5 affordable holiday trips in North Carolina
From skiing excursions to action-packed days at the shore, affordable holiday getaways are possible across North Carolina.
While the rest of the country breaks the bank on holiday trips to the warm shores of Miami Beach or the time-honored ice-skating rink at Rockefeller Center, budget-conscious North Carolinians know there’s no need to leave the Tar Heel State to embark on a holiday excursion full of natural wonders and unique cultural offerings. We’ve scoured the state to find affordable and exciting adventures to be had, paired with reasonably priced places to eat and stay. Let the booking begin:
Hit the slopes at Sapphire Valley
Stuff the car full with your favorite gear and drive deep into the Blue Ridge Mountains for a few days of skiing, snowboarding, and tubing at Sapphire Valley Ski Area and Frozen Falls Tube Park. This Western North Carolina skiing resort offers season passes at prices slightly lower than its competitors, making it a great choice for budget-conscious families itching to get out on the slopes this winter. With more than 5,700 acres, Sapphire Valley offers something for seasoned pros and newbies alike: a 1,600-foot main run features a hair-raising vertical drop of 200 feet, while certified instructors stand at the ready to assist on the learning center slope.
Though lodging is available on-site, more affordable accommodations can be found nearby at Foxhunt, a Blue Ridge Mountain resort offering stays in spacious, three-level townhomes for nightly rates hovering between $100 and $150. Days on the slopes giving you a voracious appetite? Head to Micas Mountain Kitchen, a warm and inviting tavern serving up American classics and pizzas at reasonable prices.
Discover beauty and history in Winston-Salem
For history buffs exhilarated by learning the stories of yesterday, Winston-Salem is the ideal destination for a holiday trip. Discover the ways that Moravian settlers of the 1700s lived on a walk through Old Salem Museums and Gardens—note that tickets are $40 per adult, but if you visit after-hours, you can tour the gardens free of charge.
Other free and educational points of interest include Reynolda Gardens, a century-old, 134-acre oasis of colorful blooms; the Timothy S.Y. Lam Museum of Anthropology, which houses everyday and art objects and ceremonial artifacts from cultures the world over; and the North Carolina Museum of Art, which curates a collection of contemporary works focusing on regional artists.
Though Winston-Salem is home to a variety of pricey, white-tablecloth establishments, it’s not hard to find a filling meal that won’t break the bank. Try Twisted Pine Restaurant, a casual concept that offers margaritas for under $10, massive plates of inventive tacos (hot honey fried chicken tacos, anyone?), and classic smash burgers served with sweet potato waffle fries. After a day of sightseeing, rest your head in comfort at a downtown Winston-Salem hotel: the Hampton Inn and Suites and the Courtyard by Marriott offer rates under $100 a night throughout the holiday season.
Enjoy peaceful waterfronts in Beaufort
Skip the overpriced, overcrowded shores of the Outer Banks, and get your fill of sun and sea in Beaufort, a tiny town with a history of fishing, whaling, and pirates located along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. Spend an entire day near the water by setting out on a leisurely walking tour of Front Street—a quaint district lined with shops and historic homes overlooking Taylor Creek—before making a quick drive to the area’s beaches. Cape Lookout National Seashore is a 56-mile-long stretch of unspoiled sand dunes known for being pristine and unpopulated, while Radio Island Beach boasts gentle waves perfect for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and fishing.
After tuckering yourself out at the beach, head back to Front Street to refuel over an affordable dinner: Mezcalito Grill whips up classic Mexican specialties like carnitas and chilaquiles, while Viet Street Eats offers Vietnamese bites, noodle bowls, and pho. Lodging in Beaufort can be pricey due to the surrounding natural splendor, but check out Beaufort Harbor Suites, a boutique-sized, pet-friendly hotel with nightly room rates hovering around $100.
Variety is the spice of life in Wilmington
A trip to Wilmington—a port city on the Cape Fear Coast known for strong surf and diverse cultural and natural offerings—will please anyone, no matter what tickles their fancy. Window shoppers will adore the two-mile Wilmington Riverwalk, lined with boutiques, markets, cafes, and art galleries overlooking the scenic Cape Fear River. Wellness buffs will want to cruise along the River to Sea Bikeway, an 11-mile route that stretches from the Riverwalk to Wrightsville Beach following the Historic Beach Car Line that once carried folks to shore by trolley. Ocean lovers will want to explore Kure Beach, complete with nearly 300 acres of shoreline, a Civil War-era historic site, and the oldest fishing pier of its kind on the Atlantic coast.
Eating affordably in Wilmington is synonymous with down-home Southern cooking, no matter the time of day. Greet the morning with a breakfast burrito or a hearty plate of steak and eggs at Goody Goody Omelet House, or opt for a nightcap after a mouth-watering burger at Winnie’s Tavern. Either way, you’ll be taking part in local tradition—both establishments have been serving customers for at least 50 years. Lodging in Wilmington might be the most expensive part of your trip, but avoiding the historic riverfront district will produce more affordable stays at places like the Wingate by Wyndham and the Spark by Hilton, both on the northern edges of town.
Experience mountain town charm in Boone
For those seeking peaceful days drenched in fresh mountain air, Boone is the place to be this holiday season. Travelers can find several affordable ways to explore the High Country in this small, college town: Grandfather Mountain offers discounted tickets during the winter months, making it the perfect season to take in panoramic views from the top of the nation’s highest suspension footbridge, the Mile High Swinging Bridge. Of course, there’s plenty of quaint charm for city slickers, too: Boone’s downtown district houses several historic, brick buildings dating back to the late nineteenth century. Pop into Mast General Store, which has been selling food, apparel, gift items, and outdoor gear since 1883.
Finding affordable eats in Boone is a breeze, if you know where to look. F.A.R.M. Café is the Tar Heel State’s first donate-what-you-can café, a mostly volunteer-run community kitchen that serves local ingredients and fresh meals like honey ginger soup and caprese chicken quesadillas on a pay-what-you-can basis. With every donation, the non-profit organization gets closer to achieving its goal of ensuring food security for all Boone residents and visitors. Securing affordable lodging in Boone and the surrounding areas can be tricky, with many mountain escapes offering rustic luxury for a pretty penny, yet it can be done. Rhode’s Motor Lodge and the Smoketree Lodge between Boone and Banner Elk both offer nightly room rates around $100.
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