10 Best Weekend Getaways in North Carolina, According to Locals on Reddit
North Carolina is quietly one of the most diverse travel states in the country — and Reddit locals won't let you forget it. In r/NorthCarolina and r/travel threads, Tar Heel residents consistently rave about destinations that range from fog-draped mountain towns to centuries-old coastal villages and quirky small-city art scenes. Whether you have 48 hours or a long weekend, the state delivers. Here are the 10 best weekend getaways in North Carolina, straight from the people who actually live there.
1. Asheville — The Mountain City That Has Everything
No list of NC weekend escapes is complete without Asheville, and Reddit agrees — enthusiastically. Locals describe it as a place where "craft brewery culture, incredible food, and a bohemian art scene collide against a backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains." The Biltmore Estate alone can fill an entire day, but the real magic is wandering the River Arts District and catching live street performances downtown. Pro tip from Reddit: Visit on a weekday to dodge weekend crowds, and don't skip the Lexington Avenue corridor for the best indie dining and vinyl shops.
2. Boone & Blowing Rock — The Hallmark Movie Town
Described by Redditors as having "a total Hallmark vibe in the best possible way," Boone and its neighbor Blowing Rock sit at over 3,500 feet elevation, offering cool air even in summer. The Blue Ridge Parkway weaves right through, putting world-class scenic drives at your doorstep. Come winter, the snow-dusted downtown streets feel like a postcard. Redditors particularly love the laid-back pace compared to Asheville and the proximity to Grandfather Mountain, one of NC's most iconic natural landmarks.
3. Ocracoke Island — NC's Best-Kept Coastal Secret
Getting to Ocracoke requires a ferry, and Redditors say that's exactly why it's still magical. "It's only accessible by boat, and that keeps the crowds away," wrote one r/NorthCarolina commenter. This small island on the Outer Banks offers pristine, undeveloped beaches, a pirate history tied to Blackbeard himself, and a tiny village with excellent seafood shacks. Plan to spend at least one night — locals insist a day trip doesn't do it justice — and book accommodations well in advance for summer weekends.
4. Bryson City — Gateway to the Smokies
Tucked into a river valley on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Bryson City punches well above its weight for a weekend escape. Reddit hikers rave about the endless trail options in the adjacent national park and Nantahala National Forest, while the famous Great Smoky Mountains Railroad departs right from town for scenic excursions. Kayaking the Nantahala River and mountain biking the Tsali Recreation Area trails are other local favorites. "Small town charm with big mountain adventure," is how one Redditor summed it up.
5. Wilmington — Historic Port City With a Beach Bonus
With a walkable downtown full of antebellum architecture, a vibrant craft beer scene, and the Atlantic Ocean just minutes away, Wilmington is a perennial Reddit favorite for weekend trips. "You can tour the USS North Carolina Battleship in the morning, eat amazing seafood downtown for lunch, and be on the beach at Wrightsville by afternoon," noted one r/travel commenter. Fort Fisher State Historic Site and the North Carolina Aquarium round out a packed itinerary. It's one of the few NC destinations that genuinely serves beach lovers, history buffs, and foodies equally well.
6. Waynesville — Small Mountain Town Perfection
Located just 30 minutes east of Cherokee, Waynesville earns consistent praise from Redditors as "small mountain town living personified." The walkable Main Street is lined with independent galleries, boutiques, and outstanding restaurants — including Haywood Smokehouse, which locals swear is some of the best BBQ in the state. Fall weekends are extraordinary here as the surrounding Plott Balsam Mountains ignite with color. The town also serves as a convenient base for day trips deeper into the Smoky Mountain region.
7. Edenton — History Before It Was Cool
Described by locals as "America's most historic small town that nobody outside NC has heard of," Edenton sits on Albemarle Sound and dates back to the early 1700s. Reddit users in r/NorthCarolina have been buzzing about its rapidly emerging food scene alongside its already impressive roster of colonial-era landmarks, including the Chowan County Courthouse — one of the oldest surviving courthouses in the US. "It's like Colonial Williamsburg but without the tourist trap prices," one user quipped. A quiet, unhurried atmosphere makes it a perfect weekend reset.
8. New Bern — Birthplace of Pepsi (and Much More)
New Bern holds the unusual distinction of being both the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola and one of North Carolina's oldest towns. Beyond the quirky soda history, Redditors love it for its beautiful downtown waterfront on the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, colonial-era Tryon Palace, and easy access to the Croatan National Forest — one of the only places in the world where you can find wild Venus flytraps growing naturally. "New Bern is genuinely underrated. Great food, beautiful water views, and fun history everywhere," wrote one enthusiastic local.
9. Southern Pines & Pinehurst — Unexpected Gems in the Sandhills
Often overlooked in favor of the mountains or coast, Southern Pines and neighboring Pinehurst sit in North Carolina's peaceful Sandhills region and get a surprising amount of Reddit love. Golf lovers know Pinehurst Resort as a world-class destination, but even non-golfers rave about Southern Pines' charming downtown, excellent coffee shops, craft breweries, and thriving local restaurant scene. "I went for the golf and stayed for the town," wrote one Redditor. The area is also within easy driving distance of Fort Liberty and the NC Zoo in nearby Asheboro.
10. Winston-Salem — Arts, History, and Hanging Rock
Winston-Salem wraps history, arts, and outdoor adventure into a single city that Redditors keep recommending as an underrated weekend destination. Old Salem — a preserved Moravian settlement from the 1700s — offers a fascinating and family-friendly look at early American life without the mass-tourism crowds. The city's downtown arts district and vibrant restaurant row make evenings equally rewarding. Best of all, both Pilot Mountain State Park and Hanging Rock State Park are within 45 minutes, offering spectacular ridge hikes and sweeping Piedmont views that few tourists ever find.
How to Plan Your NC Weekend Escape
One reason North Carolina works so well for weekend travel is its geography — from Charlotte or Raleigh, you can reach the mountains, the coast, or the Piedmont in under three hours. Reddit locals consistently offer two pieces of advice: first, go in the shoulder season (spring or fall) to avoid summer beach crowds and peak mountain leaf-peeper traffic. Second, book accommodations early for mountain towns, particularly Asheville, Boone, and Bryson City — these fill up fast on Fall weekends.
Wherever you land, North Carolina delivers. The mountains will take your breath away twice — once from the views, and once from the thin air. The coast will slow you down in the best possible way. And the small inland towns will remind you that the best travel discoveries are almost always the ones your GPS didn't plan for you.
Pack your bags: The best NC weekend retreat is the one you actually book. Whether it's a mountain cabin, a beachfront cottage, or a downtown boutique hotel, North Carolina's locals have already voted — this state is worth every mile of the drive.