Grab your sun hats and shades — it's time to embark on some unforgettable summer 2023 day trips. Whether you're a lover of golden beaches, lush forests, or charming small towns, this summer promises an array of captivating destinations.
From the Outer Banks of North Carolina to the mountains of the South Carolina Upstate, we've got you covered for the best summer 2023 day trips in the Carolinas.
Pirate aficionados, this is the perfect Carolina summer day trip for you!
Outer Banks
104 Loop Road, Ocracoke, NC 27960
One of the last unspoiled areas of Ocracoke Island, Springer’s Point Nature Preserve is an ideal haven for bird-watchers, beachcombers, and hikers. Various trails wind through the maritime forest, granting up-close access to turtles, native birds, and other critters.
Keep an eye out for sea glass and precious shells as you stroll the shores of the Pamlico Sound – if you gaze out from Springer’s Point, you can spot the location where the infamous pirate Blackbeard finally met his fate in 1718!
We recommend biking or walking to the trail, as parking is unavailable at the trailhead. A visit to Springer's Point is one of the best summer 2023 day trips for naturalists and historians.
Only in the Carolinas do we pair wine with…goat experiences? Just GOAT for it!
NC Triangle
2000 Fearrington Village Center, Pittsboro, NC 27312
What’s a summer in North Carolina without a free wine tasting?! The up-and-coming town of Pittsboro is home to an expansive inn and residential community – Fearrington Village – which hosts weekly wine tastings at The Belted Goat.
After you’ve enjoyed a flight, stroll over to The Belted Barnyard, where you can visit with the black and white goats and Belted Galloway cows (aka “Oreo cows”), as well as take a tour of a working dairy barn, silo, and other farm buildings.
If you're keen on staying in the area for a while, a stop in Pittsboro is one of the best summer 2023 day trips for enjoying up-and-coming brewery destinations!
Pretty as a postcard — if only we could enjoy this picturesque watering hole all year long!
Charlotte
1261 Oakridge Farm Highway, Mooresville, NC 28115
In Mooresville, NC, the 5th-generation family-owned Carrigan Farms has a reputation for housing the best swimming quarry in the state! The pristine aquamarine water is surrounded by exciting precipices, offering a cool retreat during the hot summer season.
Once you’ve dried off, wander through the farms, where visitors can pick their own produce. Sunflowers bloom in the late summer, and an on-site restaurant serves up farm-to-table dishes alongside strawberry lemonade slushies and craft beer.
A visit to Carrigan Farms is one of the best summer 2023 day trips for Carolinians in search of fresh produce!
No cucumbers were harmed in the making of this unique sport.
SC Lowcountry
6 Trent Jones Lane, Hilton Head, SC 29928
Have you heard? There’s a new Lowcountry sport in town! The Palmetto Dunes Tennis & Pickleball Center includes 24 well-maintained courts reserved exclusively for the sport of pickleball, an entertaining game that combines aspects of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton.
If you and your group don’t know how to play, you can sign up for quick and easy pickleball lessons. Grab your friends or family and take a swat at something other than mosquitos for an evening of pickleball play, as the courts are illuminated each night.
A visit to Palmetto Dunes is one of the best summer 2023 day trips for people interested in learning a new fun sport!
Adventure awaits around every corner at Lynches River County Park.
SC Pee Dee
5094 County Park Road, Coward, SC 29530
A day filled with outdoor discovery and recreation awaits those who travel to Lynches River County Park. Canoe underneath a canopy of cypress trees or follow a geocaching map to find hidden treasures along the park’s trails.
The Environmental Discovery Center, housed within the park, enlightens guests on the various flora, fauna, and wildlife who call the park home. If you’re looking for a unique thrill, head on over to the archery range, where shooters can aim at targets from 20-50 yards away.
Should the hot Carolina sun flex its heat, you and your kids can cool off at the Splash Pad, an aquatic amusement park ideal for young day trippers.
Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the lavender!
SC Upstate
4638 Midway Road, Williamston, SC 29697
Few Carolinians know that summertime is the optimal season for picking lavender, a fragrant purple plant originating from the mint family.
Often used for anti-inflammatory and relaxing purposes, lavender is as attractive as it is restorative. South Carolina is home to many lavender farms, the best of which includes Twin Creeks Lavender.
Pick from seven varieties of lavender and peruse the assortment of handmade products crafted from freshly-picked lavender and honey, including bath and body products, honey, and candles.
