North Carolina Travel Blog

I have done it myself. Headed to New York City to catch a Broadway show. Well, here’s a tip. If you want the same great theatre experience without the travel hassle and cost, you need look no further than the North Carolina Theatre in Raleigh. If you have not experienced this great venue, know this: North Carolina Theatre does not simply present shows. They actually produce them. According to Kristin Buie, Communications Manager, “We only have the rights to revivals.

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The Natural Science Center of Greensboro, North Carolina offers a brand new state of the art theater experience. Take a moment during the holidays to experience the exciting 
3-D Sea Monsters feature. Sea Monsters 3-D, created by National Geographic, is showing daily in the Center’s OmniSphere Theater. Journey 80 million years back in time to an age when mighty dinosaurs dominated the land and an equally astonishing assortment of ferocious creatures swam and fought for survival beneath the mysterious prehistoric seas. Stunning, photo-realistic imagery re-creates the perilous underwater realm of two young, dolphin-sized marine reptiles called Dolichorhynchops and follows their incredible journey through waters ruled by some of the most awesome predators ever to prowl the Earth’s oceans.
 For arents and grandparents looking for something exciting and worthwhile to do with the family, this is the ideal outing. Price for 3-D shows: $5/NSC members, $6/non-members (in addition to general admission to the Natural Science Center).

This is so colorful and filled with magic. If you are anywhere near Southern Pines, North Carolina on December 13, I highly recommend this holiday event.  The Moore County Driving Club decorates their horses and carriages for Christmas and drives them through the historic district in downtown Southern Pines. For more information call 910-315-6508. Be sure to have lunch at one of the many wonderful establishments in this colorful small town. Check out our NC Roadtrips web site for a great “walk and talk” video of Southern Pines, NC.

Have you heard of this? The Cumberland County, North Carolina Arts Council and Cape Fear Studios in Fayetteville are sponsoring their third annual Kids Shopping Adventure Saturday Dec 6 from 1 to 6 p.m.

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There is still time to send a Christmas tree to military personnel around the world. Kersey Valley Farms in High Point, North Carolina is handling this excellent and worthwhile effort. You buy the Christmas tree; Fedex provides the shipping FREE. There is a new site Kersey Valley Farms has posted that provides all the latest information and ordering details. There is even a form you can fax in right away to order a tree for troops. Here’s the web site with ordering detail:

www.kerseyvalleychristmas.com

Or call 336-431-1700 Ext 210

If you’re like me, when the holidays roll around you look for unique and interesting things to do. Well, how about taking a journey back in time this Thanksgiving and experience how the early Piedmont North Carolina settlers celebrated Thanksgiving in the late 1700s. You and your family can join in the celebration of Harvest Day at The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia, North Carolina.

Harvest Day is scheduled for Saturday, Nov 22 at 10 a.m. You will be transported back to harvest time in 18th-century North Carolina and see what has changed in 200 years. Using age-old techniques and recipes passed down through the generations, cooks and bakers will prepare a traditional holiday feast in a spirit of thanksgiving for the season’s harvest. What’s more, you can interact with craftspeople and backcountry folk as they demonstrate early America’s skills and crafts.

The Schiele Museum of Natural History is located at 1500 East Garrison Blvd. Gastonia, NC. For more details phone 704-866-6900.

High Point University in High Point, North Carolina opens their annual Thanksgiving Concert Spectacular to the public with this year’s performance by Marcoux Corner, and Nicholas and Ari Marks. The concert with be held on campus in the beautiful Hayworth Fine Arts Center, Pauline Theatre, Monday, Nov 24 at 7:30 pm. This is a stunning performing arts venue particularly suited to this year’s lineup which features two outstanding musical acts.

Marcoux Corner has often been described as a pure vocal extravagance. This four-piece A Cappella group combines more than 20 years of voice lessons and vocal study at one of the country’s most prestigious colleges for vocal performance. The sound they produce when they join in harmony will make you rethink your attitude about music. It is, at the same time, beautiful and full of so much energy you can’t help but tap your toe and grin from ear to ear.

But that’s not all. You will also enjoy Nicholas Marks — the world renowned Flamenco guitar player. Accompanied by violinist Ari Marks, he performs a variety of Gypsy, Rumba, and Flamenco music. The is a rare and rich cultural experience. Take the family and go. Tickets are available by contacting the HPU Box Office at Hayworth Fine Arts Center at 336-841-4673.

Charlotte, North Carolina is one of only four cities in the United States to host this fascinating exhibit. A Day In Pompeii is a significant cultural experience for our state that should not be missed. This magnificent exhibit, on display until January 4, 2009 at Discovery Place, takes you back in time to 79 A.D. where you can experience everyday life in ancient Pompeii, the doomed Roman city soon to vanish in the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. What nature destroyed it also preserved in the ash of the volcano. Now, you can step into a bustling ancient Roman city blessed with beautiful weather, built on fertile ground and filled with lively people.

