James L. Hoffman - Day Trips® from Raleigh-Durham: Getaway Ideas For The Local Traveler

James L. Hoffman is a lifelong resident of North Carolina. He is a freelance writer and chief operating officer for Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont. Hoffman has also been a newspaper reporter and editor and worked in marketing and public relations at Charlottes Discovery Place science center. He is also the author of Fun with the Family North Carolina, Day Trips Charlotte, and Day Trips the Carolinas. Hoffman lives in Gastonia with his wife, Bonnie. They have five children.

Wilmington Antique Show and Sale, Wilmington. Dozens of dealers have been coming to this annual show for a half a decade. (910) 512-5121; wilmingtonantiqueshow.com.

Anniversary Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, Currie. The battle here in 1776 that effectively ended British rule, is remembered. (910) 283-5591; nps.gov.

Carolina Jazz Festival, Chapel Hill. This festival on the campus of UNC and throughout the town features big and small names in jazz. (919) 962-1039; music.unc.edu/jazzfest/.

Anniversary of the Battle at Guilford Courthouse, Greensboro. The commemoration of this battle includes a week full of events. (336) 288-1776; nps.gov/guco.

Dogwood Festival, Fayetteville. Three days of events include concerts, family fun, and more. (910) 323-1934; thedogwoodfestival.com.

North Carolina Azalea Festival, Wilmington. One of the states largest and longest running events features garden tours and festival activities. (910) 794-4650; ncazaleafestival.org.

North Carolina Pickle Festival, Mount Olive. Pet animals, eat pickles, and have some fun at this festival. (919) 658-3113; ncpicklefest.org.

Buggy Festival, Carthage. Buggies have been big business in Carthage since the middle of the 19th century and this festival celebrates that. thebuggyfestival.com.

North Carolina Wine Festival, Winston-Salem. This festival is so big it has to be held at two locationsTanglewood Park in Winston Salem and Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. ncwinefestival.com.

Benson State Singing Convention, Benson. For nearly a century gospel music has taken center stage for three days in Benson. (919) 894-4389; gospelsingingconvention.org.

Mount Airy Fiddlers Convention, Mount Airy. Dedicated to old-time and bluegrass music, this festival has been held since 1972. (336) 345-7388; surryarts.org.

NC Blueberry Festival, Burgaw. Although second in the states blueberry production, Pender County hosts this festival of art, music, and more than a little pie. (910) 300-6116; ncblueberryfestival.com.

NC Fourth of July Celebration, Southport. This is the states most prominent Independence Day Celebration. (910) 457-6964; nc4thofjuly.com.

Robbins Farmers Day, Robbins. Since 1955 the town has paid tribute to the simple life and the family farm. robbinsfarmersday.com.

Crape Myrtle Festival, Scotland Neck. This daylong festival celebrates the trees that accent the town of Scotland Neck. (252) 826-3152; townofscotlandneck.com.

NC Watermelon Festival, Murfreesboro. There are several festivals of the mighty melon in the Carolinas but this one claims the state name. (252) 398-5922; ncwatermelonfest.com.

Wyndam Championship, Greensboro. This PGA tournament has been going on in Greensboro in one form or another since 1928. (336) 379-1570; wyndhamchampionship.com.

Collard Festival, Ayden. An eating contest and cooking contest for this Southern staple are just part of the fun of this festival. (252) 746-7080; aydencollardfestival.com.

International Folk Festival, Fayetteville. This weekend includes music, a parade, food, and more. (910) 323-1776; theinternationalfolkfestival.com.

Mayberry Days, Mount Airy. From a golf tournament to a gospel singing, this event recognizes the prominence the popular television series brought to the town of Mount Airy with stars of the show, look-alikes, and various events. (336) 786-7998; mayberrydays.org.

Mule Days, Benson. A mule pulling contest, a rodeo, and bluegrass are blended with traditional festival fun. (919) 894-3825; bensonmuledays.com.

Barbecue Festival, Lexington. Crafts, entertainment, and of course, the best in barbecue make this festival tops in the state. (336) 956-1880; barbecuefestival.com.

NASCAR Day Festival, Randleman. The town of Randleman partners with the Richard Petty Museum to put on this show of speed, history, and festival fun. (336) 495-1100; randlemanchamber.com.

NC Seafood Festival, Morehead City. For three days Morehead City puts on one of the states biggest beach parties of the year that includes music, dancing, family entertainment, and practically every kind of seafood imaginable. (252) 726-6273; ncseafoodfestival.org.

Fort Branch Battle Re-enactment, Hamilton. Since access to Fort Branch is limited, this is an excellent time to visit. The event includes full three days of events. (252) 792-6605; fortbranchcivilwarsite.com.

Seagrove Pottery Festival, Seagrove. Just about all the potters in the Seagrove area turn out for this event to sell their wares. (336) 873-7736; seagrovepotterymuseum.net.

The Polar Express Train Rides, Spencer. Santa spreads holiday cheer at the NC Transportation Museum. (704) 636-2889; nctrans.org.

Tanglewood Festival of Lights, Clemmons. This spectacular drive-through display includes a million lights and is one of the biggest holiday displays in the state. (336) 778-6300; tanglewoodpark.org.

After spending any amount of time at all in North Carolina you are likely to begin to notice wineries beckoning you to have a taste.

North Carolinas history in the wine business goes back to Sir Walter Raleighs arrival here in the 16th century as his men discovered a vine (the mother vine) on the states Outer Banks. It wasnt long before grape cultivation and wine production began. In the early 1800s, Thomas Jefferson noted North Carolina taking the lead with wine culture, and the 1840 Federal Census listed the state as the number one wine producer in the country. Then came prohibition in 1919, and wine bottles were exchanged for mason jars that held a certain more potent, clear potable.

It would be almost a century before wine would really make a comeback. Prior to the 21st century, there werent many more than a dozen wineries in North Carolina. Two decades later the state boasts more than 200 wineries and 400 vineyards, ranking it seventh among all states and establishing wineries as a bonafide contributor to the states tourism industry.

While some wineries produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Viognier from the more familiar European vinifera grape, others produce varieties from the sweeter, more unusual muscadine grapes, the official state fruit also known as the Scuppernong. Its popular not necessarily as much for its taste as for its benefits as an antioxidant.

The following list is a guide, cross-referenced with our day trips, to all the wineries located within about two hours of the Raleigh-Durham area. While most are in the Yadkin Valley near the Triad area, wineries have popped up in most every part of the state. Most offer specific tasting room hours, many offer eating establishments with outstanding views, and some present entertainment, special events, and even a place to lay your head.