NORTH CAROLINA Points Interest
Content
North Carolina –!Points-of-Interest
Information sources: A=AAA Travel Guidebook, AC=AAA Camping Book, H= Highways magazine (Good Sam Club), L=loop tours book (Readers’ Digest, hardbound), X=Xerox copy, T=©1992 “Texas” travel soft-cover book, NOTE: Key to map-location numbering system: A=2005 trip B=2006 trip C=2007 trip No letter = 2008 trip & later trips NOTE: Info may NOT contain CURRENT phone numbers, prices, times of operation, etc. due to publication dates for info sources. ALWAYS check with the attraction / location / venue for updated info rather than drive to the location and be very disappointed !
NORTH CAROLINA
2007
NC001 –!B Edenton (L138, #1) Has the 1758 Cupola House with Chinese Chippendale staircase. Unsure if it’s able to be toured or just viewed from the outside. Also, Chowan County Courthouse contains the best-preserved 18th-century courtroom in America. Daily guided walking tours leave from the visitor center. C Edenton (A145) One of the oldest communities in North Carolina, served as a Colonial center of commerce, society, and politics. Historic Edenton State Historic Site includes several notable Colonial buildings of the old town. Guided walking tours and trolley tours begin at the Historic Edenton Visitors Center, a late 1800s frame house at 108 North Broad Street. Features a 14-minute slide show and exhibits about the area. Wear comfortable shoes for the tours. Allow 2 hours. Visitor center open Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 1-4, Apr thru Oct. Last tour departs 1 hour before closing. 45-minute trolley tours Tues-Sat at 10, 11, noon, 2, 3, and 4. Visitor center is FREE. Guided tour is $10; family rate $15. Trolley tour $10. Mini-tour admission to 2 buildings is $4, family rate $8. Ph: 252.482.2637. NC002 – B Merchants Millpond (L138, #2) Has Merchants Millpond State Park, located in a swamp with canoe rentals. Paddle past bald cypress, or a hike along the nine miles of trails. Recommend using insect repellent, and pants & socks to ward off ticks. NC003 – B Wilmington (L139-140, #8) Known for the many movie filmed here, you can tour one of the state’s largest historic districts. Tours depart daily form the foot of Market Street. Nearby is the Thalian Hall, a restored 1850’s theatre. Also, tour the U.S.S. North Carolina docked in the Cape Fear River. There are lush gardens in the Orton Plantation Gardens 15 miles south of Rte 133. NC004 –!B New Bern (L140, #9) You can view period furnishings and formal gardens at Tryon Palace. Or pick up a walking tour map at the visitor center on Pollock Street and view 18th and 19th century architecture. C New Bern (A161,162) Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens [Gem site], at corner of George & Pollock streets. North Carolina’s first capitol. 18th century gardens. 20-minute orientation film, a palace also is indicated. Tours are conducted by costumed interpreters. Guided tours every 30 minutes. Mon-Sat, 9-4, Sun 1-4:30. Last tour begins at 3:30. Admission is $15, rates may vary. Ph: 252.514.4900. NC005 – B Beaufort (L139, #7) Beaufort Historic Site consists of 9 historic buildings, including an apothecary shop and jail. The Hammock House built in early 1700’s is the oldest house in town. Blackbeard is said to have hung one of his wives from a front-yard tree. You can cross Taylor’s Creek by boat to watch wild ponies on Carrot Island. South of Beaufort, beyond Swansboro, is Hammocks Beach State Park, only accessible by seasonal ferry or private boat. This is a highly regarded location. NC006 – B Ocracoke Island (L139, #6) Swim at glorious Ocracoke Beach. Six miles from the Hatteras ferry landing are the Ocracoke Pony Pens, home of wild horses descended from Spanish mustangs. It’s a 2.5-hour carferry ride south to Cedar Island. (In summer it’s essential to make advance ferry reservations.) NC007 – B Cape Hatteras (L139, #5) Cross the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge, a spectacular span arching over the turquoise waters of Oregon Inlet. Bird watching from raised platforms at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Visit the gray-shingled Chicamacomico U.S. Lifesaving Service Station built in 1910, where old-time lifesaving drills are reenacted during the summer. Often visible at Beach Access Ramp No. 27, south of Slavo, is the hull of the G.A.Kohler, a four-masted schooner wrecked in 1933. See the towering candy-striped Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
North Carolina –!Points-of-Interest
as you approach Buxton. The 208-foor lighthouse is the tallest in the USA. At the Point the warm Gulf Stream meets the frigid Labrador Current resulting in spectacular clashing of sea foam. NC008 – B Roanoke Island (L139, #4) First attempted English settlement was here 35 years before Plymouth Rock. 1) At Fort Raleigh National Historic Site you can see a reconstructed earthen fort and colonial artifacts. 2) Adjacent to the park is the lush 16th-century-style Elizabethan Gardens [Gem site],, built in 1951 to memorialize those first colonists. (A174) Layed out in the formal style fo a 16th-century English garden. Allow 1 hr. Open daily 9-7 June-Aug; 9-6 Apr-May & Sept; 9-5 Mar & Oct-Nov; 10-4 in Dec. Closed Jan 1, ThG, Christmas Eve & Christmas. $8; $5 ages 6-17. Ph: 252-473-3234. 3) Next door is the Lost Colony, an outdoor dramatization of the ill-fated settlement. 4) Don’t miss the village of Manteo, which is Mayberry RFD on the water. It’s home of the Elizabeth II, a replica of the first colonists’ 16th-century wooden sailing ship. NC009 –!B Kill Devil Hills (L138, #3) Located on the barrier islands known as the Outer Banks. See where the Wright Brothers flew their airplane at their reconstructed camp. Avoid traveling on weekends when weekly rentals begin and end, as traffic is very heavy! NC010 – B Mount Airy (aka Mayberry RFD) (X08) This is Andy Griffith’s real hometown, and the basis for the Mayberry RFD TV show. People have said you can really enjoy the town’s nostalgic atmosphere and hospitality. There’s the Andy Griffith Memorabilia Museum. The Snappy Lunch Diner is noted for its huge pork chop sandwiches. Mayberry Days are held on the last weekend in September. NC011 – B Asheboro (A115) North Carolina Zoological Park [Gem site], 6 miles south on SR159, follow signs to 4401 Zoo Parkway. Contains more than 1100 animals and 60,000 plants from two continents. Also a climatecontrolled African Pavilion. Allow 3 hours. Daily 9-5, May-Sept. $10; over 61 yrs = $8. Ph: 336.879.7200 or 800.488.0444. NC012 – B Boone (A125,126) “Horn in the West” [Gem site],an outdoor musical drama portraying the struggle of Daniel Boone and his men to establish freedom in southern Appalachian Highlands. Allow 2 hours. Check on weather policies. Tues-Sun at 8PM late-June thru mid-Aug. Check times for museum. Musical = $15. Museum $4.50 or free with musical. Ph: 828.264.2120. NC013 – B Bryson City (A126) Great Smoky Mountain Railroad operates half-day and full-day, round trip excursions departing Bryson City and Dillsboro. Fares begin at $28. Ph: 828.586.8811 or 800.872.4681 (See color ad on A151) NC014 !