From Peaks to Shores: Raleigh’s Spring Break Hotspots Revealed

As the vibrant colors of spring begin to paint the landscape, we dust off the sandals, pull the bathers from the depths of the closet, and start walking towards adventurous horizons. I. Am. Ready.

Whether you’re yearning for a spontaneous road trip or dreaming of jet-setting to distant shores, Raleigh, North Carolina is a springboard to endless possibilities.

To help you explore this brighter and more fragrant season, we’re sharing a list of our Spring break destinations from charming coastal getaways to mountain retreats, and even international escapades.

As spring break for schools is a little early this year, some of these destinations may be more suited to later in the Spring due to weather and blooms being slow to wake.

So, pack your bags, roll down the windows, and head off on an exhilarating spring vacation from Raleigh. (We’ve also recorded a podcast episode about these spring break destinations. You’ll find it at the bottom of the post.)

Spring Destinations (an EAsy Drive from Raleigh)

As spring break vacation times tend to be shorter, we chose exciting, adventurous and stunning locations that are an easy six hours or less drive from Raleigh.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC & TN)

There’s a special allure to immersing yourself in an ancient forest – where the outside world fades away, and you blend into the natural surroundings.

That is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located on the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. There’s a reason it’s one of our favorite national parks in the USA.

Amidst its tranquility, you can encounter bears, elk, and a stunning array of wildflowers, alongside a remarkable diversity of trees and an astonishing thirty-one species of salamander – the highest concentration anywhere in the world. In fact, did you know that the Smokies are the most biologically diverse in the entire National Park system?

In springtime, the Smoky Mountains burst into life as snow gives way to rising temperatures, the mountains become adorned with lush greenery, cascading waterfalls, and vibrant wildflowers line the trails and meadows.

Don’t miss our favorite Smoky Mountains activity: cycling the Cades Cove Bike Loop, where we had numerous encounters with bears!

And if you’re seeking more Spring Break adventures in the North Carolina mountains, there are plenty of enticing options to explore. You can get there in under six hours drive from Raleigh.

For a mountain town nestled at the threshold of the Smoky Mountains, Bryson City, NC, offers a more intimate experience compared to the bustling Gatlinburg, TN.

The Biltmore Estate, North Carolina

With the promise of warmer days ahead, a visit to the Biltmore Estate in springtime is a truly unforgettable experience, where history, nature, and beauty converge in perfect harmony.

We have been nearly every season (except Fall) and Spring is our favorite for their enchanting gardens bursting with colorful tulips, daffodils, and azaleas. The iconic Biltmore House stands as a magnificent centerpiece, its elegant architecture framed by blossoming trees and vibrant foliage.

As of mid-March, Biltmore reports that the witch hazels, daffodils and hyacinth are blooming, and April should bring tulips and azaleas. And this year, in 2024, you are in for a treat, master glass blowing artist Dale Chihuly returns with his awe-inspiring works on exhibition.

We visited Biltmore with my parents in May 2018 and Dale Chihuly had an exhibition on then as well. His spectacularly vibrant glass sculptures on display throughout the gardens captivated me. I’ve since seen many of his works around the country, including his fantastic museum in Seattle. I’d say it’s an unmissable springtime event in North Carolina.

The Biltmore Estate is just under four hours’ drive from Raleigh. To extend your Biltmore trip, Asheville is an eclectic mountain town not too far away and we love Lake Lure!

Ocracoke Island, NC

Ocracoke Island is a picturesque barrier island located in the Southern Outer Banks, just off the coast of North Carolina. It’s renowned for its unspoiled beaches, diverse wildlife, and charming coastal village atmosphere.

The island is accessible primarily by ferry, private boat, or small aircraft, as there are no bridges connecting it to the mainland. With its secluded setting, Ocracoke Island is a haven for unwinding, so leave any stress behind before you arrive!

Be prepared for getting around on golf carts or bikes, beach driving, paddling the waterways, hunting for Blackbeard’s treasure, relaxing at the wine bar or brewery, and spectacular sunsets on the beach (with firepits and smores).

