Bennett Place
Immerse yourself in a vivid portrayal of the realities of rural life during the Civil War era in this reconstructed farmhouse, kitchen and smokehouse. 4409 Bennett Memorial Road, Durham. 919-383-4345. www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/bennett/bennett.htm.

Burwell School
Guided tours take you on a historic walk through the house, outbuildings and grounds of a 19th-century Presbyterian school for young women from 1837 to 1857. 319 N. Churton St., Hillsborough. 919-732-7451. www.historichillsborough.org.

City Market
Antique shops, boutiques, a brewery and restaurants thrive in City Market’s restored historic buildings. Cross the street into Moore Square and rub the huge copper acorn for good luck. Moore Square Arts District, Raleigh.

City tours
To help you get your bearings, Historic Tours of Raleigh offers one-hour walking tours of historic homes along Blount Street, churches and museums. Tours begin at 2 p.m. Sundays from March to November or by appointment. 919-829-4988.

Duke Homestead
Visit the farm where Washington Duke started one of North Carolina’s most important businesses. Whether you think of tobacco as the “demon weed” or a refreshing indulgence, you’ll delve into learning about its cultivating and processing techniques and about other skills 19th-century farmers used. 2828 Duke Homestead Road, Durham. 919-477-5498. www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/duke/duke.htm.

Exploris
Explore the world’s first global learning center, where hands-on exhibits and programs for kids of all ages focus on geography, global trade, telecommunications, language, culture and the global environment. The IMAX Theatre, a giant sight and sound film experience with a 52-foot screen and a 12,000-watt surround sound system is now open at Exploris. 201 E. Hargett St., Raleigh. 919-834-4040. www.exploris.org.

Greenways and trails
In the Triangle, there are miles of trails that wind their way through cities and link many of the area’s parks and lakes. These greenways are great for walking, jogging, biking, skateboarding and in-line skating. Many have picnic areas.

Raleigh Parks and Recreation
919-831-6640 or www.raleigh-nc.org/parks&rec

Durham Parks and Recreation
919-560-4355 or www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/parks

Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation
919-968-2787 or www.chapelhillparks.org

Historic Oakwood
This Raleigh neighborhood, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is the city’s only intact 19th-century neighborhood. It’s full of Victorian architecture lovingly restored and kept up by residents of this tightly knit, socially active neighborhood. Self-guided walking tour brochures available through the Visitors Center, 301 N. Blount St., Raleigh. www.historicoakwood.org.

The Horace Williams House
The only historic house in Chapel Hill that is open to the public. It features changing art exhibits and chamber music concerts. Guided tours available. 610 E. Rosemary St., Chapel Hill. 919-942-7818. www.chapelhillpreservation.com/horace.html.

Mordecai Historic Park
This park includes an antebellum plantation house museum and kitchen with a lovely garden. Other historic structures show how things were done in the old days. President Andrew Johnson’s birthplace is also here. 1 Mimosa St., Raleigh. 919-834-4844.

Morehead Planetarium
Once a NASA training center, this planetarium’s galaxy of options includes exhibits, an art gallery, a rose garden, a massive sundial and the 300-seat Star Theater. 250 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 919-962-1236. www.moreheadplanetarium.org.

Museum of Life and Science
Touch a cloud, create a tornado, see how your muscles and bones really work at this museum. Extraordinary permanent hands-on science displays, terrific temporary exhibitions and a great playground. Take the train to see red wolves and other wildlife. 433 W. Murray Ave., Durham. 919-220-5429. www.ncmls.org.

North Carolina Botanical Garden
Collections of local native plants are arranged by habitats in simulated natural settings. With 600 acres of preserved land with nature trails, carnivorous plant collections and herb gardens, this is one of the largest natural botanical gardens in the southeast. Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill. 919-962-0522. www.ncbg.unc.edu.

North Carolina Museum of Art
This museum houses internationally acclaimed collections of European and American art spanning 5,000 years as well as changing exhibitions. The new outdoor Museum Park Theatre schedules live performances, while the popular summertime “Movies on the Lawn” series shows flicks against the museum wall. 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh. 919-839-6262. www.ncartmuseum.org.

