North Carolina’s outdoor spaces are growing in size and popularity each year. The Parks and Recreation Department says more than 20 million visitors came to the state parks in 2023, exploring nearly 3,000 acres of North Carolina’s most beautiful landscapes.
Spartans looking for a summer outdoor excursion will find there are no limits. They can tailor their experience for a vigorous day of exercise, a space to relax, or an outdoor show in North Carolina’s mountains, beaches, and Piedmont communities, many of which are a short distance from UNC Greensboro.
Stamp Your Way Through the Parks
North Carolina created a passport program to track your progress across parks and trails. These booklets are kept in the park visitor centers, so hikers can start anywhere in the state. Once you pick up a booklet, you can take it to other visitor centers and get a stamp, tracking your progress through 34 recreational areas.
There are no prizes for completing a passport outside of bragging rights and your photos and memories of majestic waterfalls, rock formations, and lookout points. You don’t need to be an experienced hiker to navigate these paths. They are categorized by length and difficulty.
Outdoor Tunes
Summer music is a staple of Piedmont cities; all you need to enjoy it is a lawn chair or blanket. Greensboro has made a tradition out of MUSEP, which stands for “Music for a Sunday Evening in the Park” and hosts bands through August.
Winston-Salem is in the midst of its 26th Summer Music Series featuring downtown jazz concerts. Asheboro’s Summer Concert Series brings throwback bands and popular regional artists to its park once a month on Friday and Saturday. In Burlington, grab a drink every Fourth Friday and take in a foot-tapping show at its Historic Depot. Mt. Airy’s amphitheater lineup runs through October for $17 a ticket. Or enjoy Kernersville’s botanical garden at sunset for July Music at Twilight.
If you don’t mind traveling a little further, you can mix music with fireworks. Kure Beach, just south of Wilmington, is the home of Boardwalk Blast, which features weekly outdoor concerts with fireworks by the sea.
Park for a Picture
How about a movie under the stars? Drive-in movies saw an uptick when traditional movie theaters were closed during the pandemic. A few remain in operation and show old film favorites along with new releases.
The Eden Drive-In is a 45-minute trip from the UNCG campus. It updates its showings on its Facebook page. If you don’t mind the longer drive, you can head south to the Badin Drive-in Theater in Abermarle. Movies at both locations are $8 per adult.
Fruitful Festivals
What’s better in the summer than a refreshing slice of sweet watermelon? Food-themed festivals let you explore some of North Carolina’s small communities, embrace the state’s agricultural heritage, and sample popular cuisines.
There are two different watermelon festivals this summer. Columbus County holds its annual Watermelon Festival on July 27. This event began in the 1970s with a friendly competition between two retiring farmers comparing the size of their watermelons. That grew into something even bigger – an annual event with a parade, contests for different ages, a pageant to crown the Watermelon Festival Queen, and of course, lots of watermelons. If that date does not work for you, you can go to Murfreesboro for the four-day Watermelon Festival from July 31-August 3.
Also on July 26-27 is the Peach and Heritage Festival in Wilkesboro. Try some peach concoctions, buy locally-made crafts, and enjoy live music. Or check out the Ocracoke Fig Festival on the coast from August 2-3 for performances, demonstrations, and free samples from its bake-off contestants. Just before summer draws to a close, Hendersonville will hold the NC Apple Festival from August 30-September 2, with a street fair and carnival. While you’re there, make sure to check out jewelry for sale at the Gem and Mineral Spectacular that coincides with the festival.
It’s not all fruits and veggies. Greensboro holds its Food Truck Festival on August 25. Come downtown to check out about 50 different food trucks, craft beer, and arts and crafts for sale.
Cool Off
Once the humidity rises, North Carolina summers start to feel less like paradise and more like a sauna. But thanks to the state’s many waterways and parks, it’s easy to beat the heat.
Greensboro has Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe, a popular water park packed with slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, and splash zones. There is so much to do, you can choose whatever thrill level makes you comfortable.
UNCG also keeps Piney Lake, a 40-acre park with a water trampoline, paddleboards, and kayaks, open on weekends in the summer. Make it an all-day event with your family and friends by using the charcoal grills to prep an outdoor picnic after a dip in the lake.
And though many of the trails have a “Look, but stay back” policy due to slick rocks around waterfalls, the state’s rivers make up for that. Schedule a lazy afternoon on some of North Carolina’s most popular waterways – the Dan River, Deep River, French Broad, and New River all let you rent an inner tube. Or you can ramp up the adventure with whitewater rafting or kayaking.
Visit a Castle
The Biltmore Mansion is one the most popular draws in the state, nestled in Asheville. Not only can you experience its fantastic interior design, but you can also tour the six gardens, conservatory, and trails winding through its 8,000 acres. Stop by the winery or go shopping in the Antler Hill and Biltmore Villages.
Biltmore is by far the most famous, but not the only castle in North Carolina. Near the coast in New Bern, dive into the beleaguered history of the Tryon Palace, the home of a British governor that became a centerpiece in the prelude to the War for Independence. Now it’s a hub for tours, reenactments, and special events. Its restoration in the 1950s developed new, expansive gardens for visitors.
Smithmore Castle sits between Pisgah and Cherokee National Forests, making it a prime spot for picking and choosing your outdoor adventure. It offers horseback riding, cave tours, archery, and river activities. Relax on the balcony with friends and a cup of tea. And if you book a room at Smithmore, you can end the day listening to the crackle of the fire pit.
Story by Janet Imrick, University Communications
Photography courtesy of Adobe, Eden Drive-In, Visit Hendersonville, and Tryon Palace
Additional photography by Sean Norona, University Communications