We visited Ocracoke Island in Spring last year, which was perfect timing before the mad rush of summer. Aim to go in late spring as more local businesses will be open. (local is all you’ll find on Ocracoke!)

This will be our destination of the month feature for our podcast in April, so subscribe to the This is Raleigh podcast on your favorite listening platform.

Beaufort, South Carolina

Looking for a springtime escape that marries Southern charm with coastal allure? Look no further than Beaufort, South Carolina, not to be confused with Beaufort, North Carolina.

With its moss-draped oaks, antebellum architecture, vibrant waterfront, delicious seafood, and hidden beaches, Beaufort offers quintessential Lowcountry experience.

If you’re a fan of the movie Forrest Gump, then you’ve already seen a lot of Beaufort, South Carolina, which was where the movie was mostly filmed.

Beaufort Island is about halfway between Charleston and Savannah along the protected Intracoastal Waterway and South Carolina’s Atlantic Coast.

It was on our Spring vacation to Beaufort that we discovered on of our favorite historic neighborhoods in the USA and a protected state beach with jungle vibes and dolphins swimming by.

Why settle for ordinary when you can discover the extraordinary in Beaufort this spring? It’s a worthy 4.5-hour drive from Raleigh.

Savannah Georgia

Sweet Savannah, for which we named our second born child (well in part, also, African, and Australian savannah!) It really is one of our favorite USA cities and is where we take our family visiting from Australia.

With its live oaks dripping with Spanish moss lining the city’s historic squares and cobblestone streets, its lush greenery, historic charm, Southern hospitality, and attitude pointed towards fun, Savannah is enchanting.

From historic trolley tours to children’s museums, hanging out in Forsyth Park, sweets galore, riverboat cruises, and if your game, ghost tours, Savannah has something for kids of all ages.

We also love the laid-back coastal vibe at nearby Tybee Island. Head out there for a salty spray of ocean rejuvenation.

Roanoke & Virginia’s Blue Ridge

With its surrounding mountains and valley location you are spoilt with opportunities to get outside and enjoy the Spring weather in Roanoke, Virginia. This springtime mountain escape is only three hours from Raleigh.

Take your pick from mountain biking, zip-lining, paddle boarding and tubing down rivers and then washing it all down with a refreshing local brew at the end. In the largest town on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, you don’t have to give up the culinary and cultural pleasures of a city.

Take your time to soak up the views from many of the Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks and see why this is known as ‘America’s Favorite Drive’ and one the best scenic drives in the USA. It’s only a ten-minute drive from Roanoke.

Grab your camera and enjoy the stunning vistas, the return of lush landscapes and spring flowers such as the white flowering dogwood, rose Eastern redbud, violet rhododendron, and bright red or orange azaleas.

Amicalola Falls & Unicoi State Park, Georgia

Only about six hours from Raleigh are the gorgeous North Georgia Mountains, perfect for a tranquil and adventurous spring break destination.

We love how at Amicalola Falls State Park Unicoi State Park, they have accommodation options right in the middle of the beauty.

Amicalola Falls is known as an adventure park, highlighted by the 2,400-ft long zip line, the hike to the top of the highest waterfall in Georgia, and the fact that the 8-mile approach trail that leads to the base of Springer Mountain – the official beginning of the Appalachian Trail – starts here!

Our cabin in the forest came with a fireplace, huge deck, and a fire pit, and in over three days at this state park we enjoyed adventurous activities by the day, then relaxing by the fire at night.

Only an hour’s drive from Amicalola is the equally beautiful Unicoi State Park within the Chattahoochee National Forest, where you’ll find the serene Unicoi Lake and the spectacular Anna Ruby Falls, now one of my favorite waterfalls in the USA.

It’s a double waterfall in the lush verdant forest that thunders down the cliff face and merge together at the bottom to form the full-flowing Smith Creek.

Our unique accommodation I the state park was a barrel shaped cabin, with lake views from our deck.

