Wilmington, North Carolina – Holiday All Inclusive

Just minutes from the beaches, Wilmington’s picturesque riverfront emerges from the Cape Fear River. Gracing its banks is one of the state’s largest historic districts, numbering approximately 230 blocks.

Downtown Wilmington is a place where revitalization has proceeded with honor, dignity and respect, preserving the social and artistic heritage of days gone by. See the historic district’s mansions and landmark buildings via horse-drawn trolley or carriage tour, riverboat cruise, restored trolley car, or take a walking tour given by some of the port city’s most intriguing residents.

Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina

Across the river on Eagles Island rests the majestic Battleship North Carolina, a restored World War II memorial. There are also other museums for children, fine art lovers, railroad and history buffs, including North Carolina’s oldest history museum.

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Feast upon the Atlantic Ocean’s bounty of fresh seafood, or enjoy a variety of ethnic cuisine and regional specialties, all served with Southern flair and hospitality. Visitors can lose track of time as they browse distinctive specialty and antique shops, clothing boutiques, shopping complexes, pottery outlets, and year-round holiday shops.

 

At day’s end, relax outdoors and behold nature’s beauty as the sun sinks into the river. Saunter along historic Wilmington’s riverwalk or taste the salty ocean spray as you stroll along the beach. Enjoy an evening at the theatre, a symphony concert, or other exciting nightlife options.

Whatever your pleasure, the visitor to this historic North Carolina town is sure to find what they are looking for at North Carolina’s Cape Fear Coast, a variety vacationland for the discriminating traveler. Visitors find out first-hand why those who live in Wilmington are fond of saying, “It’s always a beautiful day at the Cape Fear Coast.”

 

The city itself is nestled between North Carolina’s mighty Cape Fear River on the west and the powerful Atlantic Ocean on the east, has long been known as the “Port City of Progress and Pleasure.” Founded in 1739, Wilmington prospered during its early years as a major port and ship-building center. Today the city continues to flourish.

 

Boasting one of the largest districts listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Wilmington takes pride in its reputation as a leader in preservation efforts. Along the river, a number of Victorian, Georgian, Italianate and antebellum-style homes, buildings and churches have been carefully restored to their original grandeur. Many of these beautiful structures are now used as museums, shopping venues and bed-and-breakfasts.

 

Downtown Wilmington offers eclectic shopping, vibrant nightlife, theatrical productions, coffeehouses and outstanding restaurants that feature fresh local seafood and regional specialties. Inland, visitors will find excellent golf courses, department stores, parks, entertainment complexes, amusements, plantations, a state university and restaurants galore.

 

Local attractions and annual events are as diverse as the city itself. Visitors can enjoy more than 45 attractions, including day or evening riverboat cruises, museums showcasing North Carolina artists and history, and a variety of tours of the historic district, nature preserves, or movie studios. Traditional festivals such as the N.C. Azalea Festival and RiverFest, among others, celebrate the area’s arts and culture.

 

The city of Wilmington has experienced a dramatic and exciting growth.   With the influence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream, some 45-60 miles offshore, Historic Wilmington enjoys a temperate subtropical climate year-round. It’s no wonder that it is one of the fastest growing East Coast deep-water ports. Summer temperatures are usually in the 80s. Seasons are mild, with an average 212 sunshine days and a mean average temperature of 63.7 degrees Fahrenheit. The average winter temperature is about 50 degrees.

 

A climate like this affords the lucky visitor to take advantage of many of the sites and attractions available.  The Historic Battleship North Carolina allows visitors tocome aboard and experience the North Carolina’s “Star Appeal”. Because she is preserved just as she was in World War II, the Battleship North Carolina has been the site for many dramatic documentaries.  For those brave souls who are adventurous the Haunted Pub Crawl is a unique adventure.  Guests partake in an evening of spirituous adventure on a journey to Wilmington’s most vividly haunted pubs. They can revel in the seamy red-light district of yore & uncover startling truths of life in a violent 18th century port city. From the disreputable obsession of the merry wench Gallus Meg, to the barbarous haunts of a notorious madman, it’s an evening of levity & libations!

 

For a family outing, be sure to visit Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park.  Open seasonally, Jungle Rapids is Wilmington’s coolest place to play and a full day of fun for the entire family.  After a full day of activity, visitors often take in a play at Thalian Hall.  The Hall is one of the oldest and most beautiful theatres in America. THCPA has been in continuous use since it opened in 1858. Forming the east wing of Wilmington’s magnificent City Hall, the facility hosts over 250 performance events annually.