North Carolina Museum of History
Learn about the state’s history through this facility’s temporary and permanent exhibitions, including the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Programs are geared for visitors of all ages. 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. 919-804-7900. www.ncmuseumofhistory.org.

North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences
This museum, which documents and interprets the state’s natural history through exhibits, research, collections, publications and educational programming, moved into its spectacular new facility in 2000. Be sure to check out the dinosaur exhibits. 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh. 919-733-7450. www.naturalsciences.org.

Orange County Historical Museum
Journey to the past amidst depictions of Orange County lifestyles and history from the time Indians lived along the nearby Eno River through 1865 and the Civil War area to the present. A second-floor gallery features a different artist each month. Guided tours available. 201 N. Churton St., Hillsborough. 919-732-2201. www.orangecountymuseum.org.

Playspace
Learning is child’s play here. Youngsters can play in a child-sized grocery store, bank, café, hospital, theater and more. 410 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. 919-832-1212. www.playspacemuseum.com.

Pullen Park
Ride the 1915 restored carousel and the miniature train at Pullen Park, a lovely spot for picnics and walks near N.C. State University. 520 Ashe Ave., Raleigh. 919-831-6468. www.raleigh-nc.org.

State Farmers Market
Find farm-fresh produce in season, cut flowers, plants, seafood and more at this market, open year-round. Go early for breakfast at the Farmers Market Restaurant, or you’ll spend a long time in line. 1201 Agriculture St., Raleigh. 919-733-7417. www.ncagr.com/markets.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREATER RALEIGH CVB

Shopping
The Triangle area is home to some of the best shopping in the state. From Triangle Town Center’s Saks Fifth Avenue to Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, you’ll find that the Triangle has everything to fit your style. Here are the highlights:

RALEIGH
Triangle Town Center and Commons
Triangle Town Center and Commons is located in Raleigh’s prestigious north side. Opened in 2002, the mall is anchored by Dillard’s, Sears, Hudson Belk, Hecht’s and its newest treasure, Saks Fifth Avenue, which opened in 2004 as the first Saks in North Carolina. With more than 140 specialty stores including 20 restaurants, Triangle Town Center offers a Barnes & Noble, Ann Taylor Loft, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Curiosity Creek, a children’s play area. Outside the main mall area, Triangle Town Commons is an outdoor street with shops and restaurants. 5959 Triangle Town Blvd., Raleigh. 919-792-2222. www.triangletowncenter.com.

Shops of Cameron Village
Tree-lined walks and unique shops characterize this open-air shopping center in the heart of Raleigh, located on Oberlin between Hillsborough Street and Wade Avenue. The Shops of Cameron Village is one of Raleigh’s first shopping centers, serving residents since 1949. Today its sidewalks feature quaint cafés, banks, grocery stores, clothing shops, salons and barber shops, galleries, antiques and jewelry. Recent renovations have made the area a mixed-use community with residential living opportunities. 1900 Cameron St., Raleigh. 919-821-1350. www.shopsofcameronvillage.com.

Crabtree Valley Mall
Located at I-440 and U.S. 70 West (Glenwood Avenue) in Raleigh, Crabtree Valley Mall offers a variety of stores. The mall is anchored by major department stores Hecht’s, Hudson Belk, Sears and Lord & Taylor. Barnes & Noble, Pier 1 Imports, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Banana Republic and J.Crew are other popular stops. 4325 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. 919-787-8993.
www.crabtree-valley-mall.com.

DURHAM
The Streets at Southpoint
Off I-40 on Fayetteville Road, The Streets at Southpoint is anchored by Hecht’s, Hudson Belk, JCPenney, Nordstrom and Sears. More than 140 stores and eateries make up the mall and Main Street, an open-air shopping venue that resembles an old-time main street. The mall also includes Southpoint Cinemas, a 16-screen cinema megaplex with stadium seating and surround sound. 6910 Fayetteville Road, Durham. 919-572-8808. www.thestreetsatsouthpoint.com.

