10 Unique (And Fun) Things to Do in the Carolinas

 I've been lucky enough to live in one of the prettiest areas of the US for over 20 years now. The Carolinas - North and South - have an abundance of natural beauty. The Blue Ridge Mountains, sandy beaches, lakes, state parks, barrier islands and rivers along with cities, big and small, with access to the arts, tons of history and fun to be had are all in these two states. So if you get a chance to visit either North or South Carolina here are ten unique (and fun) things you can do:

1. Drink Wine in a Treehouse in Monroe, NC

Treehouse Vineyard in Monroe, North Carolina has quite a good thing going. A family run winery, it hosts tours, wine tastings and events but its most unique feature are the treehouses. The first treehouse that was built is 30 feet off the ground and features a deck overlooking the vineyard - it's rented on an hourly basis. Next came the Papa's Dream Treehouse which can be rented on an overnight basis and comes complete with a kitchenette, full bath, bedroom and grill on the deck. So if you want to while away an afternoon drinking wine in a treehouse or you'd like to spend more time at Papa's Dream, then Treehouse Vineyard and Winery is for you.

Other things to do in Monroe: walk the quaint downtown streets and pop into some shops, drink some wine at the Hilton Vineyard Wine Bar, visit the home of Dr. John Montgomery Belk - founder, along with his brother, of the largest department store chain in the southeast - and enjoy the small town that has recently been featured in the Hallmark Christmas movie, "A Christmas Love Story"

2. Drive the Outer Banks Scenic Byway in the Outer Banks, NC

The Outer Banks Scenic Byway includes two ferries, 21 coastal villages, and miles of stunning scenery and is known as one of the most beautiful stretches of pavement in North Carolina. This road is only one of 150 stretches of road in the country to be established as a National Byway. It crosses three islands - Cedar, Ocracoke and Hatteras - and the entire trip can take 5 to 6 hours including ferry crossings. Or you can take an entire week to enjoy this gorgeous road. Four lighthouses and a national refuge are included on the route along with the Chicamacamico Lifesaving Station and the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. It is one of my favorite places I've been - I can never get enough of the Outer Banks whatever season.

Other things to do in the Outer Banks : Visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial, marking the first spot of known flight by the Ohio brothers, try your own hand at hang gliding or simply walk the sand dunes at Jockeys Ridge State Park or enjoy the free North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island

Read more about the Outer Banks here, here, here, or here

3. Tour the Largest Privately Owned House in the US in Asheville, NC

Biltmore Estate is the largest privately owned house in the United States. Built between 1889 and 1895 by George and Edith Vanderbilt in the French Chateau style, the Biltmore is definitely worth a visit. It's pricey - tickets start at $54 - but your visit includes a self-guided tour of the house including servants quarters and the gardens along with a free wine tasting at the estate winery and a visit to Antler Hill Village - home to dining, shopping and The Farmyard. I've visited this "8,000 acre oasis", as the estate calls itself, several times and each time I have thoroughly enjoyed it and find something new each visit. And I highly suggest a visit, if possible, during the Christmas holiday season - it's quite the spectacle!

Other things to do in Asheville : Visit the North Carolina Arboretum with it's impressive bonsai exhibit, go brewery hopping - Asheville is a Beer City USA - or drive up to the highest point east of the Mississippi to Mount Mitchell

Read more about Asheville here, here, or here

4. Walk Across the Tallest Dam East of the Rockies at Lake Fontana, NC

Fontana Dam was built by the Tennessee Valley Authority in 1942 because of an urgent need for power during World War II. At 480 feet it is the tallest dam east of the Rockies and is considered one of the most beautiful dams in the world - it is surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Nantahala National Forest and the lake it created, Fontana Lake, is the largest in Western North Carolina. You can drive or walk across the dam and visit the Visitor Center from May through October from 9am to 6pm daily which includes displays about the construction of the dam.

Other things to do in Bryson City: Go whitewater rafting at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, ride the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, or visit the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians - yes, that's really a thing!