–!B Charlotte 1) Charlotte Museum of History and Hezekiah Alexander Homesite, [Gem site], (A134) 3 miles east at 3500 Shamrock Drive. Museum has 300 years of Carolina heritage. Also 1774 stone house. Guided onehour homesite tours given at 1:15 and 3:15. $6; over 65 yrs = $5. Free to all on Sundays. Ph: 704.568.1774. 2) Hendrick Motorsports Museum [Gem site], (A136) at 4400 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd, is a 67-acre racing complex encompassing a museum and race shops that showcase 2 decades of HMS racing. Museum displays engine components, trophies and one of the Chevrolet Lumina race cars used in “Days of Thunder” feature film. Race shops afford visitors an opportunity to view construction of race cars from start to finish. Allow 2 hours. Mon-Fri 9-5; open Sat during race weeks in May & Oct. FREE. Ph: 704.455.0342 or 877.467.4890. 3) Levine Museum of the New South [Gem site], (A105) at 200 E. Seventh Street. Museum’s interactive, multisensory exhibits depict and interpret the city’s historical evolution since the end of the Civil War. The centerpiece exhibit, Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers, features more than 1,000 artifacts, images, video, and music clips and oral histories integrated into interactive environments, dramatically illustrating how the South in general and Charlotte in particular have both reinvented themselves in the last century and a half, Changing thematic exhibits also are presented. Allow 2 hrs. Open Mon-Sat 10-5; Sun, noon-5. Closed major holidays. $6; $5 6-`8, 62+, and students w/ ID; $17 family; FREE to all on Sundays. Free
North Carolina –!Points-of-Interest
parking available for 2 hours in the Seventh Street Station lot adjacent to the museum. Ph: 704-333-1887. 4) Mint Museum Randolph [Gem site], (A105-106) at 2730 Randolph Road. Located in what served as the first branch of the U.S. Mint from 1837 to 1861. Before being dismantled and moved to its present site in 1933, the Greek Revival building served as a Confederate hospital, an assay office and a federal courthouse. Permanent collection features pre-Columbian, Spanish colonial and early North American works of art. Also European paintings and sculpture, period costumes, historic North Carolina pottery and gold coins minted in Charlotte. The museum’s pottery and porcelain collection is impressive. Also featured are commissioned paintings of King George and Queen Charlotte, British monarchs of the revolutionary period. The Delhom Collection includes ancient Chinese ceramics to late 18th-century English and European wares. There are also changing exhibits. Allow 1.5 hrs. Open Tues-Sat 10-6; also Tues 6-9PM; Sunday 1-5. Closed Mondays & major holidays. Cost includes admission to the Mint Museum Uptown (see below). $10; $8 ages 65+ and students w/ ID; $5 5-17; FREE Tuesdays 5-9PM. Ph: 704-337-2000. 5) Mint Museum Uptown [Gem site], (A106) at 500 So. Tyron Street. October 2010 was grand opening of a new, expanded exhibition space to better showcase its impressive collection of American and contemporary art, plus craft and design collections that include studio jewelry, furniture, works of glass, fiver art, metal, clay and wood. The beautifully designed galleries feature a range of artistic styles from traditional to avante garde. Cell phone tour available. The “Power Hour” brochure provides a quick tour of the major features if time is limited, and the Lewis Family Gallery offers kid-friendly, hands-on experiences that encourage kids and their parents to create and learn about art. Allow 2 hrs. Open TuesSat 10-6; also Tues 6-9PM; Sunday 1-5. Closed Mondays and major holidays. Cost includes admission to the Mint Museum Randolph: $10; $8 ages 65+ and students w/ ID; $5 5-17; FREE Tuesdays 5-9PM. Ph: 704-337-2000. 6) NASCAR Hall of Fame [Gem site], (A106) at 400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Between S. Brevard and Caldwell streets. Covers > 5 acres. Pays tribute to NASCAR heroes past & present, plus history of auto racing. Museum features a section of bank track, 18 historic cars, and 40 historic & present tracks. Interactive exhibits allow visitors to compete against others in pit crew challenges such as jacking up a car and changing a tire. Visitors can take walk-through tour of NASCAR Sprint Cup hauler. Exhibits also include racing suits, trophies, and heirloom memorabilia. Allow 3 hrs. Hall of Fame open daily 10-6, hours may vary; phone ahead to confirm. $19.95; $17.95 60+ & military w/ ID; $12.95 ages 5-12. Parking $3 for first 30 minutes; $1 for each additional 30 minutes at the facility’s garage. Ph: 704-654-4400. NC015 –!Blue Ridge Parkway (A124) North Carolina Arboretum is at Milepost 393, 9 miles south of Asheville. This 426-acre arboretum offers 65 acres of cultivated gardens, 10 miles of Forested biking and hiking trails, a stateof-the-art greenhouse production facility, and what is reputed to be the finest bonsai collection in the southeastern US. FREE, but $6 parking. Daily 8AM-9PM, Apr-Oct; 8-7 rest of year. Ph: 828-665-2492. NC016 –!Boone (A125) “Horn of the West” [Gem site], live outdoor musical drama is .5 miles south of US421 via Horn in the West Drive. Drama portrays Daniel Boone’s struggle to establish freedom for himself and his men in the southern Appalachian Highlands. Allow 2 hours. Performances Tuesday – Sunday at 8PM, late-June through midAugust. Museum open Tues-Sun 1-8PM, mid-June through mid-August. Musical drama $15. Museum $4.50 but free with admission to “Horn of the West”. NC017 –!Chapel Hill (A128) North Carolina Botanical Garden on Old Mason Farm Road off US15/501 bypass. This Univ. of No. Carolina facility consists of more than 600 cares and displays plants native to No. Carolina and the Southeast. Aquatic, herb, and family gardens, and a carnivorous plant collection are also presented. Allow one hour. Gardens open Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat 9-6, Sun 1-6, during Daylight savings time; Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5, rest of year. Nature trails open dawn-dusk. FREE. Admission may be charged during special events and for programs. Ph: 919-962-0522. NC018 – B Halifax (A153) Historic Halifax State Historic Site [Gem site], is on US301 Business Route at St. David and Dobbs Streets. A free 60-minute guided tour includes the cemetery and other historical buildings and sites.
