Add These Epic Adventures To Your 2026 Bucket List!
A new year means new adventures — and there’s no better place to explore than right here in the Carolinas. From mountain trails and coastal boardwalks to artsy towns and hidden gems, we’ve rounded up 20 must-do experiences to make 2026 your most adventurous year yet. Whether you’re chasing a thrill, planning a relaxing weekend, or rediscovering your own backyard, this list will keep you inspired all year long.
1. Visit a Botanical Garden
Start the year surrounded by color. Stroll through Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, NC, where orchids bloom year-round and fountains sparkle in the sun. Don’t miss Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC — a dreamy mix of art, sculpture, and live oaks dripping in Spanish moss. Prefer the mountains? Asheville Botanical Gardens offers wildflowers and woodland trails right in the heart of the city.
Immerse yourself in natural beauty at Daniel Stowe Conservancy.
Credit: GO Gaston NC Facebook
2. Treat Yourself to a Shopping Spree
Skip the malls and support local makers instead. Wander through Historic West End in Greenville, Cameron Village in Raleigh, or King Street in Charleston, where boutique owners greet you by name and every purchase has a story behind it.
3. Visit a National Park
Whether you’re hiking through the Great Smoky Mountains, paddling the Congaree River, or exploring the sea turtle habitat at Cape Lookout National Seashore, the Carolinas’ national parks offer endless beauty — and the perfect excuse to get outside more in 2026.
Expect great views and brilliant fall colors along your Smoky Mountain train tour.
4. Check Out a New Museum
Rediscover your sense of wonder at one of the Carolinas’ unique museums — from aviation to art, from pirate history to pop culture.
5. Go to the Aquarium
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher brings you face-to-face with sea turtles, sharks, and stingrays, while Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach offers underwater tunnels and glowing jellyfish. Great for kids — or anyone who still loves a good “ooh” and “ahh.”
6. Take a Scenic Drive
There’s something nostalgic about a Sunday drive. Cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway for sweeping mountain vistas or explore the Newfound Gap Road Byway as it winds through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Pack a picnic and take your time — the view’s the point.
7. Plan a Picnic at a State Park
Invite your friends, pack a cooler, and spread out a blanket under the pines. From Huntington Beach State Park on the coast to Pilot Mountain in the Piedmont, the Carolinas’ parks make it easy to book a shelter or find a quiet spot to call your own.
8. Go See a Show in Charlotte
Catch a Broadway tour, concert, or ballet at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts (formerly Duke Energy Center). You’ll find convenient parking in nearby decks, plus plenty of restaurants within walking distance for dinner before the show.
9. Go Dancing
Boot scoot your way into the new year at Coyote Joe’s in Charlotte — one of the best country dance halls in the Southeast. Don’t know the steps? Don’t worry — someone will be happy to show you.
10. Book a Staycation
You don’t need to travel far to feel refreshed. Spend a weekend at a boutique hotel in your own city, try that new restaurant you’ve been meaning to visit, and play tourist for a change. The Carolinas attract visitors from all over the world — why not fall in love with your hometown all over again?
11. Take a Day Trip to a Town You’ve Never Been To
From Beaufort, NC, to Abbeville, SC, our states are full of charming small towns waiting to be discovered. Pick a spot on the map, grab a friend, and hit the road — adventure is closer than you think.
12. Sing Karaoke
Channel your inner rock star at Whiskey Roots Bar and Grill in Myrtle Beach, where you can rent a private room to sing karaoke with your friends. Bonus points if you bring your own cheering section.
13. Attend a Music Festival
Festival season isn’t just for college kids. Sway to jazz at the North Carolina Jazz Festival in Wilmington, tap your toes at the Appalachian State Old-Time Fiddlers Convention in Boone, or explore dozens of other festivals celebrating everything from bluegrass to beach music.
14. Plan an Epic Camping Trip
Whether you pitch a tent by the lake at Lake James State Park or glamp under the stars in the Outer Banks, camping is the ultimate way to reset. S’mores optional — but highly recommended.
15. Go Whitewater Rafting
Get your adrenaline pumping on the Nantahala River or test your skills at U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte. Few things beat the rush of cool mountain water on a hot Carolina afternoon.
Whitewater rafting near Nantahala River Campus
16. Search for Jewels at a Gem Mine
The western mountains glitter with possibility. Try your luck at Emerald Hollow Mine in Hiddenite, NC — one of the only public emerald mines in the world — and see what treasures you can uncover.
17. Enjoy Some Historic Architecture
Tour the grand Biltmore Estate in Asheville, step back in time at Whalehead Club in Corolla, or wander Charleston’s rainbow-hued streets. Every brick tells a story, and every corner feels like a postcard.
18. Go Antiquing
Treasure hunters, this one’s for you. Browse vintage shops in Seagrove, Hendersonville, or Camden, where you’ll find everything from mid-century furniture to quirky collectibles with a story to tell.
19. Take an Art Class
Unleash your creativity with a pottery lesson in Seagrove, a glassblowing workshop in Asheville, or a painting class along the Charleston waterfront. You might just surprise yourself — and end up with a masterpiece to hang at home.
20. Catch a Game
From cheering on the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC to catching a Durham Bulls game or Charleston RiverDogs matchup, there’s nothing like the energy of live sports. Grab your jersey and go be part of the crowd.
Your Year, Your Adventure
No matter how you spend it, 2026 is your year to explore, taste, dance, and discover the best of the Carolinas. Pick a few favorites from this list — or go for all 20 — and make this your most adventurous year yet.
