13 days in North Carolina Itinerary

Most visitors take a trip to Nags Head to enjoy the beach, but this Outer Banks town offers more than just waterside entertainment.

On the 19th (Mon), glide peacefully along the water with some of the best stand-up paddleboarding in the area. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 20th (Tue): enjoy the sand and surf at Carova Beach, enjoy the sea views from Currituck Beach Lighthouse and Museum, then contemplate the long history of Wright Brothers National Memorial, and finally get your game on at Outer Banks Old Time Photos.

To see other places to visit, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Nags Head trip builder app .

Boston to Nags Head is an approximately 5.5-hour combination of flight and car. You can also drive; or do a combination of bus and car. Plan for a bit warmer nights when traveling from Boston in August since evenings lows in Nags Head dip to 72°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Wed) so you can drive to Ocracoke.

Ocracoke is a census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated town located at the southern end of Ocracoke Island, located entirely within Hyde County, North Carolina. Start off your visit on the 22nd (Thu): kick back and relax at Ocracoke Beach Fires, contemplate the long history of British Cemetery, then steep yourself in history at Fort Ocracoke Monument, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach. On the 23rd (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: identify plant and animal life at Springers Point and then enjoy the sand and surf at Ocracoke Beach.

To find where to stay, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Ocracoke tour itinerary planning site .

You can drive from Nags Head to Ocracoke in 3 hours. In August, daytime highs in Ocracoke are 86°F, while nighttime lows are 74°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Fri) to allow time to drive to Beaufort.

Beaufort is a town in and the county seat of Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. Kick off your visit on the 24th (Sat): immerse yourself in nature at Fort Macon State Park, head outdoors with Beaufort Paddle, and then visit Island Express Ferry Service.

To see where to stay, other places to visit, photos, and tourist information, you can read our Beaufort route builder tool .

Traveling by car from Ocracoke to Beaufort takes 3.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 85°F in August, and nighttime lows around 73°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Sat) early enough to travel to Maggie Valley.

Maggie Valley is a town in Haywood County, North Carolina, United States. On the 25th (Sun), see the interesting displays at Wheels Through Time Transportation Museum, get a taste of the local shopping with Cedar Hill Studio & Gallery, then cruise along Blue Ridge Parkway, and finally stop by Mast General Store. Keep things going the next day: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Waterrock Knob, then brush up on your knowledge of spirits at Elevated Mountain Distilling Co., and then hike along Max Patch.

To find maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Maggie Valley trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by flight from Beaufort to Maggie Valley takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from Beaufort in August, Maggie Valley is a bit cooler at night with lows of 61°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Mon) so you can go by car to Robbinsville.

Robbinsville is a town in Graham County, North Carolina, United States. Kick off your visit on the 27th (Tue): head outdoors with Carolina Outfitters, relax in the rural setting at Yellow Branch Pottery & Cheese, and then get interesting insight from Tours. On your second day here, contemplate the waterfront views at Santeetlah Lake, then admire the sheer force of Yellow Creek Falls, and then cruise along Cherohala Skyway.

To find reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Robbinsville journey app .

You can drive from Maggie Valley to Robbinsville in 1.5 hours. August in Robbinsville sees daily highs of 83°F and lows of 62°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Wed) early enough to drive to Pisgah Forest.

Pisgah Forest is an unincorporated community in Transylvania County, North Carolina, United States. Take a break from the city and head to Pisgah National Forest and Dry Falls. Change things up with these side-trips from Pisgah Forest: Hendersonville (Bearwallow Mountain & Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards) and Zipline (in Lake Lure). There's more to do: indulge your thirst for a good beer at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Tours & Tastings and delve into the lush surroundings at DuPont State Recreational Forest.

To find other places to visit, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the Pisgah Forest travel itinerary planner.

You can drive from Robbinsville to Pisgah Forest in 2.5 hours. In August, daily temperatures in Pisgah Forest can reach 82°F, while at night they dip to 64°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Sat) early enough to travel back home.