North Carolina –!Points-of-Interest
Maps of the village and brochures detailing a self-guided tour are available at the visitor center. FREE. Ph: 252.583.7191. NC019 – B Kure Beach (A157) Fort Fisher State Historic Site, about 2 miles south at end of US421. Was one of the largest Confederate earthen seacoast fortifications. Reputedly the scene of the largest naval bombardment and amphibious operation of the Civil War. Provided protection for blockade runners. Guided tours available. Allow 1.5 hours. Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 1-5, Apr-Sept. DONATIONS. Ph: 910.458.5538. NC020 –!B Maggie Valley (A159) Wheels Through Time Museum [Gem site], at 62 Vintage Lane, is 38,000 sq.ft. featuring the largest collection of rare American motorcycles, automobiles, and related memorabilia dating from 1903 to present. More than 200 machines are operational and 100 are in original condition. Allow 2 hours minimum. Daily 9-6, Apr-Nov. Thurs-Tues, rest of year. Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas. $12; over 54 yrs = $10. AAA Discount indicated. Ph: 828.926.6266. NC021– B Outer Banks (of North Carolina) (A164-169) 1) Cape Hatteras National Seashore [Gem site], (A164) is the most extensive stretch of undeveloped seashore on the Atlantic Coast. Except for a few villages on the islands, the national recreation area includes Ocracoke and Hatteras islands and part of Bodie (Body) Island. The islands are connected by a free bridge and a free ferry. 2) Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (A167) “The Lost Colony” [Gem site], is presented in the Waterside Theater, 3 miles northwest of Manteo on Roanoke Island via US64/264. This symphonic outdoor drama retells the story of the 1585 settlement of Roanoke Island. Inquire about weather policies. Performances are at 8:30PM June-Aug. Preferred seating = $20; adults $16; over 62 = $15. AAA Discount indicated. Ph: 252.473.3414 or 800.488.5012. 3) Manteo (A168) (“The Lost Colony” theater is nearby). Roanoke Island Festival Park [Gem site],, home of Elizabeth II is across from Manteo’s waterfront. Explores 400 years of the island’s history. Park’s centerpiece is a reproduction of a merchant ship used in Sir Walter Raleigh’s 1585 voyage to the New World. Interpreters in 16th-century costumes recreate lives of mariners and soldiers. The Roanoke Adventure Museum chronicles Outer Banks history through interactive exhibits while the Settlement Site offers demonstrations in woodworking, blacksmithing, and leatherworking. “The Legend of Two Path” tells of the settlements impact upon the native Indians. Picnicking permitted; food available. Allow 2 hours. Daily 10-6, mid-Feb thru Dec 31. $8. Ph: 252.475.1500 or 252.475.1506. NC022 –!B Snow Camp (A175) Snow Camp Outdoor Theatre at the Snow Camp Historic Site on SR1005, presents “Sword of Peace”, a drama portraying the struggles of the Quakers during the Revolutionary War. Also presented is “Pathway To Freedom”, a pre-Civil War drama recalling the events and people involved in the secret transfer of escaped slaves via the Underground Railroad. Presentations are shown on alternate days Thurs-Sat at 8PM, late-June thru late-Aug. Admission is $14; over 59 yrs = $12. AAA Discount indicated. Ph: 336.376.6948 or 800.726.5115. NC023 –!B Wilmington (A179) 1) Wilmington Adventure Tours (A179) provides guided 2-hour walking tours of the city April thru Oct at 10 and 2. Ph: 910.763.1785. (No prices were indicated in AAA TourBook) 2) Battleship North Carolina [Gem site], (A179) is at junction of US17 and US421N on the Cape Fear River. It’s a WWII battleship. A 2-hour self-guiding tour begins with an orientation exhibit and includes portions of nine decks. Picnicking permitted on shore. Last admission one hour before closing. Admission $9; over 65 yrs = $8. Ph: 910.251.5797. (See color ad on A179) 3) Captain J.N. Maffitt River Cruises, (A180) at Riverfront Park at corner of Market and Water streets. Offers 45-minute narrated sightseeing cruises of the Cape Fear River. See A180 for details (times, routes, alternate river taxi to battleship, etc.) Sightseeing $10; river taxi $3. AAA Discount indicated. Passengers must areive 15 minutes before departure. Ph: 910.343.1611 or 800.676.0162. 4) Greenfield Park & Gardens (A180) at the south end of 3rd Street with entrance on 4th Street. Noted for plants & trees. Has 5-mile scenic drive. Bike & nature trails. FREE. Rental paddleboats & canoes for charge.
North Carolina –!Points-of-Interest
5) Henrietta III (A180) docked at 106 S. Water Street at foot of Dock Street, offers 90-minute narrated sightseeing cruises of the Cape Fear River, as well as 90-minute lunch cruises, 3-hour entertainment dinner cruises, and 2-hour sunset dinner cruises. Call for rates. Sightseeing cruises depart Tues-Sat at noon and 2:30, Apr-Oct. Boarding is 15 minutes before departure. Sightseeing is $11. NOTE: Noon cruises may be pre-empted for charters, so phone ahead for specifics. 910.343.1611 or 800.676.0162 6) Thalian Hall (A180) at 310 Chestnut St., is the only surviving theater designed by 19th-century architect John Montague Trimble. In continuous use since 1858, the theatre hosts more than 250 plays, films and musical performances a year. Self-guiding tours of lobby offered Mon-Fri, noon-6, Sat 2-6. Guided tours available by appointment at $6; self-guided tours $1. Ph: 910.343.3660 for tour reservations or the box office. NC024 – B Winston-Salem (A182) C Winston-Salem (A182, 183) 1. Old Salem [Gem site], (A183) on Old Salem Road, adjacent to downtown Winston-Salem, is a living history recreation of the Moravian church town of Salem founded in 1766. More than 100 buildings erected 1766-1850 have been restored or reconstructed on their original sites. Gardens, orchards, streets and lighting recreate an 18th-century atmosphere. A few buildings remain private residences. Of the ore than 90 restored buildings, 15 can be visited. Costumed interpreters throughout the town demonstrate historic trades and domestic activities. Much more info found in AAA TourGuide. Open Tues-Sat 9-5, Sun 12:30-5; closed Easter, ThG, & Dec 24 & 25. All-in-One combo ticket $21 or $24 for two consecutive days. Christmas pass $22 or $25 for two consecutive days. Ph: 336-721-7300 or 888-348-4844. a. Old Salem Toy Museum (A184) at 924 S. Main Street. More than 1200 antique toys dating from AD225 to the 1920s are displayed. Large display of miniature dollhouses, trains, circus items. MonSat 9-5, Sun 1-5, closed Easter, ThG, and Dec 24 & 25. Ph: 888-653-7253. (Admission price not indicated; may be part of combo ticket into Old Salem?) b. Boys School (A183) c. Market-Fire House (A183) d. Miksch House & Shed (A183) e. Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (A183) f. The Old Salem Children’s Museum (A183) g. St. Phillips Church (A184) h. Salem Tavern, Annex, and Barn (A184) i. Shultz Shoe Shop (A184) j. Single Brothers House (A184) k. T. Vogler Gunsmith Shop (A184) l. Vierling House (A184) m. Vogler House (A184) n. Winkler Bakery (A184) NC025 –!C Cherokee (A141) Oconaluftee Indian Village [Gem site], is 2.5 miles north off US441N. A recreation of a 1750s Cherokee community, where American Indians demonstrate the making of baskets, pottery, canoes, arrows, and blowguns. Also of interest: seven-sided council house and huts and cabins containing articles used two centuries ago. Nature trails and the Cherokee Botanical Gardens are on the grounds. Guided tours given daily every 15 minutes 9-5:30, May 15 thru Oct 15. Last tour begins 15 minutes before closing. $13. Ph: 828-497-2315. NC026 – Croatan National Forest (A142) Cedar Point Tideland Trail, an elevated boardwalk originating at the mouth of the White Oak River across the Swansboro, winds through tidal marsh areas and hardwood & pine forests. Interpretive signs are found along both the 1-hour and 2-hour loops of the trail. Maps and camping information available at the ranger office, 141 E. Fisher Ave.,, 9 miles south of New Bern via US70E. Open daily 24 hours. Ranger office Mon-Fri 8-4:30; closed major holidays. FREE. Camping $17. Ph: 252-638-5628. NC027 – Fayetteville (A145) 1. Airborne and Special Forces Operations Museum [Gem site], (A146) at 100 Bragg Blvd. A 59,000-sq.ft. museum featuring life-size dioramas, rare aircraft, artifacts and interactive displays commemorating this
