The Latest From Carolina Traveler
Trivia time! Can you name the three NC presidents? Skip to the next section to find your answer! Don't skip out on other exciting content this week, including a foolproof Valentine's Day idea guaranteed to make your loved one's heart flutter, a breakdown on the wildest festival in the South (hint: it's in the Holy City…), and our recommendations for the best winter sports venues and spring field trip destinations in the Carolinas.
To stay up to date with the latest events and holiday weekend itineraries in SC and NC, follow us on Facebook, where we regularly offer free tickets and other giveaways, and make sure to become a 2024 subscriber to Carolina Traveler magazine!
The NC Presidents Monument at the Capitol Building in Raleigh, NC
Spend President's Day Weekend In 1 of 3 NC Presidents Hometowns!
Did you guess correctly?
Your three NC presidents include:
- Andrew Jackson — 7th president of the United States (born in Union County)
- James K. Polk — 11th president of the United States (born in Mecklenburg County)
- Andrew Johnson — 17th president of the United States (born in Wake County)
Some readers may know the long-running debate between NC and SC over who claims Andrew Jackson, as he was born very close to the NC/SC border. Below, we've included recommendations for things to do on your visit to one of three hometowns of NC presidents. We've even namedropped some breweries that NC presidents would likely approve of if they traveled to NC from the past:
- Indian Trail NC (Union County): Visit the Wise Acres Organic Strawberry Farm, Crooked Creek Park, and Sweet Union Brewing.
- Huntersville NC (Mecklenburg County): Stop by the Carolina Raptor Center, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Primal Brewery.
- Zebulon NC (Wake County): Play disc golf at the Zebulon Community Park, visit Mona's Mintage Scroungemporium, and have a pint at Mythic Brewing Taproom.
SEWE 2024: The Wildest Party In The South!
If you've never visited Charleston for the SEWE festival, you're missing out! Taking place in a less-busy time of the Charleston tourism season, SEWE draws thousands of revelers together with exciting family-friend events, wildlife exhibitions, flight demonstration, dog spectacles, and more. You can also book VIP tickets to attend various dinners, featuring silent auctions, dance parties, and a large spread of Lowcountry food and beverages.
Visit the SEWE 2024 website to learn more. We are happy to share recommendations for the best hotels in Charleston and Charleston restaurants you simply have to visit while you're in town. While there are no connections to NC presidents in Charleston, the Holy City has certainly welcomed its fair share of U.S. presidents and dignitaries!
Kids make discoveries daily at the Eastern 4-H Center in Columbia, NC.
Is It Spring Yet? Start Planning Your Warm Weather Field Trips
Can you hear that? It's the sound of slush melting, birds chirping, and adventure beckoning — spring is on the way! The spring season brings many opportunities for long weekends and extended vacations. After you've celebrated NC presidents on President's Day Weekend, you can set your sights on planning trips for Spring Break, Easter, Mother's Day, Memorial Day weekend, Father's Day, and Juneteenth.
We've rounded up some of the best field trips and spring destinations in NC and SC, guaranteed to please Carolina Travelers of all ages! Highlighted destinations include:
- Climbing the Currituck Beach Lighthouse on the NC Outer Banks
- Riding horses at the Eastern 4-H Center in Columbia, NC
- Exploring the U.S. Army Airborne and Special Ops Museum in Fayetteville, NC
- Attending the Spring Daze 2024 Festival in Thomasville, NC
Take a hike to the magnificent cascading waterfall on the Yellow Branch Falls Trail.
You Can't Go Wrong With This Cute VDay Idea…
Don't listen to TLC — chasing waterfalls is exactly the kind of thing you want to be doing on a temperate Valentine's Day. Thankfully, Western NC and the SC Upstate are home to literally thousands of waterfalls. Whether you embark on an afternoon hike or spend a romantic weekend chasing cascades through the mountains, you can't go wrong in planning a date around a waterfall. Some of the most romantic waterfalls in the Carolinas include:
- Long Creek Falls — Mountains Rest, SC (We think this destination would get the stamp of approval from all three NC presidents)
- Twin Falls — Salem SC (features a dramatic 200-foot drop, which can be seen from an observation platform at the end of the 2-mile trail)
- Lower Whitewater Falls — Jocassee Gorges, SC
- Issaqueena Falls — Oconee State Park, SC (visit the covered bridge and creepy Stumphouse Tunnel while you're in the park)
- Hickory Nut Falls — Chimney Rock State Park, NC (you may recognize these waterfalls from a famous film!)
- French Broad Falls — Balsam Grove, NC (best background for a cute VDay selfie)
- Mingo Falls — Cherokee, NC (one of the tallest waterfalls in the southern Appalachians)
Fun for all ages!