Washington DC

High on many people’s spring break bucket list is the nation’s capital for its popular Cherry Blossom festival. And we do mean popular, so be prepared for crowds. But, if you’re a flower fanatic, Washington DC is the destination for you.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival, envelopes the city (mostly along Tidal Basin) in soft pink hues, creating a stunning backdrop for leisurely strolls and scenic boat rides.

Springtime also brings a flurry of activity to the city’s iconic landmarks, including the White House and National Mall, where visitors can explore world-class museums, monuments, and memorials.

From the awe-inspiring Lincoln Memorial to the solemn beauty of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, there’s no shortage of historic sites to discover.

The National Park Service just announced that this year’s peak bloom is expected to take place March 23-26.

Azalea Festival Wilmington, NC

Located on the Cape Fear River, and much closer to Raleigh, is one of our Favorite places in North Carolina, the small town Wilmington.

We only recently learned of the annual Azalea Festival in Wilmington, which celebrates these beautiful spring blooms found all over coastal Carolina.

There’s a street fair, parades and concerts at the riverfront park pavilion. On the Thursday will be T-pain and then Chase Rice on the Friday.

It’s estimated 300,000 people attend across festival days happening Apr 3-7, 2024. Of course, you’ll want to plan for a day at Wrightsville Beach while you’re there!

International Spring Destination Ideas from Raleigh

With more international direct flights being announced from Raleigh quite regularly, you have so many more options now for easy spring break destinations.

We’ve chosen two of our favorites that are easy to get to and good to travel to in the Spring as you’ll avoid the crazy summer crowds. Good news is we have all the guides and planning tips to make it easy for you on our global travel blog.

London, UK

London isn’t just a sprawling, bustling metropolis where medieval buildings stand beside modern skyscrapers; it’s also teeming with lush parks, many of which hold royal status. That’s why experiencing London in the spring is such a delightful and colorful affair.

With attractions ranging from Harry Potter adventures to world-class museums and art galleries, panoramic views from skyscrapers, fantastic shopping spots, and a plethora of unique and enjoyable tours, there’s something to captivate every member of your traveling group.

I lived in London for more than 2 years, and I’ve visited countless times. Recently, we visited Londin in the spring for 10 days here with our girls and they absolutely adored it. The cool thing about England being so compact is that you can easily hop on a day trip to awesome places like  Bath, Oxford, Cambridge, and Stonehenge.

Paris, France

Paris, the City of Love and Lights, totally stole the hearts of both our girls on our recent 4-week European summer trip. I can still hear their excited squeals when they caught their first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower and spotted this adorable flower-covered café in Paris that they begged to eat lunch at.

Savannah had her outfit planned for the perfect Eiffel Tower photo for days beforehand, and Kalyra totally soaked up the whole Marie Antoinette experience we could find.

And, oh my goodness, we practically lived on chocolate croissants and macarons every single day!

Spring is awesome for visiting Paris as there are so many beautiful gardens bursting with flowers and amazing smells everywhere you go. You won’t want to miss the incredible garden at the Palace of Versailles.

Spring Break from Raleigh Podcast Episode

For those who may prefer watching a video of us podcasting, we filmed that for you too, which you’ll find on YouTube each week.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re seeking the tranquility of the mountains, the serenity of the coast, or the excitement of international exploration, there’s a perfect destination not too far from Raleigh waiting to be discovered.

We have personally visited all the destinations recommended in this post on spring breaks from Raleigh. We know you will create memorable moments this spring, no matter which place you choose.

We’re fitting in a couple of weekend beach trips this Spring to the Crystal Coast and the Brunswick Islands and a family trip to Wyoming! You can follow our travels and tips on Instagram. Click here for more ideas for spring break destinations in the USA and abroad!

From the rolling hills of North Carolina to the farthest reaches of the globe, may your spring vacation be filled with laughter, discovery, and the joy of new horizons. Safe travels! Oh and tell us in the comments below where you’re headed to for your spring vacation.