Read more about western North Carolina here

5. Tour an Aircraft Carrier in Charleston, SC

The USS Yorktown is permanently parked in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina and is an Essex class aircraft carrier built during World War II. Named after the Battle of Yorktown in the Revolutionary War, the "Fighting Lady", as she was known, participated in the Pacific Offensive starting in 1943 until the defeat of Japan in 1945. Placed in Mt. Pleasant in 1975, the Yorktown is the centerpiece of the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Your single day ticket to Patriots Point includes visiting The USS Yorktown, the USS Laffey, the Vietnam Experience Exhibit, the Medal of Honor Museum and the Cold War Memorial. And along with your ticket you can enjoy a fantastic view of Charleston and the Ravenel Bridge from the top deck of the Yorktown. 

Other things to do in Charleston: Have a drink while looking for dolphins on Shem Creek, visit the cute little town of Folly Beach or take a boat ride out to Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began.

Read more about the Charleston area here, here or here

6. Go Deep Sea Fishing off the Coast of North Carolina

Morehead City and Atlantic Beach, North Carolina are the place to go if you'd like to hire a boat and captain to go deep sea fishing. A group of 6 of us hired Captain Mike Webb on the Pelagic to go sportfishing - a bucket list item for my sister-in-law - out of Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. We left out at 5:30am and headed 50 miles out to sea for quite the adventure - we caught 4 large fish, 2 wahoo and 2 blackfin tuna, at about 70 pounds. We paid to have the fish cleaned right there and took it home in our cooler. And we enjoyed the area for the weekend visited breweries, Fort Macon and walking the harbor in Morehead City. 

7. Stay in a European Style Inn owned by a Tour de France bike rider in Travelers Rest, SC

George Hincapie was Lance Armstrong's teammate and "domestique" - he "pulled" him up the mountains of France in the Tour de France bike race. They are still good friends. After retiring from cycling, George and his brother started a sportswear company and took over an inn in Travelers Rest, South Carolina. Hotel Domestique is a boutique hotel inspired by the world travels, tastes and lifestyle of George Hincapie that has Old World European style and is tucked at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Rates include wifi, free breakfast, a swimming pool and hot tubs, and a fire pit. The award winning Restaurant 17 (named after George's record setting 17 Tour de France rides) is on site and hotel guests may rent bicycles or BMW's. It's as close to Europe as you're going to get in South Carolina!

8. Visit an Award Winning City Park in Greenville, SC

Falls Park on the Reedy in Greenville, South Carolina is a favorite of visitors and locals alike. It is, essentially, the showpiece of the city. It contains waterfalls, public art installations, walking trails, gardens and picnic areas. The highlight of the park is Liberty Bridge - a pedestrian bridge made of concrete supported by a single suspension cable - that overlooks the 28' waterfall. The park has been named a Top 10 Park in the US and is historically named the number one thing to do in Greenville. And it's now up for the Best City Park award for 2021 by USA Today. There are also two restaurants located within the park - Mary's Cottage and the french bistro, Pascarelle. 

9. View the Purple Martin Vortex at Bomb Island in Lake Murray, SC

Columbia's Lake Murray is a 55,000 acre lake with 600 miles of shoreline and is known as the Jewel of South Carolina. It's a little known gem located just outside of Columbia, South Carolina. I may be biased, though, as I've lived on this lake for the last 21, almost 22, years. It's quite the watery playground - there is boating, swimming, water skiing, dining, tubing, sailing, bird watching and kayaking available along with camping and walking at Dreher Island State Park. You may even camp on an island in the lake for free - though these islands are only accessible by boat. It also houses Bomb Island, the largest purple martin sanctuary in the world. (It's called Bomb Island as it was used for target practice by B-52 Bombers during WWII) Some 800,000 to 1 million purple martin birds fly up to 160 miles every evening to roost in the trees on this uninhabited island in Lake Murray. Peak season to see the birds and there vortex they created over Bomb Island is from the end of June through the end of July though they start returning to Lake Murray at the beginning of June. It's really quite something to see. And if you don't have access to a boat of your own you can book an evening on the Spirit of Lake Murray on a Purple Martin Cruise in July and August.

10. Take a Buggy Ride in the Charming Town of Beaufort, South Carolina

South Carolina's second oldest city is full of coastal charm and history. Pronounced Bew-fort, as opposed to North Carolina's Bo-Fort, this charming town in the heart of South Carolina's Low Country has been named "Best Small Southern Town" by Southern Living.

Other things to do in South Carolina's Low Country: Have a beach day at Hunting Island State Park, Visit the Old Sheldon Church Ruins or Have some local seafood at one of the area eateries

Read more about the Low Country here

How about you? Have you visited any of these spots in the Carolinas?

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