North Carolina Bucket List – Let the Adventures Begin

Posted on July 14, 2012 by lesleycarter

We’ve decided to purchase a house in Charlotte, North Carolina and make it our home. With the help of my readers, I’ve created a North Carolina Bucket List. Unlike my yearly bucket list, I didn’t put a time frame on completing this adventures, but if you know me at all, I’ll most likely complete the list within the year anyway. Once I get an idea in my mind, there’s no stopping me! I figure out how to make it happen, and I go for it. I will create a post and add a link each time I complete one of the items.

If there’s something you think I really should add, I’m still open to suggestions and I will adjust the list if needed. In no particular order, here is my North Carolina Bucket List:

1. Go to the Dinner Theatre
2. Go on every ride at Carowinds
3. Visit the NC Zoo
4. Attend an event at the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
5. Relax in Freedom Park
6. Experience NASCAR at Charlotte Motor Speedway
7. Go to the U.S. National Whitewater Center
8. Camp on the beach in Nags Head
9. Stay at The Fearrington House Country Inn
10. Stay at Old Edwards Inn and Spa
11. Find a waterfall while hiking
12. Stay at the Omni
13. Visit the Biltmore Estate (Take the behind-the-scenes tour as suggested by eatwilmington)
14. Drive at least a portion of the Blue Ridge Highway (Suggested by Journeys By Jill, Honie Briggs, Rex Crum, Champagne Vacations, Rick Brown, and Kelly Thompson)
15. Attend a performance at the Durham Performing Arts Center (Suggested by ttrodriguez and cordovart)
16. Attend NC State Fair (Recommended by Jennings thankfully! I can’t believe I almost forget this one.)
17. Scuba dive a sunken German WWII sub off Manteo/Nags Head (Also suggested by Jennings.)
18. See the USS North Carolina in Wilmington (Thanks Mike! I’m sure I’ll add a few more from your suggestions.)
19. See the NC Symphony play (ideastories)
20. Visit the Lazy 5 Ranch (Thanks for reminding me Jill and theparkersperher)
21. Enroll Athena in a Little Otter Swim School or similar (Although I wouldn’t have thought of this myself, it is one of my favorite suggestions, theparkersperher)

It will take some creative planning to see and do all of these amazing activities by life is meant to be lived to the fullest.

104 thoughts on “North Carolina Bucket List – Let the Adventures Begin”

flamidwyfe on July 14, 2012 at 5:07 pm said:

I’ll be up there beginning of October in Hendersonville… I plan on hiking Mt. Pisgah again and seeing the Biltmore… Might be fun to do together. I’d saying the hike up Mt. pisgah would be lovely with Athena in a baby wrap or back pack!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
eatwilmington on July 14, 2012 at 5:08 pm said:

Thanks for the mention, Lesley! And since I always want to know more, there is a behind-the-scenes tour at the Battleship USS North Carolina that is a fun one, too. We have a “Tourist in your hometown” day every year where all the attractions are free to residents if Wilmington and I always go to the Battleship…something special about that piece of living history!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Roxie on July 14, 2012 at 5:09 pm said:

excellent list! you’ll enjoy every one of them! love Charlotte! 🙂 and since you’re traveling NC, I highly recommend the Grove Park Inn, ahhmazing spa experience, just wrote a post about my stay there: http://roxieh.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/the-pleasure-of-business/
namaste

LikeLike

Reply ↓
denisediscovers on July 14, 2012 at 5:10 pm said:

How about visiting the place near Kitty Hawk, where the Wright brothers first flew? Without them and other pioneer aviators, we wouldn’t be able to fly around the world today like we do.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on July 14, 2012 at 5:44 pm said:
  
  Since my site has a major aviation focus, I should include this for sure. I’ll add it shortly. 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - Michael Vuke on July 16, 2012 at 7:38 am said:
    
    While you are visiting at Kitty Hawk, you should go hang-gliding off of Jockey’s Ridge which is in that area. I’m hoping to make it out there this summer and do that myself!
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
Patricia Black on July 14, 2012 at 5:12 pm said:

Visit the Balsam Mountain Inn, Balsam, NC between Waynesville and Cherokee and also Highlands near the southern border by Georgia. Both beautiful!!!
http://www.balsaminn.net/
http://www.highlandsinfo.com/

LikeLike

Reply ↓
incidentallearner on July 14, 2012 at 5:26 pm said:

Have a great time with it!! North Carolina is a lovely state.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
The INTOspective on July 14, 2012 at 5:30 pm said:

Go to Bele Chere. Travel the length of the Blue Ridge Parkway through NC. Visit Mt. Mitchell. I could go on and on but think those should be on your list for sure!!!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- bethanyd28594 on July 19, 2012 at 4:01 am said:
  
  Totallllly.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Hiking Mama on July 14, 2012 at 5:33 pm said:

Congratulations! We have family in Charlotte and all over NC. Love that state 🙂 Enjoy!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
dianeroark on July 14, 2012 at 5:48 pm said:

North Carolina sounds great! Have a blessed time. http://www.recipesforourdailybread.com

LikeLike

Reply ↓
on thehomefrontandbeyond on July 14, 2012 at 6:21 pm said:

I love your lists – you are a real “grab the bull by the horns” kind of girl–and you don’t just talk about what you want to do, you carry through

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on July 14, 2012 at 6:22 pm said:
  
  Thanks! I don’t ever want to say, “I wish I had of…” 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
jglhanks on July 14, 2012 at 7:14 pm said:

Don’t miss the ferries! Hatteras/Okracoke is a blast, and a short ride, but the longer mainland/Hatteras ferry (a 2-hour wonder) is really an experience.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- A. Nickles on July 17, 2012 at 12:38 pm said:
  
  Yes! Ocracoke is a must! Head to Books to Be Red and Leslie Lanier will give you all the local info on the best places to eat!
  
  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Books-to-be-Red/110818156439
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Flav_Holman on July 14, 2012 at 9:42 pm said:

Brilliant idea!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Barnett Massey on July 14, 2012 at 10:10 pm said:

There are many nice museums in Charlotte, and if you bank with Bank of America you can visit some of them free the first full weekend of each month (you just need to show your BofA atm or credit card when getting tickets). http://museums.bankofamerica.com/

Bentleys on 27 is an upper end restaurant in Uptown on College street on the 27th floor of the Charlotte Plaza building. They have an awesome view from up that high, and if you go at lunch they are not as pricey.

Although I have never been I hear that Inner Peaks is a good wall climbing facility http://www.innerpeaks.com/

I don’t see visit Charleston on your list. Although in South Carolina it is actually quicker to get to than Wilmington (faster highways). Definitely a very historical city. We had a wonderful historical tour when we visited, can’t recall the compan off the top of my head, but will look it up if you are interested. Plus Carnival Cruises sail out of Charleston so you can visit Bermuda, the Bahamas, etc. 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on July 15, 2012 at 2:14 am said:
  
  Some great suggests here; thank you!
  
  I didn’t know about the museums and I do bank with Bank of America 🙂
  
  We’re going to Charleston, only left off of the list because of location, in August for my husband’s birthday. Yet again, I had no idea that Carnival Cruises sail out of there. I’m going to look into it today because I haven’t been to Bermuda yet.
  
  I look forward to returning and planning my next adventure.
  
  🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Brother Jon on July 14, 2012 at 10:21 pm said:

If you get a second between all of your great and wonderful adventures please read this post http://ldsconvertblog.com/2012/07/14/awards/. I’ve nominated you for some awards. Take all that you like.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
aj vosse on July 14, 2012 at 11:46 pm said:

You’re going to be a very busy lady! What about a beach BBQ? 😉

LikeLike

Reply ↓
evea192 on July 15, 2012 at 12:39 am said:

What a mighty list u have? One year seem to little a time for all this?

LikeLike

Reply ↓
newwavegardener on July 15, 2012 at 5:12 am said:

You should also see a performance of the Fayetteville Symphony and go to the Air Borne Special Operations Museum, also in Fayetteville. Good luck on the list North Carolina is a wonderful state. Have live here in Fayetteville since 85. Have a great time.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
fig and the wasp on July 15, 2012 at 5:41 am said:

Awesome! Welcome! I’m in Raleigh and Charlotte is such a great city… 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
All that makes you... on July 15, 2012 at 5:43 am said:

We moved to NC nine years ago and love, love, love it. We live about an hour from Charlotte. Drive over to the “Tanglewood Festival of Lights.” It takes close to an hour to drive through and it was rated once a top ten thing to do in the south. It is amazing and usually they let you ride your bikes through one night. You have a great list to start and there are so many things to do! Mountains and beaches and the nicest people, once you get out of Charlotte perhaps where all the transplants are, joking! 😉 Oh, and watch the night flight of hot air balloons in Statesville, super close to Charlotte.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
theparkersperher on July 15, 2012 at 5:44 am said:

Yay.. Have fun Lesley.. I know you will love Charlotte as much as we do.. It’s not to big but big enough!! Enjoy and if you have any questions about any places email me!! Also you need to register with charlotte Parent magazine.. They will send you emails once a week of activities to do around Charlotte with the baby!!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Kelly Thompson on July 15, 2012 at 6:43 am said:

Many thanks on the shout-out and the follow! Looking forward to reading about your Southern Bucket adventures.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Vijayasimha Radhakrishnan on July 15, 2012 at 7:32 am said:

I have nothing to suggest, but in general your blog post have great pictures. Wow! If you are the one who shoot most of them, then you take great shots. The fountain pic in this post is currently my desktop wallpaper. Thank you for that 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
seniorhiker on July 15, 2012 at 7:45 am said:

If you visit Dupont State Forest near Brevard, you can get two wonderful waterfalls in a single hike. Go a little farther west and you can go through Cullasaja River Gorge and drive behind Bridal Veil Falls.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
garden2day on July 15, 2012 at 7:55 am said:

Lesley, congratulations. North Carolina is a beautiful state. I love it! The western side is my favorite. The waterfalls around Cashiers and Highlands are nice and there are some nice places to stay in that area plus shopping. There is also Hendersonville, Black Rock, Chimney Rock Park area, Grandfather Mountain – don’t forget the Highland Games (I’ve never been though)…these are just some of the places I enjoy. And, then there is the Great Smoky National Park which I can’t stay away from. Hope your move to Charlotte is spectacular. You will have the best on all sides. Oh, and the Biltmore at Christmas is something I have always wanted to attend. Good luck!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
annewoodman on July 15, 2012 at 9:11 am said:

I agree with the Belle Chere festival in Asheville. And eat at the Mast Farm Inn near Boone, NC. Go to the top of Grandfather Mountain. Eat pizza at Pepper’s in downtown Chapel Hill. Watch the hang gliders at Jockey’s Ridge. Enjoy. North Carolina is an amazing state.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
hoboduke on July 15, 2012 at 9:22 am said:

If you visit Charlotte Speedway, why not get strapped in for a NASCAR passenger ride on the track? They also let you run your own car, if it has the speed to hold a 50 degree bank!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
John on July 15, 2012 at 10:02 am said:

An exciting yet stressful time for you and the family. I’m sure it will all be good!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Sheila T Illustrated on July 15, 2012 at 10:41 am said:

I lived many many years ago among the pig/tobacco/peanut farms about 20 miles from a tiny town called Lillington and 20 miles from Fort Bragg. Loved the local folk and the weather!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- Sheila T Illustrated on July 15, 2012 at 10:51 am said:
  
  From a recent vacation trip: I can recommend the Childress Vineyards (NASCAR’s Richard Childress), The Candy Factory in Lexington, “The Chair” in Thomasville, and Emerald Hollow Mine.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Christina Sorrillo on July 15, 2012 at 10:58 am said:

I love Charlotte. I was there for work for a couple days and decided if I had to move again, Charlotte would probably be it! Have fun!!!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Eagle-Eyed Editor on July 15, 2012 at 11:22 am said:

For when you want a weekend away — and if either of you two is into golf at all — I recommend a place called Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club/Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club in Southern Pines, NC. We used to go on memorable group trips there — I don’t play golf but there was plenty for both golfers and non-golfers to do. Great food and beautiful surroundings.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
rtd14 on July 15, 2012 at 11:27 am said:

You will have such a great time! There are so many things I’ve yet to do in North Carolina. My husband and I drove so much of the Southern portion so last summer we drove to the NC/ Virginia border. We went along a different part of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Great Post!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
The Wandering Gourmand on July 15, 2012 at 11:37 am said:

For our dinner, I will have to find a bucket list establishment in Charlotte.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on July 15, 2012 at 11:53 am said:
  
  Sounds good; I bet you know just the place 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Laura at ModernPioneerMom on July 15, 2012 at 12:07 pm said:

Not sure that this is adventurous as your other activities, but I hear that Matthews Farmers Market and Atherton Farmers Market are both great in your area!!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
mellyerxs on July 15, 2012 at 1:21 pm said:

North Carolina is my dream state. My goodness! What a great place to settle down! I am in love with Wilmington! Make it there and to the beaches in that area! Absolutely quiet and beautiful!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
joslittlepictures on July 15, 2012 at 1:34 pm said:

What an amazing amount of energy you have! Thanks for dropping by:)

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Tini Tut on July 15, 2012 at 2:52 pm said:

I hope you will get your dream house, Its just lovely with people that follows there dreams. Ohh dont forget to ride a horse.

