Weekend Adventures in High Point, NC
Two-, three- and four-day adventure options, from staycations to beach trips, for High Point, NC residents
Finding fun adventures around home is easy to do in High Point, North Carolina. Situated close to the Smoky Mountains and the East Coast, the city offers many staycation options, as well as weekend trips to fulfill nature or beach trip desires – all a stone’s throw away.
Weekend Staycation
High Point residents love to spend their leisure time in the great outdoors, so start with a trip to All-A-Flutter Farms, the state’s only fully operating butterfly farm that is open to the public. “All visitors are encouraged to hand feed the butterflies inside our open-air ‘flight house,’ where hundreds of monarchs flutter around you,” says co-owner Nora Aker.
Next, switch gears and focus on the city’s indoor attractions. Consider the High Point Museum, which “traces the history of High Point, from its founding to the present day,” says the museum’s community relations director Teresa Loflin, noting that the museum “also has an exhibit that highlights High Point’s furniture heritage.”
Those with an interest in craft beer may be tempted by the goings-on at Brown Truck Brewery, a microbrewery that features live music. Another option is The Brewer’s Kettle, which caters to a clientele that enjoys high-end craft beer, wine and cigars.
It’s also worth planning your staycation to coincide with one of the city’s unique annual events.
“On Labor Day weekend we host the Coltrane Jazz Festival,” says Nancy Bowman, director of sales & marketing for the High Point Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“We’ve already secured Gregory Porter as one of the headlining artists for next year,” says festival committee co-leader Joe Williams of the 2018 event, which will take place at Oak Hollow Festival Park.
High Point is also home to the annual Miss North Carolina USA and Miss North Carolina Teen USA pageants, held each fall at the High Point Theatre.
Discover the Best of All Worlds in High Point, NC
Three-Day Weekend
If you have an extra day to play, consider heading out of town to visit the nearby Smoky Mountains, or perhaps take some time to explore Black Mountain or Asheville. A popular nearby attraction is Kersey Valley in Archdale, which features the Kersey Valley Zipline, outdoor laser tag and a cornfield maze, among other fun activities.
Another option is to visit Old Salem Museum & Gardens, which presents “an authentic view of the rich cultural history of early Southern life … with special emphasis on the Moravians in North Carolina.” The Reynolda House Museum of American Art is also a recommended stopping point. Then continue west and visit the wineries in Yadkin Valley wine country, which include Shelton Vineyards, the largest family-owned estate winery in North Carolina.
Other diversions worth considering are the North Carolina Zoo, located just south of Asheboro, as well as Mount Airy, the home of actor Andy Griffith.
Why High Point, NC is a Hub for Global Industries
Four-Day Beach Trip
High Point residents with more time to get away have even more options, with beaches and coastal destinations a mere three to five hours away. There’s an abundance of things to do at Wrightsville Beach, an island near Wilmington, the latter an attractive destination in its own right as well as a hub for film and television production.
One can also reach the Outer Banks of North Carolina in just five hours, an especially attractive locale for an Airbnb rental. Of particular note in the Outer Banks area is the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills (site of man’s first powered flight), the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (the country’s tallest brick lighthouse) and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (the country’s first national seashore).
Take time to appreciate the region’s rich history and attractions, knowing you’ll be coming home to a city that is highly regarded for its compelling combination of affordability and high quality of life.