Freedom.
At the end of today, you’ll be able to taste it. Spring break has arrived, and even if you don’t have plans, there’s no reason why you can’t make some. If you have even one day off, grab a few friends, hop in the car and head to any of these (fairly) local spots for a day trip.
If it warms up…
See what’s in bloom at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens in Belmont, N.C., West of Charlotte and a three-hour drive from Raleigh, the Gardens span 450 acres and include trails and various types of plants. They opened in 1989 and have expanded since them.
Cost: $10 for adultsHours of operation: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More information: www.dsbg.org
Paddle (or float) down the Dan River in Stoneville, N.C. — about two hours from Raleigh. Dan River Adventures is a company that provides canoe, kayak and tube rentals for two- and three-hour trips. In some cases, furry friends are allowed to ride along with you.
More information: www.danriveradventures.com/danriveradventures.html
Make the two-hour trip to Wrightsville Beach. Although the water may be a little chilly for swimming, enjoy a sunny day in the sand or hit up the Johnnie Mercer Fishing Pier on East Salisbury Street. To see the sites and get some exercise while doing so, walk the fitness trail that circles the island.
More information: www.visitwrightsville.com/
Just 45 minutes away, the Eno River State Park in Durham has a lot to offer. There are hiking trails that follow the river, which flows for 33 miles.
More information: www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/enri/main.php
If it’s cold outside…
Hit the mall — Concord Mills Mall in Concord, N.C., that is. About two and a half hours down the road, the mall features more than 200 stores, a movie theater and a NASCAR-themed park.
More information: www.concordmills.com
Learn about the state’s heritage by visiting the North Carolina Pottery Center in Seagrove, N.C., Less than two hours away, the Pottery Center features permanent and changing exhibits made up of work from within the state.
Cost: $2Hours of operation: Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.More information: www.ncpotterycenter.com/visitor.htm
Tour the Blandwood Mansion in Greensboro. The mansion is the home of former N.C. Governor John Motley Morehead and is located an hour and a half away. The original home was built in 1795, but additions have been built on it since. It is an Italian-style villa and was named a National Historic Landmark in 1988.
Cost: $5Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (The last tour begins 30 minutes before closing time)More information: www.blandwood.org
Learn about the military at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville. A little more than an hour away, the museum features exhibits that focus on airborne history from the 1940 U.S. Army Parachute Test and the changes that occurred in the years after it.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m.More information: www.asomf.org
