North Carolina Getaway Named Best ‘Summer Adventure’
North Carolina has so many quaint towns that make for a great getaway. Some of these towns are very under the radar, which makes them an even better vacation spot if you’re looking for a North Carolina getaway. Now, one North Carolina town is being recognized as the best “summer adventure” by the experts at Southern Living magazine.
North Carolina Getaway is One of the Best in the South
When many people think of a North Carolina getaway, they often think of famous places like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Everyone knows the Smoky Mountains are one of the state’s biggest tourist attractions. But, why should the favorites get all the fun? The travel experts at Southern Living magazine are highlighting one town that’s often overlooked as the best “summer adventure” in the South. They applaud it for having plenty of things to do, especially big-time adventures for outdoorsy types. They also rave about the food and dining options in this secluded town.
While a bunch of North Carolina towns are great enough to get honored, Southern Living is highlighting Brevard as having the best “summer adventure” in the South. “To get to this corner of western North Carolina, you’ll need a steady hand on the steering wheel,” they note of this North Carolina getaway, since it’s in the mountains. “Tunnels of green spiral into the hills; loops and turns as tight as hairpins lead you through Transylvania County and into town.”
Brevard is located in the Appalachian Mountains between Asheville and Lake Toxaway. It offers plenty of outdoor adventures, including sparkling lakes, waterfalls, forest trails and more. The area around Brevard is known for its waterfalls, so exploring waterfalls is a major thing to do in the area. It actually has a whopping 250 waterfalls to explore. That said, two of the most popular waterfalls in the Brevard area are Pisgah National Forest and Looking Glass Falls. Both of these waterfalls are Instagram-worthy. Another adventure Southern Living recommends is Sliding Rock, which offers “a cascade forming a natural water feature along a gradual 60-foot-long incline of river rock.” As for food, Southern Living suggests some choice breakfast spots, such as coffee shop Cup & Saucer, bagel shop The Sunrise Café and the King Street eatery Morning Social. If you’re wanting some delicious baked goods, try Bracken Mountain Bakery, which Southern Living says actually has fan clubs for their loaves. It’s heart-warming to see this small North Carolina getaway score big love on a national scale.
Tips to Maximize Your Vacation
1. Save Money
One great way to maximize your vacation is simply to save money. You’ll feel so much better on vacation knowing that you’re saving cash by doing things the right way. One major way to save money is to travel during an off season. Every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, look at the cheapest time to visit your destination, and go then. Find more tips on saving money on vacation, too.
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2. Don't Plan Every Minute of Your Vacation
Sure, you want to do some planning so that you don’t miss the big tourist stops in your destination. But, don’t book every blasted minute. Maximize your vacay by saving some time to be spontaneous. Take a day to just figure out what to do when you’re there. Maybe some locals will recommend a secret spot for you to visit during your “day off.”
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3. Do Plan Ahead, Though
While you don’t want to overbook your trip so that you’re always running from spot to spot, you do want to plan a bit. It’s not a good idea to do zero planning and just feel things out when you get there. Plan some big activities ahead of time so that you aren’t scrambling last-minute.
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4. Plan Regular Mini-Vacations
If you only have one big vacation every year, you might feel under a lot of pressure to make it the most amazing experience ever. So, take away that stress. Plan mini-vacations throughout the year, so you aren’t under as much pressure to make your big trip the best thing that’s ever happened to you and your family. For example, in the fall, if you live in an area with beautiful colors, make an annual fall color tour trip and just drive around the state.
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5. Stay an Extra Day
If time and money allows, adding just one day to your vacation can open up a world of possibilities. Many people plan too short a trip, not realizing just how much they’ll want to do in their destination. So, add an extra day. You’ll be glad you did at the end of your stay.
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6. Take Time to Sleep
Sure, you’re on vacation. You want to soak up every minute of your trip. But, if you’re up late every night partying in the clubs and then up early to enjoy the sunrise, pretty soon, you’ll be too tired to enjoy your vacation. So, take time to get some sleep and feel rested.
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7. Let the Small Stuff Go
They say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” That’s certainly true on vacation. Nothing is going to go totally as planned. So, expect the unexpected, and roll with it.
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8. Plan Some Recoup Time
When you get back from your vacation, don’t plan to start work the very next day. Take an extra day or two off after your vacation to recuperate, so that you hit the ground running when you’re back at work. The extra time at home will also give you a chance to savor your vacation.
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9. Pick an Experience
People often find experiencing more rewarding that physical things. So, make sure to plan an experience with your trip. Maybe there’s a huge concert you want to see on vacation. Perhaps it’s a sporting event. Whatever it is, plan an awesome experience.
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10. Learn for Next Time
Finally, when you’re home from your trip, decompress and look back on your vacation. What went wrong? What went right? Take notes and learn from your vacation, so you’ll know what to do better next time.
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