These Day Trips Are Worth Every Mile
A sovereign nation in the Smokies, a border town with a NASCAR past, and one of South Carolina’s most charming small cities. Three Carolina escapes that deliver more than you expect.
- Cherokee: Visit the Museum of the Cherokee People, shop Qualla Arts & Crafts, hike to Mingo Falls, and see Unto These Hills.
- Discover border-town Moyock at the Currituck County Welcome Center, paddle the Northwest River, and explore historic homes.
- Wander Newberry's Main Street, visit the Newberry Opera House, Wells Japanese Garden, Carter and Holmes Orchids, and Enoree River Vineyards.
The Carolinas have a way of hiding their best stories just off the main highway. These three destinations reward the curious traveler with history, culture, outdoor adventure, and the kind of local flavor that makes you want to come back before the day is even over.
Sometimes the most surprising adventures are the ones waiting just down the road.
Cherokee · NC Mountains
A sovereign nation, a storied people, and the Smokies at your doorstep
Cherokee is unlike anywhere else in the Carolinas. The Eastern Band of the Cherokee people have called this corner of Western North Carolina home for thousands of years, and the stories preserved here run deeper than any history book. Start at the Museum of the Cherokee People, named one of the top ten Native American sites east of the Mississippi. Walk to Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, the oldest Native American cooperative in the country, where more than 350 artisans sell handmade Cherokee pottery, masks, baskets, and jewelry. Grab a tribal fishing permit and spend the afternoon on some of the most pristine water east of the Mississippi, or take the short drive into the Smokies to Mingo Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in the Appalachians. End the day with a seat at the 2,100-seat Cherokee Mountainside Theatre for “Unto These Hills,” the outdoor drama that has told the Cherokee story under the stars since 1950.
QUICK PICKS · CHEROKEE
Eat: Native Brews Tap & Grill – 100% women-owned Native American business with craft beer and good food
Drink: Qualla Java – Native-owned coffee shop
Do: Shop at Qualla Arts & Crafts – The oldest Native American cooperative in the US with work by over 350 artisans
Moyock · NC Coast
A border town with a big story and a beautiful river
Most people blow through Moyock on the way to the Outer Banks without a second glance. That is a mistake. Perched on the Virginia/North Carolina state line, Moyock is one of the most historically layered small towns in the state. It was a Colonial-era settlement, a 1930s gambling hub, and briefly a NASCAR destination, hosting seven races at the old Dog Track Speedway between 1962 and 1966. Richard Petty and Ned Jarrett both raced here. Start at the Currituck County Welcome Center for trip-planning resources for the whole region.
Stroll through town and check out the 19th and early 20th century historic homes. Launch a kayak at the public boat ramp and paddle the Northwest River. Stop at Poyner's Road Park for a picnic along the water before heading back toward the highway.
QUICK PICKS · MOYOCK
Eat: Sakura – Japanese and Sushi
Drink: Blue 42’s Brewing Barn – coffee, craft beer, and wine
Do: Kayak on the Northwest River and explore the local parks
Newberry · SC Midlands
One of the Most Charming Small Towns in America
Located midway between Greenville and Columbia, Newberry is South Carolina's best-kept secret. Its downtown is anchored by the stunning Newberry Opera House, a meticulously restored 19th-century building that hosts live performances and is worth a stop even if nothing is on the calendar. Wander Main Street for specialty shops, antique stores, galleries, and boutiques. Slip away to the Wells Japanese Garden, a serene pocket of beauty tucked among the historic storefronts downtown. Head to Carter and Holmes Orchids, where 18 greenhouses filled with an extraordinary variety of orchids are open to visitors. Before you leave, stop at Enoree River Vineyards and Winery for a glass of locally crafted wine. Spend the night at Newberry Manor Bed and Breakfast, a grand historic inn with Southern-style breakfasts and rooms worth lingering in.
QUICK PICKS · NEWBERRY
Eat: Figaro – Delicious food prepared with local ingredients in an elegant setting
Drink: MadMax Taphouse – Craft beer, wine, and axe throwing
Do: Shopping on Main Street
You don't have to go far to feel wonderfully away.
PLANNING NOTES
Cherokee NC Mountains · visitcherokeenc.com
Moyock NC Coast · visitcurrituck.com
Newberry SC Midlands · cityofnewberry.com
