My DH was born n raised in the Queen City and he’s had enough of it. But I don’t love sprawly Raleigh either. I mean they are both fine in a suburban city way, but they’re not NYC or SF or anything.
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We LOVE the NC Zoo! We’ve been to a lot of zoos around the world, and NC ranks up there amongst the top IMO. I love how much space all of the animals have.
My house is 4 miles from NC. I used to say NC is very similar to VA, but better. Better cities, better beaches, better mountains/waterfalls, better highways (though my perception might be skewed working with VDOT). But lately VA is growing on me more. I think with NOVA we lean a little bluer…
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If you like open space zoos, you will love Northwest Trek! It is a 720-acre zoo and wildlife park just south of Seattle.
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I have not traveled in NC enough but strongly encourage anyone who finds themselves in Asheville to make a stop at the Southern Highland Craft Guild and Museum. We did not know about it and only happened on it when we drove by on our way to the Blue Ridge Parkway. I am not a very artsy person but no one could possibly go there without being impressed. Apparently it is a VERY exclusive guild of artists. One artist told us that even though he had been the artist-in-residence at the White House, being admitted to this guild was the pinnacle of his career.
Shortly after we walked in I told my husband that this impromptu stop was going to cost him some serious cash. After 3 hours though, I was overwhelmed and couldn’t make a decision. Ha. Now I regret not buying one of the artsy quilts. Look forward to going back one day.
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Our trip was being planned with another couple months right as the hurricane hit so we punted. They have never been to Nashville so we decided to head there so we could see ds2! Maybe dh and I can do Asheville next year. I am determined to get to the mountains in 2026.
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That’s too bad. They could really use the $$ now. The NC Governor is doing a whole campaign trying to bring tourism back to western NC. He’s been on Stephen Colbert’s show amongst other things. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjolshzYvXc
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Coming from the north, Highway 40 was down to one lane going each direction. Then another storm washed it out again a couple of weeks ago. I feel so bad for that area.
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It’s open again, back to one lane both east and west. It’s also 40 or 50 miles from Asheville If you are coming to visit Asheville from the west you can go through the Smokies and it’s very scenic with no tractor trailer big rig traffic for the park part at least.
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Both of my daughters took a vacation in Asheville in the last month - separate stays and they loved it and def $$into the economy!
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We’re going to a wedding in Asheville in September. Thanks for the info about the Southern Highland craft museum, I will definitely be making a trip there!
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Yay! I know the Asheville folks appreciated it!
@cellomom2 I think @scubasue is talking about what folks in the area call the Folk Art Center. More info here: Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center. There is so much amazing art in Asheville. Make sure to visit the relocated River Arts District at the Upper RAD and in their new outpost downtown, too: https://www.riverartsdistrict.com
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Nobody from Massachusetts yet.
Boston
The Berkshires
Cape Cod
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We enjoyed Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.
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Even better than the Vineyard:
Nantucket Island–Thirty miles off the coast of Cape Cod with tons of shoreline and amazing beaches. Whaling Museum, historic homes, art galleries, great restaurants, excellent deep-sea fishing, theater, and a great movie house.
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Thanks for the info!
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Which restaurant in Providence???
My son just graduated from Brown, and I would love to know.
Thanks!
Them’s fightin’ words! Kidding - I love them both. I do think Nantucket is best for a couples getaway and MV for families. But they are both wonderful.
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This was several years ago when the teachers from France knew all about this place, I believe it was Rue de L’Espoir, on Hope Street.
Too bad - google says permanently closed
It closed in 2015 after being open 40 years, apparently…it was a while ago when the teachers from France asked about it…