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Fayetteville, North Carolina is associated more with Fort Bragg than merry Old England. But each year the restored downtown area of the city is transformed into A Dickens Holiday. On Friday, Nov 28, from 1:00 – 9:00 p.m., historic downtown Fayetteville, under the guidance of the creative people at the city’s Arts Council, transforms itself back to a simpler time when the pace of life wasn’t so hectic, when families still enjoyed spending evenings together, and life revolved around village life.

Horse drawn carriages rolling up and down the central streets will carry shoppers the old fashioned way past merchants’ windows adorned with beautiful Victorian holiday decorations, artisans and vendors serve up delightful treats. I’m told Father Christmas is going to be there for picture taking with the kids. For more visit www.theartscouncil.com

Jamestown, North Carolina is home to one of our state’s most unique attractions — Castle McCulloch. The “castle” is actually a restored gold refinery constructed like an authentic medieval castle with three foot thick walls, a 70-foot tower, a drawbridge, and a moat. 

And does this stunning venue come alive for the holidays! It’s called “Christmas Castle”. It will be open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night from November 29 until Tuesday, December 23. You can enjoy the old world beauty of this magnificent castle adorned with timeless Christmas treasures. This includes…

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Bryson City, North Carolina is home to the ever popular Smokey Mountain Railroad. Judging from the calls and e-mails received here at NC Roadtrips.com, kids of all ages are looking for a holiday train ride. I tell ‘em to check out one of the best — The Polar Express comes to life when the train departs Bryson City for a journey to the North Pole. This is high up in the Great Smokey Mountains of North Carolina, so there is all the holiday charm and magic you are looking for. You get to read along with the magical story and meet Santa. Enjoy holiday caroling, hot cocoa, a special treat and a memento for the children. Daily departure times vary. Ticket price includes admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum. The Polar Express runs from 11/7/2008 – 12/23/2008

For info go to their web site at www.gsmr.com or call Great Smoky Mountains Railroad at 800-872-4681.

Selma, North Carolina has transformed itself. If you haven’t been, you need to plan a visit. Particularly if you love small town charm and antiques. The changes in Selma are dramatic and the decision of the town leaders to attract antique dealers, arts and specialty retail to save their downtown area has made this quintessential North Carolina small town a different place today. The streets are full of antique shoppers searching for that unique treasure or bargain. And while you’re there, be sure to take in a show at the American Music Jubilee Theatre. They have great performances every weekend.

What you’ll find: 100,000 square feet of antique shops and malls all within walking distance of each other on a picturesque 1950s streetscape. Antique dealers work cooperatively to market Selma as a destination. Selma is just 30 miles east of Raleigh off of US Hwy 70. Check out there web site at www.selma-nc.com

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The North Carolina Symphony in the picturesque setting of Pinehurst, North Carolina. What can I say? I would be remiss if I did not post a quick note about this holiday event. If you’re looking for old fashioned holiday charm and a great cultural experience, you can do no better than attending the North Carolina Symphony Holiday Pops concert at Pinehurst on November 26.

It will take place in the majestic Grand Ballroom of the Pinehurst Resort. This seasonal favorite makes everything bright with joyful music and the much-loved audience carol sing-along. Gather friends and family for this jolly holiday event! Featuring: Joan Landry, Assistant Conductor. 910-235-8415 for tickets and information.

The holidays are all about giving, right? Well, I can’t think of a better way to jump start your holiday spirit than participating in “Trees for Troops”. Kersey Valley Farms near High Point and Archdale, North Carolina is part of a special program whereby a family or a corporate group can purchase a premium Fraser Fir Christmas tree and send it as an expression of appreciation to our military personnel and their families. Here’s how the program works…

You buy the tree, fill out a custom made Christmas card that includes your contact information along with a note to the military family. FedEx will ship the tree to the specified military base in the United States or anywhere in the world — FREE! 

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NC travel HOT TIP! Here’s a great offbeat event “down east” in Wilmington, North Carolina. Head to downtown Wilmington for ChowdaFest — Saturday, November 8, in Historic Downtown, 12:00 Noon. It’s a local, colorful celebration of all things chowder. As they say, How’dya Like Ya Chowda? Hot clam chowder on a cool fall afternoon sounds like the ingredients for a popular festival in these parts. As a matter of fact, the Sixth Annual ChowdaFest serves up three kinds of clam chowder on the patio behind Fat Tony’s Italian Pub at 131 N. Front Street in downtown Wilmington.

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