#Outaboutnc Community Members Tell their Favorite NC Vacation Spots

The goal of my new #outaboutnc travel guide community was for me to be able to offer vacation tips for people wanting to visit North Carolina. For this post, I partnered with the staff of Triangle Pest Control, a North Carolina based company, to sponsor our first travel tip series. The responses that staff are giving in this post are their own opinions, and are not sponsored by any travel or tourism agency.  Let's see what Donnie, Jesse, Bernard, and Teryn have to say about traveling in North Carolina. We'll find out where they like to dine, stay, and play. 

Top and bottom photos are by Leigh Hines. Middle Photo is from #outaboutnc community instagrammer @WakeforArt. 

NORTH CAROLINA VACATION SPOT FAVORITES

Name: Donnie Shelton , CEO of Triangle Pest Control 

 

Topsail area of North Carolina. Photo by Leigh Hines 

Q: Where’s your favorite place to vacation in NC?

A: North Topsail Beach.

Q: Why do you like this place so much?

A: The beach is not crowded and you are located between Wilmington and Beaufort. Plus the seafood in Topsail is second to none. It is a great place to take a family, watch dolphins in the surf and just relax for a while.   (Note, Leigh agrees about seafood)

Photo by Leigh Hines 

Q: Where do you normally stay? Rent a house? Specific hotel?

A: We normally rent a house on the beach.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do while on vacation? Boating? Surfing? Skiing?

A: My favorite thing to do is to just play games with the kids on the beach and read. It is nice to unplug for a while and just have fun. When the weather does not quite cooperate we normally head into Wilmington to check out downtown (E.g. train museum, boat tour, etc…) or we go to the Aquarium at Kure Beach.

Q: Where’s your favorite place to eat? Are there a few restaurants you always look forward to going to, or is there a new place you want to try?

A: Our default is The Oceanic at Wrightsville Beach. The food is hit or miss but I asked my wife to marry me next to the pier so there is somewhat of a sentimental tie there for our family.

Q: Is there a hidden gem/business here?  A specific beach access? Ski lift? Hole in the wall?

A: If you go to Carolina Beach there is a place called “Britt’s Donuts”. While I am not a donut person... these things are to die for. I think there’s even a fan club website devoted to these guys. There will always be a line and your kids will always thank you after a bag of Britts (after they are all sugared up of course).

Photos taken by Mom's Small Victories on Facebook for #outaboutnc

Q: What’s your favorite memory from this place? Have you brought back any souvenirs?

A: My family used to vacation at Topsail when I was a kid. Back then Topsail was a small town with only one store and a putt putt course. But as kids, we didn’t care. We would stay in this dive called the “Florida Apartments”. We played in the Ocean so much it was “difficult” to walk around if you know what I mean. I still remember those times when I drive through that area. Those are great memories with my family.

Note to travelers: Donnie is talking about two different areas in this piece. The Wilmington area beaches that include Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach are about a 35 to 45 minute drive from the  Topsail area in Pender and Onslow Counties. Surf City and Topsail Island are located in Pender County. North Topsail where Donnie vacations includes Onslow County, too. 

Name: Jesse Rehm, COO

 

Photo by Leigh Hines 

Q: Where’s your favorite place to vacation in NC?

A: Asheville NC     

Q: Why do you like this place so much?

A: It has all the outdoor activities you could ask for without giving up the amenities a city has to offer.  There is just something about mountains that takes me to my happy place.

Q: Where do you normally stay? Rent a house? Specific hotel?

A: Typically I’ll rent a cabin or a log home with a view.  

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do while on vacation? Boating? Surfing? Skiing?

A: White water rafting and hiking. I think my next adventure will be testing out French Broad’s zipline. It’s in Marshall- which is just a half hour or so from Asheville. They have a mile worth of zipline and you have the option to zipline atnight.

Q: Where’s your favorite place to eat? Are there a few restaurants you always look forward to going to, or is there a new place you want to try?

A: I typically will prepare food while I’m staying there and eat dinner on the deck while enjoying the view. If it’s the right season for it, I’ll swing by the Farmer’s Market to get a few fresh groceries.  Next time, I would love to try the Omni Hotel’s Vue 1913 --  I hear the bison brisket is amazing.

Q: Is there a hidden gem/business here?  A specific beach access? Ski lift? Hole in the wall?

