Find the perfect Labor Day escape in North Carolina. Start with our new special offers on VisitNC.com and then find a place to chill.
Raleigh, N.C. - As summer temperatures climb, beat the heat at these vacation destinations. In North Carolina, we offer “blow-your-hair-back” fun along with some milder, less heart-pumping options, too. Go to VisitNC.com to plan your easy, breezy Labor Day.
Nothing Like Cool, Hard Cash In Your Pocket
Take advantage of a new “special offers” section on www.VisitNC.com/offers. You’ll find cool savings from the Outer Banks to the mountains and everywhere in between. Save on golf packages and hotels; get discounts from stores, shops and tours at vacation destinations. Visit the page frequently as offers and deals change regularly.
Stand In The Mist Of A Cascading Waterfall, Brevard
Land of the Waterfalls, Transylvania County - In the western mountains near Lake Toxaway, Transylvania County is known as the "Land of the Waterfalls" with more than 250 shimmering waterfalls. Looking Glass Falls is one of the county's most viewed falls. It is 35-feet wide and drops 65 feet. Whitewater Falls, known as the 'king" of waterfalls, is considered the highest cascade east of the Rockies. (800) 648-4523 www.visitwaterfalls.com Looking for a guided tour? Visit www.tourwaterfalls.com
Feel the Wind in Your Hair… And Over Your Whole Body!
The Body Flight Center, Raeford (87 miles southwest of Raleigh) - Soar on a column of air inside a vertical wind tunnel—the largest on the planet. Paraclete XP SkyVenture’s tunnel boasts a 16.5-foot circular chamber; it’s completely climate controlled, enabling guests to fly in the safety of a wall-to-wall airflow chamber. Everyday visitors can train like skydivers and the military do. The expert staff provides everything you need. (910) 495-3334 www.paracletexp.com
Wet N' Wildlife, Atlantic Beach
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores - Explore what’s on the other side of exhibits at the aquarium with a behind-the-scenes tour. Or get outside with a barrier island trek, an onboard collection cruise or paddling expedition. The aquarium's largest indoor exhibit, the 306,000-gallon Living Shipwreck, features a replica of a sunken World War II German submarine amid a variety of diverse marine life as well as three sand tiger sharks, including one that weighs 350 pounds and measures more than nine feet long. (252) 247-4003 www.ncaquariums.com
Cool View From The Top, Burnsville
Mount Mitchell - With average summertime highs peaking at 65 degrees, you'll find relief at Mount Mitchell, the highest peak (6,684 feet) in the eastern United States. Mount Mitchell is off the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 355 and provides the perfect environment to camp, hike, picnic, horseback ride, tour the State Park’s exhibit hall or take an educational program among the early morning mist of low-hanging clouds. On a clear day, visitors can see as far as 85 miles and enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and the Pisgah National Forest. (828) 675-4611 www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/momi/main.php
Enjoy The Mile High Mountain Breeze, Linville
Mile High Swinging Bridge, Grandfather Mountain - Stop to savor the cool mountain air as you cross Mile High Swinging Bridge, a 228-foot suspension bridge spanning an 80-foot chasm at more than one mile in elevation. Take in the inspirational vistas stretching out for miles in every direction from the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains or hike one of 11 trails. Difficulty varies from a gentle walk in the woods to a rigorous trek across rugged peaks. Then, get your sugar fix at the eco-friendly fudge shop. (800) 468-7325 www.grandfather.com/swinging_bridge
Go Underground, Marion
Linville Caverns - In the caverns, you'll find a constant 52-degree temperature. After remaining a mysterious secret for centuries, North Carolina's only show caverns near Boone now allow visitors to glimpse nature at work "inside" the mountains. Slow-moving ground water has created underground labyrinths and formed a series of rooms and passages complete with spectacular formations. (800) 419-0540 www.linvillecaverns.com
Catch a Wave, Wrightsville, Surf City, Topsail, Carolina and Kure beaches
Surf Lessons - Learn to surf in the emerald green waters of Wrightsville, Surf City, Topsail, Carolina and Kure beaches. Surf Camp offers safe, exciting private and group surfing lessons. The program caters to all levels and is staffed by professionally certified surfing instructors. (866) 844-7873 www.wbsurfcamp.com
Kiteboard in Kitty Hawk, Rodanthe on The North End Of Hatteras Island
Capture the Wind – Harness the wind on the Outer Banks and try kiteboarding. You can learn to spin, flip or just fly using huge, multicolored kites. Blaze through the blue skies in majestic swoops when the wind belts between 13 and 25 mph. Sign up for private lessons and feel the goose bumps at Kitty Hawk Kites Kiteboarding School. www.kittyhawk.com
Ride the River Wild, Bryson City
Whitewater Rafting on Nantahala River - Over thousands of years, the swift currents of the Nantahala River have carved a gorge, lush with vegetation, in the mountains of western North Carolina. Winding eight miles through this gorge, the clear waters of the Nantahala offer plenty of practice on easy Class II rapids before culminating in the exciting Class III whitewater of the mighty Nantahala Falls.
SPECIAL PHONE OFFER: Raft the Nantahala River through the Nantahala Outdoor Center any time during the Labor Day weekend and receive 50 percent off a second Nantahala raft or duck (one- or two-person inflatable kayaks) trip on Labor Day Monday. The offer is good September 4 - 7, 2009. Mention the Labor Day discount when you book over the phone. Not valid with group rates. (888) 905-7238 www.noc.com
There’s plenty more where that came from. For even more ideas, special offers and travel tips, go to VisitNC.com. Order the 2009 North Carolina Travel Guide, download itineraries, sign up for e-newsletters and search extensive lodging, rental, restaurant, attraction and event listings at VisitNC.com, or call 1-800 VISIT NC (1-800-847-4862). Become a fan of North Carolina on facebook at Visit North Carolina. Follow the latest travel news on twitter @VisitNC and visit our Media Center at Media.VisitNC.com.
Photos available immediately upon request
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Contact
Susan Dosier,
704-953-9408
sdosier@visitnc.com
Wit Tuttell
919-733-7420
wit@visitnc.com
