Whether you’re looking for a large city or a small town, there are incredible weekend trips from Raleigh, NC.
Even though spending time in Raleigh is great as there’s a lot to do in the city, it can be nice to take a break from the city. Whether you want to relax or have a very fun weekend during which you can visit museums and explore famous landmarks, there are many great places near the city that you can visit during the weekend.
I made this list with the best weekend getaways from Raleigh to help you find the ideal spot for you!
Weekend Trips from Raleigh, NC
Charleston, SC
Distance from Raleigh: 4.5 hours
Charleston can be reached from the city of Raleigh, by car, in about 4.5 hours.
Charleston, located on the Atlantic coast of South Carolina, is a historic city that dates back to the year 1670 when it was founded as Charles Town.
The city is the most populous city of its state and it is home to many things to do and see.
Charleston’s city center has beautiful historic buildings. One of the best places to see these buildings is Rainbow Row, which is a street with colorful buildings.
You can also go to The Battery and enjoy a view of the Ashley River.
Two of the best sights in the city are the South Carolina Aquarium, where you can learn about marine life, and the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum.
You can see a show at one of the city’s historic theaters during your weekend trip. For example, you can go to the historic Dock Street Theatre on Church Street to enjoy a live performance.
Savannah, GA
Distance from Raleigh: 5 hours
Savannah, GA, like Charleston, is a beautiful, historic city. You can get to Savannah from Raleigh in about 5 hours.
You can see beautiful historic antebellum architecture in Savannah’s historic district. There are many guided tours that you can do to explore this part of the city.
It is also possible to see some of Savannah’s historic buildings from the inside. For example, you can do a tour of the Mercer Williams House Museum.
When you are spending a weekend in Savannah, River Street is a place that you have to go to. This is a street along the Savannah River, where you can find many restaurants and shops, and enjoy a view of the river at the same time.
In downtown Savannah, you can also find Leopold’s Ice Cream, which is an ice cream shop where you can get incredible ice cream.
Other notable places in the city are the Savannah Theatre and the SCAD Museum of Art.
Myrtle Beach, SC
Distance from Raleigh: 3 hours
Myrtle Beach, SC, makes for a very fun weekend trip from Raleigh and can be reached from the city in about 3 hours. Myrtle Beach is a resort city that is located on its state’s Atlantic coast.
There’s a lot to do when you are spending a weekend in Myrtle Beach.
One of the most fun attractions in the city is SkyWheel Myrtle Beach. This is a large Ferris wheel from which you can enjoy views of the Atlantic Ocean.
You can find various great museums in Myrtle Beach, such as the Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum and the Hollywood Wax Museum.
Mt. Atlanticus Minotaur Goff is another fun place to check out. This is a miniature golf with all sorts of unique holes.
In addition to that, there are many places in Myrtle Beach where you can see a show. For example, you can enjoy live music at The Bowery or you can see a unique show and have dinner at the same time at Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show.
Gatlinburg, TN
Distance from Raleigh: 5.5 hours
Gatlinburg is a beautiful small town that you can find in the state of Tennessee. You can reach the town of Gatlinburg from Raleigh in about 5.5 hours by car.
Gatlinburg is a mountain town that is situated in the Rockies, and there are many opportunities in the town for views of the surrounding mountains.
For example, you can ride the Gatlinburg Space Needle. From the top, you can enjoy a panoramic view of downtown Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains.
You can also ride the scenic Aerial Tramway during your weekend trip.
The town is also great for shopping and there are great places where you can enjoy dinner.
Also, you can find Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, where you can see lots of different species of marine animals.
Washington DC
Distance from Raleigh: 4 hours and 45 minutes
Washington DC can be reached from Raleigh in about 4 hours and 45 minutes. America’s capital city is home to many things to do making it one of the best weekend getaways from Raleigh. When you want to see everything, you’ll need to spend more time than one weekend in the city, but during a weekend trip, you can see the city’s highlights.
When you are in Washington DC, you can see the White House.
The city is also home to many monuments, such as the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.
Besides that, there are lots of museums in Washington DC that you might want to check out. Some of the best museums in the city are the National Gallery of Art, the National Portrait Gallery, and the National Air and Space Museum.
