you have access to numerous hiking trails. Don't miss the tour of the famous Biltmore Estate (http://www.biltmore.com/)located minutes from downtown. Here is the official tourism website for Asheville: http://www.exploreasheville.com/index.aspx. Have fun.

What about the Boone/ Banner Elk area?
Rent a place - this is the first big place that came up on VRBO for Banner Elk
http://www.vrbo.com/14791
Be sure to stop by the original Mast Store in Valle Crucis
http://www.mastgeneralstore.com/valle_crucis.cfm

We will be coming from MS. WOuld love the mountains but that drive is too far for long weekend.

I am not very familar with NC.

Meeting my son's family who live near Fayetteville. Want to stay closer to that area.

Looking at Lake Norman....any suggestions there?

Lake Norman is not a vacation destination, it is a suburb of CLT. If you want closer, I'd try Wilmington.

We decided to meet half way....so renting house in Gainesville, GA on Lake Lanier.

Any suggestions for good places to eat or things not to miss?

I'd go a bit further north on your end and rent a house on Lake Burton outside of Clayton GA.

You'll be in the mountains, prettier area and a lake with MUCH better water quality.

Oh, okay....will check that out.

I spent my youth on Lanier and thought it was crowded.
The water quality is not that great either.
The mountain lakes are crystal clear and the surroundings are gorgeous. Check out rentals up there.

What mountain lakes are you talking about? Just don't know the area well. Please suggest....I for sure will check out.

We have been to cabin near Helen on a stream and it was lovely.

Lake Burton looks nice, I found only a few rentals in my budget but it only takes one!