Nearby attractions include Grandfather Mountain, Julian Price Memorial Park, Linville Caverns and Linville Falls. To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html. “Thousands of people come to our one stoplight town for this parade. Kids can search for precious gems at Crystal Mountain Gem Mine or head downtown to browse the aisles of the “coolest toy store on the planet,” O.P. From the coast to the mountains, North Carolina has charm to spare. Oxford is our primary town, with a nice downtown, nice parks, and various amenities. It seems to me that it's pretty much on par with other small, rural towns close to the interstate. We’re also big fans of the small town’s coffee shops, including Gray Squirrel and, of course, Carrboro Coffee Roasters. Your email address will not be published. Cities & Towns. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Thank you for sharing all this information. Round Trip In Private Luxury Car from Raleigh Airport (RDU) To Raleigh Hotels, http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html, Artspace in downtown Raleigh0- reopening to the public. The Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail, NASCAR’s last remaining dirt track, hosted races between 1948 and 1969 and now offers 3 miles of hiking trails near the Eno River that include the 1-mile oval and rusty remnants of the track’s glory days. I have a family member that has developmental delays and does better in a small town setting. Of course, things could change as people move in and out of places. Photo courtesy of Bill Russ ― VisitNC.com. Holly Springs, and Apex are up and coming places also, little farther away but if you don't mind an extra 10 minute commute. Through parks and greenways, families can enjoy walking trails, soccer and baseball fields, an in-line hockey rink, tennis courts, a disc-golf course, bocce ball and a splash pad. When it comes to a good time, the Raleigh, N.C., area knows no limits. “The mix of outdoor activity and energetic entertainment is something families love about our town,” says Amanda Lugenbell of Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority. It’s the only place I know of with a five-star general store, and the Haw River Ballroom is one of the best-known music venues in the area. But I don't base that on any actual statistics. We live in Granville County and a ton of folks live here and work in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Savor the sounds of nature at Eagle Point Nature Preserve, a 200-acre area on High Rock Lake with hiking trails and canoe and fishing access. No wonder the Triangle has been recognized as the #1 Best Place to Live. Insider tip: Tour historic New Bern in a fully restored 1929 Ford Model A. Tours are booked via Aerie Bed and Breakfast Guest House and Conference Center, one block from Tryon Palace. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-85290126', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Raleigh/RTP. The event is free with admission. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Well, I don't know what to tell you about that. “Later, the whole family can enjoy the resort’s private lake, Lake Pinehurst, featuring fishing, boat rentals, kayaks, cabanas and more,” Holt says. A young boy enjoys a sledding run in Banner Elk. While visiting Bryson City, consider a day trip to nearby Cherokee or Clingmans Dome, the highest point in Tennessee. I'm interested in knowing of any smaller towns near Raleigh where we may look into living that still has everything we need such a grocery stores, restaurants, shopping, etc., so that she is able to mainly stay in that town without having to enter the bigger cities but still manageable for me to get to work considering the drive. Wild horses on Shackleford Banks, part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Don’t-miss annual events include the July Fourth Celebration and Parade with sack races, a watermelon-eating contest and inflatables. The event is held the Saturday after July Fourth. Today, you can relax in modern Jacuzzi tubs outside on the banks of Spring Creek and the French Broad River at the Hot Springs Resort and Spa. Either way, I’m excited to keep visiting these awesome small towns for many years to come. I'm a writer and recovering American expat who shares my family's travels through life. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. 7 Amazing Breweries in Roanoke and Nearby in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, A Weekend in Lexington, Virginia: History, Local Love, and More Things to Do, Traveling to Escape the “Washing Machine” Cycle of Life, THE Shenandoah Valley Road Trip: 20 Must-Visit Places.