The city is also home to many performing arts theaters where you can see a show, such as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Augusta, GA
Distance from Raleigh: 4.5 hours
Augusta, GA, is a city that can be reached from Raleigh in about 4.5 hours by car.
There’s a lot to do and see in Augusta during your weekend trip.
For example, you can check out one of the city’s museums. One of the best museums in Augusta is the Morris Museum of Art. At this museum, you can find art and art made by artists from the American South.
The city is home to great historic theaters as well, such as the Imperial Theatre, which is a theater that dates back to the year 1918.
Another place to check out during your weekend trip is The Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson.
Richmond, VA
Distance from Raleigh: 2.5 hours
Richmond, VA, the capital city of Virginia, is a historic city with a history that dates back to the year 1742. The city played an important role during both the American Civil War and the Revolutionary War.
From historical landmarks to museums to beautiful gardens, there’s much to do and see in Richmond during a weekend getaway.
When you are in the city, you can do a guided tour of the Virginia State Capitol, which houses the oldest legislative body in the country.
One of the best museums in the city is the Science Museum of Virginia, which is a science museum with interesting exhibits.
You could also go to an event at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, such as a workshop.
From Raleigh, you can get to the city of Richmond in about 2.5 hours.
Ocean City, MD
Distance from Raleigh: 5 hours and 45 minutes
You can get to Ocean City, from Raleigh, in about 5 hours and 45 minutes. Ocean City is a resort city located on the Atlantic coast with much to do.
The Ocean City Boardwalk is a walkway along the ocean where you can find restaurants, shops, and places for entertainment, such as an arcade.
You can find many fun attractions in the city. For example, you can visit Ripley’s Believe It or Not! or play miniature golf at Lost Treasure Golf.
The Jolly Roger Amusement Park is also located in Ocean City, MD. This is an amusement park with thrill rides, a Ferris wheel, and other types of rides.
Knoxville, TN
Distance from Raleigh: 5.5 hours
Knoxville, TN, is a city that can be reached from Raleigh in about 5.5 hours.
There’s much to do in the city for a weekend trip.
For example, on one of the days of your weekend getaway from Raleigh to Knoxville, you can go to the Zoo Knoxville, which is a zoo where you can find more than 1,000 animals.
The city is also home to great museums, one of which is the Knoxville Museum of Art. At this art museum, you can find both historical and contemporary works from East Tennessee.
Another one of the city’s highlights is World’s Fair Park, which is the site of the 1982 World’s Fair. You can see several structures that remain from the World’s Fair.
One of these structures is the Sunsphere, which is a tower with an observation deck from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city.
Asheville, NC
Distance from Raleigh: 4 hours
Asheville, situated in Western North Carolina, is a wonderful city for a weekend trip and you can get there from Raleigh in about 4 hours.
There are many things to do in Asheville, making it a fun city to spend a weekend.
The city has great museums, including the Asheville Art Museum, the Asheville Museum of Science, and the Asheville Pinball Museum. The latter is a museum where you can play about 70 vintage pinball machines.
Asheville is also known for its many art galleries. One of these art galleries is Lexington Glassworks in downtown Asheville where you can see glass art and also see glassblowing demonstrations. The River Arts District is another great place to go if you want to see local art.
Another highlight you can see if you’re spending a weekend in Asheville is Biltmore, which is the largest privately-owned house in the United States. You can do tours of the building or go to an event at Biltmore.
Baltimore, MD
Distance from Raleigh: 6 hours
Baltimore, Maryland’s most populous city, is a city with many things to do and see. From Raleigh, you can get to the city, by car, in about 6 hours.
One of the best things to do in Baltimore is to go to the Baltimore Museum of Art. This is an art museum where you can find a collection of close to 100,000 objects.
You can also go to the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, where you can find many of the city’s attractions. For example, you can see historic ships here, there are restaurants, and this is also the area where you can find the National Aquarium.
In addition to that, if you love baseball, you can go to Oriole Park at Camen Yards to see a base all game of the Baltimore Orioles, a team that competes in Major League Baseball.
