8 days in Charlotte & Raleigh, Durham & The Triangle Itinerary

A rapidly growing city in central North Carolina, Charlotte is the state's largest urban center and a major regional hub for finance, industry, technology, and entertainment.

You'll explore and learn at Discovery Place Science and NASCAR Hall of Fame. Kids will appreciate attractions like Carowinds and Concord Mills. Go for a jaunt from Charlotte to Mooresville to see The Lazy 5 Ranch about 46 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: take a stroll through SouthPark, see the interesting displays at Carolinas Aviation Museum, and identify plant and animal life at Latta Plantation Nature Center & Preserve.

To find reviews, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Charlotte road trip planning site.

Mount Pocono to Charlotte is an approximately 5.5-hour combination of car and flight. You can also do a combination of car and flight; or drive. In July, Charlotte is a bit warmer than Mount Pocono - with highs of 90°F and lows of 70°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sun) so you can go by car to Raleigh.

For those not from the South, Raleigh might be one of the region's better-kept travel secrets.

Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at North Hills and Videri Chocolate Factory. Visit Historic Yates Mill County Park and Historic Oak View County Park for their historical value. There's still lots to do: learn more about the world around you at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, walk around Pullen Park, trek along Neuse River Trail, and identify plant and animal life at Fletcher Park.

For ratings, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Raleigh online vacation planner.

Drive from Charlotte to Raleigh in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or fly. Expect a daytime high around 90°F in July, and nighttime lows around 71°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Thu) so you can travel back home.