Everyone probably thinks their state is the best in the US, but I am certainly partial to North Carolina! I was born here, lived in lots of other places as a military wife, and came right back here after military retirement because I truly feel it is the best state!
We have the grand Appalachian Mountains. Seriously, you can stand and gaze at them for hours and still hardly believe they are real. Then just a few hours east, you reach the beautiful Outer Banks on the Atlantic Ocean!
History abounds. The music and art history is rich. The food is diverse and mouthwatering!
What better way to experience everything North Carolina has to offer than to take a 10-day trip to get a little taste of it all.
As a teacher, I love to impart a rich cultural view of different countries and regions to my students. We learn the geography, history, art, music, and foods. What better way to learn about how amazing North Carolina is than to take a journey from the mountains to the sea! This drive would normally take 8 hours, but we’re going to take our time and soak in all kinds of experiences along the way! You’ll want to change your residency to NC after this trip!
Day 1: Bryson City is going to be an awesome start to our adventure! A 4 hour roundtrip ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad allows an open air railroad car view of the Nantahala River and Gorge, hearing history of our great state along the way.
Day 2: Today is a dive into the rich history and culture of the Cherokee nation, visiting the Museum of the Cherokee People, and having a native-inspired local meal.
Copyright: Bear_Allison
Day 3: The day starts with a tour of the Biltmore House, summer home of the Vanderbilts, one of America’s richest tycoons. An evening in Asheville affords the ability to visit a rich cultural district with art galleries and ethnic restaurants, celebrating the diverse heritage in North Carolina.
Day 4: Tucked in the city of Winston-Salem, Old Salem is a living-history museum where guests can step back in time and see how the Moravians lived their day-to-day colonial life, rooted in Christian principles.
Day 5: History abounds in Greensboro with the historical Revolutionary Battleground at Guilford Courthouse, International Civil Rights Museum, and deep Quaker roots in Oak Ridge. If you time it right, the world famous Lexington Barbeque Festival is happening, or you can stop in at a menagerie of bbq restaurants that offer the uniquely NC vinegar-based barbecue sauce.
Day 6: Asheboro is home to the world’s largest natural habitat zoo. It highlights animals from several continents with areas that focus on North Carolina’s own unique species of animals.
Day 7: The Raleigh/Durham area is home to many museums including the Museum of Natural History and North Carolina Museum of Art. Just a few miles away is North Carolina’s largest performing arts center, Durham Performing Arts Center, hosting over 200 broadway shows and concerts a year. An evening music performance is the perfect ending to the day!
Day 8: As we inch closer to the coast, you’ll approach New Bern, NC’s first permanent colonial capital and home of Tryon Palace. It’s also a great spot to have a scavenger hunt to find the old pharmacy that was the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola or the hidden bear statues throughout town, hearkening back to the Bern, Switzerland roots of New Bern.
Day 9: Sandwiched between the mainland and the Outer Banks, Roanoke Island is best known as the location of the Lost Colony. Manteo, the main town, is home to quaint shops and a replica of the Elizabeth II, a 16th century sailing vessel. Each night, The Lost Colony outdoor drama is held, recounting the historic event of when the natives met the English explorers and the mystery that ensued when the English disappeared.
Day 10: Crossing over the Roanoke Sound, we’ve made it to the Outer Banks! Historic sites include Kitty Hawk where the Wright Brothers took their historic flight and lighthouses all down the coast that became known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” because of the innumerable shipwrecks.
The Gephardts 