Hugs from Tini Tut and Casillero Del Diablo

LikeLike

Reply ↓
travelladywithbaby on July 15, 2012 at 4:41 pm said:

I love your bucketlist, it makes mine look so measly. No doubt you will do it with absolute gusto! Totally off topic, did you, or are you, recreating the lovely yellow and pink baby room?

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- lesleycarter on July 15, 2012 at 5:38 pm said:
  
  It’s all set again 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
2010claudia on July 15, 2012 at 5:37 pm said:

Attend an event at the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. Some of the free student performances are amazing!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
A Note From Dad on July 15, 2012 at 5:48 pm said:

After you “liked” my post “Big Fish Big Fun” the other day, I was looking through your site here today and of course found this post. I’m relatively new to blogging, just over a year, and would love the opportunity to be used as a means to bless someone’s life in some way, through my notes to my children. This particular post of yours was awesome, and it touches the same theme I wrote about just today. I’d love for you to read it and share it if you don’t mind. Thanks so much!

http://anotefromdad.com/2012/07/15/the-blessing-in-a-helmet/

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Kayla Bates on July 15, 2012 at 6:28 pm said:

I went to North Carolina in June, and the Biltmore and Blue Ridge Parkway are AWESOME. Go to the Tupelo Honey Cafe in Asheville, too! The sweet potato pancakes are crazy!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
The Nibbler on July 15, 2012 at 8:21 pm said:

anything and everything in wilmington, nc — it has been one of my favorite places to live. Wrightsville beach is beautiful, enjoy a peaceful stay there.
DEFINITELY visit Airlie Gardens in Wilmington is so beautiful.
good eat spots: front street brewery, mama fu’s, sweet n savory, flaming amy’s, bluewater, and the oceanic.
ALSO on the opposite side of the state, check out Asheville, it is so beautiful! My favorite eat spot over there is Doc Chey’s (i think thats how it was spelled…haha)
I cannot tell you how jealous I am that you’re moving to NC 🙂 I miss it dearly

LikeLike

Reply ↓
batistefitness on July 15, 2012 at 10:42 pm said:

I’ve never been to North Carolina but I would sure love to visit

LikeLike

Reply ↓
restlessjo on July 15, 2012 at 11:24 pm said:

I’m sure you’ll enjoy the process! Have fun.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
petra08 on July 16, 2012 at 1:21 am said:

It looks like a great list! Very impressive and can’t wait to see how it goes!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
talktomyshoes on July 16, 2012 at 4:26 am said:

This is great! It makes me want to draw focus back to my own, very untouched, bucket list. Thanks for that nudge =)

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Tilly Bud - The Laughing Housewife on July 16, 2012 at 5:48 am said:

I love that, instead of worrying about the move, you have made a bucket list. You will always be a happy and fulfilled person 😉

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Heather on July 16, 2012 at 7:03 am said:

Lesley, I love reading this blog as often as I can. Favorite quote: “Once I get an idea in my mind, there’s no stopping me! I figure out how to make it happen, and I go for it.” Samesies 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
Eddie Rester on July 16, 2012 at 7:14 am said:

If you’re in NC, even if you don’t like basketball, catching a Duke-Carolina game needs to be on the list (at Cameron Indoor preferably, but either site is worth it).

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- pubnknit on September 7, 2012 at 10:42 pm said:
  
  i second this 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
waronliteracy on July 16, 2012 at 7:40 am said:

I didn’t see this one on your list, but I think you should check out the Fayetteville Jazz Funeral and Zombie Walk. There’s also one in Charlotte, http://www.charlottezombiewalk.net/, but I think the one in Fayetteville is the epicenter of the zombie walk events: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fayetteville-Jazz-Funeral-and-Zombie-Walk/137386299633590
or http://visitsouth.com/articles/article/zombie-walk-10-28-2011-fayetteville-nc/ .

Either way, keep us posted on your adventures! I always look forward to reading about the places you go and the things you find when you get there.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
tasaunders on July 16, 2012 at 7:45 am said:

North Carolina is a beautiful state. I’ve been through there a few times on the way to Florida. I also love this bucket list you have. My own is much less ambitious travel-wise, but they’re a good thing to have. Thanks for liking a post on my blog, by the way.

LikeLike

Reply ↓