North Carolina –!Points-of-Interest
special sector of the armed forces from its inception in 1940 to the present. Highlights include large-screen movie theatre, 24-seat motion simulator that places visitors in the midst of parachute jumps, helicopter gunship attacks, and daring missions. Allow one hour. Tu-Sat and Mondays that are federal holidays 10-5, Sun noon-5; closed Jan 1st, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Dec 25. Museum FREE. Motion simulator and theater are $4 each. Combo ticket = $7. Ph:910-483-3003. 2. Cape Fear Botanical Garden (A146) is 2 miles north of Market Street at 536 N. Eastern Blvd. On 85 acres overlooking Cross Creek and the Cape Fear River, the gardens include an urban forest, formal gardens, and more than 700 species of native plants, 2500 varieties of ornamentals, a natural amphitheater, an 1886 farmhouse, and a gazebo. Allow one hour. Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun & holidays noon-5, mid-Feb thru mid-Dec; Mon-Sat 10-5 rest of year. $5; FREE (only) to all on first Saturday of the month. Ph: 910-486-0221. NC028 – Flat Rock (A147) Flat Rock Playhouse. Performances from late May thru mid-December. Matinees given Wed-Thurs and Sat-Sun at 2:15; evening performances Wed-Sat at 8:15PM. Ph: 828-693-0731 to confirm hours. Reservations recommended. NC029 –! Gastonia (A148) The Schiele Museum of Natural History, [Gem site], off I-85 exit 20 (New Hope Road), following signs to 1500 E. Garrison Blvd. Regional dioramas are presented in the North Carolina Hall of Natural History. Hall of North American Habitats features Everglades, Sonoran Desert and Alaskan tundra. Hall of North American Wildlife features extensive collection of moose, elk, buffalo, birds, insects, and live reptiles. Robinson Hall of Earth and Man includes fossils, exhibits about prehistoric man, and one of the region’s largest gem and mineral displays. Also exhibits on tools, weapons, & adornments of tribal groups; astronomy and space science. A half-mile nature trail, Catawba Indian Village, a Stone Age Heritage Site, and an 18th-century Backcountry Farm. Allow 1.5 hours. Museum open Mon-Sat 9-5 (also 2nd & 4th Tues. of the month 5-8PM), Sun 1-5. Planetarium shows Mon-Fri at 3, Sat at 1, 2, & 3, Sun at 2 & 3, June 1 thru mid-Aug; Wed at 3:30, Sat at 1, 2, & 3, Sun at 2 & 3, Sept thru May. Backcountry Farm and Catawba Indian Village open daily Jun 1 thru mid-Aug. Hours for farm & village vary. Museum $4, over 64 = $2. FREE (only) for all second & fourth Tuesdays of the month 4-8PM. Planetarium $3, over 64 = $2. Ph: 704-866-6900 or 704-866-6908. NC030 –!Halifax (A153) Historic Halifax State Historic Site [Gem site], is on US301 Business Route at St. David and Dobbs Streets. A free 60-minute guided tour includes the cemetery and other historical buildings and sites. Maps of the village and brochures detailing a self-guided tour are available at the visitor center. FREE. Ph: 252.583.7191. NC031 –!Raleigh (A171) 1. North Carolina Museum of History [Gem site], at 5 E. Edenton Street. The 170,000 sq.ft. museum features exhibits focusing on the state’s history, folk life, healing systems and struggles during the Civil War, and contains the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Allow one hour Tues-Sat 9-5, Sun noon-5; closed Jan 1, ThG, and Dec 25. FREE. Ph: 919-807-7900. 2. North Carolina Museum of Natural History [Gem site], 11 W. Jones Street on Bicentennial Plaza, explores diverse geology, geography & wildlife of North Carolina. Home of first dinosaur with fossilized heart, as well as full skeleton of predator Acrocanthosaurus. Also live animal exhibits with waterfalls, whale skeletons. Allow 2 hours. Mon-Sat 9-5 (also 5-9PM first Fri of the month), Sun noon-5. Closed Jan 1, ThG, and Dec 24 & 25. FREE. Admission may be charged for special events. Ph: 919-733-7450. NC032 – Saluda (A174) Pearson’s Falls is 4 miles northwest via US176, offers paths bordered by native plants. The focal pint of this lush, natural area is a 90-foot waterfall that is reached via a quarter-mile trail. No pets are allowed. Picnicking permitted. Tues-Sat 10-6, Sun noon-6, Mar-Oct; Wed-Sun 10-5 rest of year. Closed major holidays. $2. Ph: 828-749-3031. NC033 – Snow Cap (A175) Snow Camp Outdoor Theatre at the Snow Camp Historic Site on SR1005, presents “Sword of Peace”, a drama portraying the struggles of the Quakers during the Revolutionary War. Also presented is “Pathway To Freedom”, a pre-Civil War drama recalling the events and people involved in the secret transfer of escaped slaves via the Underground Railroad. Presentations are shown on alternate days Thurs-Sat at 8PM, lateJune thru late-Aug. Admission is $14; over 59 yrs = $12. AAA Discount indicated. Ph: 336.376.6948 or 800.726.5115. NC034 – Spencer (A176) North Carolina Transportation Museum, off I-85 exit 79 at 411 S. Salisbury Street, traces history of transportation in North Carolina. Complex was once Southern Railway’s primary staging are and
North Carolina –!Points-of-Interest
repair facility. Includes massive Back Shop, 37-bay Roundhouse, plus 9 other buildings. Among display: Conestoga wagons, antique automobiles, steam locomotives, and dugout canoe. Allow 1.5 hours. Museum & grounds open Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 1-5, Apr 1 thru Labor Day; Tues-Sat 10-4, Sun 1-4 rest of year. Closed major holidays. Diesel engine rides run Mon-Fri at 11,1, 2, & 3 Apr 1 thru Labor Day; Sat at 11, 1, 2, & 3, Sun at 1:30, 2:30, & 3:30, Nov 1 thru mid-Dec. Steam engine rides run Sat at 11, 1, 2 & 3, Sun at 1:30, 2:30, & 3:30, Apr 1 thru Labor Day. Museum FREE; train rides $5, over 60 = $4. Ph: 704-636-2889. NC035 –!Belmont (A70) Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, [Gem site], 6500 S. New Hope Road, features themed areas that include the Four Seasons Garden, the Cottage Garden, the Canal Garden, the Azalea Garden, the Conifer Garden, and the .5-mile Woodland Trail. The Orchid Conservatory is an 8,000-sq-ft home to a variety of orchids and tropical plants. The gorunds feature 12 fountains and a visitor pavilion topped by a 1909 stained-glass dome. Allow 1.5 hrs. Open daily 9-5; closed Jan 1, ThG, & Christmas. $12 adults; $11 60+; $6 4-12. Ph: 704-825-4490. NC036 – Durham (A152) Duke University Chapel, [Gem site], is on the West Campus. Features a 50-bell carillon with bells ranging in weight from 10 to 11,200 pounds, plays Mon-Fri at 5PM. Chapel houses the Flentrop Organ, which contains five keyboards and rises nearly 40 feet above the gallery floor. Organ recitals held daily from 12:30-1:30PM. Allow 30 minutes for touring. Open daily 8-5; closed Christmas and for private occasions. FREE. Ph: 919-681-9488. NC037 – Greensboro (A184) Greensboro Historical Museum [Gem site], at 130 Summit Avenue, traces development of Guilford County. Exhibits present an extensive military history collection including over 140 Confederate longarm rifles, Dolley Madison and O. Henry memorabilia, rare documents, decorative art works, depiction of 1960s civil rights movement lunch counter sit-ins, reconstructed 19th-century Greensboro village w/ doctor’s office, drugstore, schoolhouse, and antique fire engine. Also two period houses. Open Tues-Sat 10-5; Sunday 2-5; closed city holidays except July 4. FREE. Ph: 336-373-2043.
