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See also Trip 20

NEW BERN, NC

Two hours east of Raleigh is the town of New Bern, the colonial heart of North Carolina and its first capital. In 1764, Royal Governor William Tryon imported his very own English architect to build a symmetrically perfect Georgian mansion and garden worthy of a London society tea party of the day. Today, costumed docents, craft demonstrations and buildings from several eras make up the Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens, which is large enough to offer a two-day visitor pass. In 2010, the North Carolina History Education Center opens next door. December is the month to visit, as each house on the property splashes out in period decoration and the African-American Christmas slave tradition celebration, Jonkonnu, marches through town. If all that reveling gets you thirsty, stop in at a local pharmacy at the corner of Middle and Pollock St for “Brad’s Drink.” In 1895, pharmacist Caleb Bradham concocted a syrupy beverage that became so popular with his customers he eventually patented it under the name the world knows now as Pepsi-Cola. From Raleigh, take I-440 east towards Rocky Mount, merging onto I-264 east towards Greenville. Signs will take you off the highway onto Hwy 43. Follow this for 26 miles, until you hit Hwy 17 and signs for New Bern.

See also Trips 12, 13 & 16

PINEHURST, NC

Looking more like an upmarket New England village than a North Carolina town in the Sandhills, Pinehurst is most famous with golfing fans for its Pinehurst Resort. The resort’s eight golf courses have hosted both the US Amateurs Championship and the US Open, but regular folk can play in several nearby scenic public courses throughout the year. Shop in the village, take a horse-drawn carriage ride or pick up artwork in a gallery, and be back at Raleigh by bedtime. If you’d like to spend a night or two and golf on the famous courses, check out one of the golf packages at the resort at www.pinehurst.com. From Raleigh, take I-440 south to Hwy 1 south towards Sanford. In the town of Southern Pines, exit at Midland Rd. At the traffic circle, take the third exit, Hwy 2, west. Pinehurst is about 1½ hours from Raleigh.

See also Trips 12 & 13

US NATIONAL WHITEWATER CENTER, CHARLOTTE, NC

Fancy an Olympic-level outdoor experience? The US National Whitewater Center (see www.usnwc.org for reservations), only 10 minutes south of uptown Charlotte, is the training center for the American canoeing and kayaking team. It’s also the world’s largest artificial white-water river, open to anyone who wants a unique outdoor experience. Water is diverted from the Catawba River into an upper reservoir that feeds a competition channel and a wilderness channel. At the end of your white-water kayak or rafting ride, a conveyor belt will chug you right back up to the top, ski-lift style. Watch the action from the River’s Edge Bar and Grill, on a stepped hillside above the competition channel. Or choose between trying out your mountain-climbing chops on a rock-climbing wall and exploring an extensive network of mountain-biking trails. From Raleigh, take I-85 south past Charlotte to exit 29. Take a right on Sam Wilson Rd and a left on Moores Chapel Rd. Drive for 1 mile until you reach Hawfield Rd, then follow the signs. It’s about three hours from Raleigh.

See also Trips 12, 13 & 17

AIKEN, SC

Like a miniature Charleston or Savannah, Aiken oozes historical charm. Known as Thoroughbred Country, the area surrounding Aiken provides horse racing’s version of baseball spring training camp. Residents have been known to block the paving of certain roads so that equestrian traffic continues to have the right of way, and many crosswalk signals have “stop” buttons at rider’s level. The sides of brick buildings are still painted with advertisements from old businesses, but the interiors have been updated with fusion restaurants and funky boutiques befitting a town that often hosts fans in town for the Triple Crown of Polo events. From Charleston, take I-26 to exit 154A