1600 Haw Branch Rd, Beulaville, NC 28518, USA. If you arent signed up to follow us, please do! Between the sliders, the tacos, sandwiches, Pitmaster Plates, and more, you better bring your appetite! Best part? You will receive your first newsletter soon. For some of the best burgers in the state, visit BJs Diner located in Cherokee, NC. Double D's Coffee & Desserts, 41 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, USA 2. Located off a long country road in Bostic, between Rutherfordton and Forest City, Washburn's General Store is the longest-run family owned business in North Carolina. Go off the beaten path to explore more of North Carolina's Small Wonder. Click below to use our link and then just shop like normal. Level Contributor 14,827 posts 36 reviews 16 helpful votes 1. Offbeat Attractions and Museums You Must See to Believe, photo credit: Hickory Metro Convention Center & Visitor Bureau, 2023 Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, The 2-acre Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park is home to 30 whirligigs, Go Beyond the Guidebook in the Real-Life Mayberry, this circle of bare earth about 20 feet across, two buildings and a seasonal medicinal herb garden. Kings has been around for over 75 years and serves hand-chopped barbecue pork, fried chicken, and slow-roasted ribs alongside fried fish, oysters, and shrimp. Visit the Gary's Down East Seafood website for more information. Subscribe to receive trip ideas and inspiration right into your inbox once a week! The Southern hospitality in the charming town of Burgaw makes it worthwhile to go off the beaten path in North Carolina. Every year from May to August, The Lost Colony is performed nightly as a spectacular outdoor play with over 100 actors, dancers, singers, and technicians. The Roanoke Island Festival Park is also home to the Roanoke Adventure Museum and the Outer Banks History Center, both of which are treasure troves of Outer Banks information and history. I'm just going to let this picture of this delicious platter of fried deliciousness do all the talking for me. Along with the Christmas decorations, The Christmas Shop offers art, gifts, jewelry, candy, and a lot more. Posted on 07/10/2023 . Good displays of wildflowers can be seen along the first 1.5 miles of trail. Visit the Floyd's 1921 website for more information. Its Badin Horse Camp in Troy, N.C. What are some other hidden gems in North Carolina? Off The Beaten Path in Carolina Beach | Unique Things to Do Love North Carolina? For history lovers, this place is a paradise in its offerings of historic buildings and antiques. For history lovers, catch a glimpse of the town's magical past in this museum housed in Burgaw's first brick house (circa 1917), known as the Burton-Noel House. To date, the bridge is known to be haunted by her spirit. This Off-The-Beaten-Path Town In North Carolina Is The Perfect Place To Escape The Southern hospitality in the charming town of Burgaw makes it worthwhile to go off the beaten path in North Carolina. In Bladen County, dozens of oval shaped, crater lakes, dominate the area, but aside from the more popular White Lake is, Jones Lake State Park, 4117 NC-242 N, Elizabethtown, NC 28337, USA, Kindred Spirit Mailbox, Sunset Beach, NC 28468, USA, Battery Park Book Exchange, 1 Page Ave #101, Asheville, NC 28801, USA, Newbold-White House, 151 Newbold White Rd, Hertford, NC 27944, USA, For a fun, adults-only activity in North Carolina, check out a tour of the, Blue Ridge Distilling Co Inc, 228 Redbud Ln, Bostic, NC 28018, USA, For a hidden hiking trail, and some secret camping, try the, Linville Gorge Wilderness, Marion, NC 28752, USA, If you're looking for some high up adventure, without the crowds, false scenery, or high prices, try Navitat. It was very reasonably priced ($25 per night). Asheville: Off the Beaten Path - Atlas Obscura Hidden Gems You Shouldnt Miss! Read our previous coverage on Pass The Salt to learn more. Located in Bird Island According to most stories, the Kindred Spirit Mailbox was first erected after the Kindred Spirit saw a mirage of a mailbox on the shore during low tide. Read our previous coverage on Hillbilly Hide-A-Way to learn more. The Hickory Hops Brewers Festival takes place in the spring and features more than 50 microbreweries. Using their own locally grown hops, you can always find their four flagship beers on tap with a number of small batch and seasonal offerings as well, along with friendly bartenders and locals. Fort Raleigh is home to The Elizabethan Gardens and The Lost Colonys Waterside Theatre. Even if you do not have time to explore the galleries, stop by and see Tetness, the Polar