Information sources: A=AAA Travel Guidebook, AC=AAA Camping Book, H= Highways magazine (Good Sam Club), L=loop tours book (Readers’ Digest, hardbound), X=Xerox copy, T=©1992 “Texas” travel soft-cover book, NOTE: Key to map-location numbering system: A=2005 trip B=2006 trip C=2007 trip No letter = 2008 trip & later trips NOTE: Info may NOT contain CURRENT phone numbers, prices, times of operation, etc. due to publication dates for info sources. ALWAYS check with the attraction / location / venue for updated info rather than drive to the location and be very disappointed !
NORTH CAROLINA
2007
NC001 –!B Edenton (L138, #1) Has the 1758 Cupola House with Chinese Chippendale staircase. Unsure if it’s able to be toured or just viewed from the outside. Also, Chowan County Courthouse contains the best-preserved 18th-century courtroom in America. Daily guided walking tours leave from the visitor center. C Edenton (A145) One of the oldest communities in North Carolina, served as a Colonial center of commerce, society, and politics. Historic Edenton State Historic Site includes several notable Colonial buildings of the old town. Guided walking tours and trolley tours begin at the Historic Edenton Visitors Center, a late 1800s frame house at 108 North Broad Street. Features a 14-minute slide show and exhibits about the area. Wear comfortable shoes for the tours. Allow 2 hours. Visitor center open Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 1-4, Apr thru Oct. Last tour departs 1 hour before closing. 45-minute trolley tours Tues-Sat at 10, 11, noon, 2, 3, and 4. Visitor center is FREE. Guided tour is $10; family rate $15. Trolley tour $10. Mini-tour admission to 2 buildings is $4, family rate $8. Ph: 252.482.2637. NC002 – B Merchants Millpond (L138, #2) Has Merchants Millpond State Park, located in a swamp with canoe rentals. Paddle past bald cypress, or a hike along the nine miles of trails. Recommend using insect repellent, and pants & socks to ward off ticks. NC003 – B Wilmington (L139-140, #8) Known for the many movie filmed here, you can tour one of the state’s largest historic districts. Tours depart daily form the foot of Market Street. Nearby is the Thalian Hall, a restored 1850’s theatre. Also, tour the U.S.S. North Carolina docked in the Cape Fear River. There are lush gardens in the Orton Plantation Gardens 15 miles south of Rte 133. NC004 –!B New Bern (L140, #9) You can view period furnishings and formal gardens at Tryon Palace. Or pick up a walking tour map at the visitor center on Pollock Street and view 18th and 19th century architecture. C New Bern (A161,162) Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens [Gem site], at corner of George & Pollock streets. North Carolina’s first capitol. 18th century gardens. 20-minute orientation film, a palace also is indicated. Tours are conducted by costumed interpreters. Guided tours every 30 minutes. Mon-Sat, 9-4, Sun 1-4:30. Last tour begins at 3:30. Admission is $15, rates may vary. Ph: 252.514.4900. NC005 – B Beaufort (L139, #7) Beaufort Historic Site consists of 9 historic buildings, including an apothecary shop and jail. The Hammock House built in early 1700’s is the oldest house in town. Blackbeard is said to have hung one of his wives from a front-yard tree. You can cross Taylor’s Creek by boat to watch wild ponies on Carrot Island. South of Beaufort, beyond Swansboro, is Hammocks Beach State Park, only accessible by seasonal ferry or private boat. This is a highly regarded location. NC006 – B Ocracoke Island (L139, #6) Swim at glorious Ocracoke Beach. Six miles from the Hatteras ferry landing are the Ocracoke Pony Pens, home of wild horses descended from Spanish mustangs. It’s a 2.5-hour carferry ride south to Cedar Island. (In summer it’s essential to make advance ferry reservations.) NC007 – B Cape Hatteras (L139, #5) Cross the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge, a spectacular span arching over the turquoise waters of Oregon Inlet. Bird watching from raised platforms at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Visit the gray-shingled Chicamacomico U.S. Lifesaving Service Station built in 1910, where old-time lifesaving drills are reenacted during the summer. Often visible at Beach Access Ramp No. 27, south of Slavo, is the hull of the G.A.Kohler, a four-masted schooner wrecked in 1933. See the towering candy-striped Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
North Carolina –!Points-of-Interest
as you approach Buxton. The 208-foor lighthouse is the tallest in the USA. At the Point the warm Gulf Stream meets the frigid Labrador Current resulting in spectacular clashing of sea foam. NC008 – B Roanoke Island (L139, #4) First attempted English settlement was here 35 years before Plymouth Rock. 1) At Fort Raleigh National Historic Site you can see a reconstructed earthen fort and colonial artifacts. 2) Adjacent to the park is the lush 16th-century-style Elizabethan Gardens [Gem site],, built in 1951 to memorialize those first colonists. (A174) Layed out in the formal style fo a 16th-century English garden. Allow 1 hr. Open daily 9-7 June-Aug; 9-6 Apr-May & Sept; 9-5 Mar & Oct-Nov; 10-4 in Dec. Closed Jan 1, ThG, Christmas Eve & Christmas. $8; $5 ages 6-17. Ph: 252-473-3234. 3) Next door is the Lost Colony, an outdoor dramatization of the ill-fated settlement. 4) Don’t miss the village of Manteo, which is Mayberry RFD on the water. It’s home of the Elizabeth II, a replica of the first colonists’ 16th-century wooden sailing ship. NC009 –!B Kill Devil Hills (L138, #3) Located on the barrier islands known as the Outer Banks. See where the Wright Brothers flew their airplane at their reconstructed camp. Avoid traveling on weekends when weekly rentals begin and end, as traffic is very heavy! NC010 – B Mount Airy (aka Mayberry RFD) (X08) This is Andy Griffith’s real hometown, and the basis for the Mayberry RFD TV show. People have said you can really enjoy the town’s nostalgic atmosphere and hospitality. There’s the Andy Griffith Memorabilia Museum. The Snappy Lunch Diner is noted for its huge pork chop sandwiches. Mayberry Days are held on the last weekend in September. NC011 – B Asheboro (A115) North Carolina Zoological Park [Gem site], 6 miles south on SR159, follow signs to 4401 Zoo Parkway. Contains more than 1100 animals and 60,000 plants from two continents. Also a climatecontrolled African Pavilion. Allow 3 hours. Daily 9-5, May-Sept. $10; over 61 yrs = $8. Ph: 336.879.7200 or 800.488.0444. NC012 – B Boone (A125,126) “Horn in the West” [Gem site],an outdoor musical drama portraying the struggle of Daniel Boone and his men to establish freedom in southern Appalachian Highlands. Allow 2 hours. Check on weather policies. Tues-Sun at 8PM late-June thru mid-Aug. Check times for museum. Musical = $15. Museum $4.50 or free with musical. Ph: 828.264.2120. NC013 – B Bryson City (A126) Great Smoky Mountain Railroad operates half-day and full-day, round trip excursions departing Bryson City and Dillsboro. Fares begin at $28. Ph: 828.586.8811 or 800.872.4681 (See color ad on A151) NC014 !