North Carolina is a pretty unique state, and the Triangle has a prime location in the middle of it all. After all, where else can you get to the beach in 2 hours and the mountains in just over 3?
With ideal hiking temperatures and scenic swimming holes in the mountains and some of the best beaches in the country on the coast, summer is a great time to explore what the area has to offer!
If you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a week-long vacation, here are the top mountain and beach destinations to add to your list.
The Mountains
Hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, and some of the best breweries in the state. If you’re looking for a mountainside adventure, here are a few of our favorite stops!
Chimney Rock & Lake Lure
Chimney Rock gets its name from the huge granite platform that juts out of the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, sitting 2,280 feet above sea level. While there is an elevator that can take you right to the top in a little over 30 seconds, the climb is full of beautiful vantage points!
Once you work up a sweat, head down the mountain to the man-made Lake Lure. The lake has a beautiful mountain backdrop and is perfect for swimming, fishing, boating, and relaxing. If the sights look familiar, you might recognize it as a setting from the movie Dirty Dancing!
Distance from Raleigh: 3 h 55 min
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Smoky Mountains are impressive and enormous, offering miles upon miles of trails to explore and sights like waterfalls, bluffs, and tons of flora and fauna (bears, bears, and bears, oh my!).
Some of the most popular trails in the park include the Alum Cave Bluffs, Rainbow Falls, and the Chimney Tops.
Distance from Raleigh: 5 h
Grandfather Mountain
Not afraid of heights? Then you should check out the mile-high swinging bridge at Grandfather Mountain. It has some of the best views of the mountains and is the highest suspension footbridge in the country!
If you prefer to stay on solid ground (we don’t blame you), then there are plenty of other highlights around the mountain! Check out one of the 11 trails that wind around the woods and peaks, browse the environmental habitats to see native mountain animals like cougars, bears, and river otters, or check out the displays in the Nature Museum!
Distance from Raleigh: 3 h 25 min
The Coast
Sun, surf, sand—North Carolina is home to some of the best beaches in the country! You’ll have plenty of options to choose from, but these are a few of our favorites.
Cape Hatteras
There are tons of beaches and small communities along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, so you’ll never run out of things to do! If you’re looking for an adventure, the waters here are known for prime surfing, windsurfing, and deep sea fishing.
Cape Hatteras has a pretty rich history, as well. Since it juts out from the mainland, it was often hard for ships to tell when they were close to land. Because of this, there are not only a number of famous lighthouses along the coast, but also tons of shipwrecks lying below the surface. You can even visit museums and take tours of the remains!
Distance from Raleigh: 4 h
Nags Head
If you’re looking for a picturesque seaside town, then you’ll find it at Nags Head. Take a step back in time with a visit to the Historic District, where you’ll find structures that still have the original architecture of the Outer Banks. There are more modern homes along the 11 miles of shoreline as well, providing a unique juxtaposition.
The beaches at Nags Head boast beautiful clean water, perfect for swimming, and the Nags Head Fishing Pier is one of the best spots to cast out for the day!
Distance from Raleigh: 3 h 5 min
Emerald Isle
If you’re looking for a quieter beach, check out the options on Emerald Isle. Part of the Crystal Coast, Emerald Isle got its name from the lush forest that surround the town, so there’s plenty of things to explore on both the shoreline and the land!
Popular activities on the white-sand beaches include swimming, surfing, fishing, snorkeling, boating, and more.
Distance from Raleigh: 2 h 35 min
Find Your Home in the Triangle
While the beaches and mountains are just a short trip away, there’s also plenty to do and explore in the Triangle. Check out our guides to area, browse our buyer resources, and give us a call when you’re ready to kick off your real estate journey.