Bear by artist James Futral. Theres more! Aside from the restaurants listed above, North Carolina has plenty of other incredible eateries we should all try. Truly, it never ceases to amaze us that some of the best destinations in the U.S. are located right in our backyard. Off the Beaten Path - U.S. National Park Service The trail is a favorite among local college students at Western Carolina University. Off the beaten path and a bit unknown, they're hiding the best shrimp and the freshest seafood at Gary's. What are the best day trips to take in North Carolina? This small museum is located in a working boathouse and is free to visit. The town's most important claim to fame is the North Carolina Transportation Museum with its trains, old cars . The Odd A 17th-century bezoar, dirt from an infamous site, and other curios decorate this unusual bar. For an elegant afternoon tea and dining, the Fearrington House Restaurant in Pittsboro is the place to go. You can gaze up in amazement at the largest Duncan Phyfe chair in the world at 6 West Main St. in Thomasville. Main attractions, restaurants and shopping are within walking, biking distance or just a short drive away on the island. Thank you! We are very fond of horse camps. North Carolina has it all: beaches, mountains, forests, and waterfalls -- plus some of the most charming little towns and amazing big cities in the country! Don't get trapped in the tourist-bait restaurants of the coast, Pass the Salt might look small and unassuming, but with local, organic ingredients southern food gets a soulful seaside twist. More than 1,800 animals call the zoo home, including polar bears, arctic foxes, ocelots, elk, bison, chimpanzees, lemurs, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and zebras. Hen Wallow Falls is a popular day hike, located just 2.1 miles from the Cosby Picnic Area. Black Mountain is known for its small-town charm and thriving downtown with local shops, galleries and restaurants. Big Pinnacle (also called The Knob) has high and colorful bare rock walls, with a rounded top covered by vegetation, reaching approximately 1,400 feet above the surrounding terrain. We use cookies to improve our site and your experience. We love the braised short-rib hoagie, with crunch Granny Smith apple slaw, jalapenos, and pickles on a toasted This hidden park in North Carolina is a secret little oasis thats positively perfect. The Outer Banks are a set of barrier islands in the northeastern part of North Carolina, just South of the Virginia border. Along the way, youll ever see a small waterfall. In the summer, walk through the 5-acre sunflower field for picture-perfect memories. Completed sections of the Foothills Parkway are open year-round, weather permitting. Chef and the Farmer offers a seasonally changing menu of thoughtful, creative cooking based on Eastern North Carolina ingredients. After exploring the Universitys campus, take a walk down King Street and visit some of the awesome shops that line this downtown street. North Carolina is full of gorgeous scenery, museums, and interesting day trips. Wear your walking shoes and plan to stay for hours. 138 Courthouse Rd, Currituck, NC 27929, USA. His tramping supposedly kills off vegetation and causes wildlife to keep their distance. Little Richard's Bar-N-Q serves some of the most delicious BBQ in the state and is perhaps one of the best places to eat in North Carolina. You will receive your first newsletter soon. Traveling solo allows you to step back, relax and craft your own vacation on your own time. Spencer The town of Spencer is located in Rowan County and is for all practical purposes not off the beaten path. Now a coffee and dessert house, Double D's Coffee & Desserts once roamed the busy streets of London as a fully functioning Double Decker Bus. From the best in local dining to quirky cultural tidbits to hidden attractions, unique finds, and unusual locales, North Carolina Off the Beaten Path takes the reader down the road less traveled and reveals a side of North Carolina that other guidebooks just . You know it's TRUE southern cooking when you're dining at a gorgeous farm! Take a peek at several reasons to visit Burgaw. Visit some of the nearby shops like Wanchese Pottery and Sisters Boutique and Gifts. Thank you! Flickr/anoldent At 120 feet long and with a 14-foot gothic arch underneath to allow the flow of Little Gap Creek to pass below, the Poinsett Bridge was built in 1820 and is surrounded by tales. Its a great trail for seeing biodiversity of the area up close. You will receive your first newsletter soon. Whether you're a visitor or a local looking for something different, North Carolina Off the Beaten Path shows you the Tar Heel State with new perspectives on timeless destinations and introduces you to those you never knew existed-from the best in local dining to quirky cultural tidbits to hidden attractions, unique finds, and unusual locales. 