–!B Charlotte 1) Charlotte Museum of History and Hezekiah Alexander Homesite, [Gem site], (A134) 3 miles east at 3500 Shamrock Drive. Museum has 300 years of Carolina heritage. Also 1774 stone house. Guided onehour homesite tours given at 1:15 and 3:15. $6; over 65 yrs = $5. Free to all on Sundays. Ph: 704.568.1774. 2) Hendrick Motorsports Museum [Gem site], (A136) at 4400 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd, is a 67-acre racing complex encompassing a museum and race shops that showcase 2 decades of HMS racing. Museum displays engine components, trophies and one of the Chevrolet Lumina race cars used in “Days of Thunder” feature film. Race shops afford visitors an opportunity to view construction of race cars from start to finish. Allow 2 hours. Mon-Fri 9-5; open Sat during race weeks in May & Oct. FREE. Ph: 704.455.0342 or 877.467.4890. 3) Levine Museum of the New South [Gem site], (A105) at 200 E. Seventh Street. Museum’s interactive, multisensory exhibits depict and interpret the city’s historical evolution since the end of the Civil War. The centerpiece exhibit, Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers, features more than 1,000 artifacts, images, video, and music clips and oral histories integrated into interactive environments, dramatically illustrating how the South in general and Charlotte in particular have both reinvented themselves in the last century and a half, Changing thematic exhibits also are presented. Allow 2 hrs. Open Mon-Sat 10-5; Sun, noon-5. Closed major holidays. $6; $5 6-`8, 62+, and students w/ ID; $17 family; FREE to all on Sundays. Free
North Carolina –!Points-of-Interest
parking available for 2 hours in the Seventh Street Station lot adjacent to the museum. Ph: 704-333-1887. 4) Mint Museum Randolph [Gem site], (A105-106) at 2730 Randolph Road. Located in what served as the first branch of the U.S. Mint from 1837 to 1861. Before being dismantled and moved to its present site in 1933, the Greek Revival building served as a Confederate hospital, an assay office and a federal courthouse. Permanent collection features pre-Columbian, Spanish colonial and early North American works of art. Also European paintings and sculpture, period costumes, historic North Carolina pottery and gold coins minted in Charlotte. The museum’s pottery and porcelain collection is impressive. Also featured are commissioned paintings of King George and Queen Charlotte, British monarchs of the revolutionary period. The Delhom Collection includes ancient Chinese ceramics to late 18th-century English and European wares. There are also changing exhibits. Allow 1.5 hrs. Open Tues-Sat 10-6; also Tues 6-9PM; Sunday 1-5. Closed Mondays & major holidays. Cost includes admission to the Mint Museum Uptown (see below). $10; $8 ages 65+ and students w/ ID; $5 5-17; FREE Tuesdays 5-9PM. Ph: 704-337-2000. 5) Mint Museum Uptown [Gem site], (A106) at 500 So. Tyron Street. October 2010 was grand opening of a new, expanded exhibition space to better showcase its impressive collection of American and contemporary art, plus craft and design collections that include studio jewelry, furniture, works of glass, fiver art, metal, clay and wood. The beautifully designed galleries feature a range of artistic styles from traditional to avante garde. Cell phone tour available. The “Power Hour” brochure provides a quick tour of the major features if time is limited, and the Lewis Family Gallery offers kid-friendly, hands-on experiences that encourage kids and their parents to create and learn about art. Allow 2 hrs. Open TuesSat 10-6; also Tues 6-9PM; Sunday 1-5. Closed Mondays and major holidays. Cost includes admission to the Mint Museum Randolph: $10; $8 ages 65+ and students w/ ID; $5 5-17; FREE Tuesdays 5-9PM. Ph: 704-337-2000. 6) NASCAR Hall of Fame [Gem site], (A106) at 400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Between S. Brevard and Caldwell streets. Covers > 5 acres. Pays tribute to NASCAR heroes past & present, plus history of auto racing. Museum features a section of bank track, 18 historic cars, and 40 historic & present tracks. Interactive exhibits allow visitors to compete against others in pit crew challenges such as jacking up a car and changing a tire. Visitors can take walk-through tour of NASCAR Sprint Cup hauler. Exhibits also include racing suits, trophies, and heirloom memorabilia. Allow 3 hrs. Hall of Fame open daily 10-6, hours may vary; phone ahead to confirm. $19.95; $17.95 60+ & military w/ ID; $12.95 ages 5-12. Parking $3 for first 30 minutes; $1 for each additional 30 minutes at the facility’s garage. Ph: 704-654-4400. NC015 –!Blue Ridge Parkway (A124) North Carolina Arboretum is at Milepost 393, 9 miles south of Asheville. This 426-acre arboretum offers 65 acres of cultivated gardens, 10 miles of Forested biking and hiking trails, a stateof-the-art greenhouse production facility, and what is reputed to be the finest bonsai collection in the southeastern US. FREE, but $6 parking. Daily 8AM-9PM, Apr-Oct; 8-7 rest of year. Ph: 828-665-2492. NC016 –!Boone (A125) “Horn of the West” [Gem site], live outdoor musical drama is .5 miles south of US421 via Horn in the West Drive. Drama portrays Daniel Boone’s struggle to establish freedom for himself and his men in the southern Appalachian Highlands. Allow 2 hours. Performances Tuesday – Sunday at 8PM, late-June through midAugust. Museum open Tues-Sun 1-8PM, mid-June through mid-August. Musical drama $15. Museum $4.50 but free with admission to “Horn of the West”. NC017 –!Chapel Hill (A128) North Carolina Botanical Garden on Old Mason Farm Road off US15/501 bypass. This Univ. of No. Carolina facility consists of more than 600 cares and displays plants native to No. Carolina and the Southeast. Aquatic, herb, and family gardens, and a carnivorous plant collection are also presented. Allow one hour. Gardens open Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat 9-6, Sun 1-6, during Daylight savings time; Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5, rest of year. Nature trails open dawn-dusk. FREE. Admission may be charged during special events and for programs. Ph: 919-962-0522. NC018 – B Halifax (A153) Historic Halifax State Historic Site [Gem site], is on US301 Business Route at St. David and Dobbs Streets. A free 60-minute guided tour includes the cemetery and other historical buildings and sites.
