The Best Summer Day Trips: Treasure Hunts, River Views & Coastal Charm
If you’re looking for a quick escape packed with personality, these three Carolina spots—Jockey Lot, Liberty, and Southport—offer a mix of vintage treasures, historic charm, and breezy waterfront views. Whether you’re hunting for antiques, strolling past sailboats, or hopping on a ferry to a barrier island, these easygoing destinations make for the perfect low-stress day away.
Anderson
Flea Market Bargain Hunting
SC Upstate
Billed as “The South’s Biggest and Best Flea Market,” the Anderson Jockey Lot is a must for bargain lovers, collectors, and curious wanderers alike. Open every weekend year-round, this massive market features more than 1,000 vendor spaces across 65 acres. You’ll find everything from vintage tools and handmade crafts to fresh produce, furniture, and the occasional oddity you didn’t know you needed.
Arrive early for the best finds, grab a bite from one of the snack stands (think funnel cakes, corn dogs, and boiled peanuts), and bring cash—some vendors don’t take cards. Whether you’re treasure hunting or people-watching, Jockey Lot is a fun, no-frills outing where surprises are guaranteed.
Liberty
A Picker’s Paradise
NC Piedmont
If you're a fan of authentic Americana vibes, pencil in the Liberty Antiques Festival, held twice a year—spring and fall—on a sprawling 100-acre farm. The fall event, taking place at the end of September, draws more than 400 dealers from more than 25 states, with a focus on 18th to 20th-century antiques.
It’s a picker’s paradise: think heirloom furniture, vintage signs, textiles, folk art, pottery, and old tools with stories to tell. The show is entirely outdoors, so wear comfy shoes and prepare to roam. Food trucks and Southern staples round out the experience. Even if you don’t go home with a new-to-you find, the atmosphere, scenery, and stories are well worth the trip.
Treasure hunting Liberty, NC
Southport
Coastal Charm
NC Coast
Set along the Cape Fear River, Southport is a picturesque coastal town full of history, charm, and front-porch vibes. Start your visit at Fort Johnston–Southport Museum & Visitors Center to get your bearings, then stroll over to the North Carolina Maritime Museum, where exhibits trace the region’s deep connection to the sea.
Boutique shops and galleries line Howe Street, perfect for browsing everything from coastal decor to handmade jewelry. For a relaxing detour, drive out to Caswell Beach, or catch the ferry to Bald Head Island, where bikes and golf carts replace cars and time slows down.
Wrap up your day with dinner at Provision Company, a casual dockside spot known for its peel-and-eat shrimp, cold drinks, and sunset views over the water. It’s the kind of meal—and town—that stays with you.
Whether you’re on the hunt for rare finds, in the mood for a little maritime history, or just want to catch the breeze on a back porch, these Carolina day trips offer the perfect blend of exploration and ease. Check out more fun things to do in Southport!
Gift shops and boutiques
Southport, NC
