School is back in session, but that doesn’t mean an end to summer vacations.
Here are five days trips you can make from Raleigh that take less than two hours, not counting traffic or pit stops.
Know of another good day trip? Email [email protected] with your suggestions.
Greensboro
Distance: 78 miles from Raleigh.
This is one of the few day trips that can be taken using the train. Hop on the train from downtown Raleigh (or Cary), arriving at the Greensboro train station. It’s just a few blocks away from most parts of downtown, including the International Civil Rights Center and Museum and the historic Magnolia House.
A bit further is the Greensboro Science Center, which is part zoo, aquarium, museum, zipline and Skywild, an adventure course in the trees. Construction is underway now on a new five-story “biodome” that will become a tropical rainforest with sloths, toucans, clouded leopards and other animals. It is slated to open next year.
Greensboro is also home to Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe, one of the state’s largest waterparks.
North Carolina Zoo
Distance: 84 miles from Raleigh
There are more than 1,700 animals from 200 species including elephants, lions, wolves, bears, baboons, gorillas, rhinoceros and giraffes, among others, fill the North America and Africa exhibits and the glass-domed Desert building.
North Carolina’s zoo is the world’s largest natural habitat zoo with about five miles of walking paths, including changes in elevation, to see the animals. Many regulars suggest taking advantage of the trams to avoid late day uphill inclines, and to pay extra for the giraffe feeding if it’s offered while you’re there.
The long-awaited Asia exhibit, featuring 12.5-acres of new park area including tigers, Komodo dragons, Visayan warty pigs, Asian small-clawed otters, king cobras and other animals, will open in the coming months. This is the first major expansion since opening the North America section in 1994, The News & Observer previously reported.
If traveling there during the week, you can take the train to Greensboro and grab the bus from there to the zoo.
New Bern
Distance: 114 miles
At the intersection of the Neuse and Trent rivers lies New Bern, the coastal town that was North Carolina’s first state capital. Visit Tryon Palace, originally built in 1770, which was the first permanent capital of North Carolina and was so grand it prompted a special tax on resentful colonists, The News & Observer previously reported.
While shopping and visiting downtown, you can track the more than 30 decorated, fiberglass bears that were installed to celebrate the town’s 300th anniversary in 2010, and visit the birthplace of Pepsi. Local pharmacist Caleb Bradham created the concoction of sugar, water, caramel and other ingredients at his drugstore on the corner of Middle and Pollock streets
Take a stroll on the Riverwalk, which includes 3 miles of trails, or, if looking for something more strenuous, there’s the nearby Coatan National Forest, which includes a nearly 100-mile saltwater trail. There are spots for kayaking, camping, fishing, birding or site seeing, including native North Carolina carnivorous plants like the Venus fly trap.
Wilson
Distance: 47 miles
This is the closest destination to Raleigh on our list, perfect for a quick trip.
The star of the visit is the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, open daily in downtown Wilson, featuring more than 30 whirligig sculptures that spin, twirl and move, many high above the ground. Artist Vollis Simpson originally housed the whirligigs on his Wilson County farm, dubbed “Acid Park” by locals, many made up of discarded industrial materials, The N&O previously reported.
Check out the new Wilson Sports and Entertainment Complex, which opened this year for the Wilson Warbirds (formerly the Carolina Mudcats in Zebulon). The North Carolina Baseball Museum is still located in the historic Fleming Stadium, highlighting the past and present Major League Baseball and Negro National League players from North Carolina.
Southern Pines (and beyond)
Distance: 69 miles
It’s difficult to pick just one spot in the Sandhills area with many of the towns worth their own visit.
Southern Pines, Pinehurst and Aberdeen help make up the Sandhills region, with the area hosting more United States Golf Association championships than any other location in the United States, according to the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
Each downtown is unique offering a smattering of shops, restaurants, breweries and entertainment options. Red’s Corner, a downtown Southern Pines beer garden, is a favorite for visitors. Its proximity to Fort Bragg means many veterans and active military are in the area, with some areas putting that connection on full display. The Bunker, in Aberdeen, is a veteran owned military surplus that also acts as part museum and BHAWK, a veteran-owned whiskey distillery that’s also part entertainment space, live music venue and restaurant.