North Carolina –!Points-of-Interest
Maps of the village and brochures detailing a self-guided tour are available at the visitor center. FREE. Ph: 252.583.7191. NC019 – B Kure Beach (A157) Fort Fisher State Historic Site, about 2 miles south at end of US421. Was one of the largest Confederate earthen seacoast fortifications. Reputedly the scene of the largest naval bombardment and amphibious operation of the Civil War. Provided protection for blockade runners. Guided tours available. Allow 1.5 hours. Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 1-5, Apr-Sept. DONATIONS. Ph: 910.458.5538. NC020 –!B Maggie Valley (A159) Wheels Through Time Museum [Gem site], at 62 Vintage Lane, is 38,000 sq.ft. featuring the largest collection of rare American motorcycles, automobiles, and related memorabilia dating from 1903 to present. More than 200 machines are operational and 100 are in original condition. Allow 2 hours minimum. Daily 9-6, Apr-Nov. Thurs-Tues, rest of year. Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas. $12; over 54 yrs = $10. AAA Discount indicated. Ph: 828.926.6266. NC021– B Outer Banks (of North Carolina) (A164-169) 1) Cape Hatteras National Seashore [Gem site], (A164) is the most extensive stretch of undeveloped seashore on the Atlantic Coast. Except for a few villages on the islands, the national recreation area includes Ocracoke and Hatteras islands and part of Bodie (Body) Island. The islands are connected by a free bridge and a free ferry. 2) Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (A167) “The Lost Colony” [Gem site], is presented in the Waterside Theater, 3 miles northwest of Manteo on Roanoke Island via US64/264. This symphonic outdoor drama retells the story of the 1585 settlement of Roanoke Island. Inquire about weather policies. Performances are at 8:30PM June-Aug. Preferred seating = $20; adults $16; over 62 = $15. AAA Discount indicated. Ph: 252.473.3414 or 800.488.5012. 3) Manteo (A168) (“The Lost Colony” theater is nearby). Roanoke Island Festival Park [Gem site],, home of Elizabeth II is across from Manteo’s waterfront. Explores 400 years of the island’s history. Park’s centerpiece is a reproduction of a merchant ship used in Sir Walter Raleigh’s 1585 voyage to the New World. Interpreters in 16th-century costumes recreate lives of mariners and soldiers. The Roanoke Adventure Museum chronicles Outer Banks history through interactive exhibits while the Settlement Site offers demonstrations in woodworking, blacksmithing, and leatherworking. “The Legend of Two Path” tells of the settlements impact upon the native Indians. Picnicking permitted; food available. Allow 2 hours. Daily 10-6, mid-Feb thru Dec 31. $8. Ph: 252.475.1500 or 252.475.1506. NC022 –!B Snow Camp (A175) Snow Camp Outdoor Theatre at the Snow Camp Historic Site on SR1005, presents “Sword of Peace”, a drama portraying the struggles of the Quakers during the Revolutionary War. Also presented is “Pathway To Freedom”, a pre-Civil War drama recalling the events and people involved in the secret transfer of escaped slaves via the Underground Railroad. Presentations are shown on alternate days Thurs-Sat at 8PM, late-June thru late-Aug. Admission is $14; over 59 yrs = $12. AAA Discount indicated. Ph: 336.376.6948 or 800.726.5115. NC023 –!B Wilmington (A179) 1) Wilmington Adventure Tours (A179) provides guided 2-hour walking tours of the city April thru Oct at 10 and 2. Ph: 910.763.1785. (No prices were indicated in AAA TourBook) 2) Battleship North Carolina [Gem site], (A179) is at junction of US17 and US421N on the Cape Fear River. It’s a WWII battleship. A 2-hour self-guiding tour begins with an orientation exhibit and includes portions of nine decks. Picnicking permitted on shore. Last admission one hour before closing. Admission $9; over 65 yrs = $8. Ph: 910.251.5797. (See color ad on A179) 3) Captain J.N. Maffitt River Cruises, (A180) at Riverfront Park at corner of Market and Water streets. Offers 45-minute narrated sightseeing cruises of the Cape Fear River. See A180 for details (times, routes, alternate river taxi to battleship, etc.) Sightseeing $10; river taxi $3. AAA Discount indicated. Passengers must areive 15 minutes before departure. Ph: 910.343.1611 or 800.676.0162. 4) Greenfield Park & Gardens (A180) at the south end of 3rd Street with entrance on 4th Street. Noted for plants & trees. Has 5-mile scenic drive. Bike & nature trails. FREE. Rental paddleboats & canoes for charge.
North Carolina –!Points-of-Interest
5) Henrietta III (A180) docked at 106 S. Water Street at foot of Dock Street, offers 90-minute narrated sightseeing cruises of the Cape Fear River, as well as 90-minute lunch cruises, 3-hour entertainment dinner cruises, and 2-hour sunset dinner cruises. Call for rates. Sightseeing cruises depart Tues-Sat at noon and 2:30, Apr-Oct. Boarding is 15 minutes before departure. Sightseeing is $11. NOTE: Noon cruises may be pre-empted for charters, so phone ahead for specifics. 910.343.1611 or 800.676.0162 6) Thalian Hall (A180) at 310 Chestnut St., is the only surviving theater designed by 19th-century architect John Montague Trimble. In continuous use since 1858, the theatre hosts more than 250 plays, films and musical performances a year. Self-guiding tours of lobby offered Mon-Fri, noon-6, Sat 2-6. Guided tours available by appointment at $6; self-guided tours $1. Ph: 910.343.3660 for tour reservations or the box office. NC024 – B Winston-Salem (A182) C Winston-Salem (A182, 183) 1. Old Salem [Gem site], (A183) on Old Salem Road, adjacent to downtown Winston-Salem, is a living history recreation of the Moravian church town of Salem founded in 1766. More than 100 buildings erected 1766-1850 have been restored or reconstructed on their original sites. Gardens, orchards, streets and lighting recreate an 18th-century atmosphere. A few buildings remain private residences. Of the ore than 90 restored buildings, 15 can be visited. Costumed interpreters throughout the town demonstrate historic trades and domestic activities. Much more info found in AAA TourGuide. Open Tues-Sat 9-5, Sun 12:30-5; closed Easter, ThG, & Dec 24 & 25. All-in-One combo ticket $21 or $24 for two consecutive days. Christmas pass $22 or $25 for two consecutive days. Ph: 336-721-7300 or 888-348-4844. a. Old Salem Toy Museum (A184) at 924 S. Main Street. More than 1200 antique toys dating from AD225 to the 1920s are displayed. Large display of miniature dollhouses, trains, circus items. MonSat 9-5, Sun 1-5, closed Easter, ThG, and Dec 24 & 25. Ph: 888-653-7253. (Admission price not indicated; may be part of combo ticket into Old Salem?) b. Boys School (A183) c. Market-Fire House (A183) d. Miksch House & Shed (A183) e. Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (A183) f. The Old Salem Children’s Museum (A183) g. St. Phillips Church (A184) h. Salem Tavern, Annex, and Barn (A184) i. Shultz Shoe Shop (A184) j. Single Brothers House (A184) k. T. Vogler Gunsmith Shop (A184) l. Vierling House (A184) m. Vogler House (A184) n. Winkler Bakery (A184) NC025 –!C Cherokee (A141) Oconaluftee Indian Village [Gem site], is 2.5 miles north off US441N. A recreation of a 1750s Cherokee community, where American Indians demonstrate the making of baskets, pottery, canoes, arrows, and blowguns. Also of interest: seven-sided council house and huts and cabins containing articles used two centuries ago. Nature trails and the Cherokee Botanical Gardens are on the grounds. Guided tours given daily every 15 minutes 9-5:30, May 15 thru Oct 15. Last tour begins 15 minutes before closing. $13. Ph: 828-497-2315. NC026 – Croatan National Forest (A142) Cedar Point Tideland Trail, an elevated boardwalk originating at the mouth of the White Oak River across the Swansboro, winds through tidal marsh areas and hardwood & pine forests. Interpretive signs are found along both the 1-hour and 2-hour loops of the trail. Maps and camping information available at the ranger office, 141 E. Fisher Ave.,, 9 miles south of New Bern via US70E. Open daily 24 hours. Ranger office Mon-Fri 8-4:30; closed major holidays. FREE. Camping $17. Ph: 252-638-5628. NC027 – Fayetteville (A145) 1. Airborne and Special Forces Operations Museum [Gem site], (A146) at 100 Bragg Blvd. A 59,000-sq.ft. museum featuring life-size dioramas, rare aircraft, artifacts and interactive displays commemorating this
