Beaches and mountains, lakes and roaring rivers, big cities and small towns: North Carolina offers a wealth of experiences to match the imagination of the most adventurous vacationers.
Whether taking the challenge of a mountain hike or hitting the links, there’s a level of activity for all ages and interests.
1. Follow in the footsteps of golf legends at Pinehurst.
For enthusiasts, this 2,000-acre resort in the Sandhills region is one of golf’s meccas. It not only boasts nine courses, which have played host to the U.S. Open, it also claims an illustrious history that dates back to 1895. Legendary sportsman Bobby Jones, one of many distinguished names to play there, dubbed it “the St. Andrews of American golf.” Each of the championship courses is within minutes of the Pinehurst resort, anchored by the white-columned Carolina Hotel, which opened in 1901 and whose guest register includes names such as Harry Truman, Arnold Palmer and Oprah Winfrey. The resort’s facilities include a range of sporting options other than golf. Swim, play tennis, bike, jog or join a croquet game on the hotel’s manicured lawn. Settle in under an umbrella on the shore of the 200-acre Lake Pinehurst, where paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing options are available. A fitness center and day spa with sauna, steam room and whirlpool are on the grounds. Visitors also will find plenty to do in the Village, a quaint quarter of boutiques and restaurants housed in New England-style brick buildings. Walking tours tell the history of the area, the resort and the great Scottish game.
80 Carolina Vista Drive, Pinehurst, N.C. 855-235-850, pinehurst.com, @PinehurstResort.
2. Dive on a shipwreck off the Outer Banks.
Even folks who aren’t history buffs will get a thrill seeing wrecks from World Wars I and II submerged in the pristine waters off the Outer Banks. Viewing such artifacts up close is an experience you won’t easily forget. Veteran diver Dave Sommers of Dive Hatteras can customize an underwater adventure to sate your curiosity. “We have wrecks from before the Civil War, because a lot of vessels foundered in hurricanes here,” he said. “We have about 45 sites we can dive, ranging from as shallow as 35 feet to as deep as you’re willing to go.” One of the most popular sites is the Dixie Arrow, an oil tanker that sank in 1942 just south of the Hatteras inlet. A typical excursion puts divers into 100-foot waters, where it’s easy to meet some of the area’s aquatic residents, including sea turtles, giant rays and sharks. “Because of the Gulf Stream currents, we have extremely clear water, so you can see creatures like you’d see in the Mediterranean,” Sommers said. “We have some groups who come every year just to see the sharks and sand tigers.” Excursions are limited to six participants, all of whom must have open-water or scuba-diving certification.
Saxon Cut Drive, Hatteras Village, N.C. 703-517-3724, divehatteras.com.
3. Hike Cold Mountain.
You may have read the Charles Frazier book or seen the 2003 movie that earned Renée Zellweger an Oscar. Now take the challenge to hike to the top of Cold Mountain, 6,030 feet up in the Pisgah National Forest, about 20 miles southwest of Asheville. It’s one of the tallest mountains in the area, but also one of the least traversed, because of its unmarked trails — which also means Cold Mountain remains much as it was in those Civil War days depicted in the film. The easiest route is just 11 miles round-trip, but it’s packed with daunting inclines. A second option is a 17-mile round-trip route that’s dotted with campsites for those who want to stay and savor the outdoors. It also leads to a several spectacular viewing areas where hikers can take in the panorama of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Experienced hikers who know the terrain highly recommend not making the trek without a compass and a good map of the area. Less adventurous but curious sightseers can get a clear view of the mountain from Milepost 412 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, about 30 miles from Asheville.
Pisgah National Forest, 1600 Pisgah Highway, Nebo, N.C. 828-877-3265, www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48114.
4. Paddle to a campsite on Lake James.
Instead of just hiking into the woods, load up your canoe or kayak and cross the calm waters of Lake James to find an idyllic spot to commune with nature. This 6,812-acre reservoir has 30 such sites accessible only by paddling in. Each site features a tent pad, grill, food locker, lantern pole, fire pit and split firewood. Only six people are permitted per site, and the park does not provide boats for access. Those who prefer to stick close to land can opt for one of 20 sites, including two that are handicap-accessible, situated close to the shoreline but within hiking distance of the park’s main entrance. The park itself includes picnic pavilions, showers, boat ramps and a spacious beach and swimming area. Along with water sports, the park boasts 15 miles of mountain bike trails.
2785 N.C. 126, Nebo, N.C. 828-584-7728, ncparks.gov/lake-james-state-park.
5. Fly fish in Blowing Rock.
Chetola Resort, named with the Cherokee word for “haven of rest,” began as a personal home that has changed owners, expanded and re-created itself since the 1840s. Today, this 87-acre getaway is still a haven, with a myriad of recreational activities, including an indoor pool, hiking trails, fitness center, tennis courts and a lake well-suited for paddling. Instructors are on hand with all the gear required to learn the art of clay pigeon shooting. A full spa provides relaxation services, from massages to mani/pedis. But, what draws many visitors is the chance to fly fish in private or public waters nearby for a variety of trout and bass. Chetola has been endorsed by Orvis, one of the oldest fly-fishing businesses and outfitters in the nation, as an official fly-fishing lodge. Both experienced and novice fishers can sign up for half- or full-day excursions that come with instruction, equipment and transportation, and don’t necessarily require a stay at the resort.
185 Chetola Lake Drive, Blowing Rock, N.C. 828-295-5500, chetola.com.
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