Home Away From Home: Weekend Getaways from Wilmington

By Haley Bancroft

Though Wrightsville Beach and historic downtown give Wilmington a signature coastal charm, sometimes we all need to get away. Luckily, North Carolina offers endless vacation destinations. With our home nestled in the south end of the state, driving west to the mountains will feel like both another world and a home away from home. Or if you enjoy spots closer (or even in!) the water, we’ve got you covered. Whether for adventure, inspiration, or relaxation, North Carolina offers exciting possibilities. Here are eight of our favorite weekend getaways:

Saluda: (5 hours west of Wilmington)

weekend getaways

What their official website calls, “a historic Victorian mountain village,” Saluda rests in the Blue Ridge Mountains, just outside of Asheville, NC. The 700 residents welcome tourists with longtime shops, restaurants, and galleries such as the Heartwood Gallery or the Saluda Arts Festival, hosted each May. Other must see spots on the historic main street include: Pace’s General Store and Thompson’s Store, which includes Ward’s Grill. Both establishments opened in the 1890s, and take visitors back to the Americana time. Pearson Falls Glen, as shown in the image above, is the most popular attraction of the area. Located in the foothills of Western North Carolina, the 268 acres of cove forest, granite, and spring-fed streams, create an incredible botanical preserve. The best part: you can hike the moderate 1/4 mile trail to explore Pearson’s stunning 90-foot waterfall. Explore the variety of rare wildflowers, trees, and other plants. Picnic facilities are available for a day in the forests. If you’re feeling super adventurous, take a Gorge Zip line Canopy Tour or kayak through the Green River Gorge!

Lake Gaston: (3 hours northwest of Wilmington)

weekend getaways

Located on the border of North Carolina and Virginia, Lake Gaston stretches over 20,000 acres and 35 miles long for an amazing water-filled weekend. A key destination for anyone interested in boating and fishing, Lake Gaston is also a large attraction for kayaking, water skiing, and wakeboarding. Visitors can gain access to the lake at the Holly Grove Marina or the public DGIF boat launch near Tanglewood Shores Country Club. Don’t have your own boat? Boat rentals and other water sports equipment can be rented at the Holly Grove Marina, just a quick boat ride away from Lake Gaston Americamps, were visitors can gain access to waterfront camping. Across the lake, and only 16 miles away, The Rosemont Winery in Virginia and is open for year-round tastings.

Frying Pan Tower: (1 ½ hours north to Bald Head Island, then 34 miles south)

weekend getaways

Now this one is for the adventurer. Frying Pan Tower is a U.S. Coast Guard lighthouse turned bed and breakfast. The tower, dating back to 1960, rests 79 feet above water, sits 34 miles of North Carolina’s coast, and takes reservations all year long. A dream for any die-hard fisherman, the 50 feet waters surrounding the tower offer endless catch possibilities. Frying Pan Tower’s official website boasts of the possibilities, “black sea bass, to cobia, to wahoo, to mahi mahi, to giant African pompano,” and even six pound lobsters are a typical catch! The tower has a helicopter landing pad so lack of supplies is never an issue. Spend a private weekend with friends and family and dive into the warm Atlantic waters to explore the world below.

Paint Rock, Hot Springs: (6 hours west of Wilmington)

weekend getaways

A must-see spot for any history or nature buff, Paint Rock is exuding with Native American culture. The cliffs, marked with red American Indian pictographs, rest just beside the Tennessee border in Madison County. The pictographs bring visitors from all over the country, as the markings are recognized to be North Carolina’s best known example of an American Indian pictograph. Testing in 2006 indicated that the petroglyphs were created about 5,000 years ago! Though the red geometric markings are difficult to see with the naked eye, the trip is well worth the hike. Visitors can hike up the surrounding rocks for stunning views of Western North Carolina and the French Broad River. Paint Rock is believed to be a stopping point for the Cherokee Paint Clan on their way to the healing hot springs, acting as a place for prayer and contemplation, now marking it a perfect place to relax after a day of hiking. Campgrounds near the canyon welcome visitors ready to indulge in sacred grounds.

