There are so many fun things to do in North Carolina, but so little time. Luckily one of the best things about Raleigh, North Carolina is that there are so many great places to visit just a short car ride away! Read on to see three fun places to visit within a two-hour drive of Raleigh.
3 Fun Things To Do In North Carolina Within 2 Hours of Raleigh
Wilmington
A short journey away, you will find Wilmington as one of the best places to visit for things to do in North Carolina. Wilmington is super trendy and is considered to be a combination of Savannah and Charleston. There are plenty of historical attractions, museums, and cool places to visit if you want an educational trip for your kids. Be sure to visit the Riverwalk as it is a two-mile scenic view of the Cape Fear River! Along the way, you will find unique boutiques, art galleries, funky cafes, and restaurants.
The kids would love taking a horse-drawn carriage ride downtown to explore all of the area’s historic roots. This includes the Bellamy Mansion and a real Battleship from World War II! When the weather is hot, a fun thing to do in Wilmington is the Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park. You can play all day with the family in a wave pool, zip down speed slides, and relax in the lazy river. In addition, spending the day outside at Wrightsville Beach is always a fun activity! With its laid-back vibes, surf culture, kayaking and paddleboarding, delicious seafood, and amazing views, there is certainly something for everyone in the family.
Southern Pines
Hop in the car, and take an hour-long road trip to Southern Pines. Southern Pines is a small emerging town known for its golf and horses. Southern Pines is abundant in parks and is perfect for that small town vibe. Be sure to take the kids downtown to a traditional old timey ice cream parlor. There are also hiking and biking trails and of course plenty of places for dad to play a round or two of golf. Don’t miss Aberdeen Lake Park, as there is a perfect playground for the little ones to go out and play. Southern Pines is a hidden gem and offers so many things to do in North Carolina!
Eno River State Park
For an adventure that is less than an hour drive from Raleigh, gather up the entire family and head to Eno River State Park. This park is an outdoor adventurist’s dream. It is composed of more than 4200 acres with nearly 30 miles of trails along a swift, shallow, stream. At Eno River State Park, there’s plenty to do with the family from hiking, paddling, bouldering, picnics, swimming and wading, hammocks, and general exploring. There are 17 hiking trails to choose from, with difficulty levels for the entire family. You can also go swimming at Eno Rock Quarry, kayaking, and fishing at any of the entry points. So put down those tablets and phones, and spend the day away in a natural wonderland!
Things To Do In North Carolina
There are so many amazing, fun, family things to do in North Carolina that are less than a two-hour car ride from Raleigh. So grab the family and hop in the car to start exploring!
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