1. Before leaving downtown Boone, be sure to stop at Jimmy Smith Park. So, this remote area is mostly visited by locals. It is far enough north that it does not get quite as hot as the more southern states, but it is south enough to offer some of the most delicious southern cooking you have ever had. Those who desire to experience an idyllic bygone era need travel no farther than Southport, North Carolina. The 1.4 mile walk to Sutton Ridge Overlook offers spectacular views. From Ukrainian pelmeni to Appalachian fried fish, these innovators are drawing on generations of culinary wisdom. Thank you!! Off the Beaten Path: Visiting Southport, NC - Columbia Metropolitan See Where You Can Go Off the Beaten Path. Groove to the tunes from local and regional bands at The Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar and Seawitch Caf & Tiki Bar, which feature a lineup of live entertainment well into the fall. Its open to everyone. This place is full of prized antiques, furniture, and vintage collectibles. Considered North Carolina's best pictograph, Paint Rock Road, Paint Rock Rd, North Carolina 28743, USA, For an up close view of plants that can eat you (jokes guys), Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden at Piney Ridge Nature Preserve - Wilmington, 3800 Canterbury Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA, What looks like a pond, is actually a deceiving sinkhole. The pot was originally erected in 1860 as an advertisement for a silversmith. But we visited in December, and as you can see from our picture, it was pretty warm still and the beach was virtually empty. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Off the Beaten Path in Florida. Pender County Historical Museum, 200 W Bridges St, Burgaw, NC 28425, USA. Love North Carolina? Dont miss Kure Beachsannual events, which include:the Street Festival featuring arts and crafts, food and more (April); the Carolina Beach Music Festival, the largest and only music festival held on the beach along the North Carolina coast (June); the Fireworks by the Sea & Boardwalk Blaston the island in nearby Carolina Beach (Memorial Day through Labor Day)and the Cape Fear Kite Festival (November). Theres no charge to see the Sisks collection, but donations are welcome. Visit the Double D's Coffee & Desserts website for more information. Take in a movie, concert, or lecture at the newly renovated Appalachian Theatre. Modeled after the Eastern North Carolina oyster bars she remembers her parents taking her to in her youth, chef Vivian Howard offers oysters, burgers, and a raw bar. off the beaten path beach - North Carolina Coast Forum This day trip provides a challenging hike with unique features along the way. Biltmore Estate's Secret Passages. Get off the Beaten Path in South Carolina Without even knowing where we were. Haus Heidelburg Restaurant in Hendersonville is a diner-style restaurant serving plenty of classic German dishes. Off The Beaten Path - North Carolina (photo slideshow) - YouTube You can visit this awesome place without any sort of military ID. According to recent data from the National Parks Service, Saluda Flickr / Barry Peters 40 miles south of Asheville, Saluda is a quaint (population 500) hidden gem that takes you back in time. Each room offers a view and diners love going to the restaurant for gorgeous mountain views and great food. Surrounded by national forests, hideaway mountain towns, quirky arts centers, and more, some of Asheville's best spots lie beyond the downtown area. The Lake Lure Beach is open for swimming and activities Memorial Day through Labor Day; offered are boats, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. As full-time RVers, we travel and see a lot. This is part of ourOpting Out of Normalseries where we explore the Off the Beaten Path of every state. 2020 Update! North Carolina Off The Beaten Path - Island Life NC One of the more remarkable characteristics of the Outer Banks is how varied to terrain is. Something for everyone: antiques; primitives; collectibles; local art; used and news books, CD's, DV Visit the Double D's Coffee & Desserts website for more information. Nothing pairs better than dining beneath the Carolina sunshine with a barbeque sandwich topped with crunchy slaw and served with crisp hushpuppies. Personally, we just think its a really scenic bridge. After exploring downtown, stop for a drink at Four Saints Brewing Company, a local craft brewery. 