Northgate Mall
Anchored by Hecht’s, Sears and Belk, Northgate has been part of Durham for over 40 years. Other major stores include Old Navy, Office Max, Great Outdoor Provision Company and Victoria’s Secret. Northgate is in the process of converting 31,000 square feet of indoor shopping and adding 33,000 square feet to become the Plaza, a new outdoor section of shops. The Plaza is expected to be completed in the summer of 2006. 1058 West Club Blvd., Durham. 919-286-4400. www.northgatemall.com.

CHAPEL HILL
University Mall
Off Estes Drive in Chapel Hill, University Mall is a community-oriented shopping center with unique stores. One recent addition to University Mall is A Southern Season, a locally owned gourmet store. Appealing to the artistic university crowd, the mall also includes several art galleries and Deep Dish Theater Co., where you can catch a live performance. 201 S. Estes Drive, Chapel Hill. 919-967-6934. www.universitymallnc.com.

Franklin Street
Along the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill campus, Franklin Street is a bustling strip of interesting shops where you can buy Tarheel gear, discover a rare book, find decorations for your home and pick up outdoor equipment and clothing. Downtown Chapel Hill. www.downtownchapelhill.com/SHOPPING.htm.

CARY
Crossroads Plaza
On Walnut Street off of U.S. 1/64 in Cary, Crossroads Plaza features more than 70 stores and 15 restaurants with convenient parking and covered walkways. Crossroads Plaza includes Old Navy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Bed Bath & Beyond, Total Wine, Best Buy and Toys R Us. 213 Crossroads Blvd., Cary. 919-233-8087. www.shopcrossroadsplaza.com.

Cary Towne Center
This 1.1-million-square-foot mall offers more than 140 stores and eateries. Anchored by Belk, Dillard’s, Hecht’s, JCPenney and Sears, Cary Towne Center also includes Ann Taylor Loft, Bath and Body Works, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Helzberg Diamonds, The Limited and American Eagle. The mall is located at I-40, exit 291, at the intersection of Cary Towne Boulevard, Walnut Street and Maynard Road. 1105 Walnut St., Cary. 919-460-1053. www.shopcarytownecentermall.com.

Carolina Excursions
Asheville
A little more than three hours from the Triangle area, Asheville is a center of vibrancy and beauty in the midst of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its walkable downtown boasts art-deco buildings, cafés, galleries and small book shops. Asheville is also the home of writers Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry, who are buried in Riverside Cemetery.

Built in 1889, Biltmore Estate is the largest home in the country. With 250 rooms, an indoor swimming pool, bowling alley and gymnasium, Biltmore also includes lush gardens and a winery.

Asheville is surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest, which encompasses 500,000 acres in western North Carolina. The forest includes spectacular waterfalls and Sliding Rock, a naturally formed waterslide that is especially popular in the summer. Just northeast of Asheville, Mount Mitchell rises 6,684 feet, making it the highest peak east of the Rocky Mountains.

For more information, contact the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority at 888-247-9811 or go to www.exploreasheville.com.

Blue Ridge Parkway
Called “America’s Favorite Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway stretches for 469 miles between Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in western North Carolina. Four of its exits are in Asheville. More than 100 hiking and mountain biking trails are accessible along the parkway, which is most popular in the fall when the leaves change colors.
For more information, call 828-298-0398 or go to www.nps.gov/blri.

Charleston
If you’re looking to catch a glimpse of the old South, Charleston is a sure bet. Antebellum mansions line cobblestone streets near historic sites and cemeteries. Check out Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began, or take a ghost tour through some of Charleston’s haunted buildings.

At Charleston’s historic Market, you can find anything from shrimp gumbo to handmade jewelry. Folly Beach and the Isle of Palms welcome guests looking for a getaway. Other spots like Kiawah Island, Johns Island and Sullivan’s Island offer more private escapes.

For more information, call the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau at 843-853-8000 or go to www.charlestoncvb.com.

Chimney Rock/Lake Lure
Chimney Rock Park and Lake Lure lie at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Chimney Rock features a 402-foot waterfall and 3.5 miles of hiking trails that appeal to different ability levels. Named for a 315-foot monolith that overlooks Hickory Nut Gorge, Chimney Rock’s 75-foot views extend over beautiful Lake Lure.

