Raleigh & Charlotte
 

I'm going to Charlotte in March for a wedding. I'm thinking about flying into Raleigh and then driving to Charlotte. Are there places to stop along the way? What are the best things to see between Raleigh & Charlotte?

In the general area of "on the way" you could visit
Guilford Battlefield
Pinehurst (if you are a golfer)
the North Carolina zoo, which is exceptional
a number of attractions in Raleigh, our state capitol
Chapel Hill and Durham
Old Salem in Winston Salem.

Perhaps I can give you some better suggestions if you describe your interests and time constraints.

Welcome to North Carolina.

I think we'll be in by 9 or 10 am and we just need to be in Charlotte by 5 pm. There are two of us, in our late 20s. We enjoy being outdoors, historical locations would be cool to see, we enjoy fun restaurants/bars, etc.

Most of our time will be spent in Charlotte, so if you have suggestions for Charlotte, I'd appreciate those as well.

I will defer to Gretchen and Brian, they are Charlotte locals.

Old Salem is a showplace and one of the premier attractions in North Carolina. www.oldsalem,org It is about ninety minutes from RDU, a straight shot on I-40W. To Charlotte from Old Salem will take about ninety minutes as well. (From Old Salem I would take 52S to 85S). The Salem Tavern is the historically interesting restaurant with average food. For more fun, head downtown in Winston Salem and pick among several good options.

If you want to hike a bit after your flight and leave history for another trip, you might enjoy a stop at Jordan Lake
http://www.wcnc.com/news/regional/Th...137411123.html We're pretty excited about the eagles.

Stop in Lexington for barbeque! That's totally what I would do.

It's a 3 hour drive to Charlotte from Raleigh. Charlotte is often an expensive place to fly to, but I sort of wonder why you'd do this. By the time you get the car, it's going to be getting on toward noon.

You actually might be able to fly to Greensboro and be only 90 minutes from Charlotte and still see the things suggested. Greensboro airport is very small and easy to access. I'd just come on to Charlotte personally.

There's a good bit to do in charlotte itself.

For either destination flying, I DO recommend lunch at Lexington for famous BBQ.
But if you arrive in Charlotte and want BBQ, go to Mac's Speed Shop--can be "on the way" from the airport even.
Don't forget about driving BACK to Raleigh, turning in the car, etc.

I was thinking of flying into Raleigh and flying home through Charlotte. But if there isn't much on the way from Raleigh to Charlotte, then I think we'll just fly to Charlotte and save ourselves the time... lots to think about.

Have you checked out flights to Greensboro?

I just did...looks like the prices are similar. That seems like a much better idea. Ok, so fly into Greensboro and then hit some of the "must do" places on the way to Charlotte. Is the zoo worth it?

The zoo is very worth it.
http://www.nczoo.org/

Be aware that the interstate between Greensboro and Charlotte is busy. Make sure you have plenty of time to make your deadline.

Yes, the zoo is worth it. Can you do it in your time frame, yes, if you want to run through it--it is a good zoo, and spread out. It is also not really "on the way". It is 30 minutes to Ashboro from Greensboro--a little more from the airport (not even counting time to rent your car). Then to the zoo--another 15 minutes. And Ashboro is an hour and a half from Charlotte.
If you want some ideas of things to do in Charlotte--how about renting your car at the CLT airport and going to Latta Place, a "country" plantation home dating from the 1800s about 15 miles from teh airport. You can also stop at the Raptor Center on the same road.
Have BBQ at Mac's Speed Shop. OR any number of wonderful places--we have several that have been on Diners Driveins and Dives that are GOOD.
Go to the downtown Museum row--Bechtler, Mint Craft + Design, Harvey B. Gantt African American history, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame--which my son says is a LOT of fun, and very interactive.
On the other end of downtown, you can go to the Museum of the New South.
There are numerous fun bars (you did mention that--LOL).
Is this on a Friday? If so, be aware that traffic on the interstates (from Greensboro, etc.) may be even more than a regular weekday.

Not sure if you have already made your trip but I am a native of Charlotte and drive to Raleigh and Greensboro regularly for business. Currently, the traffic on I85 is very difficult due to some construction being done. If I were you, I would fly in to Charlotte. Latta Plantation is fun especially since you like the outdoors. Downtown has become very popular. If you haven't already made the trip, respond and I can give you some good restaraunts / bars to try out! Have fun!

I drove on I85 last week - non-rush hour and still traffic/construction nightmare. Also, while it is all highway between RDU and Charlotte, there has been a fair amount of construction in past 4-5 years and if you have an older GPS it is going to give you a lot of "unverified area" nonsense, limiting your ability to wander off the main road.

There are several wineries along the route. Burlington is about an hour from RDU and I can guarantee there is nothing there.

What wineries are the best to visit traveling from Durham to Charlotte?

JOLO in Pilot Mountain is quite good as is Shelton's in Mt Airy. Will be a rather circuitous route.

You would do well to start another thread about this. Personlly I think the childress winery near Lexington is quite good. I think shelton is actually not great wine and you certainly don't have to go out of your way!!
Childress is on Rte 52 just off I85. There are other along there alos.

Thanks so much....I did start a new thread!