Charlottesville, VA
Distance from Raleigh: 3.5 hours
You can get to Charlottesville, VA, from Raleigh, in about 3.5 hours. If you want to visit a small city, Charlottesville is one of the best weekend trips from Raleigh. Charlottesville is home to the University of Virginia.
During a weekend trip, the Downtown Mall is great to explore. This is a pedestrian-only area in the city where you can find lots of shops and restaurants. Moreover, this part of the city has many buildings with beautiful, historic architecture that are great to see.
One of the city’s most famous landmarks is Monticello, which is a house that was designed by Thomas Jefferson.
Another one of the city’s highlights is The Fralin Museum of Art. This is an art museum that is part of the University of Virginia, and it has a collection of about 15,00 works that are very diverse.
You can also see a show at The Paramount Theater, which is a historic theater that dates back to the year 1931. You can find this theater at the Downtown Mall of Charlottesville.
Virginia Beach, VA
Distance from Raleigh: 3 hours
You can get to Virginia Beach in about 3 hours by car.
Virginia City is a city that you can find in the state of Virginia and on the Atlantic Ocean.
There’s much to do and see in the city, including great museums, such as the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art.
Another one of the best places to check out in the city is the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. At this place, you can find many restaurants and shops, including restaurants where you can dine with a view of the Atlantic Ocean.
It can also be great to go to one of Virginia Beach’s theaters, such as the Sandler Center. This is a performing arts theater where you can go to a concert, enjoy a comedy show, or see another type of show.
Fayetteville, NC
Distance from Raleigh: 1 hour
Fayetteville, NC, located only 1 hour away from Raleigh, is a great city to explore as there are many things to do in Fayetteville.
The city is home to many museums, such as the Museum of the Cape Fear, the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, and the Fayetteville History Museum.
There are also fun things to do with kids in Fayetteville, such as visiting the Fascinate-U Children’s Museum, where you can find interactive exhibits where children can learn new things in a fun way.
When you spend a weekend in Fayetteville, you can also go to the Cape Fear Regional Theatre to see a live performance.
In addition to that, the city has many places for entertainment. For example, you can go to Escape Room Fayetteville to play an escape game.
Wilmington, NC
Distance from Raleigh: 2 hours
You can get to the city of Wilmington from Raleigh, by car, in about 2 hours. Wilmington is a coastal city that you can find in Eastern North Carolina on the Atlantic coast.
It is a city with a beautiful historic district where you can see antebellum architecture. One of the best examples of this is the Bellamy Mansion, which is a historic building that dates back to the end of the 19th century.
There are a lot of fun things to do in Wilmington. For example, you could do a guided horse-drawn carriage tour of the historic district of Wilmington.
There are also great museums in Wilmington, such as the Wilmington Railroad Museum and the Cameron Art Museum.
Another notable sight to see during a weekend in Fayetteville is Battleship North Carolina, which is a National Historic Landmark. This is a former fast battleship that was used in World War II.
You can also walk the Wilmington Riverwalk and enjoy views of the Cape Fear River. Here, you can find many restaurants that offer views of the river.
Columbia, SC
Distance from Raleigh: 3.5 hours
By car, you can get to Columbia, SC, from Raleigh, in about 3.5 hours.
Columbia, the capital city of the state of South Carolina, is a city where you can do and see a lot making it great to check out if you’re looking for weekend getaways from Raleigh.
One of the best sights to check out is the South Carolina State Museum, which is a museum with many different exhibitions through which you can learn about the state of South Carolina’s history.
Another interesting museum to go to is the Columbia Museum of Art.
During your weekend trip, it can also be interesting to do a guided tour of the South Carolina State House.
Besides that, some great places to check out when you are doing this trip with children are the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, which is a very large zoo, and EdVenture, which is a Children’s museum.
Lynchburg, VA
Distance from Raleigh: 3 hours
Lynchburg is a small city in Virginia that is located in situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains. From Raleigh, you can get to Lynchburg, VA, in 3 hours.
The city has many art galleries, museums, and art centers that you can see during a weekend trip.