As the filming site of “Dirty Dancing,” Lake Lure’s crystal-blue water is surrounded by scenic mountains, making it a popular vacation spot. A beach equipped with lifeguards offers concessions and picnic areas and the Lake Lure Marina offers boat tours and rentals. Cabins, bed and breakfasts, hotels and campgrounds are found within a few miles of the lake.

For more information about the Lake Lure/Chimney Rock area, contact the Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce at 828-625-2725 or go to www.thehickorynutgorge.com.

For more information about Chimney Rock Park, call 800-277-9611 or go to www.chimneyrockpark.com.

Grandfather Mountain
Near Linville, Grandfather Mountain offers some of the best views in the state and is easily accessible with a road that goes all the way to the top. On the clearest days, views extend all the way to Charlotte, 90 miles away.

The most popular spot at Grandfather Mountain is the Mile High Swinging Bridge, a 228-foot suspension bridge that extends over an 80-foot chasm. It is more than a mile above sea level at 5,305 feet.

The Wildlife Habitat houses black bears, bear cubs, river otters, cougars, bald eagles, golden eagles and white-tailed deer in their natural habitat. The Nature Museum offers natural history exhibits that explore the geological formation of the mountain chain.

More than 13 miles of hiking trails range from easy to extremely rigorous and weave through the 3,000-acre nature preserve. Ladders and cables assist climbers along some of the steepest slopes.
For more information, call 800-468-7325 or go to www.grandfather.com.

Myrtle Beach
Also known as the “Grand Strand,” Myrtle Beach spans more than 60 miles of coastline, offering everything from relaxing on the beach to its lively nightclubs. Shops and restaurants line the streets, and the area is home to more than 100 golf courses.

To truly get away from it all, check out nearby spots like Pawley’s Island, Murrells Inlet and Litchfield.
For more information, contact the Myrtle Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-356-3016 or go to www.myrtlebeachinfo.com.

North Carolina Zoological Park
The North Carolina Zoo is located in Asheboro, just southwest of the Triangle. The park covers 500 acres with the largest walk-through natural-habitat zoo in the country. Five miles of trails traverse the African and North American habitats.
For more information about the zoo, call 800-488-0444 or go to www.nczoo.org.

Old Salem
Founded by Moravians in 1766, Old Salem is a restored town with costumed interpreters that reenact the daily life of the early settlers. The bakery is a popular stop, with delicious Moravian cookies and other goodies.

Also part of Old Salem, the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts exhibits regional art of the early South. The museum includes 24 period rooms and six galleries displaying furniture, ceramics, paintings and metalware up to 1820.

For more information, call 888-653-7253 or go to www.oldsalem.org.

Outer Banks
A chain of barrier islands along North Carolina’s eastern seaboard retains its natural landscape and serene atmosphere.

Some of the country’s most famous lighthouses are along the Outer Banks, including the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest in the U.S. at 208 feet, and the Ocracoke Lighthouse, the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina.

The site of the first flight on Dec. 17, 1903, is marked by the Wright Brothers National Memorial. The museum offers a number of exhibits including a replica of the Wright brothers’ 1903 model.

Another popular museum, The Graveyard of the Atlantic, captures the maritime history of the Outer Banks, where more than 1,500 ships have wrecked.

For more information, contact the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau at 877-629-4386 or go to www.outerbanks.org.

Wilmington
Just over two hours from the Triangle via I-40, Wilmington is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Fear River. With cozy cafés and restaurants along cobblestone streets, Wilmington has an Old World charm. Its 230-block historic district is one of the largest in the state.

Downtown Wilmington has undergone considerable renovations in recent years, with restored 18th and 19th century buildings that house shops and restaurants. One of the highlights is the Cotton Exchange, where eight historic buildings connected by brick walkways and open courtyards offer dozens of specialty shops and eateries overlooking the Cape Fear River. Capturing the cultural and geologic history of North Carolina, the Cape Fear Museum is the oldest operating historical museum in the state.

For more information, contact the Cape Fear Convention and Visitors Bureau at 877-406-2356 or go to www.cape-fear.nc.us.