The Biltmore Estate: (5 hours west of Wilmington)

weekend getaways

No North Carolina vacation list would be complete without The Biltmore Estate. Construction of this historic French Renaissance castle began back in 1889 and took just over six years to complete. Yet, expansion continued for decades allowing the Biltmore family dream—to offer southern hospitality to the public—become a reality. Today, visitors are encouraged to explore the estate and participate in the countless activities the resort offers. Horseback riding, sporting clay lessons, and hiking trails are offered. Or, if relaxing is more your style, you can enjoy the views during a carriage ride or river float trip though the French Broad River. Take a tour through the Biltmore house and the lush gardens to learn about the Vanderbilt family and their lifestyle, along with the surrounding architecture, design, and artwork. Several restaurants and shops of diverse ambiance make up the Antler Hill Village & Winery. In fact, the Biltmore Winery, opened in 1985, is the most visited in the nation.

Bryson City: (6 hours west of Wilmington)

weekend getaways

This small, charming city is home to part of the Great Smoky Mountains and with a population of fewer than 2,000, Bryson City is perfect for those looking for an adventurous escape. Hiking along mountain trails, zip lining through the lush habitat on the Nantahala National Forest, or whitewater rafting along Bryson City’s many creeks and rivers are popular attractions of the area. The historic city offers tours of Main Street and visits to the Swain County Visitor Center and Heritage Museum, where visitors can learn about the Cherokee Indians, the city’s original inhabitants. In fact, just a quick drive outside of town, a Cherokee reservation holds the longest-running Native American Arts cooperative in the United States. Whether for a quiet retreat or an adventure-packed weekend, Bryson City is a perfect destination.

Jockey’s Ridge State Park: (4 to 4 ½ hours north, Outer Banks)

weekend getaways

Also known as “The Living Dune,” Jockey’s Ridge State Park marks the tallest natural sand dune system in the Eastern United States. The park, located in Nags Head of The Outer Banks, attracts visitors for its 420 acres of ever-changing sand shape, maritime thicket, and Roanoke Sound Estuary. Self-guided hiking trails are offered, either in the sand, along the sound side, or on the park’s 360-foot boardwalk. The spot is a must for wildlife enthusiasts as Jockey’s Ridge is home to some of the country’s most interesting species, including the six-lined racerunner (the fastest lizard in North America.) The Living Dune is ideal for bird watching as the area is known for the blue heron, snowy egret, and the once endangered brown pelican and osprey. But if more activity is your thing, hang-gliding is available to those with USHGA Hang 1 or other agency-approved rating card, and lessons are available upon appointment. The dunes are perfect for kite flying and sand boarding, while the Roanoke Sound is ideal for kayaking, windsurfing, and swimming.

Secret Falls, Nantahala National Forest: (6 hours west of Wilmington)

weekend getaways

An hour away from Bryson City rests Highland, North Carolina, where several waterfalls stun visitors with their natural beauty. 530,000 acres make up the Nantahala National Forest, and deep into the trees, a 50-foot waterfall on Big Creek, known as Secret Falls, cascades into a pool of crystal clear water. Visitors can walk the Forest Service Trail (“Big Shoals Trail”) to find themselves at the top of the fall, looking down on the pool and small sandy beach, perfect for a hot summer day. The site is less than seven miles from downtown Highlands, which offers countless shopping and dining options. If you want to see more waterfalls, check out 60-foot Bridal Veil Falls or 75-foot Dry Falls, both with stunning views, especially behind the water, where visitors can drive or walk. Glenn Falls, a nearby triple waterfall, is also just a few miles from downtown Highlands.

Haley Bancroft is a storytelling intern with Nest Realty Wilmington. She is a creative writing major at University of North Carolina Wilmington, currently working towards her professional writing certificate. 

Photo credit: Creative Commons: a2050, Lucid Nightmare, Ted, John Flannery, Chris Ballance, L Silver, Jim R Rogers, Beadmobile, Mark Stoffan
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