9401 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27617, USA. Off the Beaten Path: Visiting Lake Lure, North Carolina Not to be outdone, Furnitureland South erected a massive highboy, standing at 80 feet tall, right off I-85. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Known as a beach resort, the rolling hills-actually relict sand dunes-and steep banks along the soundside are a surprising find for many visitors. Wander through acres of perfectly manicured gardens and sculptures, as well as wild-growing native species of plants, flowers and trees. Five-sided Fort Macon is constructed of brick and stone. This is a beautiful state park, and you just gotta see the views from Chimney Rock. 400 Bridges St, Morehead City, NC 28557, USA. Migrations. To hike Porters Creek, follow the signs to the trailhead of the same name. Walk through various attractions and truly bizarre displays like a unicorn horn or Houdinis ouija board at Wilmingtons Museum of the Bizarre. Anglers need either a Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Fall fun in a summer hot spot. If you are visiting the area during baseball season, do not miss the chance to see a Hickory Crawdads game and take a picture with the team mascot, Conrad the Crawdad. Full-Time RV Life, What To Do With Sentimental Items When Downsizing. Take a break from exploring and step into one of the unique shops on downtowns Sunset Avenue. It really means a lot to us! 1. Known for itsculinary cool, stunning panoramic vistas, and , Cookies are used for measurement, ads and optimization. A short walk takes you to an observation deck - or journey down to the falls for an up close look. Besides her love of writing, she enjoys running, practicing yoga, watching hockey, and cheering on the Boston Red Sox. let's go! For a more upscale dining experience make a reservation at Chef Vivian Howards flagship restaurant Chef and the Farmer. 11 South Carolina Restaurants to Try Off the Beaten Path BOONDOCKING North Carolina Off the Beaten Path, 9th: A Guide to Unique Places (Off Centered right in the middle of the east coast, it has something for everyone from mountains to coastal plains. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. There are a lot of steps to the top but you wont regret the view once you make it to the top! All jokes aside because of the name, Big Butt Trail is a seriously great hike through a high-elevation northern hardwoods forest. This family-owned brewery and gastropub brews its beer on-site and regularly hosts live music. More than 100 log buildings all of which look like a pioneers home from the 1800s sit on the 200-acre property. Stop by the Train Depot as well to check out a genuine 19th century caboose. Offbeat and Weird Attractions and Museums in NC | VisitNC.com The trail is a favorite among local college students at Western Carolina University. You can't beat the simplicity here. Located in the heart of North Carolina is another of the amazing cities to visit in North Carolina that are off the beaten path. The devices incorporate complex movement and sound and are an integral part of more than 30 of Simpsons works, some of which have been exhibited at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh and the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. See all upcoming trips. Foothills Parkway West runs from Walland to Chilhowee, while Foothills Parkway East travels from Cosby to I-40, Exit #443. In our list of 24 Restaurants In North Carolina You Have To Try Before You Die, youll find some mouthwatering local restaurants serving up some of the best food in the state. Since North Carolina is First in Flight, another spot to check out in Asheboro is the North Carolina Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame. This collection of whirligigs large, wooden, wind-driven mechanical windmills brighten the landscape thanks to the late local folk artist Vollis Simpson. At a stunning 5,000 ft, the Pisgah Inn is centered in the heart of the mountains. Visitors can also enjoy a specialty cruise on the lake for lunch or dinner. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. If visiting while the Down East Wood Ducks are in town, be sure to take in a minor league baseball game at Grainger Stadium. It can be accessed from the Juney Whank loop trail at the Deep Creek Entrance. Asheville Legends have it that the mansion was once home to Helen, a woman who lived here with her daughter. Trout fishing is open year round. He adds features with everything from old softballs and plastic fruit to old film canisters. But the main draw for most people to the Cosby area is hiking.