8 days in North Carolina Itinerary

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

Your inner history buff will appreciate Duke University Chapel and Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral. Visiting Neuse River Trail and Conservators Center will get you outdoors. Get out of town with these interesting Raleigh side-trips: Old Town Cemetery (in Hillsborough), Airborne and Special Operations Museum (in Fayetteville) and International Civil Rights Center & Museum (in Greensboro). And it doesn't end there: get a new perspective on nature at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, appreciate the extensive heritage of Historic Oakwood, examine the collection at North Carolina Museum of History, and explore the world behind art at North Carolina Museum of Art.

To find traveler tips, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Raleigh road trip planning site.

Indianapolis to Raleigh is an approximately 5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Indianapolis in November, you will find days in Raleigh are somewhat warmer (62°F), and nights are about the same (39°F). Cap off your sightseeing on the 16th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Asheville.

Asheville nestles between two major mountain ranges in the scenic western section of North Carolina.

Take a break from the city and head to Tumblestone Tours and Transportation and The North Carolina Arboretum. Get some cultural insight at Basilica of Saint Lawrence and Grovewood Village. There's still lots to do: sample some tasty brews at BREW-ed, browse the exhibits of River Arts District, do a tasting at Biltmore Winery at Antler Hill Village, and sample the tasty concoctions at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Tours & Tastings.

For where to stay, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Asheville trip planner.

Getting from Raleigh to Asheville by car takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: fly; or take a bus. In November in Asheville, expect temperatures between 59°F during the day and 36°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Cherokee.

The center of Cherokee culture in the eastern part of the country, the town named after this Native American tribe serves as a base camp for hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Start off your visit on the 20th (Fri): take in the awesome beauty at Clingmans Dome, then brush up on your knowledge of spirits at Elevated Mountain Distilling Co., then examine the collection at Wheels Through Time Transportation Museum, and finally try your luck at Casino at Harrah’s Cherokee. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take a tour by water with Fly Fishing the Smokies and then see the interesting displays at Museum of the Cherokee Indian.

For maps, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Cherokee trip planner.

You can drive from Asheville to Cherokee in 1.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 60°F in November, and nighttime lows around 32°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sat) so you can travel back home.