3 Vacation Ideas for Labor Day Weekend in North Carolina

The end of summer is on the horizon and many of us are left wondering where the time went. Fortunately, Labor Day weekend presents one final opportunity to take a break from the rigors of everyday life. Since this may be your last chance to escape this summer, make sure that you don’t waste a second of it. North Carolina has plenty of great places to visit, so we’ve compiled a few of the best. Here are three vacation ideas for Labor Day weekend.

Sliding Rock

Feel like escaping into the forest? One stop that can’t be missed is Sliding Rock, located about two hours west of Charlotte. Sliding Rock is a 60-foot-tall smooth rockface that makes a natural waterslide. The gentle waterfall makes it perfect for both adults and children to enjoy. At the bottom of the waterslide is a six-foot pool that will be watched over by lifeguards through Labor Day weekend. The cost to take a ride down the waterslide is only two dollars.

While you’re near Sliding Rock, don’t forget to check out the nearby Pisgah National Forest and Dupont State National Forest, two sights that are unique to beautiful North Carolina.

Chimney Rock

If you enjoy getting an even more thorough experience of the outdoors, then Chimney Rock Park is the perfect place to escape to. Chimney Rock itself is a 535-million-year-old monolith that stands solitary above the trees, offering a breathtaking view of Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. It’s quite the strenuous hike to the top, but if you don’t feel like making the climb, there is also an elevator that takes you to the top.

The Park also features great activities for kids, including the Great Woodland Adventure, a half-mile hike where kids can learn about the lives of local animals such as owls, chipmunks, frogs, and many more. Don’t forget to check out nearby Hickory Nut Falls, the second largest waterfall east of the Mississippi. Chimney Rock Park is about an hour and a half west of Charlotte.

Hatteras Island

For many people, a dream vacation is a relaxing day on the beach. Well, if that’s your dream, then the place to go this Labor Day weekend is Hatteras Island. It may be a long seven hour drive east of Charlotte, but it’s well worth the journey. Hatteras Island features some excellent fishing, surfing, and even scuba diving just off the coast. Along the beach you can enjoy some great restaurants, then take in the unmatchable sunsets off of Hatteras Island.

While you’re on the island, you can’t pass up a chance to visit the Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest brick lighthouse in North America. The long climb to the top is not recommended for small children, but if you can manage it, the view is unbeatable.

You don’t have to go very far from Charlotte to experience the great getaways that North Carolina has to offer. With so many escapes out there, at least one of them will be the great final summer vacation that you and your family are sure to enjoy. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

Image via Pixabay

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