North Carolina –!Points-of-Interest
special sector of the armed forces from its inception in 1940 to the present. Highlights include large-screen movie theatre, 24-seat motion simulator that places visitors in the midst of parachute jumps, helicopter gunship attacks, and daring missions. Allow one hour. Tu-Sat and Mondays that are federal holidays 10-5, Sun noon-5; closed Jan 1st, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Dec 25. Museum FREE. Motion simulator and theater are $4 each. Combo ticket = $7. Ph:910-483-3003. 2. Cape Fear Botanical Garden (A146) is 2 miles north of Market Street at 536 N. Eastern Blvd. On 85 acres overlooking Cross Creek and the Cape Fear River, the gardens include an urban forest, formal gardens, and more than 700 species of native plants, 2500 varieties of ornamentals, a natural amphitheater, an 1886 farmhouse, and a gazebo. Allow one hour. Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun & holidays noon-5, mid-Feb thru mid-Dec; Mon-Sat 10-5 rest of year. $5; FREE (only) to all on first Saturday of the month. Ph: 910-486-0221. NC028 – Flat Rock (A147) Flat Rock Playhouse. Performances from late May thru mid-December. Matinees given Wed-Thurs and Sat-Sun at 2:15; evening performances Wed-Sat at 8:15PM. Ph: 828-693-0731 to confirm hours. Reservations recommended. NC029 –! Gastonia (A148) The Schiele Museum of Natural History, [Gem site], off I-85 exit 20 (New Hope Road), following signs to 1500 E. Garrison Blvd. Regional dioramas are presented in the North Carolina Hall of Natural History. Hall of North American Habitats features Everglades, Sonoran Desert and Alaskan tundra. Hall of North American Wildlife features extensive collection of moose, elk, buffalo, birds, insects, and live reptiles. Robinson Hall of Earth and Man includes fossils, exhibits about prehistoric man, and one of the region’s largest gem and mineral displays. Also exhibits on tools, weapons, & adornments of tribal groups; astronomy and space science. A half-mile nature trail, Catawba Indian Village, a Stone Age Heritage Site, and an 18th-century Backcountry Farm. Allow 1.5 hours. Museum open Mon-Sat 9-5 (also 2nd & 4th Tues. of the month 5-8PM), Sun 1-5. Planetarium shows Mon-Fri at 3, Sat at 1, 2, & 3, Sun at 2 & 3, June 1 thru mid-Aug; Wed at 3:30, Sat at 1, 2, & 3, Sun at 2 & 3, Sept thru May. Backcountry Farm and Catawba Indian Village open daily Jun 1 thru mid-Aug. Hours for farm & village vary. Museum $4, over 64 = $2. FREE (only) for all second & fourth Tuesdays of the month 4-8PM. Planetarium $3, over 64 = $2. Ph: 704-866-6900 or 704-866-6908. NC030 –!Halifax (A153) Historic Halifax State Historic Site [Gem site], is on US301 Business Route at St. David and Dobbs Streets. A free 60-minute guided tour includes the cemetery and other historical buildings and sites. Maps of the village and brochures detailing a self-guided tour are available at the visitor center. FREE. Ph: 252.583.7191. NC031 –!Raleigh (A171) 1. North Carolina Museum of History [Gem site], at 5 E. Edenton Street. The 170,000 sq.ft. museum features exhibits focusing on the state’s history, folk life, healing systems and struggles during the Civil War, and contains the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Allow one hour Tues-Sat 9-5, Sun noon-5; closed Jan 1, ThG, and Dec 25. FREE. Ph: 919-807-7900. 2. North Carolina Museum of Natural History [Gem site], 11 W. Jones Street on Bicentennial Plaza, explores diverse geology, geography & wildlife of North Carolina. Home of first dinosaur with fossilized heart, as well as full skeleton of predator Acrocanthosaurus. Also live animal exhibits with waterfalls, whale skeletons. Allow 2 hours. Mon-Sat 9-5 (also 5-9PM first Fri of the month), Sun noon-5. Closed Jan 1, ThG, and Dec 24 & 25. FREE. Admission may be charged for special events. Ph: 919-733-7450. NC032 – Saluda (A174) Pearson’s Falls is 4 miles northwest via US176, offers paths bordered by native plants. The focal pint of this lush, natural area is a 90-foot waterfall that is reached via a quarter-mile trail. No pets are allowed. Picnicking permitted. Tues-Sat 10-6, Sun noon-6, Mar-Oct; Wed-Sun 10-5 rest of year. Closed major holidays. $2. Ph: 828-749-3031. NC033 – Snow Cap (A175) Snow Camp Outdoor Theatre at the Snow Camp Historic Site on SR1005, presents “Sword of Peace”, a drama portraying the struggles of the Quakers during the Revolutionary War. Also presented is “Pathway To Freedom”, a pre-Civil War drama recalling the events and people involved in the secret transfer of escaped slaves via the Underground Railroad. Presentations are shown on alternate days Thurs-Sat at 8PM, lateJune thru late-Aug. Admission is $14; over 59 yrs = $12. AAA Discount indicated. Ph: 336.376.6948 or 800.726.5115. NC034 – Spencer (A176) North Carolina Transportation Museum, off I-85 exit 79 at 411 S. Salisbury Street, traces history of transportation in North Carolina. Complex was once Southern Railway’s primary staging are and
North Carolina –!Points-of-Interest
repair facility. Includes massive Back Shop, 37-bay Roundhouse, plus 9 other buildings. Among display: Conestoga wagons, antique automobiles, steam locomotives, and dugout canoe. Allow 1.5 hours. Museum & grounds open Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 1-5, Apr 1 thru Labor Day; Tues-Sat 10-4, Sun 1-4 rest of year. Closed major holidays. Diesel engine rides run Mon-Fri at 11,1, 2, & 3 Apr 1 thru Labor Day; Sat at 11, 1, 2, & 3, Sun at 1:30, 2:30, & 3:30, Nov 1 thru mid-Dec. Steam engine rides run Sat at 11, 1, 2 & 3, Sun at 1:30, 2:30, & 3:30, Apr 1 thru Labor Day. Museum FREE; train rides $5, over 60 = $4. Ph: 704-636-2889. NC035 –!Belmont (A70) Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, [Gem site], 6500 S. New Hope Road, features themed areas that include the Four Seasons Garden, the Cottage Garden, the Canal Garden, the Azalea Garden, the Conifer Garden, and the .5-mile Woodland Trail. The Orchid Conservatory is an 8,000-sq-ft home to a variety of orchids and tropical plants. The gorunds feature 12 fountains and a visitor pavilion topped by a 1909 stained-glass dome. Allow 1.5 hrs. Open daily 9-5; closed Jan 1, ThG, & Christmas. $12 adults; $11 60+; $6 4-12. Ph: 704-825-4490. NC036 – Durham (A152) Duke University Chapel, [Gem site], is on the West Campus. Features a 50-bell carillon with bells ranging in weight from 10 to 11,200 pounds, plays Mon-Fri at 5PM. Chapel houses the Flentrop Organ, which contains five keyboards and rises nearly 40 feet above the gallery floor. Organ recitals held daily from 12:30-1:30PM. Allow 30 minutes for touring. Open daily 8-5; closed Christmas and for private occasions. FREE. Ph: 919-681-9488. NC037 – Greensboro (A184) Greensboro Historical Museum [Gem site], at 130 Summit Avenue, traces development of Guilford County. Exhibits present an extensive military history collection including over 140 Confederate longarm rifles, Dolley Madison and O. Henry memorabilia, rare documents, decorative art works, depiction of 1960s civil rights movement lunch counter sit-ins, reconstructed 19th-century Greensboro village w/ doctor’s office, drugstore, schoolhouse, and antique fire engine. Also two period houses. Open Tues-Sat 10-5; Sunday 2-5; closed city holidays except July 4. FREE. Ph: 336-373-2043.