A:  I really enjoy the Linville Falls area, beautiful views and great hiking

Q: What’s your favorite memory from this place? Have you brought back any souvenirs?

A: Quality time with family pretty much covers it.

Name: Bernard Buttone, Branch Manager

 

Photo by WakeforArt on Instagram, an #outaboutnc social media community member

Q: Where’s your favorite place to vacation in NC?

A: Oddly enough, my favorite place to vacation is more of a staycation. Falls Lake is a state park located just outside of Raleigh. Since I haven’t traveled much around North Carolina, I love just going to the lake.

Q: Why do you like this place so much?

A: It feels like one of the most peaceful places on earth. I like the escape from the city, without having to pack up for the whole weekend. My family and I can pack a picnic of fresh foods from the State Farmer’s Market and The Butcher’s Market to grill out, then we take a walk on the trails or just watch the kids run free for a few hours.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do here?

A: When I am on vacation my favorite thing to do is nothing. This is extremely difficult for both my wife and I! When we’re away for the day though, we really just want to give each other and our kids undivided attention. So whatever it is they want to do, we do -- with a few exceptions of course.

Q: Is there a hidden gem here?

A: There really is no hidden gem here. It is just about as straightforward as you can get. I think that is why I like it so much. When I am there I am just looking for serenity, and it never lets me down.

Q: What’s your favorite memory from this place?

My favorite memory was the first time that we went. My youngest son had yet to dig his toes into sand. He took 2 steps, turned around, and ran towards my wife. He hated it! He was high-stepping out of there like there were hot coals under him. Never before or never since have I seen a 9-month-old move like that!

Name: Teryn Means, Marketing Coordinator

 

Photo by Teryn Means 

Q: Where’s your favorite place to vacation in NC?

A: Salter Path, NC

(Leigh just got back from Salter Path and the Crystal Coast. We have so much to share with you soon.)

Q: Why do you like this place so much?

A: It’s where I grew up going. There’s something about this stretch of Carteret County that feels like home. Fishermen still occupy the beaches during the off-season and families make their way over the dunes during the summertime. Salter Path is the perfect getaway from Raleigh.

Q: Where do you normally stay? Rent a house? Specific hotel?

A: We always rent a condo at Windward Dunes. If you have the fortune of booking a corner unit, the sunrises and sunsets are spectacular (depending on which side of the building you get). Kevin is the live-in property manager who is a die hard UNC fan and avid tennis player - if I’m ever bored, I’ll just pull up a rocking chair and listen to one of his stories.

Photo by Teryn Means

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do while on vacation? Boating? Surfing? Skiing?

A: Several of my friends are from Morehead so I usually enjoy paddle boarding or boating with them. The Boathouse, where a lot of people dock, is a great place to grab a few snacks before heading out to Shackleford for the day.

Q: Where’s your favorite place to eat? Are there a few restaurants you always look forward to going to, or is there a new place you want to try?

A: If I’m coming off the beach to grab lunch, The Big Oak is my go-to. The definition of a hole-in-the-wall, this place makes the best shrimp burger on the island. For a nice dinner with the family, we usually go to Front Street in Beaufort. Well worth the fifteen minute drive, the view is a toss up with the food; both are incredible. Parrott’s on11th is also a good one!

Q: Is there a hidden gem/business here?  A specific beach access? Ski lift? Hole in the wall?

A: I think the RooseveltPreserve is the gem. It’s a two-mile stretch of oceanfront land that can never be developed. It’s a wonderful contrast next to the often over-populated surrounding beaches.

Q: What’s your favorite memory from this place? Have you brought back any souvenirs?

A: My grandmother is an early riser - she would always pack bagels and sea salt soaked apples for a 7 AM beach picnic. We did this for years; those memories are really special.

I adored hearing about these #outaboutnc community members/business owners favorite places to vacation in North Carolina. This post is proudly sponsored by Triangle Pest Control. If you are business seeking sponsorship of this series, or a NC blogger who would like to talk about NC travel, you may email me at hinessightblog@gmail.com 

Triangle Pest Control is a Green Pro Certified pest control company located in North Carolina. This locally owned and operated company is pleased to offer same-day, eco-friendly services to residents in Raleigh, Charlotte, and the surrounding cities. They are thankful for community support and look forward to continuing to provide dependable service to North Carolinians.