 

Whatever the interest of any visitor, this historic, yet modern North Carolina city has something new and interesting for even the most experienced and discriminating traveler.

Fayetteville, North Carolina – Holiday All Inclusive

Fayetteville, North Carolina is an all-American city with a proud past and a promising future. There is much to commend Fayetteville as an attraction for tourists. Residents of the city consider it an ideal place in which to live, work and bring up a family. Fayetteville is known for its gracious hospitality and Southern charm.

Thousands of soldiers and airmen reside at Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base in what is one of the world’s largest military complexes. From Pope Air Force Base, thousands of elite paratroopers deploy on missions to the world’s hot spots. Fayetteville’s colorful heritage includes historical leaders in the armed forces who excelled during the Revolutionary War, the Civil War the two world wars, and the war in Vietnam.

Fayetteville, North Carolina
Fayetteville, North Carolina

The Airborne and Special Operations Museum alone is one of the area’s premier attraction. This state-of-the-art educational facility houses exhibits and programs that speak to the honor, courage, duty, and heroic feats of this unique sector of the American armed forces from its inception in 1940 to present-day operations.

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Although the military presence provides the bedrock for Fayetteville’s economy, many nationally and internationally known businesses originated in the region. Today the Fayetteville area provides the nation with one of the most diversified centers for manufacturing industries, which insures a solid economic base from which to recruit new industries and to plan comprehensive, long-term growth.

Telecommunications figure prominently in the industry mix and are attracted to Fayetteville because of the diverse labor force and the technological capability to handle the needs of any new business.

Families with children will find The Climbing Place an ideal location to work off some of that boundless energy. Conveniently located in the downtown area, the facility is professionally staffed and features every conceivable climbing surface and configuration. There are climbing roofs, corners, cracks, arches, slabs, aretes and lead routes. A great way to get in shape while having fun at the same time.

In the spring and summer, be sure to visit the Fayetteville Rose Garden. With over 40,000 roses in bloom from March until October, it’s a sight you won’t soon forget.

If you happen to be visiting in late October, there is Historic Hauntings, described as A Ghastly Ghost Tour. This annual special event features “ghostly” re-enactors and story tellers highlighting the history of Fayetteville and telling some of the spookier legends from Fayetteville’s history. Hayrides are available as well.

For hikers, the Cape Fear region offers some challenging little hills. However, not far to the west, an often-overlooked chain of ancient volcanoes provides the adventure of an Appalachian adventure close at hand. The Uwharrie Mountains rise to 1,000 feet over parts of Montgomery and Stanly counties, about 90 minutes from Fayetteville. Although they are not far from home, the mountains’ isolated vistas, cool breezes, and unusual volcanic rock give visitors the feeling of being a world away.

Fayetteville State University, part of the UNC system, is the state’s fastest growing, most rapidly advancing institution of higher education. The people of the region are committed to maintaining excellence in educational programs. In recent years the Fayetteville State University Bronco teams have brought home 17 championships in football, basketball, golf, volleyball, tennis, bowling, and softball.

Fayetteville offers a variety of cultural venues for all ages and interests. The climate is ideal, allowing for 6-8 months of water-sports activities. Whatever your interests, stop by and spend some time in Fayetteville and surrounding areas and see for yourself! Whenever you visit, whether for business or on vacation; whether military or civilian, this charming North Carolina city awaits you with a warm, welcoming smile.

Durham, North Carolina – Holiday All Inclusive

Close your eyes and imagine a city set among acres of hardwood and evergreen forests, hills and dales, serene lakes, meandering rivers and streams, and you will have an accurate picture of Durham, North Carolina.

Durham is the fourth largest city in the state, and is located about halfway between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the pristine beaches of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Durham is a colorful, creative, and entrepreneurial community and is the proud home of  Research Triangle Park, Duke, and North Carolina universities.  Visitors have found this congenial town to be filled with an engaging spirit where diverse and passionate people are open and welcoming. Both residents and visitors enjoy the host of cultural, historical, educational, and natural amenities that Durham has to offer.

Durham, North Carolina
Durham, North Carolina

Durham has also been called the City of Medicine for its outstanding hospitals, major national and multinational health care companies, cutting-edge research companies, specialty clinics, nationally recognized medical teaching facilities, and acclaimed centers for weight management.

