Travel & Vacation Guide, North Carolina

By Robert Vrabel

There may be winter weather during February in North Carolina but that shouldn’t stop you from seeing and doing all that North Carolina has to offer. There are some of the highest ski slopes ease of the Rockies and numerous local events and festivities. In Pinehurst you will find the annual Heart ‘n Soul of Jazz event. This is a pre-Valentine’s Day event that often features Grammy-nominated artists amongst many other excellent performers. If you choose to stay at the Pinehurst Resort you can get a package deal that includes your overnight accommodations, gourmet dinner, breakfast buffet, a bottle of champagne and a ticket for the concert per each night’s stay. There are also Meet the Artist Dessert Receptions after each performance. Individual tickets are also available for the concerts.

In Durham, you will find the Annual Native American Powwow. The powwow features Native American dancing, feasting, singing and crafts. There are also intertribal dances. This is one of the largest powwows in the Southeast and attracts up to 150 dancers, six drums and crowds in the thousands. There are several crafts at the event that include beadwork, silverwork, woodcarving, and leatherwork. Foods featured include fry bread, Indian tacos, buffalo soup and corn soup.

In Wilmington you can find Fort Fisher. The port remained open longer than any other Confederate ort and was a town of about 10,000 people. The port placed an important role in keeping the Confederate troops supplied. The Fort is located on the ocean side of the Cape Fear River and the cannons of the Fort were able to keep the Union army ships at bay for some time. This allowed the blockade ships to supply the port, which were then placed on the Weldon Railroad to supply the troops.

Up the coast from Wilmington is Fort Macon. Fort Macon was built to protect Beaufort, however, it was taken by the North Carolina Militia in April 1861 and then fell again to the Union forces in April 1862. The fort is now in good condition and is the site of a state park. Many people do not realize how vital North Carolina was in the Civil War and, in fact, there is a long Civil War Trail that makes its way up the coast of North Carolina. In Creswell, you can find Somerset Plantation. This is one of North Carolina’s largest plantations. The plantation was more than 100,000 acres at its peak and was home to more than 300 slaves. The plantation house is open for visitation and features information on both the planter and slave culture on the plantation.

Rob Vrabel is the co-owner of http://north-carolina.2havefun.com, the largest directory of fun things to do in North Carolina. Visit this great directory at http://2havefun.com

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By Martin McAllister

Since the 1960s, Renaissance Fairs have become major annual events in the lives of a large number of Americans. These outdoor festivals generally focus on the re-enactment of life during the English Renaissance, usually imagined within an English town during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Since the original Renaissance Pleasure Faire was held in North Hollywood in 1963, fairs have spread across North America in epic proportions. Some of the most notable fairs include the New York Renaissance Faire (located in Tuxedo, New York), the Renaissance Faire of Southern California and the Carolina Renaissance Festival, which is held in North Carolina every October and November.

The Carolina Renaissance Festival takes place over six weekends and incorporates a 10-stage theatre, a 20-acre circus, an arts and craft fair, a jousting tournament and a feast - all contained within a medieval-theme amusement park. Established in 1994, the Carolina Renaissance Festival actually began on only 6 acres of land. However, now spanning over 20 acres, the park is home to a range of cottages, castles and a variety of medieval games and rides. Visitors to the fair will also find over 100 food stalls, as well as an array of comedy shows and musical features.

As one of North America’s largest Renaissance fairs, the Carolina Renaissance Festival is now one of the country’s most interactive entertainment events; after all, it has over 500 costumed participants and characters commandeering the festival village. Furthermore, the festival is just a 20 minute drive away from Charlotte, the state capital - so you can escape the madness of the fair if it ever becomes too much.

If you’re planning to visit the Carolina Renaissance Festival, spending some quality time in Charlotte is extremely worthwhile. Charlotte is home to a number of museums and cultural attractions, including the Charlotte Museum of History, the Mint Museums and the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte - one of the top youth theatres in the country. What’s more, you can also visit the top tourist attraction in North Carolina, Concord Mills, which features a large range of retail outlets, restaurants and entertainment events. Tourists will find an array of top hotels in Charlotte; so if you’re looking for accommodation in the city when you’re enjoying the delights of the Carolina Renaissance Festival, you won’t be short of options.