You can also go to the Lynchburg Museum to learn about the city’s history, or you can check out SeaQuest Lynchburg and learn about marine animals.
The Academy Center of the Arts, a performing arts venue, is a great place to see a performance such as a magic show or concert, during your getaway.
Roanoke, VA
Distance from Raleigh: 3 hours
From Raleigh, you can get to the city of Roanoke, VA, in about 3 hours. Roanoke is a city that is located in the Appalachian Mountains, close to the border of Virginia and North Carolina.
It is a small city that is packed with things to do. Whether you want to see art, have a lot of fun playing games, or learn new things, you can do so in Roanoke.
One of the best landmarks to check out in the city is the Mill Mountain Star. This is the largest free-standing neon star.
The Roanoke Pinball Museum is a fun museum where you can find a collection of more than 65 pinball machines. These are all playable machines.
The Science Museum of Western Virginia, a science museum where you can find exhibits related to all kinds of scientific principles, is a great place to learn new things.
Charlotte, NC
Distance from Raleigh: 3 hours
The state’s most populous city, Charlotte, can be reached from Raleigh in about 3 hours. There are many things to do in Charlotte that you can explore during a weekend trip to the city.
During your trip, you can check out one of Charlotte’s great museums. For example, you can go to Mint Museum Uptown to see American art and other types of works.
The city of Charlotte is home to several stadiums, so if you want to see a sporting event, Charlotte can be a great city for a weekend trip from Raleigh. For example, you can see a football game at the Bank of America Stadium.
For entertainment, you can go to one of the city’s performing arts venues. At the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, you can find a variety of venues.
Optimist Hall is a great place to have dinner in Charlotte during your getaway. This is a food hall with a variety of food vendors.
You can also decide to spend one of your days going to Carowinds, which is a large amusement park with many rides and attractions, including about 15 roller coasters.
Athens, GA
Distance from Raleigh: 6 hours
Athens, GA, is a city that can be reached from Raleigh in about 6 hours. Athens, Georgia, is a city that is home to the University of Georgia.
There’s much to do and see in Athens, including beautiful historic buildings throughout the city.
One of the best places to visit is the Georgia Museum of Art. This is a museum that belongs to the University of Georgia with more than 100 works.
You could also go to the Sanford Stadium and see a game of football there.
The Athens Farmers Market, a Saturday market with more than 40 vendors where you can shop for locally grown items, can be great to explore during your trip as well. There’s also a Winter Market that takes place during January and February.
Listening to live music at the Georgia Theatre, which is a venue where concerts by local and national acts take place, is a lot of fun too. At the Georgia Theatre, you can also find a rooftop where you can enjoy a drink with a view.
Greensboro, NC
Distance from Raleigh: 1.5 hours
Greensboro lies only 1.5 hours from Raleigh, which makes for an easy-to-do weekend trip.
There are a lot of great things to do in Greensboro, from going to a museum to seeing a show to having fun while playing games.
One of the best museums to visit during a weekend in Greensboro is the Greensboro Science Center. At this museum, you can find various exhibits related to science, and there are also exhibits with live animals.
Another interesting museum is the Weatherspoon Art Museum. This is a museum that is part of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and you can find a collection of contemporary and modern works here.
If you’re spending a weekend in Greensboro, you could also go to the Greensboro Coliseum and attend an event there. Lots of sporting events take place at the Coliseum, and there are concerts as well.
There are also several other places where you can see a show when you are in Greensboro, such as the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts and the Carolina Theatre.
Furthermore, you can find many options for entertainment in the. For example, you can find a location of Boxcar Bar + Arcade in Greensboro, which is a video arcade and a bar.
More Raleigh Articles
Rainy day activities in Raleigh, NC
Performing arts theaters in Raleigh, NC
Fun things to do at night in Raleigh, NC
Cozy coffee shops in Raleigh, NC
Raleigh Weekend Trips Tips
When considering one of these Raleigh weekend getaways I recommend looking at the route to get there and checking out if there’s a city or town along the way that you also would like to visit. This can make your trip much more fun!
Weekend Getaways from Raleigh
I hope you liked these getaways. Thanks for reading my guide to the best weekend trips from Raleigh!