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Although each is separate and distinct, Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill are the three main cities that make up thefamily of communities sometimes referred to as theResearch Triangle or the Triangle Region.  Research Triangle Park (RTP) carved from Durham pinelands in 1959 as a special Durham County tax district for research and production, is encompassed on three sides by the City of Durham and a mere four miles from downtown Durham.  The Triangle now refers to two metropolitan statistical areas (a four county MSA with the city of Durham at its core, and another around Raleigh-Cary), a 13-county state planning region, and other regional cooperatives

 

If you are wondering what to do during your trip to Durham, visiting adults and children enjoy the highly acclaimed, entirely hands-on Museum of Life and Science. Durham has many historic sites from which to choose, such as Bennett Place (where the Civil War ended) or Stagville (the largest plantation in North Carolina with the original big house, slave quarters, and a monumental barn still standing). Explore the miles of nature trails along the Eno River, or take a restful stroll through the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. At night, you may want to enjoy a live performance at Duke University or at the beautifully restored Carolina Theatre in downtown Durham.

 

No trip to Durham would be complete without visiting Duke University. The highlight of this showplace is the Duke Chapel, reminiscent of England’s Canterbury Cathedral. The bell tower rises 210 feet and houses a 50-bell carillon that rings out at the end of each workday and on Sunday. A half-million-dollar Flentrop organ with more than 5,000 pipes is in a special oak gallery, and renowned organists perform public recitals on the first Sunday of each month. During a visit to the West Campus, take a look at Cameron Indoor Stadium, the home of the Duke Blue Devils basketball team since 1935.

 

Thousands of locals and tourists fill the stands each summer as the Durham Bulls play a full season in the Class AAA International League as an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Bulls shot to fame (and have been credited with rejuvenating minor league baseball ) on the shoulders of Kevin Costner catching for rookie pitcher Tim Robbins in the 1988 movie “Bull Durham”. While the Bulls no longer play in Historic Durham Athletic Park where the film was actually shot, the park is still standing and hosts numerous events and festivals each year. In 1995, the Bulls moved from the wonderful old-time ballpark to a state-of-the-art stadium about a mile south in downtown Durham.

 

Throughout the year, Durham is jumping with festivals and events. From free music concerts and chili cook-offs to art exhibits and world class film festivals, visitors to the Durham area will find both their days and nights filled with stimulating entertainment.

Charlotte, North Carolina – Holiday All Inclusive

Charlotte has the air of a congenial southern town, where hospitality is taken seriously and guests are made to feel not only welcome but at home. At the same time, it is a bustling cosmopolitan city, and also home to the NFL Panthers and the NBA Hornets.

Charlotte’s outdoor activities include sightseeing in the surrounding countryside as well as a number of more structured events. Charlotte offers over 14,000 acres of parks and 17 designated recreation centers. Charlotte Metro Zoo prides itself on letting visitors “see the animals up close at a safe distance,” including its prized collection of large primates, bears, and big cats. The Lazy 5 Ranch allows visitors to drive through a real ranch and look at over 600 animals. Visitors can enjoy the 3 ½ miles safari drive in their own cars or in horse-drawn wagons. Some outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate Balloons Over Carolina, offering one-hour balloon rides over Charlotte and the surrounding environs 7 days a week. Two large lakes nearby encourage a variety of water sports including water skiing, boating and fishing.

Charlotte, North Carolina - Holiday All Inclusive
Charlotte, North Carolina – Holiday All Inclusive

The city’s museums and galleries display many of the much sought after crafts produced by area residents. The Brem House Artisans Gallery and the Fieldcrest Cannon Textile Museum offer visitors a look at local handicrafts from times past and from the present. The First Light Fine-Craft Gallery and the Harris Holt Gallery also showcase local artists and their creative talents. For more traditional art offerings, visitors should seek out the Mint Art Museum, the first art museum in North Carolina. Children love Discovery Place, which is rated one of the top hands-on science museums in the country.

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North Carolina has become one of the nation’s premiere vacation spots in recent years, and Charlotte is the ideal place to begin an exploration of this remarkable state. Natural splendor is only a short drive in any direction, whether one is looking for spectacular beaches or for the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is so much to see and explore in this family friendly southern city. Some parts of the itinerary can be planned in advance, but leave room in the schedule for the enjoyable discoveries that will be sure to occur during a Charlotte, North Carolina vacation.